Total pages in book: 117
Estimated words: 109722 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 549(@200wpm)___ 439(@250wpm)___ 366(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 109722 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 549(@200wpm)___ 439(@250wpm)___ 366(@300wpm)
“Aye, I wasn’t forced to fight. I spent my days and many nights making arrows,” Wilfred said. “I was glad when I was left at the Clan MacDonnegal. And even more glad when I met Lona. She didn’t mind that I wasn’t a warrior.”
“Why would Fergus let you go when you have such skill?” Royden asked.
“That baffled me,” Wilfred said, shaking his head. “I think it baffled Fergus as well, since he appeared angry at letting me and Lona leave. And it wasn’t only me he didn’t like losing. Lona is a fine spinner, the best one he had.”
“The other people you journeyed here with, they came from the Clan MacDonnegal as well?” Royden asked.
“No, they all arrived at the clan about four days ago. Lona was surprised to see members of her clan and when she found out they were returning home, she demanded to be returned home as well. I accompanied her when she went to see Fergus, since I wasn’t about to be separated from my wife. That was when the chieftain told us we’d be returning here as well.”
Royden thought about his talk with Fergus. He had already known that some of the Clan MacKinnon were being returned home and he hadn’t said a word. Or had it come as a surprise to him that Lona and Wilfred would be among the group?
“I told Penn he’d have to earn my trust. The same goes for you, Wilfred,” Royden said.
“My wife is thrilled to finally be home with her people. I’d rather die than see that taken from her. Besides, it would be nice to finally have a clan—a family—to belong to.”
“Prove you’re worthy of being part of the Clan MacKinnon and you have a home for life. Betray my clan and I’ll kill you both myself,” Royden warned.
It was a day that seemed never-ending. People needed to be settled in cottages and fed. As soon as Wilfred returned to Lona and she learned all was well, she immediately offered to help any way she could. She was sent to the kitchen along with others since help was needed in preparing food for so many. Wilfred and Penn got busy finding a hut where Wilfred could make his arrows, Royden ordering him to set his skill to work within two days’ time. And through it all, people were sharing stories where they had been and what they had gone through the last five years. Some had coped well, others hadn’t. But one thing everyone agreed upon was that they were relieved and happy to finally be home.
Every chance someone had they would thank or bless Royden or Oria for bringing them home. Royden didn’t feel right accepting praise for something he hadn’t done. This had to have been arranged all before he had spoken to Fergus. So who was deserving of the praise?
It was late by the time Royden climbed the stairs with his wife to their bedchamber. Watching the way her rounded hips swayed so temptingly as he climbed behind her, aroused his loins, but her slow steps reminded him how tired she was.
“It’s been a tiring day,” Oria said, going to the fireplace and raising her arms above her head in a good stretch and an equally good yawn.
The urge to go to his wife and wrap her in his arms overwhelmed him, but if he did, he’d have her stripped in no time and on her knees on the bed so he could take her with rapid speed. He could almost feel himself ramming into her sweet wetness over and over and over until—he shook the vision away. He cursed his thoughts, his shaft having responded swiftly to the vision.
It didn’t help that she moaned and stretched her body as if in the throes of coupling.
He snarled quietly and shook his head again. He didn’t know how he was going to get through the night. When another loud yawn came from her, he knew she was too tired for anything but sleep.
Tomorrow morning, he promised himself as a way of compensating for his disappointment.
Then she did something that brought him far too close to the edge. She stripped off her garments, tossing them aside. He couldn’t take his eyes off her round hips and backside. And the vision returned of her on her knees on the bed and grabbing that gorgeous backside of hers in his hand and slamming into her to pleasure them both.
She turned, her arms still stretched in the air as she moved her shoulders, in an attempt to work out the soreness.
Good Lord, she was beautiful and so damn tempting. Maybe he’d enjoy taking her from behind for a while then flip her over and settle in her again so he could feast on her plump breasts.
Stop! Stop! Stop! He silently warned himself when yet again she yawned widely.