Highland Defiance

chapter Seven



The steps were thin and narrow.

But her heart was full.

“Walk with care. We go to the top.”

Mildred walked up the steps, Adlin right behind. Torches jutted out over her head. Each arrow slit window was placed about every fifteen feet. The higher they climbed the more the wind whistled a constant breeze that reminded her how very cold it was outside. With no hand railing this walk seemed extremely treacherous. She made a point of not looking down.

“I’m right behind you,” Adlin reminded, his hand skirting her outer hip.

Mildred tried to ignore the way his hand felt on her body and continued to concentrate on the odd climb. At last, she realized that there was nothing left but a brick wall.

“There.” Adlin steered her to the right down a short hallway.

Tentative, she walked down the dark, stone hallway until she entered a small room. Inside the chamber she found not a square room but one hexagonally shaped. Instead of more arrow shaped windows, there was one oddly shaped window. It was round with an x shape inside, much like a too-symmetrical cross on a pedestal. Beneath it was a long, rectangular shape with Celtic symbols inscribed in it. The whole thing looked rather like a large mystical key hole.

To the left was a burning fire, to the right a full bed with a curved headboard protected by long, white curtains of sheer fabric. The whole thing seemed rather out of place.

Adlin took her hand and pulled her close to his side, nodding at the strange window. “It’s called the ‘Highland Defiance.’” His arm wrapped around her midriff. “Only the greatest loves end up in her presence.”

“Really?” Mildred asked, truly awed.

“No,” Adlin smelled her hair. “’Tis actually a thing of war.”

Mildred frowned and turned in his arms. “That window doesn’t seem a thing you should joke about.”

Adlin’s eyes left the window and found hers, his expression one of respect and relief. “Then I’ll be truthful. The Highland Defiance is one of magic.”

Mildred felt the floor vibrate and knew that Adlin was upset. “Tell me more.”

As if he’d rather not look her in the eyes when he spoke, he tucked her head beneath his chin. “A long time ago, when I first arrived in Scotland, it was not in Cowal but here, at the tip of Scotland, a place of power no human could understand. This place started as one of peace and love, of new beginnings.”

His heartbeat increased against her ear.

“I never saw it becoming what it did.”

Mildred waited, knew that she had to.

“Even then mankind didn’t get along. I tried to start a peaceful clan but people are always at unrest if they don’t find control in their own thoughts and beliefs. And my way of ruling didnae agree with all, mostly because they wanted to rule themselves.”

Mildred listened, waited.

“I soon learned that I could not stay here. Many agreed with me and would follow but I asked them to stay behind, to hold true to the Scotland I envisioned.”

She pulled back and looked at him. “So you were a dictator?”

Adlin frowned. “If I were a dictator, would I have left those who were willing to follow?”

Mildred frowned. “Adlin, you make it sound as if you created Scotland.”

Tortured, his expression grew guarded. He looked toward the fire. “Medieval Scotland is nothing like present day America. It was even less like that in what you call the 5 century. I was trying to show people that they could work together. That there existed one true God. ‘Twas not easy in a land ruled by many gods.”

Chilled, Mildred pulled back even further. “What of those with the belief in many gods? Do you… did you shun them?”

“Never. But there is room for the new God as well. That is the trouble. ‘Tis hard for people to ken both can co-exist.”

Overwhelmed, she backed away. “Too much.”

Adlin grabbed her hand before she could get far. “Highland Defiance became a place at the peak of Scotland that accepts all and doesna judge. This is a place that will always fight for what I envisioned; a peaceful land and people who are all equal and free to believe in their own gods or God.”

She started to speak but he put a finger to her lips and said, “Nobody should ever be judged for what they believe. This is the land of the Celts. This is the place where true freedom reigns.”

Her lip quivered. “Who do you believe in, Adlin?”

He didn’t hesitate. “Both the new and old. I am a mediator always.”

“No.” She shook her head and looked into his eyes. “There’s a battle inside you beyond me being here.”

