Page 33 of Highlander the Conqueror

Slayer went to the stream,yanked off his shirt and emerged himself in the chilly water. He expected to control his need like he always did when he was with a woman. He had never expected his passion to take control of him. He had had to fight to keep himself from plunging himself into Sky and satisfying a need, a passion that overwhelmed him. His intention had been to introduce her to pleasure, bring her to the brink of climax, and end it there. Explain that they would wait a few days to consummate their vows as he had promised. A lesson that his word was law, and she would obey it. But he could not do it. Seeing the passion smoldering in her eyes, he could not leave her on that edge. He had to let her fall into pleasure and catch her.

He had failed in what he had intended to do and all because he could not stand to hurt Sky that way. To leave her wanting, aching, unsatisfied. And what did that prove? That somehow Sky had touched his heart. That somehow, he had come to care for her, deeply care for her, and that shocked him.

Slayer sat by the stream trying to make sense of it all, but his thoughts only went round and round in circles. He did not realize how long he had sat there until he realized dusk was settling over the land. He returned to the cottage not knowing what he would say to Sky. And he was relieved when he found her in bed asleep. Tomorrow would be soon enough for them to talk and by then, perhaps, he would come to his senses and return to his heartless ways.

* * *

“Wake up,Slayer. Wake up! I need your help. I need it now!”

“Warrand! Where are you, Warrand?”

“Hurry, Slayer! Hurry!”

“I’m on my way, Warrand. I will be there soon.”

“Too late. Too late. Wolves. Pay heed to the wolves.”

Slayer jolted up in bed, breathing heavily and jumped when he felt a hand rest on his shoulder.

“Are you all right?” Sky asked, her heart beating madly from being jolted awake and concerned for what had startled her husband awake.

“Aye, go back to sleep,” he commanded and slipped out of bed.

He went to the fire pit and added more logs to the dwindling flames, then stood there and stared at them. He dreamt of Warrand every now and then. It was always the same dream. He would never reach him in time to save his life, but this dream was different. In this dream, Warrand warned him to pay attention to the wolves. What had wolves to do with his brother’s death?

Slayer shook his head. He should have been there for his brother. He should have saved his life and given his own life if necessary. It had been his duty to keep his brother safe and he had failed him. He could not fail in avenging his brother’s death. He had to find whoever did this and make them suffer before he took their lives.

Sky watched her husband standing naked by the fire, his back to her and his head bowed. Something had disturbed his sleep, a nightmare, she presumed since he woke with such a start, and it appeared it still disturbed him.

She hadn’t known when he had returned to the cottage since she had grown tired waiting for him and had fallen asleep. The nightmare had left him upset. He reminded her of a wounded animal in the forest all alone with no one to help him. She had helped many animals in need, her heart would not let her do otherwise. And her heart hurt terribly seeing her husband facing his upset alone.

She got out of bed, her linen shift falling just above her ankles, and quietly made her way to him. She was not sure what she would do once she reached him but then instinct took over. A hug often helped animals and humans alike. She did not hesitate when she reached him. She slipped her arms around his waist and pressed herself against his back and laid her head there as well.

Slayer was so lost in his thoughts that he had not heard her approach and he almost jumped when her arms locked around him, but he didn’t. He maintained his detachment until she pressed herself tight against his back and hugged him with the fiercest, most meaningful hug he had ever felt. She was offering comfort, and her kind and caring gesture broke through his defenses.

He turned, his arms circling her waist to ease her from behind his back and tuck her against him, then he rested his brow against hers.

“I am here for you, husband,” she whispered softly.

I need you.Slayer was startled by his thought and even more startled that it was true. He needed her. He needed to lose himself in her gentle kindness, tender touch, loving heart.

When he raised his brow off hers, she saw something in his eyes that she never expected to see… indecision. She was glad to see it there since it told her that he had feelings, which meant he was not heartless. It also meant that he presently battled with himself over his response to her.

“Whenever you need me, I will be there for you,” she said, accepting and committing to her vows and to her husband.

That she willingly, selflessly pledged she would be there for him whenever he needed her solidified her acceptance of their marriage. It tore at something in his heart, or had it awakened something in him? Something he long ago buried. Whatever it was did not matter. The only thing that mattered was Sky.

He hurried her shift off her, scooped her up into his arms, and carried her to the bed. He stretched out beside her and took hold of her chin. “Once this is done, nothing can undo it. You will be mine forever.”

“And will you be mine forever?” she asked, her question surprising her.

“Aye, I will,” Slayer said without giving it a thought. “And we will seal that pledge between us now.”

He kissed her, his lips firm on hers, and she welcomed him. She enjoyed Slayer’s lips on hers, gentle at times, demanding at other times. She could not imagine enjoying a kiss with anyone other man than Slayer. It was as if fate had matched them perfectly.

Slayer found immense joy in kissing Sky. It was as if her lips were made specially for him and no one else. Just the thought of her kissing another man sent his blood boiling. His lips would be the only one to touch hers. She was made for him and no other and he feared he would never get enough of her.

He wanted to take his time with her, explore as he had done earlier, but his need for her had grown him so hard that he did not think he could wait long. And yet his hands could not stop exploring the curves, valleys, and lines of her lovely body. To him, she was perfection, and he loved the feel of every inch of her.

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