“They’d like that.” Smiling, she looked deeper into his eyes.
“We certainly would.” Ewen rose from his rocking chair and settled on the bench seat next to Marie. He slathered a crusty slice of bread with honey and folded it in two, his curious gaze on him. “Tell us all about yourself, yet only speak the secrets you truly wish to.”
“My twin brother and I both hold fae blood.” The words passed his lips easily.
“You can trust us, son, just as you trust your mate. No’ a word you speak of this day shall leave our lips.” A firm from Ewen.
Son? The term rang with endearment, one his father had never even issued with him.
“My mother’s name was Beth and many years ago she journeyed from the fae village to my father’s keep.” He’d share it all. “At the time Colin MacKenzie desired fae blood flowing within his direct line, but with his betrothal agreement already signed with the daughter of his neighboring clan’s chief, his hope to fulfil that desire remained beyond his reach. Or at least until he caught sight of Beth and chose a rather devious path. He spoke handfast vows with her then once she’d conceived, he had her locked within his chamber and none permitted entry other than one single maid.”
Ella leaned into his side, rubbed her cheek against his arm.
He slid his dirk free, cut two slices from the loaf and laid them on their plate. After adding meat and cheese to each slice, he lifted one to Ella’s lips and ensured she took a bite. Looking into her eyes, he murmured, “I wish my mother had never perished in order to give Coll and I life, wish she’d been there to raise us, to teach us all about our Matheson kin, but that was never to be.”
“She might no’ have been given that chance, but her spirit still lives on in you and Coll, and now we’re wed, I will surely be here to teach you all you wish to know about your Matheson kin. My grandparents will too. Mama and Ethan as well. You need never be alone again.”
“I dinnae know what I did to deserve you.” Cupping her cheek, he pressed a kiss to her lips.
“You’re my husband, my mate.” She smiled, the gold flecks rimming her brown eyes lighting with such stunning brilliance. “The only one who’ll ever hold the other half of my soul.”
“I wish to wed you proper.”
“I wouldnae mind that either.” Her grin widened.
“Here, here,” Ewen cheered and Marie clapped. “Duncan, you and your brother are our kin. Never forget that.”
“Thank you.” Their welcome was one he embraced with all his heart.
Chapter 10
“You’re supposed to be resting so we can leave once you have.” At the edge of the meadow where the late afternoon sunshine beamed through the leaves and sprinkled over the ground, Ella unpegged the clothes from the line.
“I thought we agreed I would, provided you laid down with me.” Duncan’s billowy white tunic, untucked under his tan leather vest studded with steel, lifted in the brisk breeze and gave a delicious glimpse of the twin lines of roped muscle rippling either side of his abs. She wanted to run her hands over his exposed flesh then loosen the ties of his tan rawhide pants which clung to his trim hips and shimmy them down his legs.
Instead, she sighed and continued unpegging the clothes. “You’ll never get any rest if I join you in bed. Once I’ve brought Grandma’s washing in, I’ll take a nap in their chamber since I could still use a little more sleep.”
“I’m a man starved for his wife. Have mercy on me.” He caught her around the waist, lifted her off her feet and held her flush against him, her toes dangling an inch from the ground.
“Put me down, Duncan.” Giggling, she swatted his arm. “And I believe I quenched your thirst upon your arrival.”
“You didnae quench it nearly enough for my liking.” He twirled her around behind the closest tree then pressed her against the wide trunk and thankfully out of sight of Ivor patrolling the far side of the meadow. Leaning in, he caged her in place, his palms lying flat against the rough bark either side of her head. “I’m in love with my wife, want her with a desperate desire that willnae be abated.”
“I’m in love with you too, but I need you to be at your clearest of mind as we travel to Dunscaith. Only adequate rest will ensure that.” She jabbed a finger into his chest, tried to give him her sternest look but only failed terribly. “Sheer exhaustion isnae permitted.”
“Sheer exhaustion sounds divine, particularly if offered at your hands.” Sweetly sensual words whispered in her ear, his breath fluttering strands of her loose hair.
“Goodness, what am I going to do with you?” She snuck her fingers under the flapping hem of his tunic and stroked over his sides.