“Aye. That we have.” Mordred glanced from Merrick to Allegra. “It would seem we’ve interrupted the lord, Desmond.” He touched a hand to Merrick’s arm. “Will you join us below stairs?” Merrick’s mouth was a thin, taut line of repressed fury. “Aye.” He continued looking at Allegra. “Go now. I’11 be there shortly.”
He could feel the two men watching him before they turned on their heels and descended the stairs, laughing together.
When they were gone Merrick stepped back. “Now I’ll warn you, my lady, as I did the other night. Close your door and put a brace to it.”
“I don’t understand.”
He turned away, determined to put as much distance between them as possible. “There are times when you don’t need to understand. It is enough to do as I bid, for I am lord of this fortress.” His tone was rough with anger. “Now bar your door, lest the ale weaken my brain and have me storming your chambers later.”
Without another word he was gone, striding down the stairs like one possessed of demons.
Though he hardly relished the thought of drinking with his cousins, it seemed wiser than what had originally crossed his mind.
Chapter Thirteen
Allegra entered her room and set the brace, then crossed her arms over her chest and paced in front of the hearth, deeply troubled.
Why was it that Merrick seemed always angry whenever they touched? His reaction was the exact opposite of hers. When he touched her, she felt herself melting. Her blood warming. Her heart swelling with strange new feelings she couldn’t put into words.
And when he kissed her—the mere thought had her head swimming. When he kissed her, she wanted the kiss to go on and on, without end. Though it shamed her to admit it, she wanted him to touch her everywhere. There was something about his touch. At first it had frightened her. But now just thinking about Merrick touching her, kissing her, had the tingling starting anew.
With but a touch he could make her weak. With a single kiss she was unable to think, to reason.
She pressed her hands to her cheeks, feeling so alone. If only her mother were here. Or her grandmother. Those wise women would be able to help her sort through these troubling thoughts.
She paused at the balcony and stared at the stars winking in the night sky. Slowly the feeling came over her that she wasn’t alone. Though her family was far away, they would hear and understand.
“Oh, Mum.” She lifted her head and saw one star brighter than all the others. “What am I to do about these feelings? Would it be wrong of me to give in to them? The thought of lying with Merrick MacAndrew, of mating with him, is almost overpowering. But if I should mate with this man, would I forfeit my powers?”
As if in answer the star began to glow and glimmer in the sky. Rubbing her eyes, Allegra sank to her knees on the balcony and waited to hear her mother’s voice. Instead, all she heard was the silence of the night. It washed over her, soothing, calming, until, exhausted, she slept.
Her sleep was filled with vivid dreams. Her mother, young and carefree, running across a meadow of heather toward a handsome man who stood with arms open wide. He caught her and lifted her high, then spun her around and around until she was dizzy and shrieking with laughter. She wrapped her arms around his neck as they kissed. Still locked in her embrace, he lowered her to the grass. At first she was uneasy. But with soft words and tender kisses he eased her fears until she joyfully embraced the love they shared.
Allegra awoke feeling oddly comforted by the dream. Her mother had loved a man. Loved him with all her heart. Despite their love, her powers had not diminished, but instead had grown stronger with the birth of each of her daughters.
Allegra looked around, wondering how long she’d been lying here in the cold of the balcony. When she made her way inside, the fire was still ablaze on the grate. Had it been mere minutes?
She went very still, wondering if she had actually dreamed it, or if her mother, sensing her daughter’s uneasiness, had sent the images to ease her mind.
“Oh, Mum.” She clutched her arms about herself and stared into the fire. “Thank you for giving me a glimpse of you and Father. I’m overjoyed to know I’m not alone in these feelings. They’re not unique to me, but are experienced by all who love.” She lowered her head to study the toe of her slipper, wondering just what she should do with this newly discovered knowledge.
She hated this ignorance. She, who knew so much about growing herbs and forest plants, about working the soil and healing bodies and minds, hadn’t a scrap of knowledge about men and women and how they dealt with their emotions. Should she go to Merrick and confess her feelings? Or were such things better kept locked away in her heart?
She closed her eyes and struggled to reach out to her mother and grandmother, knowing they would have the answers to all of these questions.
Merrick sat slumped in a chair by the fire, a tankard of ale in his hand. At his feet the hounds dozed.
Mordred stood to one side, his hand resting on the mantel. “So, Merrick. How much longer do you intend to keep the witch here?”
“What is that to you?” Merrick drained his tankard and Mordred was quick to fill it.
“The men have begun to talk.”
“About what?”
“About the fact that you’ve changed since the witch came here. There was a time when you were the strongest warrior in all the Highlands. Now you seem content to fill your days with walks in your garden and visits to the market.”
Merrick was out of his chair, his hand twisted into the front of his cousin’s tunic. “You would dare say such things to me?”
Mordred wrenched free and took a step back.
“Someone has to tell you what is being said behind your back.”
Merrick turned to Desmond. “And you? Do you say such things, as well?”
Desmond shrugged.
Mordred set aside his tankard. “We’ve both heard the whispers.”
“Whispers?”
Mordred glanced at his brother with a sly smile before nodding. “Some say you’ve grown soft. They say you’re... bewitched.”
