Highland Defiance (The MacLomain Series- Early Years) (17 page)

Adlin’s eyes left the window and found hers, his expression one of respect and relief. “Then I’ll be truthful. The Highland Defiance is one of magic.”

Mildred felt the floor vibrate and knew that Adlin was upset. “Tell me more.”

As if he’d rather not look her in the eyes when he spoke, he tucked her head beneath his chin. “A long time ago, when I first arrived in Scotland, it was not in Cowal but here, at the tip of Scotland, a place of power no human could understand. This place started as one of peace and love, of new beginnings.”

His heartbeat increased against her ear.

“I never saw it becoming what it did.”

Mildred waited, knew that she had to.

“Even then mankind didn’t get along. I tried to start a peaceful clan but people are always at unrest if they don’t find control in their own thoughts and beliefs. And my way of ruling didnae agree with all, mostly because they wanted to rule themselves.”

Mildred listened, waited.

“I soon learned that I could not stay here. Many agreed with me and would follow but I asked them to stay behind, to hold true to the Scotland I envisioned.”

She pulled back and looked at him. “So you were a dictator?”

Adlin frowned. “If I were a dictator, would I have left those who were willing to follow?”

Mildred frowned. “Adlin, you make it sound as if you created Scotland.”

Tortured, his expression grew guarded. He looked toward the fire. “Medieval Scotland is nothing like present day America. It was even less like that in what you call the 5
^th
century. I was trying to show people that they could work together.
That there existed one true God.
‘Twas not easy in a land ruled by many gods.”

Chilled, Mildred pulled back even further. “What of those with the belief in many gods? Do you… did you shun them?”

“Never.
But there is room for the new God as well. That is the trouble. ‘Tis hard for people to ken both can co-exist.”

Overwhelmed, she backed away.
“Too much.”

Adlin grabbed her hand before she could get far. “Highland Defiance became a place at the peak of Scotland that accepts all and doesna judge. This is a place that will always fight for what I envisioned; a peaceful land and people who are all equal and free to believe in their own gods or God.”

She started to speak but he put a finger to her lips and said, “Nobody should ever be judged for what they believe. This is the land of the Celts. This is the place where true freedom reigns.”

Her lip quivered. “Who do you believe in, Adlin?”

He didn’t hesitate.
“Both the new and old.
I am a mediator always.”

“No.” She shook her head and looked into his eyes. “There’s a battle inside you beyond me being here.”

“Come,” he whispered and pulled her back into the hallway. When he dropped to his knees, she did the same. When he fell to his belly, she did as well.

Adlin sidled forward until he looked down. She did the same.

“What do you see?” he asked.

Mildred stared down, amazed by the beauty. They looked upon moonlight, smoky haze, then onto fire surrounded by happy, dancing clansfolk. It was absolutely breathtaking. While animalistic, the scene below had a purpose… a design.

“These people are happy. They celebrate what I left here so long ago against all the odds,” he said.

“Why?”

He propped his chin on closed fists and looked down.
“Because it worked.
Because this place is powerful and when people liked something it stuck. This place always had a freedom about it.” Adlin ground his jaw. “People were free to be themselves here, no matter the religion they chose. I suppose it worked.”

Mildred continued to stare down.

Though mesmerized by the beauty she felt a certain sense of loss from Adlin. She didn’t doubt for a moment that he’d wanted the whole of Scotland to be this way. Rolling on her side, she said, “I hate that I’m asking this but… what went wrong?”

Adlin continued to look down, his expression far away. “Free will, I suppose.”

She frowned. “Isn’t that a good thing?”

He rolled on his side as well and propped up his head.
“Aye, ‘Tis a wonderful thing.
However, ‘tis something that can’t be controlled.”
His eyes lingered beyond her. “The ultimate problem, or perhaps blessing, with a democracy and all the in-betweens is that it tends to land in the very last place you expect it to.”

Mildred’s eyes met his. “The same could be said of a dictatorship or monarchy and all their in-betweens.” She took his hand. “I tend to think you’ve got something good going on here at “Highland Defiance” and Cowal for that matter, at least what I saw of it. If the whole of Scotland never followed your lead then it’s not meant to be.” She sidled closer. “Adlin, like all things, Scotland is truly out of your control.”

Adlin’s pupils
flared,
his emotions off kilter. “Everything here is supposed to be in my control.”

With a nod to the roof she tried to lighten the mood. “Then the smoke needs to go.”

“Iain,” he muttered then shook his head and looked at her. “I’ll make sure it’s taken care of with Iain MacLomain, a descendant. He’ll create something to relieve smoke from a castle.”

She rolled on her back and grinned.
“How nice to be able to assign such things!”

Adlin rolled on his back as well. “Iain will be my favorite.”