“Come,” he whispered and pulled her back into the hallway. When he dropped to his knees, she did the same. When he fell to his belly, she did as well.

Adlin sidled forward until he looked down. She did the same.

“What do you see?” he asked.

Mildred stared down, amazed by the beauty. They looked upon moonlight, smoky haze, then onto fire surrounded by happy, dancing clansfolk. It was absolutely breathtaking. While animalistic, the scene below had a purpose… a design.

“These people are happy. They celebrate what I left here so long ago against all the odds,” he said.

“Why?”

He propped his chin on closed fists and looked down. “Because it worked. Because this place is powerful and when people liked something it stuck. This place always had a freedom about it.” Adlin ground his jaw. “People were free to be themselves here, no matter the religion they chose. I suppose it worked.”

Mildred continued to stare down.

Though mesmerized by the beauty she felt a certain sense of loss from Adlin. She didn’t doubt for a moment that he’d wanted the whole of Scotland to be this way. Rolling on her side, she said, “I hate that I’m asking this but… what went wrong?”

Adlin continued to look down, his expression far away. “Free will, I suppose.”

She frowned. “Isn’t that a good thing?”

He rolled on his side as well and propped up his head. “Aye, ‘Tis a wonderful thing. However, ‘tis something that can’t be controlled.” His eyes lingered beyond her. “The ultimate problem, or perhaps blessing, with a democracy and all the in-betweens is that it tends to land in the very last place you expect it to.”

Mildred’s eyes met his. “The same could be said of a dictatorship or monarchy and all their in-betweens.” She took his hand. “I tend to think you’ve got something good going on here at “Highland Defiance” and Cowal for that matter, at least what I saw of it. If the whole of Scotland never followed your lead then it’s not meant to be.” She sidled closer. “Adlin, like all things, Scotland is truly out of your control.”

Adlin’s pupils flared, his emotions off kilter. “Everything here is supposed to be in my control.”

With a nod to the roof she tried to lighten the mood. “Then the smoke needs to go.”

“Iain,” he muttered then shook his head and looked at her. “I’ll make sure it’s taken care of with Iain MacLomain, a descendant. He’ll create something to relieve smoke from a castle.”

She rolled on her back and grinned. “How nice to be able to assign such things!”

Adlin rolled on his back as well. “Iain will be my favorite.”

She bent her knees and braced her feet on the floor. “You really are a planner.”

“Nope, just realistic.”

“Not nice to pick a favorite before they’re born.”

“Probably not.”

She turned her head his way. “Then why do so?”

He turned his head her way. “Because I already love him.”

They stared at each other. What was it to already have lost so many you loved and anticipate loving so many to come? What was it to be a wizard?

“I’m so sorry,” she whispered.

For a split second he seemed to accept her apology then something shifted in his expression. He jumped to his feet and pulled her up after him. Unlike Bruce’s yank yesterday, Adlin’s way of pulling her after him was not forced but as if he had to show her something.

Mildred was just about to reassure him about what he’d shared when he spun her. Weak knees buckled against the bed and she fell back. A million words were ready to come out of her mouth but Adlin’s body came over her and his lips crushed down over hers.

Though she tried to stay serious, everything dissolved when his lips pried hers open, when the fire flared brighter in the hearth. He hadn’t kissed her nearly long enough when he lifted slightly and stared down, his eyes hungry.

“Adlin,” she breathed. “We need to talk more.”

“No.” His weight covered her, his scent engulfed. “No more talking.”

As his lips trailed down her smooth neck, she said, “Should we? I mean…”

“Stop,” he said hotly, his lips coming close to her ear. “No more talk, Mildred. No more.” He ground his teeth. “This was supposed to be romantic.”

She wondered for a split second if he realized how unromantic what they’d discussed really was. But it was becoming clear that he was an intense, disciplined man and telling her all that he had, no doubt put a little extra fire in his blood.

