Page 23 of Her Scot of the Morrow
“Mother’s right.” Broderick looked at me gravely. “And the king might verra well agree because he knows how unpredictable and unstable they can be.”
No truer words were said, unfortunately.
“And ye dinnae have yer willow tree yet, either,” Evan pointed out, still standing at the window where he could see if it had appeared beside Aspen’s and Hazel’s trees at the outskirts of the forest. Trees that appeared once it was confirmed they were no longer part of the pact and were with their rightful fated mates.
“How do we confirm the fated mates thing, anyway?” Willow asked, sort of drifty-eyed as she smiled at me and winked as if such a dire conversation wasn’t happening. “Not to say you didn’t feel entirely like my fated mate when you lifted me against that tree and—”
“And I think mayhap ‘twould be a good idea if you took Willow upstairs and got her tucked into bed,” Chara smoothly interrupted with a small, knowing smile.
“I think mayhap you’re right,” I confirmed, sweeping Willow up into my arms before she could argue, eager to see her safely into my bed where I knew I could protect her.
“I’ll bring up food if—”
“Nay, ‘tis all right,” I assured Hazel as Willow rested her head on my shoulder, inhaled my scent, and smiled a little before her eyes drifted shut. “I dinnae think Willow will be eating much more tonight.”
“Seems not,” Hazel agreed, brushing Willow’s hair back from her eye and smiling softly when her sister issued a dainty little snore, sound asleep already. “I know I probably shouldn’t, given the circumstances, but I like seeing her slow down a little.” Her eyes met mine. “And I really like the way you two look at each other.”
“Me too,” Aspen echoed. “I know I don’t need to say it, but take good care of her, Sloan.”
“Always,” I vowed, because I would always protect Willow with my life. I looked at Broderick. “I know you’ve warriors already at arms, safeguarding the castle’s perimeter, but I will stand vigilant tonight from my balcony and—”
“Nay,” Broderick said, surprising me. “I will need you at your best when the king arrives, so get some rest because whether you realize it or not, you need it just as much.” When I shook my head, his dragon eyes flared. “’Tis an order, not a request. The castle is protected.”
I frowned. “Aye?”
“Aye.” He gestured at the secret door through which we had entered. “Now go.”
So I did after bidding everyone a good eve, knowing full well I could not, yet again, do what I was told, because only my protection was enough for my lass tonight. Especially with Dugal out there somewhere with all his twisted fury. His mother might order him to heed her wishes and wait, but something told me Dugal could easily defy her because of his sick desires and rabid need for power.
To that end, after I finally carried the love of my life and undoubtedly my fated mate into my chamber for the first time, I laid her on my bed and tucked her under my furs. She barely stirred but for a deep inhale as she pulled in my scent and again issued a soft smile. My gaze lingered on her for a moment, and I cherished the sight of her in my bed before I made my way to the balcony with a blade in hand and kept an eye on the sky.
The stormy weather did and didn’t work in our favor. It would be easier for dragons to approach unseen, but it would also make attacking us more difficult because of the gusty winds and turbulence.
“Sleep, cousin,”Broderick ordered into my mind again as several of our larger and more powerful dragons landed on the balconies overhead as well as below. His inner tone broached no room for argument. “Ye have my word ye are well protected now by not only those ye see but by the rest of us, so get some rest. ‘Tis crucial to the clan, given today’s events.”
Though tempted to argue, I became increasingly aware of exhaustion settling over me. Too much exhaustion, given how concerned I was about Willow’s safety, telling me either Hazel or possibly even Chara had done something to the food to make sure I rested.
It seemed my inner beast was okay with it because it didn’t flail in defiance when we finally relented, but seemed just as eager as I was to crawl into bed and pull Willow into my arms. Warm her. Inhale her scent.
And that was the last thing I remember because the next thing I knew, it was dawn, and I was being stirred awake in the best way possible.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
–Willow–
ONE MOMENT I was sitting on the settee in MacLeod Castle with Sloan, enjoying Hazel’s corn muffins and good Scottish whisky, and the next I was swept up in his arms. After that, it was all a blur as I went from floating in his arms to soaring alongside his dragon. I was thrilled to discover there wasn’t half a gem over my heart, and nothing was more freeing.
I was all his now, and he was all mine.
At least until I stirred awake to the rumble of thunder and realized it had been a dream. Yet he was still right there beside me in a big fur-covered bed I vaguely recalled being laid on the night before. I took in the sizeable chamber with its simple, masculine furnishings before my gaze lingered on the man sleeping beside me, wanting to believe he was all mine, and I would stir awake every morning wrapped in his arms.
Inhaling deeply, I cherished his spicy scent and the feel of his warm, hard body against mine, surprised we still wore clothing, but then, I at least, had been pretty exhausted.
Not anymore, though.
If anything, I felt particularly invigorated and more than a little aroused.
So aroused that, despite knowing this might be risky, given the last time we had sex, I shifted, I figured if we stuck to everything but the actual act, we would be okay. So I chanted away our clothing and finally touched him the way I had wanted to for way too long. Explored the intricate tattoo he had over his strong shoulder and down his muscular arm. Traced thesmall battle wound scars he had here and there, running my fingers lightly over each one. Then, I slowly ran my fingers down the hard ridges of his abs, pleased to discover how aroused he became at my touch.
