Darack frowned. Why on earth would Alec want to talk to him?

"Ewan says there is no need for you to grant his wish," his cousin said.

"I'm interested in seeing what he has to say. If 'tis more threats…" Darack shook his head.

"I'm going with you," Mairiana said.

"Nay." Darack kissed the back of her hand. "The dungeon is no place for a lady."

"I have been into the dungeon at Rornoch."

"No doubt he wants to spout off more threats, lies and vulgar name calling. I don't want you near him."

"Mayhap he wants to apologize," she suggested.

"Come now, Mairiana," Darack said doubtfully. "He is not the sort. I'll tell you everything he says. And I'll only stay down there for a few minutes."

"I fear he will try to hurt you again," Mairiana said, grasping his hand tightly. Her worried eyes pleaded with him.

"He's locked up behind bars."

"I will wait for you just outside. Promise you will hurry."

"Very well. I'll ask a guard to stand with you."

Once Darack was certain one of his trusted cousins guarded Mairiana at the dungeon's entrance, he descended the stone steps with three of the Grant guards, two of them carrying torches to light the dismal space. All of the Lindsays where imprisoned here in three cells, with the exception of the chief. Ewan had assigned two guards to Chief Lindsay lest he try to break the others out.

Darack stopped before the cell which Alec occupied with four of his men. "What is it you want?" Darack asked.

Alec wrapped his dirty fingers around the iron bars and peered out at him. "I ken why you did this. You want my bride for yourself, you bastard," he growled.

Just as he'd suspected. "I didn't come down here to argue or exchange insults. I thought you might want to apologize."

"Apologize?" Alec demanded. "Ha! You are the one who owes me an apology for stealing my bride."

"We've already discussed this. You're wasting my time." Darack turned to go back up the steps when a loud clang sounded. He turned back to see that Alec had shoved the cell door open and leapt out. His four cellmates followed, attacked the guards and grabbed for their weapons. One torch went flying to the stone floor, while the other torch lit one of the Lindsays on fire. He screamed and rolled upon the floor.

Darack drew his dirk and focused on Alec, stalking toward him. Thank the saints he had not allowed Mairiana down here. How the devil had the cell door gotten unlocked?

Though Darack's former strength might not have yet returned, he'd be damned if he let Alec best him.

In Alec's hand, a dagger blade flashed, headed toward Darack's chest. Where had he gotten a weapon?

Lashing out with his dirk, Darack knocked it aside.

Alec howled and jumped back. Though it was too dim to see much, Darack must have cut his hand. Still, no blade dropped. The blackguard was still armed.

"If Mairiana won't have me, she won't have you either!" Alec sprang toward him again.

Darack kicked him in the stomach, knocking him to the floor.

"What's going on down there?" a man called from above.

"Send more men!" one of the guards yelled while fighting.

"Darack!" Mairiana shouted down the steps. "Are you all right?"

"Mairiana, I'm coming for you!" Alec shoved Darack aside and bounded onto the steps.

Darack quickly recovered and grabbed Alec's ankle as he climbed the steps. He tried to kick Darack's hand away but there was no way in hell he was letting go. He dragged the whoreson back until he toppled onto the dungeon floor. But Alec quickly regained his feet while Darack found his own dagger on the floor.

Seeing only a small flash of the blade, Darack grabbed Alec's forearm, the dagger raised high, ready to plunge into Darack's chest. At the same time, he shoved his own dirk toward Alec's torso. The blade met its mark. Despite the wound, Alec seemed to possess an abnormal strength. Darack twisted his arm until the dagger slipped from his fingers. Alec dropped to the ground and thrashed about.

Two guards trotted down the narrow steps. "Are they all under control?"

"Alec is," Darack said, breathing hard.

One of the torches still burned, lying on the stone floor, revealing the other attackers, either dead or knocked out. When Alec lay still and Darack could no longer see his chest moving, he knelt and placed his fingers before the man's mouth and nose. He felt no breathing.

Ewan emerged down the narrow stone steps with another guard, carrying a torch. "What happened?"

Darack stood and explained the situation.

Ewan muttered curses. "How did that cell door get unlocked?"

"We don't know as of yet. Alec even tried to run up the steps toward Mairiana," Darack said, equal parts battle rage and fear for her life still quickening his blood. He nudged the whoreson with his foot, but he didn't move.

"Are the other cell doors secured?" Ewan demanded.

The guards checked them. "Aye, chief."

"Find out who unlocked this one!"

