Dangerous Highlander

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

Cara woke to the delicious feel of Lucan’s mouth on her breasts. His hand massaged one nub, rolling a nipple between two fingers as his mouth suckled the other.

“About time you woke,” he mumbled against her skin.

She smiled and plunged her hands into his hair, not surprised to find herself naked. Lucan’s hot, hard body touched her skin to skin, his arousal pressed into her stomach. She opened her eyes to see they were in her chamber on the bed. Desire pulsed through her body, heating her blood and moistening her sex that throbbed with need. As much as she loved his hands and mouth on her, she needed him deep inside her.

“I want you inside me.”

He gave her a wicked grin that made her heart skip a beat. His eyes held a promise of pleasure that her body knew all too well.

Her eyes slid closed when he grasped his cock and rubbed the head against the swollen flesh of her sex. When he slid inside her, she sucked in a breath and wrapped her arms around him. Her back pulled, reminding her of her injuries, but the pleasure pouring through her dulled the pain.

“My Cara,” he whispered into her ear just before he sucked the lobe into his mouth.

His warm breath fanned her neck. She shivered. Lucan knew just where to touch her, just what to say, to bring her the most pleasure.

She tilted her hips until her legs wrapped around his waist. He groaned deep in his chest and pulled out until just the tip of him was inside her. She arched her back and tried to pull him down atop her. She needed to feel him—all of him.

And then he plunged deep inside her. His buttocks flexed with each thrust, fueling her desire. She ran her hands over the hard planes of his back and shoulders, loving the feel of the immortal Highland Warrior who was hers.

She moaned and cried out when he ground his hips against her, rubbing against her clitoris and sending pleasure like lightning through her.

“Open your eyes, love,” he said. “I want to see you when you peak.”

Cara’s body shook with the desire that wound tighter with each thrust of his hips. She was close, oh so close, to climaxing. She opened her eyes to see him staring at her with love in his sea green gaze for anyone to see.

The orgasm swept over her in a sudden blinding explosion. Lucan continued to rock against her, prolonging her pleasure. She clung to him, needing to hold on to him with the intensity of her climax.

He refused to break eye contact with her as he gave a final thrust that buried him to the root. His body stiffened as his warm seed filled her.

Cara held him tightly as he fell atop her. She loved the weight of him against her, the feel of his body along hers. It was erotic and arousing, even though she had just peaked. But it was always that way with Lucan.

He kissed the side of her neck before shifting and taking her lips in a searing kiss that told her of his deep passion. She touched his torc and the griffin head. She and Lucan were one, their souls melding together something that nothing could ever destroy.

Not even time.

“Good morn,” he whispered.

She looked at the window behind her but could see nothing with the tartan hanging over it. “Is it morning already?”

“Aye. I brought you up here once we finished removing the filth in the hall. You didn’t stir when I removed your clothes,” he added with a grin.

“I didn’t realize how tired I was.”

“You went through a lot. But it’s over now.”

She frowned. “I don’t know that it is. I think Deirdre will be back.”

He grunted and rolled to the side. He leaned up on his elbow to look down at Cara. “Or find some way to get us to do what she wants.”

“We need to find the scroll of names. Maybe then we can talk to the Warriors before she finds them.”

He traced a finger around one of Cara’s nipples, his smile spreading as the peak hardened. She squeezed her legs together as desire spiked from her breasts to her sex.

“Have you spoken with Quinn?” she asked to distract herself.

“Quinn? Nay. Should I have?”

She licked her lips and groaned when Lucan’s finger moved back and forth over her pert nipple. “Aye. He looked like he needed to talk last night.”

“I’ll find him this morning,” Lucan promised, and leaned down to close his mouth over the tiny nub.

A loud banging on the door jerked his head up. Cara rose up on her elbows as Lucan asked who it was.

“It’s Fallon. You need to come to the hall. Now.”

She exchanged a look with Lucan before they jumped out of bed and began to dress. He was ready before her but waited. Once she had her shoes on, she followed him out of the chamber to the great hall.

Her steps slowed when she saw Hayden, Ramsey, Logan, and Galen at the table, their expressions bleak.

“What is it?” Lucan demanded of Fallon.

Cara found Fallon standing before the hearth staring into the ashes, and she stopped on the last stair. His hands were on his hips, his head bowed with a frown that made her stomach clench.

“Fallon,” Lucan said.

Fallon ran a hand down his face and turned to his brother. “Quinn is gone.”

“Gone?”

Cara lowered herself to the stairs and wrapped her arms around her middle.

Fallon nodded. “He’s gone.”

“How do you know?” Lucan asked.

