Page 45 of Treachery in the Highlands
The MacLeod chieftain's face darkens to a shade of crimson that rivals his beard.For a moment, I fear he might explode right there in our great hall, scattering bits of angry Highlander across our tapestries.
"Ye dare order me about, Kieran MacTaggart?"The MacLeod chieftain plants his feet wide, his hand moving to the dirk at his belt."After yer English pet assaults my son?"
The hall falls silent save for Alisdair's pained groaning as he struggles to rise from the floor.I can feel the tension in Joey, his body coiled like a spring ready to unleash.A mhic an damnaidh, I how did this day devolve into anger and recriminations.
"I dare," Father replies, his voice dangerously quiet, "because this is my home, and my daughter is not chattel to be bartered for."
Chieftain MacLeod pivots on his heels and barks orders to his fellow clansmen, ordering them to vacate the premises.My family, and Joey, all march outside to make certain the MacLeods have truly gone.Once they've traveled beyond our sight, Father shuts the gates.Have we just earned an enemy in the MacLeod clan?And will they seek vengeance?Alisdair still wants me as his wife, and I cannae help wondering what he might do next, especially after Joey shamed him.
A Dhia, save us from the wrath of the MacLeods.
Chapter Seventeen
Joey
After the crazy shit that went down the other day when the MacLeods came for a visit, we all needed to decompress.I punched Alisdair in the face.He totally deserved it, but ever since, I've been worrying about the consequences of my act of defiance.What if I've accidentally triggered a clan war?
I'll think about that later.
Today, I have different plans.They involve a beautiful Scots lass, nudity, and orgasms galore.Since I plan to make Rachel scream in ecstasy, I intend to whisk her away to a secluded location that's also conveniently near the castle.I told Big Daddy that I'd be taking his daughter out for a picnic along the river.He might've guessed that I'm a horny goat, but if he did, Kieran didn't seem to mind.
The ladies of the house whipped up a sumptuous picnic for us that includes a bottle of Guarin's wine.The Frenchman left Dùndubhan yesterday, and we were all sorry to see him go.Guarin is a great guy and lots of fun.
Rachel and I walk hand in hand as we make our way down the river to a waterfall Alyssa had suggested might be a good spot for a picnic.
"This is lovely," Rachel says.Her golden-brown hair catches the breeze, and I'm momentarily distracted by how the sunlight turns the edges to liquid amber."Just us.No clan politics, no mysterious portals, no one trying to kill you."
"Yet," I add with a wink."The day is young, and I tend to attract trouble like an industrial magnet."
She bumps her hip against mine."Don't jinx it,mo leannan."
I've learned that the phrasemo leannanmeans "my sweetheart."That's what Rachel has become to me too.She also told me "a Dhia" means "oh God."
"It's just down this way," Rachel says, now tugging me along the winding path.
Yeah, I'm pretty sure she knows exactly what kind of "picnic" I have in mind.
The pounding rush of water intensifies as we draw nearer to the falls.It's not massive---no more than fifteen feet high---but it creates a perfect curtain of crystal droplets that cascade into a deep, clear pool below.It's like something from a damn fairy tale, which is fitting since my entire life has become one since I fell through that portal.The surrounding rocks form a natural enclosure, sheltered by ancient pines that provide privacy from prying eyes.
"Alyssa wasn't kidding," I say, setting down our basket on a flat rock."This place is perfect."
I drop to one knee, pretending to arrange our picnic while stealing glances at Rachel.She stands at the pool's edge, her reflection rippling on the water's surface.My chest tightens at the sight.
"The locals call itAbhainn Na Daoine Maithe," Rachel says, slipping off her shoes."The River of the Good Folk.It's a reference to the legends of the fairies that supposedly live here."
"Does that mean the river is enchanted?"I ask, only half-joking.With everything I've experienced in the seventeenth century, magical waterfalls aren't exactly outside the realm of possibility.
Rachel's cheeks dimple in a mischievous smile."They say couples who swim here together are blessed with eternal passion of the Ashrays."
"Uh, what's an Ashray?Is it some kind of fish?"
"Nay.The Ashrays are a type of fairy folk that love the water.And they are said to inhabit this part of the river."
I gaze into the water more deeply, intrigued by Rachel's explanation of the Ashray."I wonder if an Ashray will bless us while we're getting it on like wild animals."
She begins unlacing her bodice with deliberate slowness."Would ye care to find out?"
Her question makes my dick start to firm up."Sure, yeah.For science, naturally."
