Page 9 of Forbidden Desire

“Are you?” His tone hardened. “Sometimes, nighean bheag, it does not feel like it.”

I gulped as a surge of shame washed over me.

“You already know your fate.” He tilted his head at me. “Don’t you?”

Oh God. I’d seen that glint in his eyes many times since he’d rescued me from Charlie’s grasp. My tender backside was well aware of what it conveyed.

“You’re going to punish me?” I didn’t know whether to cry or scream. Rasmie’s admonishments were always hard to bear and often involved an audience, but the worst thing was I seemed amenable to them, my body mollifying under the brunt of his palm.

“Yes, nighean bheag.” His hand shifted to my face, cradling my flushing flesh in the tender way that made me want to melt against him.

This was Rasmie’s power. He persuaded me to crave things I shouldn’t desire—his touch, the erotic torment... my captivity.

“Must you, Maighstir?” I was at his mercy, so it made little difference if I threw myself further into the rabbit hole he’d dug for me. I was so lost in its depths, I might never climb out. “I’m sorry for my outburst. I’m just so confused about how I feel. You’ve taken me from everything I knew. I’m a stranger here.”

“Nighean bheag.”

I clenched at his sensual purr.

“I did not take you. The gods brought you to me.”

My eyes closed as his thumb stroked my cheek.

“We were destined for one another.”

His voice radiated with happiness, the resonance snaking in my belly. I’d never been more satisfied, never known a man who could make me feel the way he did, but I couldn’t accept his terms, couldn’t live out my days here as his common-lore wife, couldn’t abandon my entire life.

“As for the other, you are no longer a stranger to my people, Desiree.” My eyes flickered open at the sound of my name. It was unusual for him to use it. “You are their Mathair, their mother, and your womb shall bring us salvation.”

Gazing into his powerful blue eyes, I could see Rasmie truly believed I was a gift from the gods, sent to save his people.

“And you are far from a stranger to me.” His smile widened. “I know you better with each new sunrise.”

“Yes, Maighstir.” There was no denying his logic, however twisted.

“Be content, my love.” Pulling me onto his lap, his strong arms snaked around my middle, holding me in place. “Be happy with the life I offer you.”

“I want to be.” Wait, did I? “I’m just so torn, Maighstir.”

“I understand.” His gaze pierced me. “It shall take time, and I grant you that time, nighean bheag, but I do not want to hear of your plans to escape.” One of his hands shifted to the thin rope still fettering me to his bed. “It does not make me want to relent on your bondage.”

“I understand,” I sighed, my gaze lowering to his plaid-covered chest.

“Do you?” That same palm caught my chin, insisting my concentration return to his face. The intensity I discovered there was scintillating, his gaze liable to set me on fire.

“Yes, Maighstir,” I squeaked.

“Then you know what must happen next, nighean bheag.” There was no obvious pleasure in his tone. “You know the reasons why.”

Chapter Five

Rasmie

SHE WAS QUIET AS I unfastened her fetters, flung her over my shoulder, and carried her from our chamber. I had expected more protest, more fire from the woman who had become my second wife, but she was placid, the only sign of resistance, her tiny palm gripping my plaid.

Her complicity softened my iron resolve, one hand rising to rub her ass cheeks affectionately. I would spank her, making her feel each strike and comprehending the full extent of her transgression, but perhaps I would go easier than I had previously determined. She had mitigating circumstances. Her role was new, as were my expectations, but the novelty would not save her forever. Sooner or later, I needed Desiree to become the woman the gods intended for her to be. My preference was for sooner. We had too much life to live together for these endless rounds of public penitence. Not that any of my people protested as I climbed onto the platform.

“Good morrow!” I shouted to all those assembled, knowing my voice would gather more of an audience.

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