Cara’s throat closed when she heard the desolation and fear in Lucan’s voice. They had all thought Deirdre had lost, but now Cara wasn’t so sure.

Galen held out a rolled-up parchment. “This is how. I found it near the gate house.”

Lucan stared at the parchment. He didn’t want to know what was on it because he knew, somehow, that Deirdre had something to do with Quinn’s disappearance. Lucan glanced at Cara to see her dark eyes wide with sorrow.

He took the missive from Galen’s hand and unrolled it. Lucan’s stomach pitched and rolled as he read the words. He let the parchment drop to the floor. “Deirdre captured Quinn. Apparently, he left while we were cleaning. She set a trap for him. Quinn never saw it coming.”

Cara was on her feet and hurrying toward him. He opened his arms as she neared. The feel of her soft curves helped to steady him. He leaned his face against the top of her head.

“This canna be happening.”

“We’ll get him back, Lucan,” she promised.

Hayden stood. “Cara’s right. We need to get Quinn back.”

“Deirdre isn’t stupid,” Fallon said as he walked to the table. “She knows Quinn may be strong, but without me and Lucan, he isn’t as valuable.”

Lucan sighed. “She knows we’ll come for him.”

“Aye. She will want us trapped with Quinn,” Fallon said.

“We need a plan,” Logan said. “But first, we need to find Cara a Druid.”

Cara pulled out of Lucan’s arms and nodded. “Logan is right. I can use my magic to help.”

“Against Deirdre?” Lucan shook his head. “She’s much too powerful.”

“But she won’t expect me to use any magic.”

“Or maybe she will,” Lucan argued. “I don’t want you near her.”

“Nor do I want you near her, but Quinn needs us.”

Ramsey shook his head. “A war is brewing. Deirdre knows we’ve banded together now. We surprised her, but it won’t happen again.”

“What do you suggest?” Fallon asked.

“We find the scroll of names. Galen can contact other Warriors he knows and bring them here. Everyone is going to have to take sides.”

Lucan glanced at Fallon. “Deirdre has black magic, an infinitesimal amount of wyrran, as well as God only knows how many Warriors. We don’t stand a chance.”

Fallon tapped a finger on his thigh. “I think Ramsey may be right. We need the scroll, if for nothing else than to keep it out of Deirdre’s hands.”

Lucan thought he knew where his brother was going. “Galen, didn’t you tell us that there are some Druids who know how to bind our gods?”

“Aye,” Galen answered. “Deirdre has hunted and killed most of them. I don’t know if there are any left.”

“But if there are, it would give us an advantage.”

Cara’s brow furrowed. “How? I don’t understand.”

“Oh, I understand,” Hayden said. “If we can get inside Deirdre’s mountain and bind the Warriors she’s unleashed, it will give us an advantage.”

“Only if it doesn’t bind your gods as well,” Cara said. “It’s very risky.”

Lucan threaded his fingers with hers. “It’s all we have, love.”

Cara nodded, her brow furrowed, and moved to the kitchens to bring out food for their morning meal. Lucan was just about to ask Fallon if he had an idea where the scroll might be found when they heard the rumble of horses. Many horses.

Lucan and Fallon looked at each other before they rushed out of the castle to the battlements.

“It’s the MacClures,” Fallon said. “I had a feeling they might return.”

Lucan glared at the Highlanders who rode closer and closer to his home. He estimated there to be about fifty warriors. “Why?”

“I suspect they want the castle, but they aren’t going to get it.”

Lucan raised his brow as he looked at Fallon.

“This is ours,” Fallon said. “We’re MacLeods. Our lands were stolen before we had a chance to return. I’ll be damned if they think they can take our home.”

“The only way to keep the castle is to let the king know a MacLeod still lives.”

Fallon clenched his jaw. “Then I’ll see it done.”

Once more Lucan was taken by surprise. He hadn’t expected Fallon to volunteer to go; Lucan had thought he would be sent.

Before he could comment, Fallon walked around Lucan to the gate house. When the MacClures reached the castle, Fallon bellowed for them to halt.

The MacClure laird narrowed his eyes on Fallon. “Who are you to stop me from gaining entrance into my castle?”

“This isn’t your castle.” Fallon’s voice was smooth and even but hard as steel. “This is my castle, the MacLeod castle. You stole our lands, but you won’t take the castle.”

MacClure laughed. “You against fifty of my men? You don’t stand a chance, lad.”

Lucan walked to stand next to his brother. There was movement behind Lucan, and when he glanced over his shoulder he saw the others spread out on the battlements.

