A Warrior's Perception (38 page)

“
It is good to see ye milady,
”
Darten stated as he took her hand and placed it upon his arm.

“
Aye, I ha'e missed ye,
”
she replied,
“
Do ye ha'e news of Kagan?
”

“
He is well. He stays at Fendenbriar to take care of the aftermath. He sends his apologies for takin' so long to conquer his enemies and he hopes ye ha'e made new friends.
”
Darten smiled as his legs grew accustomed to the ground once again. In his weariness, he missed the expression on her face as she looked to the keep's third floor.

“
And Crimm? How does he fare?
”
Andra led him to the garden and perched herself on a bench.
“
Is he comin' home as well?
”

“
He stays with Kagan, as he always does in any battle. Ye would think he was Kagan's guardian angel 'cept for his lack of wings. Kagan has ne'er lost a battle and sometimes I think it is 'cause Crimm is at his side.
”

Andra smiled, glad that Crimm protected Kagan. She closed her eyes and pushed the battle scene from her mind.
“
I miss him Darten. I long to see his face.
”

Darten pulled her to his chest and embraced her,
“
Kagan is a great warrior lass, he comes home soon. He will come back to ye.
”

“
It is'na me he will return for, it is his lover. The king has commanded he take a wife but he will keep his lover.
”

Her words were sad and Darten kissed the top of her head as he tried to comfort her.
“
Kagan speaks of ye often and wishes he was here with ye. Remember, he is laird and has duties upon his brow.
”

“
It is'na his duties or honor that I question. I love him and he loves her. What do I do 'bout that? How am I supposed to marry him knowin' he does only because the king has ordered it to be so?
”

Darten grinned,
“
Kagan donna do anything the king orders. If he is marryin' ye it is 'cause he wishes it.
”

“
Well, hello Darten. I was'na expectin' ye back so soon.
”

Andra and Darten turned to the woman's voice and a cold chill went down Andra's spine. She pulled from Darten's arms and sat down on the nearby bench.

“
Llana Williams. It has been a long time since I last saw ye. Who ye got ye claws in this time?
”
Darten growled as the woman sat down beside of Andra. Darten laughed as he compared the two women.

Llana was pretty with long legs and long elegant fingers. Her lips were full and red. They begged for a man's kiss. Her skin was as white as snow and her eyes were dark, beady. She was full of spite and toxic poison.

Andra was beautiful. Her legs were not as long as Llana's, but they were toned, muscled and tanned. Her lips were seductive and sweet, like a morning's dew at first light. A man more than wanted to kiss her lips, but would settle just to see them moving as she spoke. Her eyes were the color of emeralds, bright and alive. They sparkled when she was happy and grew dark when she was sad, as she was now.

If he were given the choice, Andra would definitely be the prize. But he was not his brother and could not choose for him. If Kagan broke Andra's heart, he would choke the life out of him. And then he would kick his arse for being an idiot!

Darten smiled again. Laird Kagan was no idiot and he had seen his brother stare at Andra and had watched his blood boil when he thought someone else was looking.

He did not like the way Llana was looking at Andra so he slid in between them and lay his arm across Andra's shoulders.

“
Tis a beautiful night, although it is a little chilly, but chills can be warmed by the right woman's touch.
”
Kagan hugged Andra closer as Llana narrowed her eyes.
“
Seems I am need of the right woman's touches tonight.
”

“
Perhaps I can be of service?
”
Llana offered as she slid her hand down his arm,
“
Perhaps Kagan will'na return as soon as planned and I can gi'e ye some comfort.
”

“
Tis na ye kind of comfort I need.
”
Darten glanced at Andra and saw her smile as she turned her head.
“
I need a warm woman with lovin' hands and supple breast.
”

Darten grinned when Andra's elbow collided with his ribs. The look on Llana's face was priceless as she abruptly stood and stalked off. Andra's wide grin and twinkling eyes thanked Darten for sending her scurrying away.

