The Condemned Highlander (Highland Intrigue Trilogy 2)

He kissed her brow after he ended the kiss and hearing her sigh of disappointment was pleased to know she had enjoyed the kiss as much as he had. He was also surprised when she rested her head on his shoulder.

“You are a decent man, Brogan of the Clan MacRae,” she said, cuddling against him.

“Shhh, you will damage my reputation,” he whispered on a chuckle.

“The damage was done when we wed. You are bound to me now and no other,” she warned with a tap to his naked chest.

That she laid claim to him did much for his ego, but far more for his heart. “Aye, wife, I am bound to you.”

A thought struck her that brought light tears to her eyes. They were not bound together until their vows were sealed. Was she ready to commit to a life with him when Bliss’s fate had yet to be decided? Too many thoughts, too many decisions, not enough clarity for either.

His hand caressed her arm, leaving a tingle to whisper through her.

“Sleep, wife,” he said softly, his arm snug around her. “Tomorrow is another day.”

Annis found herself teary-eyed once again when she bid goodbye to Una and the others in the village. They all wished her a safe journey and hoped that she would not be gone long from home.

That they had made it known that this was her home and they looked forward to her return is what caused her tears. She had unexpectedly found a home. She just hoped her new home would include her sisters.

Annis was pleased her quest would continue on a horse. It would enable her to go farther in a given day than when she walked. Brogan helped her mount before mounting Belle and they were soon on their way.

They had not spoken much this morning, Annis having woke before Brogan to find herself straddled nearly on top of him and his manhood poking her and causing all sorts of mayhem in her nether regions. She had quickly disentangled herself, dressed, and rushed out of the cottage to the welcoming brisk air.

Brogan cast a glance to Annis, seated rigid on her horse and lost in her thoughts, and he wondered if her thoughts mirrored his own. He had woken with a raging need for his wife after finding her wrapped tightly around him and that private little place of hers he so desperately wanted to get to know had been far too close to his manhood, which of course rose to the temptation.

He had been relieved when she had slipped out of bed and left. Her absence cooled his ardor, and he was able to get out of bed.

He did not see any point in ignoring last night and asked, “You slept well.”

Her shoulders relaxed and she turned a smile on him. “I slept better than I thought I would.”

“I have a soothing effect on you,” he teased and was surprised when she agreed.

She chuckled. “You do and a prickly effect as well.”

“That is good, it keeps you alert.”

“Something we both need to remain on this quest,” she reminded, her mind far too occupied with thoughts she had little time for. The witch existed, which meant it was possible to break the curse and he needed his concentration on that and was glad he turned the conversation to the problem at hand.

“My father and the other lords believed it was Gunna, Lady Aila’s servant, who gave her the power to curse them. But the witch admits she gave Lady Aila the power to cast a curse. How was she able to meet with the witch in the hills?”

“I thought the same,” Annis admitted. “How had Lady Aila made contact with the witch? How had she even known about her? The witch made no mention of it, but do you think Gunna could be the woman with the limp we search for?”

“I suppose it is possible, though I find it difficult to believe that she would have remained in this area. If she valued her life and that of the bairn, she would have left here many years ago.”

“Perhaps she has returned with the bairn, now a full-grown woman, for a reason,” Annis said.

“What might that be?” he asked, though he had a good idea.

“Revenge? Justice?”

Annis’s words echoed his thoughts.

They rode in silence for a while, Brogan keeping a keen watch on their surroundings.

Annis finally asked, “Are there any villages nearby?”

“There are crofts scattered here and there and a small village or two on the outskirts of my clan.”

“What clans border Clan MacRae land?” she asked.

“Clan MacClaren, Rannick’s clan, borders us to the north, Clan MacBridan, Odran’s clan, to the south, and smaller clans flank us to the east and west, Clan MacFarden, the one stirring trouble with Clan MacBridan, being one of them.”

Curiosity had Annis asking, “What of the Clan MacWilliam? What happened to their land?”