Fallon smirked. “As you can see, lad,” he said the last with his voice dripping with sarcasm, “I’m not alone.”

“I’ll have my castle!” MacClure shouted.

To Lucan’s surprise, Fallon transformed and bared his fangs to MacClure. “Do you want to try?”

There were shouts and curses as the horses reared and tried to run away. Fallon might not be evil, but the god inside him was.

Lucan let his body change and glared at the laird. “Leave and never return. This castle is ours.”

MacClure wheeled his horse around, his men quickly following as they galloped off into the distance. The last one to leave was the woman they had seen in the village. Her black hair was pulled away from her face in a braid, but her pale blue eyes regarded them without fear. After a moment, she turned her horse and rode away.

Lucan blew out a breath as he transformed back. When he glanced at Fallon he, too, was once again a man. “I didn’t expect that.”

Fallon shrugged. “We’ve lost too much. I refuse to give up the castle as well. No longer are we going to live in it like ghosts. The first thing I want is a new gate built.”

“I’ll see it done.”

Lucan smiled as his brother jumped from the battlements. He had waited so long for Fallon to control the god, and now that he had, nothing was going to stand in his way. Lucan said a silent prayer of thanks and nodded to the others as they followed Fallon into the castle. Plans and strategies needed to be made, for Deirdre was a formidable foe who wouldn’t die easily.

As soon as Lucan entered the castle he found Cara waiting for him. There was one thing he wanted to do first. He walked to her and pulled her into his arms for a long, deep kiss. When he raised his head, her lips were swollen and her breathing ragged.

“Marry me.”

She blinked. “What?”

“When I almost lost you, I’ve never known such terror. In that instant, everything was clear to me. I love you with everything I have to give, Cara. I want you for my wife.”

“You already have me.”

He chuckled. “I know, but I want our union to be blessed by the church.”

“I know where to find a priest,” Logan said. “I can have him here in two days.”

Lucan nodded to him before he looked at Cara. “Well? Will you be my wife?”

“Despite the fact that I’m mortal and we may never find a Druid to bind your god?”

“Aye. One year with you is better than forever without you.”

“Oh, aye, Lucan MacLeod. I’ll marry you.”

He smiled just before he lowered his head for another kiss.

EPILOGUE

The sun shone brilliantly down upon the small group gathered in the bailey. Cara smiled up at Lucan, still amazed he had asked her to be his wife.

Logan had been true to his word. He had arrived with the priest just that morning. Fallon had gifted her with a beautiful gown the color of cream and threaded with black. It was a perfect day.

The other Warriors stood around her and Lucan with Fallon next to his brother. The only one missing was Quinn. His absence was hard on Lucan and Fallon, but their determination to get him back was strong.

Lucan had said his vows with a clear voice, but when it came Cara’s time, the words lodged in her throat. She blinked past her tears and repeated the words. The smile on Lucan’s face was blinding when he pulled her into his arms for the kiss that sealed their vows.

The bailey erupted with cheers only to be silenced by a whistle from Logan.

“A woman approaches,” he said as he looked through the gates.

Cara bit back a smile when all six Warriors moved to surround her. She peeked around Lucan’s shoulder to see a tall, shapely woman walk into the bailey. The woman paused for just a moment until her eyes landed on Cara.

The woman smiled and continued toward Cara.

“Halt,” Lucan said.

The woman lifted an auburn brow. “You must be Lucan MacLeod.”

“Who are you?” Lucan demanded.

The woman smiled at Cara. “I’ve come because of Cara.”

Lucan tensed, but Cara put her hand on his arm and moved to stand beside him.

“Who are you?” she repeated Lucan’s question.

“Sonya. I was sent here to help you.”

Cara stared into the woman’s amber eyes, amazed at her beauty and the long, red hair that fell in curls down her back. “I don’t understand. Who sent you?”

Sonya grinned and lifted her hand. “The trees of course.”

“By the saints,” Galen said, awe in his voice. “She’s a Druid.”

Sonya nodded. “I am. I’ve come to teach you, Cara.” Sonya glanced at Galen. “If your new husband will allow me in the castle.”

Cara was speechless. The trees, the trees, had told Sonya to find her. It was too amazing to believe. “Thank you,” she said. “Please join us.”

When Lucan didn’t respond, Cara jabbed him in the ribs. He grunted. “Aye, Sonya, we would be happy to have another Druid.”

“You’re going to need one. Deirdre isn’t happy about losing Cara. It’s all the trees have been talking about.”

Fallon chuckled and welcomed Sonya while the other Warriors introduced themselves. Cara stared at their newest addition, almost too afraid to believe she would now learn all her abilities.

