really desired her, which she doubted.
In her estimation, she was a means to an end.
At least in one chieftain’s eyes.
“I like that you overthink, lass,” Adlin murmured. “After all, this time you’re absolutely right. One laird cannae stop thinking about you, not for a second.”
“I’d hope so,” she whispered and closed her eyes. While Adlin had publicly claimed her as his own, it certainly didn’t mean he wanted her. What existed between these warriors had nothing to do with love but survival of their clans… of their people.
No matter who came between them.
“I told you, Mildred,” he whispered. “I am in love with you.”
She opened her eyes.
They locked with his.
Adlin said softly, “Come with me.”
Mildred knew they shouldn’t leave the hall, Bruce was watching closely. Yet the idea of leaving what felt a cage seemed a wonderful idea.
“Okay,” she said automatically.
When they left the keep it was to travel to yet another place she would’ve never imagined existed. Heavy fur cloaks firmly wrapped around them, Adlin carried a torch. Cold wind whipped and snow fell. Instead of walking all the way onto the beach, he cut into an opening off the path; this put them in a small cave overlooking the water.
Adlin put the torch in a bracket attached to the cave wall and they sat on a crudely built bench. The view was spectacularly unusual. They looked upon a wide arch of cave overlooking the ocean. Heavy tornadoes of snow swooped into their cove but never quite touched them.
“Tell me what you ken about the bargain I made with Bruce.”
“Clan ties, land and my family.”
Even as she said it, Mildred’s brows furrowed.
“Aye,” Adlin said softly. “Your family.”
He watched her closely, waiting.
“My clan, I mean,” she said, suddenly unsure.
“Nay, Mildred, not your clan but your family, your descendant to be exact.”
She blinked several times. “Like my daughter or granddaughter or further along? Assuming I have one.”
“Aye, precisely.” Adlin took both her hands. “When you have one.”
Quite frankly, the idea seemed a little far-fetched. “Who says I’ll even have children?”
“What if you do,” Adlin said, his tone sad and serious. “How could you ever forgive me?”
“I’m only twenty.” She laughed nervously.
“Dinnae you want the wee ones?”
It was one thing to come to grips with the fact she’d fallen in love with a five hundred year old wizard, clansmen from medieval Scotland, another whole thing to consider children. “Yes, eventually, I suppose.”
What was he asking?
Adlin searched her eyes. “Still so young.”
“No.” Mildred shook her head and realized why she felt so calm. “Adlin, don’t you see, you can talk yourself out of anything. I know you can work around this.” She nodded. “If and when I have a daughter or granddaughter or great-granddaughter I know you’ll find a way to protect her. You will…”
Mildred couldn’t help but wonder, was he referring to his own daughter, great-granddaughter? He had to be! They would stay together, start a family. With a smile she squeezed his hands in reassurance. “I have faith in you, Adlin. You will take care of this.”
Expression tortured, his eyes searched hers. “What if I dinnae? What if I fail?”
Mildred cupped his cheek. “You won’t. I promise.”
He turned his lips into her palm. “Aye. I won’t fail if you say so.”
“I say so,” she murmured, ready when his lips closed over hers.
When he pulled her onto his lap, Adlin opened his cloak and folded her beneath. Bits of icy flakes touched their cheeks as the tide came in and lapped against the rocks. But none of it was felt or heard.
All that existed was the feel of his lips, the swoop of his tongue.
Mildred was no fool though. As the adrenaline from being in such a tense situation dissipated she truly realized what Adlin had promised Bruce. Should she be furious? Probably. But even if—worst case scenario—her children were not his, he’d acted in her best interest. And Mildred knew without a shred of doubt that Adlin would, in any time, act in her best interest for her and her descendants.
He would protect, save, and die for.
He was powerful.
Above all, he was truly good.
Crushed against his strong body, all logical thought soon fled and Mildred lost herself. If this moment could last forever, she’d be fine with that. His large hands roamed her body. Wrapping her arms around his neck, Mildred reveled in pure feeling.
When his lips pulled away and his head tipped back, she thought nothing of it but kissed his cheeks, forehead, ears. When his hands fell from her