In an instant, needy response to his body being so close, she spread her legs, seeking his warmth against her core. He ground against her, his plaid a steady defense. A raging inferno started to build. His lips tasted her skin slowly, trailing from her earlobe, down her chin, until his tongue flickered down her arched neck.

His breathing increased.

So did hers.

Heat steamed between their bodies.

Though he wasn’t touching them her fingertips and toes started to tingle as his tongue glided along her collarbone. Hot, he continued to flick the inquisitive tip over her receptive skin until he swirled his tongue against the point where her collarbone met.

Mildred bit her lower lip and arched further.

From there he focused on lightly skimming the tip of his tongue up her neck while the pad of his thumb danced lazy circles along the collarbone his tongue had just abandoned.

With tight little gasps, she said, “Yes.”

The wind picked up, panting through the window with sharp gusts that fanned the thin white sheets hanging around them. She was suddenly caught in a tornado of cool, soft fabric and hot, firm man.

Mildred pushed Adlin away when he started to pull down her dress.

“No,” he whispered.

Arms pinned by her side, Mildred suddenly realized she was nude. Though she should have been mortified she felt sensual, beautiful. All of her denial fled. His eager lips traveled down between her breasts and back up.

Instead of giving her what she most needed Adlin’s face hovered over hers, kissing first her lips then her nose, then above her eyes. Her legs spread further and she sought his lips.

“No,” he whispered again.

Before she could respond his lips traveled down her neck and clamped over a nipple. Crying in both pain and pleasure, she arched. His large, calloused hands traveled up her legs and grabbed beneath her knees. Grinding against him, she whimpered.

“More,” he murmured against her belly as he traveled lower, holding her in place. Relaxed, needing, she allowed him. Kissing, salving, he focused on the soft skin of her stomach, his impatient tongue curious and adventurous.

His hands held hers as he first laved then blew hot breath over where he’d just been. She’d never felt anything so good. Clamping her thighs against the unknown she took an odd pleasure in knowing he wouldn’t allow it.

When he spread her legs further and dove, she squirmed, startled by the feel of a man’s mouth where it shouldn’t be. Hands climbing up her own thighs, Mildred tried to stop him.

It didn’t work.

Even before she understood the extreme sensation, her body fell back, rippling in sharp pleasure. She cried out and thrust back her head. It felt as though her body was consumed in undulating fire, a sensation so intense it was indescribable.

Adlin’s large hands held her backside and lower thigh as she trembled.

Careful, loving, he whispered, “There’s so much more.”

Though she shook her head, his lips again trailed up her stomach. This time she felt his hand travel further, deeper.

“No, no, no,” she whispered, spent.

But he didn’t listen.

He rose over, spread her trembling, spent thighs wide and settled between her legs. His lips touched hers, his hands everywhere. Moaning, she didn’t recognize her actions when she shyly nodded.

Nearly savage, Adlin’s arms rose and trapped her legs in a vice grip that angled her to his full advantage. His body came close, his eyes locked on hers. When he spoke the octave was secretive and promising. “Mildred.”

Before she could respond he moved forward.

Stretching, pulling pain spliced through her. Startled, she grabbed him.

“The pain willnae last, love,” he murmured close to her ear. “Just relax. I willnae use magic this first time. This is an experience that should be ours alone.”

When his hand came between them, she startled at the feel of his caresses. Somehow, the pleasure his fingers brought made the pain less noticeable as he pushed further. She bit her lower lip. Frightened by the conflicting sensations, she buried her head in his neck. Adlin continued to move, pushing deeper and deeper. When at last he didn’t move, a tear rolled down her cheek.

“I’m so sorry,” he said softly.

“Nothing to be sorry for,” she whispered into his neck, adjusting to the full feeling of having him inside her. She slowly turned her gaze to his. Looking into his eyes seemed a heady combination when added to how thoroughly his body owned hers right now. Breathing hard, Adlin held her in place, his face near tortured. At long last, he leaned down and kissed the corner of her lip. When he did, he thrust gently.