“Are you all right?”

She turned and smiled at Lucan. “Aye. I’ve married the most perfect Highlander, and a Druid, sent by the trees, came to teach me.”

Lucan chuckled. “I shouldn’t be surprised by her words, but I admit I am. Trees? Who knew they could talk?”

“Apparently, Sonya.”

“You aren’t going to start talking to trees, are you?” he asked.

“Hm,” Cara said, and wound her arms around his neck. “I might. Would that be so bad?”

“Not at all, love. I think it would be amazing.”

He claimed her lips in a searing kiss. They had found a love that stretched the boundaries of time, a love that bound their hearts and their souls.

Cara had never been happier. Lucan’s laughter as he lifted her in his arms and swung her around as the others cheered told her he had gotten just what he wanted.

Their future might be questionable, but they had their love. It was enough.

* * *

Quinn held his head in his hands and rolled to his side as his skull pounded with a pain that made his stomach churn. He cracked open his eyes to find darkness surrounded him. The coolness around him told him he was belowground. The stench of stale air and unwashed bodies filled his nose.

He remembered leaving his brothers and running off into the night. It had felt so good to give in to that desire, uncaring if anyone would see him.

He ran for hours until he had spotted a wyrran. He had chased it, intent on spilling more blood as his rage consumed him. Then he recalled falling. The ground must have caved in. He closed his eyes and tried to think. He remembered the sound of his leg breaking in the fall and the unbearable pain as it began to heal.

There had been someone above him; of that he was sure. The man had looked down at Quinn but refused to help when he asked.

Quinn grimaced as a wave of dizziness swept over him. He hadn’t felt this bad since before his god was freed. Despite the pain, Quinn thought back to when he fell and to the man standing over him.

The man had laughed and then jumped down beside Quinn. He had rolled onto his back as he held his leg. The man leaned over Quinn and he looked into the man’s face.

Quinn’s eyes flew open as his memories returned. It wasn’t a man but a Warrior.

Quinn forgot the pain as he looked around him. His claws dug into his palms as he heard the wails of people being beaten below. He had heard the same screams before.

When Deirdre had held the brothers prisoner.

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FORBIDDEN

HIGHLANDER

Coming soon from St. Martin’s Paperbacks

“There is something I need as well,” Iver said.

Fallon quirked a brow. “What is it I can help you with, Baron?”

“There is a woman.”

It was always a woman, Fallon thought. Just then, the crowd around him thinned, and he caught a flash of color. He turned his head and found himself staring across the hall into the face of unbelievable grace and beauty. She was so stunning that he had pushed away from the wall and started toward her before he realized what he was doing. But the need to get closer, to take in her loveliness goaded him onward, much as his god pushed at his rage.

“She’s incredible, isn’t she?” Iver whispered by his side. “There isn’t a man in the castle that doesn’t want her in his bed, and there isn’t a man that wouldn’t kill for her if she but said the word.”

Fallon kept his feet rooted in place by force of will alone, but he couldn’t tear his gaze from her lovely oval face. She held herself with elegance and dignity, a noblewoman by birth. Someone bumped into her from behind, and there was a subtle shift of awareness around her that only a warrior would understand, only a warrior would see.

He was more intrigued by the moment. Though Highland women were known to be strong and courageous, they weren’t warriors.

Just as quickly as she had taken stance, she relaxed, the perfection back in place.

“That is what I want, MacLeod,” Iver said. “I want her for my own. Lady Lenora Monroe.”

“How am I supposed to help you with that?”

Iver slapped him on the back. “I’m sure you’ll figure out a way.”

Fallon moved away from Iver before he punched the little weasel. Fallon weaved through the mob around the perimeter of the great hall. He edged closer to Lenora Monroe, admiring the cut of her burgundy gown and the way it clung to the swells of her breasts before hugging her trim waist. She held her hands together at her waist, her long, slim fingers intertwined as she listened to some older woman with a bulbous nose speak.

Fallon peered through the space of two men and watched the beauty with skin the color of cream. Her face was striking with her extraordinary cheekbones and high forehead. She had wide, expressive eyes that captured whoever she looked at, and full lips he knew he would get drunk from kissing.

Then she turned her head and looked straight at him with eyes a dark, smoky blue that seemed to see him for what he really was. She tipped her head in acknowledgment, her golden halo of hair a beacon in the hall.

As soon as she turned her gaze away, he stepped back through the crowd and into the shadows in a corner. He recognized the lust that flared inside him. He recognized it, and feared it.

Fallon licked his lips as he hungered for a taste of wine, anything to help dull the ache of lust in his loins.