“Do you think that?”
“I think you are concerned for your son, as would any man be.” He looked up and touched a hand to Merrick’s arm. “But you are lord of all the people. You can’t permit your fears for your son to allow our borders to be overrun with invaders.”
Merrick’s tone hardened. “I see no invaders taking over our land. How dare you suggest that I am cheating my people?”
Mordred lifted his head. “Think on this, then. You may have to resign yourself to the fact that the lad suffered damage in the fall that will continue to cause these... spells. And if that is true, then the best thing you can do is send the witch back now, before she fills his mind, and yours, with foolishness.” He waited a beat before adding, “Unless, of course, there is some other reason why you refuse to send her back to her home.”
“What other reason?” Merrick’s eyes flashed a challenge.
“I think you know, cousin.” Mordred picked up his tankard and drained it, wiping his mouth with his sleeve. “She’s easy to look at. Why not simply pleasure yourself with her and be done with it?”
“That’s your way, not mine.” Merrick’s nostrils flared. “Since we were lads you’ve boasted about bedding every wench in the village.”
“And have, I assure you.” Instead of the expected denial, Mordred seemed inordinately pleased with himself. “And then there are the lasses I’ve met in the neighboring villages. They can’t resist my charms either, it would seem, for I’ve planted my seed from mountain to valley. And you could do the same, cousin, if you’d give up that damnable notion of a warrior’s honor.”
“You think it honorable to bed women for sport, Mordred?”
“Can you think of a better one?” The haughty young warrior shot his cousin a demonic grin. “Why not pleasure yourself with the witch if you fancy her? Then send her packing and get on with the business of leading ou
r people. Unless, of course, you’d prefer to grow old in your garden and let another be lord of the people.”
Instead of a reply, Merrick slammed down his tankard and turned on his heel, striding from the hall.
Mordred watched, then turned to Desmond with a thoughtful look. “It’s worse than we thought. He doesn’t simply want the healer. I believe he’s lost his heart to her.” He threw back his head and laughed. “Fool. The woman’s a witch, and before she’s through with him she’ll have him so blinded by love he’ll not see the enemy at his own gate. But then, that’s to our advantage, brother. If our cousin is too addled to see, his enemy will at last have the upper hand.”
Merrick slammed into his chambers, discarding his plaid on the chaise. As he stalked toward the fire, he tore off his tunic and hurled it into the comer of the room. With a series of muttered oaths he stubbed off his boots and kicked them against the far wall.
His hands were at the fasteners of his breeches when he caught a slight movement by the balcony. In swift strides he was across the room, shoving a figure against the stone while the dirk in his hand pressed against a throat.
“Allegra.” The fury was still there, too hot to control. The knowledge that he’d been seconds from slitting her throat had him trembling. “By all that is holy, woman, what are you doing in my chambers?”
“My lord.” The words came out in a strangled cry.
Even when he lowered his hands, she cringed away from him, hugging herself to the cold stone of the balcony. She’d never before witnessed such white-hot anger in a person, and had no defense against it.
“I ask you again.” His eyes narrowed on her. “Why are you here?”
“I need to know what magic you possess, my lord.”
He looked stunned. “Magic? That I possess?”
“Aye.” She swallowed, straggling to calm her racing heartbeat. “Each time you touch me, I feel it. This incredible heat. And this weakness that comes over me. Even my mind is affected. When you get too close, I can’t think.”
He made a sound that might have been a laugh or a sneer. “And all along I thought it was your magic at work here.”
She shook her head. “I have no magic that compares with yours. Tell me what it is.”
He glanced at the knife in his hand before setting it aside on a chest. His hand was still shaking. He flexed his fingers before curling them into a fist. “It is merely the wanting of a man and a woman. Some call it lust.”
“Nay. I know of that word. This is something much deeper than wanting. Whatever the magic, it has taken hold of my heart and I know not how to break free. I find myself...” She took in a quick breath for. courage. “I find myself wanting to lie with you, Merrick. To mate with you.”
Though her words shook him to his very core, he refused to acknowledge them. For to do so would be to admit to the same feelings of weakness. He turned away, dismissing her. “You talk foolishness, Allegra. Go now. Leave me.”
“Foolishness?” She stiffened as though he’d slapped her. “Is that what you think? That because of my ignorance, I’m not to be taken seriously?”
When he kept his back to her, she took a step toward him, then stopped, lifting her head with as much pride as she could muster. “Very well, my lord. You may reject what I offer. I have no way of comparing my feelings for you, since you are the first man to lay hands on me. Perhaps my blood would surge like this for any man. Perhaps any man’s kiss would have the power to wipe my mind of all thought. Though I doubt it.” Her voice lowered. “But know this, Merrick MacAndrew. It isn’t any man I want. It’s you. Only you. And since you do not return my affection, there will be no other.”
As she started past him, he snagged her arm and turned her to face him. In the glow of the fire he could see the sheen of unshed tears that glistened in her eyes.
Not tears, he thought. Sweet heaven, the sight of them tore at his heart.
“Oh, Allegra.” Without thinking, he caught her by the upper arms and drew her close, pressing his forehead to hers. “Your innocence, your honesty humble me.”