"Darack?" Mairiana yelled again from the top of the steps.

"I'm well," he returned.

"Go. See to her," Ewan said. "I'll take care of this mess."

Darack bypassed his cousin and climbed the steps.

Upon seeing the tears streaming down Mairiana's face, Darack felt his soul scraped bare. He never wanted to cause her pain or distress.

"Are you hurt?" she asked, touching him, checking him for injuries.

"Nay." He lifted her into his arms and carried her across the bailey, amidst the throng of clansmen headed toward the dungeon to see what had transpired. "Thank God I did not allow you to go down there," Darack said, relief near making him weak.

"What happened? Is Alec dead?" she asked as he carried her up the castle's entry steps.

"Aye. I had no choice but to kill him. He would've never given up until one of us was dead. And more importantly, I was afraid he would hurt you." Darack carried her through the crowded great hall and up the turnpike stairs. "That has been my main concern the entire time, from the moment I found you in the stables at Lenor and learned what you'd witnessed. Most murderers won't leave a witness alive."

At the top of the steps, he found the corridor empty. He set her to her feet and pulled her tight into his arms. He simply wanted to hold her for a moment and thank God for her safety.

She wrapped her arms around him. "You are an amazing protector. And I thank you for that."

He drew back, observing her incredible beauty and the love emanating from her gaze. "I do it for selfish reasons."

"What do you mean?"

He kissed her slightly frowning brow. "I could not live without you, m'lady." He then pressed his lips against hers.

 

***

 

Two weeks later, Darack and Mairiana were married in the castle's chapel by Father Bhradain. Though the priest was still as stern as always, Mairiana glimpsed a half-smile a few times as they said their wedding vows. Knowing the priest's concerns were laid to rest, she focused on Darack as he promised to love her until the end of his days on earth and beyond.

Afterward, they entered the great hall and a grand wedding feast was laid out before them. Lively music filled the room from the minstrels in the corner.

Just before the Lindsays had left over a week before, Darack had discovered that one of the Lindsay clansmen had slipped a hidden knife into the dungeon cell when they'd first been locked up. Alec had used this blade to pick the lock of the cell door, break out and attack Darack. Chief Lindsay had promised to have her clothing and trunks transported back to Rornoch within the next few weeks. She was thankful she would never have to visit Lenor Castle nor the Lindsays again.

During the wedding feast and the many toasts from Ewan, Dugald and others, Darack could not keep his eyes off her. He often kissed her hand or squeezed her knee beneath the table, making her more and more excited to get her husband alone.

During their first dance as husband and wife, he whispered into her ear, "I must slip you out of here soon."

"Aye." Her heart pounded with anticipation, for it seemed like forever she had waited to be intimate with him.

"As soon as everyone else is distracted," he said.

When the music changed, the floor filled with many other dancing couples. "We'll go back to the table. Then, when no one is watching, we'll slip up the stairs to your chamber," he said.

She nodded. Finally, they put their escape plan into action. Her heartrate soared as she sidled toward the stairs then, lifting her skirts off her feet, ran up toward her chamber. Once inside, she watched out the crack of the door and moments later, Darack joined her. Both of them inside, he quickly barred the door and kissed her.

A great commotion in the corridor distracted her, then people pounded on the door.

She pulled back. "Good heavens!" She blushed, her mouth dropping open. "They are madmen," she whispered.

"Aye. Prurient madmen." Darack grinned and lifted her into his arms. "We need no witnesses to our consummation."

"Of course not." Although she knew such a thing was quite common, especially for chiefs and lairds, in order to prove any heir who was conceived was indeed the groom's.

"I want you all to myself." Darack placed her on the bed, lay down beside her and kissed her.

Soon, she was tugging at his doublet. "I want to see you… unclothed." Heat rushed over her and she knew she must have the deepest blush ever, but she was more than ready to find out what the marriage bed with Darack was all about.

"As you wish, m'lady." He grinned, leapt off the bed and started discarding his wedding finery.

She leaned up on her elbow, enjoying this shocking show immensely. When the last article of clothing was cast aside, Darack stood before her in all his scarred, muscular glory. Of course, she had seen much of his body when he was injured, but not that most masculine part which now stood at attention.

"Good heavens," she breathed.

"Your turn." He came toward her and she covered her face. She could not seem to stop laughing as he untied her wedding gown. Joy, excitement and a bit of embarrassment made her giddy. Within a minute or two, she was as naked as he was. He lay down next to her, his hot skin near scorching hers. She opened her eyes and looked into his, only inches away.