She bent her knees and braced her feet on the floor. “You really are a planner.”

“Nope, just realistic.”

“Not nice to pick a favorite before they’re born.”

“Probably not.”

She turned her head his way. “Then why do so?”

He turned his head her way.
“Because I already love him.”

They stared at each other. What was it to already have lost so many you loved and anticipate loving so many to come? What was it to be a wizard?

“I’m so sorry,” she whispered.

For a split second he seemed to accept her apology then something shifted in his expression. He jumped to his feet and pulled her up after him. Unlike Bruce’s yank yesterday, Adlin’s way of pulling her after him was not forced but as if he had to show her something.

Mildred was just about to reassure him about what he’d shared when he spun her. Weak knees buckled against the bed and she fell back. A million words were ready to come out of her mouth but Adlin’s body came over her and his lips crushed down over hers.

Though she tried to stay serious, everything dissolved when his lips pried hers open, when the fire flared brighter in the hearth. He hadn’t kissed her nearly long enough when he lifted slightly and stared down, his eyes hungry.  

“Adlin,” she breathed. “We need to talk more.”

“No.” His weight covered her, his scent engulfed. “No more talking.”

As his lips trailed down her smooth neck, she said, “Should we? I mean…”

“Stop,” he said hotly, his lips coming close to her ear. “No more talk, Mildred. No more.” He ground his teeth. “This was supposed to be romantic.”

She wondered for a split second if he realized how unromantic what they’d discussed really was. But it was becoming clear that he was an intense, disciplined man and telling her all that he had, no doubt put a little extra fire in his blood.

In an instant, needy response to his body being so close, she spread her legs, seeking his warmth against her core. He ground against her, his plaid a steady defense. A raging inferno started to build. His lips tasted her skin slowly, trailing from her earlobe, down her chin, until his tongue flickered down her arched neck.

His breathing increased.

So did hers.

Heat steamed between their bodies.

Though he wasn’t touching them her fingertips and toes started to tingle as his tongue glided along her collarbone. Hot, he continued to flick the inquisitive tip over her receptive skin until he swirled his tongue against the point where her collarbone met.

Mildred bit her lower lip and arched further.

From there he focused on lightly skimming the tip of his tongue up her neck while the pad of his thumb danced lazy circles along the collarbone his tongue had just abandoned.

With tight little gasps, she said, “Yes.”

The wind picked up, panting through the window with sharp gusts that fanned the thin white sheets hanging around them. She was suddenly caught in a tornado of cool, soft fabric and hot, firm man.

Mildred pushed Adlin away when he started to pull down her dress.

“No,” he whispered.

Arms pinned by her side, Mildred suddenly realized she was nude. Though she should have been mortified she felt sensual, beautiful. All of her denial fled. His eager lips traveled down between her breasts and back up.

Instead of giving her what she most needed Adlin’s face hovered over hers, kissing first her lips then her nose, then above her eyes. Her legs spread further and she sought his lips.

“No,” he whispered again.

Before she could respond his lips traveled down her neck and clamped over a nipple. Crying in both pain and pleasure, she arched. His large, calloused hands traveled up her legs and grabbed beneath her knees. Grinding against him, she whimpered.

“More,” he murmured against her belly as he traveled lower, holding her in place. Relaxed, needing, she allowed him. Kissing, salving, he focused on the soft skin of her stomach, his impatient tongue curious and adventurous.

His hands held hers as he first laved then blew hot breath over where he’d just been. She’d never felt anything so good. Clamping her thighs against the unknown she took an odd pleasure in knowing he wouldn’t allow it.

When he spread her legs further and dove, she squirmed, startled by the feel of a man’s mouth where it shouldn’t be. Hands climbing up her own thighs, Mildred tried to stop him.

It didn’t work.

Even before she understood the extreme sensation, her body fell back, rippling in sharp pleasure. She cried out and thrust back her head. It felt as though her body was consumed in undulating fire, a sensation so intense it was indescribable.

Adlin’s large hands held her backside and lower thigh as she trembled.

Careful, loving, he whispered, “There’s so much more.”

Though she shook her head, his lips again trailed up her stomach. This time she felt his hand travel further, deeper.

“No, no, no,” she whispered, spent.

But he didn’t listen.

He rose over, spread her trembling, spent thighs wide and settled between her legs. His lips touched hers, his hands everywhere. Moaning, she didn’t recognize her actions when she shyly nodded.

Nearly savage, Adlin’s arms rose and trapped her legs in a vice grip that angled her to his full advantage. His body came close, his eyes locked on hers. When he spoke the octave was secretive and promising. “Mildred.”

Before she could respond he moved forward.

Stretching, pulling pain spliced through her. Startled, she grabbed him.