“
Ye know she really is'na that bad. She must ha'e been hurt some time in her life to do the things she does,
”
Andra commented as Darten stood,
“
She carries a great burden in her eyes and I belie'e it lays heavy on her heart.
”

“
That may be true, but that gi'es her na reason to play with people. She just likes ha'ing a man in her bed while he puts jewels on her fingers.
”
Darten stared at the sky wondering where Haley was, hoping she was still at the keep.
“
Do ye want me to walk ye back to ye room?
”

“
Nay, ye go on. I think I will stay a while.
”

Darten strolled toward the keep, feeling the ache growing in his shoulders. His heavy booted feet made their way to his chambers on the second floor. As he opened the door, he was assaulted by Haley's scent. She had been in his room.

He peered into the darkness and frowned. Where was she? He turned, leaving his door open and searched the hallway catching the soft glow of candlelight flickering under the last door on the right. He went to the door and let her smell fill his lungs.

Perfection!

He dropped his knuckles against the door and waited. The door opened and he groaned as Haley was silhouetted by candlelight. Her soft golden skin glittered and her blue eyes sparkled as they dropped to his chest and clung to his massive arms.  She drank him in and pleaded with her heart to be still in its cage.

His weary voice played havoc with her ears,
“
Dagma has been kind, leadin' my feet back to ye.
”

“
Lead ye feet elsewhere, there is no room for ye boots at my bed,
”
she whispered as their eyes locked.

“
There is plenty of room at my bedside and e'en more room in it,
”
he drawled as he offered her his hand.

She shook her head,
“
I am’na looking for one night of pleasure.
”

Darten's tired shoulders relaxed and he dropped his hand to his side,
“
One night would ne'er be enough. Ye ha'e lain in my bed e'ery night in my dreams since we met. I ha'e suffered greatly in need of ye.
”

Haley's heart swelled but she wanted him to work for her love,
“
I have no interest in ye lust. I know of ye conquest with women and I chose not to be another name ye forget as easily as ye change lovers.
”

His sigh brushed her skin and she held her breath as his face strained and his lips pulled into a frown,
“
Serves me right to ha'e to suffer at the hand of the only woman I ha'e e'er dreamt 'bout.
”

Haley whispered and it was more heavenly than the rising sun, but it burnt just as bad,
“
Tread lightly on unknown waters, for I may well vanish as suddenly as I appeared.
”

“
All the more reason to burden ye with my desires,
”
he returned as he walked to his door down the hallway.

“
And pray ye tell me. What desires do ye speak of?
”
Haley slowly glided down the hall to his doorway,
“
What do ye want of me?
”

Darten's smoky eyes turned to face her,
“
I want ye Haley Douglas. I want to make ye mine!
”

“
Bedding me does not make me belong to ye,
”
she whispered as she took his hands in hers.

Darten closed his eyes as her hands ran up his arms to his chest. Her fingers slid across his shoulders and up his neck. He groaned as she slid her fingertip across his lips. He reached for her hips and growled as she leaned into his body. He opened his eyes and looked down at hers, milky blue. His need grew as he bent to possess her lips. The kiss was deep and profound. He lifted her from the floor, turned around, and closed the door behind him.

Haley clung to his lips, to his shoulders as he carried her to his bed. He was exhilarating, breathtaking, strong, and completely hers. She moaned as he slid her gown from her body. His hands were hot and blazed across her skin. She caught his face in her hands and smiled as his kilt fell to the floor.

“
I am untouched,
”
she whispered as his hands caught her breasts,
“
and I must have gentle touches tonight.
”

“
Haley...I...
”
Darten tried to find his voice as he pressed against her glorious skin,
“
I want ye woman.
”

“
Ye must swear to be only mine,
”
Haley moaned as he kissed her neck.
“
Swear no other will lay in ye bed. Swear ye will love me if I let ye have what I have cherished.
”

Darten crushed her to his heart,
“
I ha'e loved ye since I first laid my eyes on ye. I am yers. Do with me as ye wish, just ne'er lea'e me.
”

“
Darten,
”
she whispered as he claimed his woman and she welcomed his need.

Her hands caught his shoulders and he swept her into his arms. She lay back as he laid her on the bed and showered her with his love. Their hearts soared and sailed into the bliss that surrounded them. Darten restrained himself as he eased himself onto her. She held his face as he pushed inside of her. He bit his lip as her tears flowed, but her eyes begged him not to stop. He edged farther and kissed her tears. Her eyes closed to the pain that ripped through her and he caught her lips as she screamed his name.