She tried to pull away. “Don’t make sport of me, my lord.”
“Is that what you think?” He ran his hands up and down her arms, feeling the heat building between them. This time, instead of fighting it, he welcomed it, knowing it was the same for her. “I’ve tried to deny these feelings, because to give in to them would be to take advantage of your goodness and innocence, and that I would never do. I cannot forget that you’re here because I forced you. It would be unthinkable to force you even more.” He lowered his voice. “To take what you offer would be the greatest pleasure of my life. But the choice must be yours and yours alone.”
“Are you saying that you... want me?”
His words came out on a moan. “Desperately. Though I’ve tried just as desperately not to show it.”
“Oh, my lord.” She leaned into him, offering her lips,
He took them with a hunger that startled them both, gathering her firmly against the length of him. His hands began moving over her while his mouth plundered hers until their breathing grew ragged. And still he lingered over her mouth, fighting the need to ravish her.
He lifted his head, pinning her with a long, probing look. “You have to be certain of this.”
He saw the fear that clouded her eyes. But to her credit she straightened her spine. “I’m certain of but one thing, my lord. Fm willing to follow wherever you lead me.”
He absorbed the quick rush of heat and thrilled to it. Still he held back, determined that the choice be hers, and hers alone. “And if you find yourself in more... passion and peril than you expected?”
She touched her hand to his cheek in an achingly sweet gesture that had him sucking in a breath. “I’ll trust you to see me through it safely.”
“God in heaven, Allegra.” He closed his eyes and gave a low moan that might have been pleasure or pain. “What have I done to deserve such goodness as this?”
She stared up into his eyes with such trust, such adoration, he could feel his heart swelling. “Whatever we have done or not done, this thing between us is right and good, my lord.”
In answer his lips covered hers in a kiss so hot, so hungry, all she could do was cling to him as he took her on a wild, dizzying ride. When he lifted his head she reached up and framed his face, dragging it back for yet another kiss, unwilling to end the pleasure.
At last, their chests heaving, their breathing ragged, he whispered inside her mouth, “You were warned, my lady. Now that the beast has been set free, there’ll be no caging it.”
Chapter Fourteen
His mouth, that warm, clever mouth, covered hers in a searing kiss, while his hands, those rough, warrior’s hands, moved over her, setting fires everywhere they touched.
She shuddered, helpless to do more than cling to him as he worked his magic. Once again he was clouding her mind, stealing her will. And this time she offered no resistance. This was what she wanted. What she desperately craved.
His tongue met hers, tasting, dueling, until she sighed from the pure pleasure of it. He lingered over her mouth, as though afraid he might never have enough of the taste of her.
Here was heaven. His own mystical kingdom, right here in these arms. Arms he never wanted to leave.
Just as she began to relax, his mouth dipped lower, to press wet, nibbling kisses down her throat. With a lazy sigh she arched her neck and wrapped her arms around his waist to anchor herself.
For the space of a moment her hands stilled. He was naked to the waist, and the feel of his skin had her palms tingling, her heart racing. Then she allowed her hands to move over him, loving the feel of him.
Was the room moving, spinning? She felt it dip and sway and had to close her eyes to keep from being dizzy.
“I thought—” his mouth moved over her upturned face “—when first I felt these stirrings, that you’d bewitched me.”
“And I believed the magic to be yours.” She absorbed the
warmth of him, the deep rumble of his voice inside her pores, and could do nothing more than sigh with the pure pleasure of it.
He framed her face and stared down into her eyes with a hot, hungry look that had her shivering with anticipation. “And now here you are, and I still think I’m bewitched.”
“As am I, my lord.”
“Oh, Allegra. My beautiful, bewitching Allegra. You’ve become so precious to me.” He pressed moist kisses over her eyelids, her cheeks, the tip of her nose. “I’m such a brute, I’m afraid I’ll hurt you.”
She brought her hands to his arms, thrilling to the strength she could feel in them. “You could never hurt me, Merrick. You’re too good.”
“If you think that...” He sighed. “You’re too trusting by far, my lady.”
Then his mouth was on hers again, this time with a kiss that drained her even as it filled her. A kiss that engaged her fully, until she wrapped her arms around his neck and moaned with impatience.
He brought his hands down her arms, along her sides, until his thumbs brushed the fullness of her breasts. A pulse began throbbing deep inside, and she felt a rush of heat that left her weak and trembling.
“My lord.” The words were torn from her lips.
“Hush, love.” He lowered his head and his lips closed around her breast. Despite the barrier of her gown, she could feel the heat all the way to her core.
She was hot. So unbearably hot. And there was this powerful need building inside her. A need that had her body shuddering.
“I need to see you. All of you.” He lifted his hands to the neckline of her gown and with one quick tug, tore it from her and tossed it aside. Then his fingers untied the ribbons of her chemise until it, too, fell away.
She saw the way his eyes gleamed as he looked at her. Whatever shyness, whatever modesty she might have felt was gone, replaced with pride at the knowledge that she was the one he wanted. The one he ached for. There was such love in those dark eyes as they remained steady on hers.