“What did you have in mind?” he teased.
“Dinner, of course,” she replied in kind, moving as though she intended to go grab the basket of food she’d brought.
His hands found her sides, tickling her until she laughed so hard, she could barely breathe. Once she finally did catch her breath, he captured it, his mouth moving over hers once again.
This time, she knew it was more than just a kiss. Something in his energy shifted, his muscles tightening beneath her fingers. How had she ever thought she could live without him? She needed him like she needed air, and she had been suffocating slowly for years without even realizing it.
Her hands slid beneath hisléine, allowing her to feel his hard body. With a wicked grin, he helped her take the garment off. Niamh took a moment to simply stare in amazement. She couldn’t fathom the hours he must spend in the training yard to look like that, but she certainly appreciated it. It kept him alive.
And made her breath catch every time she saw him naked.
“That’s not fair at all,” he whispered, his kisses trailing down her neck.
Niamh slipped off the bed, dropping her clothes to the ground with a wiggle. The chill air in the room had her hurrying back to his waiting arms.
Dallan’s responding groan sent tingles down to her core. He pulled her back to the bed, his trews somehow disappearing in the process. Assaulting her senses, it felt as though he were everywhere at once. His hands brushed her breasts, followed by his mouth. Niamh’s body responded to his touch, her mindincapable of thought. The feeling of his desire pressed against her belly left her feeling hot and empty all at the same time.
When he finally entered her, the fire building in Niamh grew unbearable. As they moved together, she savored every moment, every sensation, every sound, every movement, tucking the memory away and praying she’d never need it.
“I love you,” he whispered, his voice deliciously rough.
Niamh tried to reply, but that proved her undoing. Instead, the world seemed to stop, fading to darkness before bursting with light. Before the room stopped spinning, she heard Dallan moan, thrusting himself to the hilt.
“I love you, too,” she finally managed as the room came back into focus. They laid like that, frozen in time. Niamh wouldn’t speak of tomorrow, but as she looked in Dallan’s eyes she saw the same despair she felt.
What if her plan failed? What if she couldn’t save him?
Dallan’s hand rose to her cheek again, his chestnut eyes softening. She could see her reflection in them, like staring into pools in the deepest part of the forest. He swallowed, opening his mouth to speak, but Niamh put her hand on his lips.
“Let’s get some dinner,” she said, forcing her voice to sound far cheerier than she felt. “I’m starving.”
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Dallan woke feelingas though a boulder had settled in the pit of his stomach. He didn’t want to be second. He’d never wanted to leave Thurles. He wanted to wake up every morning next to Niamh, spend his days fighting alongside the Fianna to help secure Éire from further invasions, and hold Niamh in his arms every night. But if this is what he must do for his family, then he would do it without complaint or remorse.
He had held her tight against his chest the entire night, lying awake through much of it and soaking in her closeness and warmth. He’d gone over the situation a thousand times in his mind, until he’d finally succumbed to exhaustion, yet he still hadn’t devised a solution.
Perhaps Niamh was right, and Morda had some devious trick lying in wait. But yesterday after the council meeting his uncle seemed defeated, not determined. And though their meeting with Fachtna had done nothing to alter the rule of the council, it had at least secured Morda’s hold on the throne. It was best not to let his hopes run away with him.
He brushed a lock of her golden hair off her face, tucking it behind her ear and planting a soft kiss on her head. How lucky he’d been to have such a rare woman love him not once, but twice, in one lifetime. If only he could keep her.
Looking out of the small window, Dallan saw soft light playing at the edge of the horizon. Perhaps if he thought of thismoment at the end, it would be where he spent eternity. It was certainly worth a try.
Summoning his courage and doing his damndest not to think about anything but Niamh, Dallan quietly slipped from the bed and dressed. He debated whether or not to wake her, but a loud rap on the door made the decision for him. She shot up, pulling the wolfskin blanket over her bare chest.
Dallan strode over to her, kissing her so thoroughly she’d remember it until they met again.
The door opened, interrupting the kiss. Morda and Fachtna walked in with four guards. Dallan appreciated that not one of them commented on Niamh’s presence or her state of undress.
“Time to go,” Fachtna said, reaching for Dallan’s arm.
Dallan threw off his hand. “I’m able to walk myself,” he growled.
Morda’s face was drawn but unreadable as he turned to Niamh. “We’ll be at the edge of the town, near the forest.”
“I’ll be there,” she replied, glaring at Fachtna.
On a different morning, Dallan would have had a laugh over the look she gave that bastard, as though she planned to murder him in his sleep. And mayhap she did, for all Dallan knew. He’d learned years ago never to underestimate Niamh.
