Liam squatted to bring himself to eye-level with Johan. “I did. I didn’t do it for pleasure or sport. There is never aught wonderful about taking another person’s life, Johan. It’s naught to celebrate. He was someone’s son, someone’s brother, and someone’s father. But he was also a threat to my family and my people. I killed him to protect the people I love most. That’s not something to relish. I did it because I value naught more than my family, not because I enjoyed it.”
Johan nodded, his excitement dimmed. Liam pulled the boy into a tight embrace, drawing Katryne in, too. He kissed the girl's forehead and ruffled Johan’s hair.
“Johan, one day soon you will join me in the lists. You will learn to swing a sword and to fight. But you will also learn about duty and responsibility. I asked you once before to be brave, and you asked if it would make you a man like me. Bravery is only part of what makes a man. You wield power when you wield a sword. A man knows how to use that wisely.”
“I understand, Liam. Thank you for saving us.” Johan leaned forward, squeezing Liam before releasing him. Liam rose, pulling Elene in for another kiss.
“Can we go belowstairs?” Katryne asked, old enough to recognize the couple wished for privacy.
“Yes. My mother and others are gathering in the Great Hall.” Liam didn’t wait to hear the door close behind them before he lifted Elene off her feet, his arms resting beneath her bottom. She cupped his jaw as they once more shared a passionate kiss that threatened to set everything around them ablaze.
“I love you,” Elene chanted between kisses.
When their second wave of reassurance passed, Liam carried Elene to the edge of their bed. He sat with her perched on his knee, her legs between his thighs.
“I remember you telling me something before we parted. What was that again?” Liam grinned.
“We’ll be calling you da in a few months.” Elene beamed.
“A bairn, Ellie?”
“Yes.”
They laughed, exchanging more kisses. Liam tucked a loose lock behind Elene’s ear. He prayed their children looked like his wife because he’d never seen a face more lovely than hers.
“How far along are you?”
“I saw the midwife this morning. Your mother told me to. She guessed before I did. The woman said I’m at least four moons.”
“That far?” Liam’s brow furrowed.
“I know. What I thought were my courses a few months ago was very light. I’ve never gotten them every month like some women. I didn’t realize because I’ve felt fine. My breasts have been sore, but I just figured we’d been a little too—vigorous.” Elene’s cheeks blushed, even though she giggled.
“How did my mother guess?”
Elene shrugged. “She’s had four bairns and seen other women carrying. She just knew.”
“How do you feel now?”
“Excited. You?”
“The same. But that wasn’t what I meant. I guess I wondered if your body feels different now that you know. I’ve never talked to a woman about carrying a bairn. I don’t know—aught.”
“I thought eating better meals and just being happy was why I’ve put on weight. I guess not. It’s a happier explanation for why some of my gowns don’t fit the same. I feared I was becoming a pudding.”
“Feared? Because you would need new clothes? Never worry about asking for aught you need, Ellie.”
“That’s not what I meant. I—” Elene shrugged.
“Would you love me less if I were no longer so lean? Would you love me less if I gained ugly scars?”
“Of course not,” Elene countered.
“Then you can let go of that idea before it takes hold. I love you. All of you, not just your body. I crave you, not just because I enjoy your body. I crave you because I feel whole when we are together.” Liam tickled her ribs. “Besides, you’re a wee bony. Your hips dig in me.” He winked.
“I can think of something of yours that I’d like digging in me.” Elene unfastened the brooch at Liam’s shoulder as he tugged at her laces. Their clothes soon lay in a heap as they laid stretched on their bed. Their hands roamed over one another, enjoying each peak and valley. It wasn’t long before desire drew their bodies together. Liam surged into Elene’s sheath as she tilted her hips to receive him. Months of practice synchronized their movements, drawing out their pleasure as they melded their bodies just as they’d melded their lives.
Their bodies grew slick as Liam suckled Elene’s breast, flicking her nipple before grazing it with his teeth. All those months ago when they found each other at the loch, they’d both wondered what it would feel like to couple. Then they spent weeks longing to find out. Now they both knew their imaginations hadn’t done reality justice. It was far better than either had ever dreamed. In bed together, they found bliss. But their partnership outside their chamber, working together to serve Clan Mackay, was a powerful one that no one could put asunder.