“Ah!” she cried, her legs jerking in response. But just past the pain came something new. Tiny ripples of pleasure quivered through her lower stomach.

Incited by her response, Adlin withdrew slightly then thrust deep.

“Oh!” This time her legs pulled up higher.

Jaw clenched tight, his eyes closed briefly, as if he was desperately trying to hold back. When he opened his eyes, he pulled back and thrust in differently.

Mildred whimpered and moaned as sharp pleasure undulated up her torso, sending delicious shivers throughout her pliant, unfamiliar body.

Needy, mindless, curious, she whispered, “More.”

As if the building itself had been waiting for her to say such, wind whipped up and billowed the fire, igniting the pipe from below and stirring Adlin’s need.

Enraged by something only he could see, the MacLomain laird growled and thrust forward sharply. With no way or want to stop him, Mildred relished the new feelings strumming through her anxious body. Cupping her face he slowed his thrusts, made them long and deep.

Tremors raked both of them. Sweat slicked their bodies. Together they seemed to be climbing closer to some unseen, breath-taking crescendo. Slowing ever further he brought his mouth within a fraction of hers, paused several moments then thrust sharply. Mildred released a deep woosh of air, one he seemed to catch because he breathed in deeply.

A fresh wave of tingling pleasure started to roll up first her spine then spread down her torso, fluttering along her arms and legs like a slow internal, sensual lick. Expression near desperate, Adlin’s movements increased.

First steady then hard.

Pounding.

Relentless.

Fevered, alive, she started to meet his thrusts. Like a bolt of unexpected lightning, searing fire roared through her body and her belly muscles seized. Eyes wide, she grabbed his shoulders and dug in her nails. It felt like she was separating from her body.

“Bloody,” Adlin breathed heavily. “Hell, woman.”

Air grew sparse. Her vision dimmed. When the explosion came, she thought she’d split apart. Pleasure and pain and release made her arch sharply, her body seized, every muscle interlocked sharply. Tiny flecks filled the room, or her eyesight, impossible to tell.

Crying out, he thrust one last time, and rocked against her.

When he did, her body burst apart, muscles liquefied, rippling over and over. Super bright flecks filled her vision and severe pleasure speared.

Time passed. Or didn’t. She had no way of knowing.

Adlin had taken her someplace she’d never been.

It was only when her last moan of pleasure slipped from slack lips did she realize that she screamed. It was only when the tears slipped down her cheeks did she know she cried.

“Shhh,” Adlin whispered and pulled free. Protective, he wrapped around her, sheltered her within the warm, strong cave of his body. He stroked back her hair and whispered soft words of compassion, easy, comforting words that followed her into her dreams.

And far beyond.

When she awoke very dim light filled the room and Adlin’s warm eyes studied hers. Had she slept? If so, for how long?

“Good morn, lass,” he said softly.

With a small, bashful smile, she said, “Good morning.”

They remained interlocked and without clothes, his warm skin soothing against already sore muscles. Though slightly embarrassed, she was grateful he was still there. That he’d waited for her to wake up.

His thumb brushed her lower lip before he cupped the side of her cheek. Soft, eager, his lips touched hers then pulled back. “I love you, Mildred. Always have.”

Speechless, caught off guard, she could only nod. He meant it… believed it. And didn’t expect a reply. So she nodded once, unable to voice what she felt. Not quite ready.

“I’d like to show you something,” he said. “Are you ready to get out of bed?”

Though the idea of staying in bed with Adlin seemed far more preferable, she nodded.

Anything for him.

“Good.” With a smile, he bounded from the bed and set to getting dressed.

For the first time in her life, she got out of bed naked and stood in front of a man while she looked for her clothes. Plaid half wrapped around his muscular body, Adlin froze, his eyes roaming over her in admiration.

Despite the fact they’d been intimate; a slow burn ran over her face and no doubt half her body. Although it was a startling and new sensation having a man eye her nude, she liked the way it made her feel. Powerful, sensual, Mildred realized that she was now truly a woman in every sense of the word.

