Page 42 of Keepers of the Highland Crown
That.
Mattered.
Chapter 22
Her touch is divine!
Fingers brushing over his collarbone awoke him. His eyes popped open, discovering a doe-like pair staring up at him. How long had he slept? He glanced at the tall candle which had burned almost into a nub. Damn, a long while.
Her hand stroking his torso paused before she pointed at the parchment and quill. She wanted to talk. He nodded. His long arm stretched, fetching the three requirements along with the pewter plate once holding the bread so she had something to write on. The quill, plate, and parchment she took; he set the ink horn on his rib holding it steady.
Scratch. Scratch.His eyes watched the slender fingers make quick work of the tools present.
Once her palm halted, she raised the parchment.
His eyes narrowed in the dim light.
Thunder was the cause. It happens at times when thunder or lightning strikes while I am enacting my instinct in senses. My line called it a “cost of measure” for abusing my element foolishly. ’Tis nothing, Callum.
He stole the quill from her to write.
No, Nella, ’tis something.
The expression she wore silently declared she had more to say. He handed the quill back. A long succession inscratching with crinkle by parchment, she lifted the message closer.
I beg to differ upon that accord! I almost got us captured by my weakness then the sorrowful words Captain Castellón murmured regarding your times past. Before he appeared upon the deck, he murmured, “Well then let us have a look at the lady who has finally broken through that sound stoic armor he has worn all these years in sorrow.” Those “years” were cast by my hand, my rash actions, same as this eve. I should have told you of my weakness. I am still holding words back that should be said. No. No More! The purpose I had not spoken regarding my weakness is I feared you would forbid my use of it and this… well, Callum MacCade, this I could not chance. I could not chance you and yet I placed you at risk. The effects by the thunder shall pass in a short while, perhaps a day. Please be patient with me. However, I lost the path to freeing the Northman.
He looked from the parchment, discovering her eyes strayed down. Lifting the quill from her fingers, he inked his reply.
To the last charge, Lord Kolson shall live, Nella, do not worry about this. If the Benefactor wanted him dead, they would never have declared he should go quietly with them. Regarding your worry about patience. I have spent years wishing for us. My patience shall not be cast aside by those merely looking to hunt us down.
As he watched her read the reply, tears began streaming her cheeks but joy did not fill her eyes. Why? Was a future with him not wanted even after all they had shared? A thousand years she could ask him to wait and wait he would. They had made no formal promises to one another, but he would watch over and want her always. There was no changing this pull inhis heart; he would never want to, even if he could, close off his emotions for her.
Her hand moved at a rapid rate over the parchment as if fear filled her soul. When she handed him the parchment back, his mouth gaped.
I believe the Benefactor may be my late husband. Hiss stated to Lord Kolson this eve directly before the lightning strike “that they must make haste and be as bold as the devil who dances in the firelight”. This was an odd turn of phrase my late husband would use. I have never heard another say it.
His mouth closed while his jaw set at the final words.
Callum, I cannot go back to him.
He plucked the quill from her grasp, writing fervently.
Aye, the sentiment you state is a unique turn of phrase. If he is the Benefactor, you will never be in his reach again. This I vow!
She took the quill once more. His emotions trenched deeper as he read.
Callum, my heart is only yours now and always.
He met her gaze while she took his hand and pressed it on her heart in a silent lover’s vow.
Capturing her lips, he set the ink horn forgotten onto the table. The quill tickled his brow when her hand raised up cupping his scalp. The tender dart from her tongue on his caused him to spin her about on the narrow pallet till he loomed above her, deepening their kiss. She was his, always.
However, he had to stop. She was hurt! Claiming her was not a choice at this moment. Giving an inward growl born of instincts unfulfilled, he leaned up, finding her wide eyes staring at him.
Grinning at her, he took his hand and pressed it to her heart. She leaned into his touch, her breast cupped perfectly into his palm. They held in this position for a long moment.
The most glorious creature he had ever beheld wished solely for him. If only he could speak he would shout from rooftops the emotions it tore loose. He lifted his palm to rest it over his heart in silent ode to his feelings for her.
