“Your thoughts are clear to see along our connection.” Her blue gaze softened. “Dinnae consider what-ifs. You are here, and we are now man and wife. That is all there is to consider.”
“Aye, you’re right.” And he was supposed to be ensuring her care. He shuffled off the bed and crossed to her side table scattered with her personal belongings. He lifted the jug and poured water into the basin, flapped out a clean cloth from the pile and dipped it into the water. “I just wish I’d returned sooner to claim you.”
“You came as soon as you could, and I didnae make it easy for you being that I resided deep within the enemy’s territory.” She stretched where she lay on the bed and he returned to her, nudged her knees farther apart and tenderly wiped her flesh.
“How sore are you?” He cleaned his cock with the cloth, tossed it back into the basin of water where it landed with a splash then bent over his woman and pressed a soft kiss against her mouth. On his side, he lay down next to her, lifted one of her legs and eased it between both of his, wrapped his arm around her waist and drew her closer until every inch of their bodies touched. “I crave being near you.”
“I crave this nearness too, and I’m a little sore, as to be expected.” Along his hip, she stroked, her sweetly sensual touch bringing such a deep level of satisfaction to his very soul. “Even though I dinnae wish to leave this bed, ’tis morning and I should go and check on Gordon’s wounds and ensure all is healing as it should.”
“Gordon can look after himself. You’re going to remain right here with me. I need an hour’s rest afore I must leave.” He yawned and closed his eyes, his need for sleep overwhelming him. It had been some time since he’d last been so content and the dark swirled around him as he held his mate safe and secure in his arms. Nowhere else did he long to be, other than right here with her. “Rest,” he murmured as he succumbed to sleep himself.
Kyla snuggled against Ronan as he slipped into sleep. He’d ridden hard right through the night, not resting at all as she had, and soon must leave. Outside, the clanging of swords ricocheted toward her. Her clansmen trained and even though Ronan had said Gordon could look after himself, she was still responsible for ensuring his wounds healed without any festering. She couldn’t rest when that need tugged at her so strongly.
As Ronan’s arms went slack around her, she slowly, carefully, snuck out of his hold and stood. Ouch. Muscles she’d never used before ached in protest, although she should have expected such a thing. She was a woman who’d been well and truly loved by her husband. A lazy smile lifted her lips and she hugged herself. This discomfort was one she intended to embrace and cherish.
Tiptoeing to her ambry, she moved with all stealth and eased the golden curtain back. Elegant gowns hung in a myriad of rich colors and fine fabrics. She nabbed a favorite gown and footwear, crept behind her dressing screen and set her things on the stool behind her. Over her head, she pulled on a cream under-tunic with rucked sleeves and slid her sleeveless burgundy gown overtop. The velvet swished over her hips and brushed her ankles. With the ribbons in hand, she tightened the bodice and made a bow at the top of the low-cut neckline embellished with cream crocheted detailing, the same adornment that ran in a long line down the center of her gown to her feet and ringed the hem. Seated on the stool, she tugged her matching burgundy slippers on then ducked over to her side table.
Ronan still slept, having not moved an inch.
She combed and braided her hair, selected a lacy white ribbon from the shell dish overflowing with ribbons and tied the silk at the end. Loose locks wisped free at the side of her face and she curled the strands around her fingers dampened with a little water and left them bouncing free.
Her new ring sparkled, so shiny and bright on her finger, although ’twas a little big and slipped off and on with ease. Mayhap ’twas best she kept it secure in her wooden keepsake box until the armorer could adjust the band. He honed weapons to perfection, made repairs on all manner of things and had a particular love of crafting trinkets and such. She’d ask him to resize it.
Around the bed, she crept, leaned over her chosen one and touched her lips to his cheek. His lush lips begged to be kissed and she wanted to lick and nibble on them but if she did, she’d wake him and right now she needed to tend to Gordon before she could return to him.
She snuck to the door and without a noise, slid the bolt across and stole outside.