Page 22 of Highlander’s Evil Twin

“Then I refuse to obey you, husband. I am with child, so I will stay in bed.” She giggled at the sparkle in his eyes.

“Is that right Milady? You think that gives you the right to disobey your husband?” He turned her over and pulled her hips back towards him.

She gasped. “Hiram, what are…”

“Shh, my love.” He pulled her back towards him so that his chest nestled against her back and maneuvered her body so that he could gain intimate access to her body. She arched her back with pleasure as he slid inside her. From this position, Hiram knew he could hold her breasts, taking the weight of each one and controlling her movements. They fit together like a glove. It was perfect. If their bodies had been designed, the fit could not have been improved. They now moved together in unison. She was groaning as her body tightened over his, which excited him more. Soon, he would release his pleasure deep inside her. When the moment came they both cried out, their lovemaking tender, caring, and fulfilling. When it was over, he kissed her neck gently.

“Feel free to be disobedient at any time you like. I will happily teach you a lesson.” He laughed softly against her skin.

“You can be sure of that.” Heather giggled. He was still inside her, softening now, totally satiated. And she had never felt so womanly, so wonderful, or so loved.

Dressed, they made their way down the stone staircase hand in hand for breakfast. Heather hoped Connor wouldn’t be there to ruin their happy moment and sighed with relief that the room was empty. Relieved, they sat down and the servants appeared as if by magic, setting their food in front of them. Heather was contemplative as she ate. She could understand Hiram’s desire for his mother’s approval, but she also imagined that he was growing less patient about her ways. She hoped that once the baby came along, that would happen. It was something that so far, Connor had not been able to achieve.

The mellow start to the day broke when Connor rushed into the room, his face agitated.

“Hiram, we have a disturbance, it is the Southern border again. We need to go and quell this right away.”

Heather grabbed Hiram’s arm as he went to stand up. “I don’t want you to go so soon,” she pleaded with him.

“It is my duty, love,” Hiram apologized and squeezed her hand. Heather followed him out of the room. She needed him with her for longer.

“I know my love. I want to be here with you too. But at least Connor will be gone too,” Hiram told her once they were in their chamber.

She helped him with his armor and kissed him. “I know love, it is just with our news, we should be enjoying it together.” She smiled.

Connor approached as they made their way to the stables. “Bad news. There are two groups who are making their way here. I propose to take a team to the other side to cut them off and you take your group to stop them progressing forward. Whoever finishes first will help the other.”

Heather felt the skin prickle on the back of her neck, and anxiety pulsed through her.

Connor continued. “I will take Andrew, Griff, William, and Donald, and you take the others?”

Hiram contemplated for a moment and then nodded.

“Be careful,” Heather whispered once Connor had moved away. “It could be a trap.”

Hiram nodded. “I will have six men with me. They are good men and loyal. Do you understand? I will come home.”

Heather grabbed his arm and pulled him back. “No, Hiram, it is wrong. Something isn’t right,” she pleaded.

“It is okay lass; I will be just fine. I promise you I will come back to you.” He whispered the last bit into her ear. She felt the truth of his statement and knew he must be aware of how wrong this felt too.

She cried as she watched him ride away and held her tummy protectively. With her eyes misted over, she left the stables and bumped into Maggie, Hiram’s sister.

“Are you okay?” Maggie could see how pale she was. “You are trembling.”

“Maggie, no, I think something is very wrong. There is more and more trouble and it doesn’t make sense. My union with Hiram was supposed to settle the unrest but it is getting worse. I need to learn how to defend myself. To learn how to fight, I mean. Hiram and Connor are going up against an uprising again but what if some rebels make it here?”

Maggie nodded. “I understand. These are difficult times. I have been thinking the same. I have been having lessons in defense. We will go together instead. Nothing like being prepared.”

Maggie took her to the man who would train them. He was methodical in his approach but gentle with them. She soon realized there were many self-defense moves that could help her to protect herself. “I wish I could be with Hiram now in case he needs extra help.”

Maggie looked at her quizzically. “They have a large team of men, including Connor, and so that should be enough to deal with any trouble.”

“They are splitting up. Connor has one team and Hiram the other. I am so worried.” Heather could see the anxiety in Maggie’s eyes. “I’m sorry, I don’t want to worry you…”

Maggie shook her head. “I know how you feel. I also know what you have been going through. You think that Connor will not protect Hiram. I believe you to be right. However, Hiram is aware of this. We must continue to practice should any rebels get here, but I am confident that they won’t. Or, is it Connor you are worried about?”

Heather nodded.