All because of Adlin MacLomain.

About to slip into her dress, Adlin shook his head, half tripping over his own plaid to get to something else.

“No, wear this.” He picked up another dress that’d been laid on a chair. “Fresh clothes.”

With a shy grin she took the garment from him, completely flattered and aroused by his inability to function with her in a state of undress. The near white dress was very soft. Emboldened by his obvious infatuation, she raised an eyebrow. “White? You do realize that I’m not a virgin anymore.”

If a man could literally trip over his tongue, her five hundred year old wizard certainly did with his next words. “It was. I mean. Iosbail must’ve. On. You.” Frowning, he shook his head and ran what she swore was a shaky hand through his hair. “Just get dressed.”

With a small, womanly smile she slid the dress over her head, completely content on skipping the chemise.

“Mildred!”

Impressive erection pillowing an ill-laid plaid over his waist, Adlin’s frown deepened and he held out a chemise. “Get all the way dressed, lass.”

With what she imagined was a perfect pout, she took the garment, turned away and set to dressing properly. When she turned, Adlin was properly dressed and sternly holding out a pair of those awful Scottish shoes, but this time they looked more like boots. She scrunched her nose. “Really?”

“Have you any idea what cold highland rock feels like beneath bare feet?” His eyes fell to her feet and lingered. A loud swallow preceded his next statement. “Not that those feet should be covered.”

How did Adlin make her feel so incredibly beautiful simply by looking at her toes? No doubt, it’d be a question she’d ask herself the rest of her life.

“Sure.” After she slid into her shoes she turned his way.

For all she thought she was in control with her feminine wiles, one look at him leaning against the wall in full highland attire stopped her dead in her tracks. He was, in all sense of the word, perfection, beyond handsome. As she stood there staring at him with his plaid wrapped to perfection over a warrior’s physique done up to par with black boots, easily six-foot four, black hair finger combed, sapphire eyes arresting, she felt a sharp pang in her heart.

Who was she in such a man’s life?

As if he sensed it the minute she felt it, he said, “You’re the lass I’ve been waiting my whole life for.”

Frozen, unsure, Mildred understood just how vast Adlin’s time on Earth really was, how much a blip she was in the span of his existence. Even as she took a step back he was in front of her, his wide shoulders a reminder of his sheer physical strength and power.

He wrapped a fur cloak over her shoulders, his body and face coming close. “There has never been and will never be another like you. I do love you, Mildred.”

There was a sense that he wanted to pull her close but she saw in his eyes that he wouldn’t. It was important that she believed what he said more than what he did at this point. If ever there existed a time when she wanted to look away from someone’s gaze it was now, but she would not. Adlin was a man who deserved to be looked in the eye, a man who deserved respect.

Then it occurred to her.

He didn’t demand.

Not of her, nor of his people. That’s what he’d been trying to tell her the night before, however oddly he went about it. Adlin was not a wizard first but a man, one whom wanted people to want what he wanted of their own… free will.

“It was what you wanted most that ultimately surprised and disappointed you,” she whispered.

“Do you know why?” he asked.

“Yes, because you had to learn to relinquish control.”

He wrapped the cloak tighter around her, the gesture protective and treasuring. “It was a hard lesson to learn. But one worth learning.”

So Adlin had trudged the long road between two belief systems and found that he loved both, would always defend both. What was it to be both Christian and Pagan?

With a heavy sigh, Adlin’s eyes stayed locked with hers. “So you ken who I am now, Mildred.”

She cupped his cheek gently. “You’re a man who loves.”

“Aye,” he whispered and leaned down, his lips brushing over hers feather-light before he said, “I’m also a man who needs to be loved.”

Though her eyes watered she was unable to say the words she knew he longed to hear. Instead, she said, “Where did you want to take me?”

With a warm, understanding smile he turned and pulled a fur cloak over his shoulders. “Come. We’re almost out of time.”