"Oh, Darack, you feel heavenly against me. So hard," she whispered, running her hand down his arm to his waist and… dare she do it… his hip.

He kissed her, long and languid, while stroking his hot fingertips over her skin… her back, her hips, her thighs, sending tingles spinning out in the wake of his magical touch. Growling, he sank his tongue into her mouth as if she were the most delectable dessert he had ever tasted. Placing his large hand on her derriere, he dragged her even closer, tight against that very hard male part of him she was so curious about.

She wanted to know everything about him. Pulling back a bit, she slipped her hand between their bodies to touch his erection.

He hissed. "Saints, lass."

"I want to touch you."

"Aye, but only if I can touch you at the same time." His eyes were so dark with passion, she could hardly see the color.

"Very well."

While kissing her, he stroked his hand up her inner thigh to the spot which tingled with an insane need for him.

"You are so ready," he growled.

"Ready for what?" she asked, though she knew he meant the bedding. Still, she loved teasing him.

"I'll show you, and you'll enjoy it. I promise." When he arose over her, her eyes popped open and her gaze dropped to his erect member.

"Wait!" she said.

"What?"

"I fear this won't be possible."

He grinned. "I thank you for the compliment, but aye, 'tis entirely possible. Just relax."

"But it will hurt, I know. I've heard the maids talking."

"Only the first time and only for a moment, but if you remain calm, it will be so much more enjoyable."

Despite knowing it might hurt, she could hardly wait to be joined with him. "Very well, I trust you."

He cocked his head and observed her. "I love you, Mairiana," he whispered.

"And I love you," she said.

After a slow, sweet and seductive kiss, she said, "All right. I'm ready. Make love to me."

He chuckled. "Bossy, are we?" He moved over her and placed his elbows on either side of her shoulders.

"I'm sorry. I did not mean to be. 'Tis simply, I'm afraid of the pain, yet at the same time, I cannot wait to make love to you."

He grinned and kissed her. "You are the sweetest thing I have yet beheld, and the most beautiful. Now, trust me for a few minutes."

"Aye."

Darack kissed her so passionately and deeply, her mind seemed muffled in some deep part of her body. And… good heavens… the things he did to her body. Stroking his fingers over and into incredibly intimate parts of her which were mysteriously moist with a deep need for him. Oh, how she yearned.

"Please, Darack," she begged.

"Aye," he breathed against her ear. "I will make you mine now."

When he surged into her, a sharp pain spiked through her and she stiffened with a cry. Nay! There was no way he was going to fit inside her.

"I know, love," he whispered. "I'm sorry. Rest for a moment and the pain will go away." He kissed her and stroked her all over. He leaned down and suckled at her nipples, sending fresh waves of yearning through her.

The feel of him inside her changed from violent invasion to an appealing fullness which appeased her yearning a bit.

"Aye, that's it, mo chridhe," he murmured. "I feel you relaxing. But how does this feel to you?"

"Good," she breathed. At least, some of the pain had subsided.

When he withdrew, she gasped, but she had no time to analyze the situation, for he surged back within her, even deeper than before and paused. Her breath caught as she tried to absorb the sensation. Not pain anymore. Overwhelming… something. Again, he withdrew and thrust, then growled a curse as he waited.

"I want you so bad, lass," he said through clenched teeth.

"Aye, I want you, too."

Gently, he moved faster than before. With each moment that passed, his speed increased until she could no longer keep up. Some strange, overpowering sensation arose within her. Alarmed that she might die, she cried out.

He covered her mouth with his own, holding himself deep within her while her body clutched at his. Before she could regain her senses, he was growling against her ear, and shuddering into her. She held him tight until his iron-hard, tense muscles relaxed. He slumped to the mattress beside her.

"Saints! 'Twas even better than I'd imagined," he breathed.

"I agree." Feeling giddy, she giggled and snuggled up against him. "Who could've guessed the bedding would be that much fun? I hope we can do that more."

He snickered. "Aye, indeed. Several times every day, if you're up to it."

She gasped, then laughed. "That much?"

"Aye, but first, let's have a wee rest." Facing her, he pulled her close against his chest.

She gave him a short kiss. "I think I have loved you since the first time I saw you, though I did not realize it at the time. I knew then you were an amazing man I had a special bond with."

He observed her for a long moment. "I wanted you for myself from the moment I saw you in that stable at Lenor. Even then, I knew I would do anything to keep you safe and happy."