“Oh, nay, I must be on my way. The king’s emissary will not await me for long. We must be on our return to Edinburgh. I just wanted to impart my news and… Will you give my regards to Laird Buchanan?”
“I will. Shall I walk you back to the bridge?”
“There is no need. I hope to see you in Edinburgh in the future, Milady, along with your husband. I am sure the king and queen will welcome a visit.” Edmund bowed to her.
“Take care, Edmund.” Eva walked him to the door. Once it was closed, she leaned against it and felt coldness wash over her. “Oh, Da, I should have been there…should have been able to say farewell.” She wiped at her eyes and shivered, overcome with the despair of losing her father. But Eva wasn’t one to dwell with emotion. After a long moment, she gathered herself, opened the door and stepped outside.
A good long walk would ease her and she ambled on the lane untilshe reached the bridge. By the time she got there, the chamberlain and his men were gone. She crossed the bridge and strode toward the torch. The flame danced in the breeze, reminding her of how fleeting life was, flickering like a flame. At least her father had lived a good, long life. Others, like Marian, were not so fortunate and only survived a score of years.
She sat near the tree where Breckin had been attacked, where Marian had died, saddened by thoughts of those who departed from them. But soon, her solitude was broken as noises came down the lane. She recognized the tromping of hooves, horses’ snorts, the squeak of saddles and the clank of armor. Eva readied to get to her feet as she spotted Breckin.
He dismounted from his horse before it came to a full stop. With a quick stride, he reached her and took her into his arms. Neither spoke but only embraced in the dimming light of the evening.
After a short time, Breckin pulled back and gazed at her. “I am sorry, love, about your da. Aymer told me that Edmund came to relate the news.”
“My da knew that he was going to die and he tried to tell me. I am just sad that I could not be there with him in his final moments.” Eva pressed herself against him and sighed.
“It was how he wanted it. That’s why he sent ye the missive and the coins. Do not blame yourself, lass, because there was naught ye could do to help him.” Breckin’s large hand caressed her back, solacing her with his touch.
“You should not hold guilt either.”
“Aye? I should not, och I do because…” He lowered his head and ceased his words.
She cradled his face with her hands and lifted it. “Neither of us were responsible for what happened to our families. We will honor them, though, and shall never forget them.”
“I deem it is time to douse the flame and have the torch removed.”Breckin tried to pull away from her and reached for the torch.
Eva shook her head and kept hold of him. “No, I think we should keep the torch here and add other torches for those who have passed…my da, your parents… We shall only light them, though, on special feast days or days to remember them.”
“That is a fair idea, love. Come, ’tis getting cold. We should return to the house. All were worried about ye.” Breckin held out his arm for her to take.
Eva linked her arm to his and together they walked along quietly. “I think we should perhaps talk about starting our family.”
Breckin stopped short. “Ye want to have a bairn?”
“I do.” Eva gave him a smile. “Children will bring us joy. We need joy, Breckin.”
He flashed a big smile. “Aye, we do need joy. Do ye know what would make me happy?”
She shook her head and giggled as she considered his answer. They crossed the bridge and several clansmen and women passed, offering greetings.
Breckin stopped in the center of the lane and pulled her against him. “Having ye naked in my arms again. Aye, for it has been too long since I was given such joy.”
Eva set her mouth on his and kissed him longingly before she pulled away from him and sprinted toward the longhouse. Breckin followed her with a joyful shout, and when they got inside their home, she hurried to their bedchamber, thankful that the lads were still outside at the stable. Breckin closed the door with a thud and marched to her.
She couldn’t disrobe fast enough. As soon as her garments were shed, she helped Breckin remove his tunic, belt, and tartan. His muscular chest beckoned to her hand and as she pressed her palm to his body, she gasped at the warmth of his skin.
“I am yours, Breckin, always.”
*
A marvelous eroticsensation awakened her from a deep slumber. She found Breckin between her legs pressing his silky tongue against her womanhood. Eva moaned as pleasure swarmed every part of her.
“What are you doing?” she asked breathlessly.
“Ye wanted to make a bairn,” he said as he slid his nose over her torso and continued onward until his lips were but a breath from hers. “That is what I am doing. We will make one this day, this moment.” Breckin slid into her and sent more rivets of pleasure to her womanhood.
Eva succumbed to the exquisite torment and squealed as twinges of pleasure took her to an unknown place, in an aura of intense desire. When she recovered, she pressed her hands on Breckin’s chest and kept herself from being shifted. His thrusts were forceful, and she loved how he moved against her with unabashed passion. With the pad of her thumb, she caressed the manly curve below his neck and felt the vibration of his moan.
