He suppressed a yawn. “Wife?” A question this time.
“Aye?”
“I am too tired to see to my husbandly duty.” Another yawn. “Mayhap if I sleep a bit?”
She led the way to the soft cushion. She lay across it in answer and he settled beside her, holding her in his arms. A gentle kiss on the back of the hand holding hers, she said, “We have the rest of our lives.”
Chapter 27
True to his word, once Lachlann had rested sufficiently, he woke Ethne with gentle kisses along every part of her body. They made love slowly, touching with gentle hands what they could not see in the darkness. Come morning, they joined the others, but kept to themselves and came back early in the evening to spend the night the same way. The celebration for the return of their leader was ongoing so they were not missed. That suited Lachlann fine. As his injuries healed, he was also getting to better know this woman whom he’d taken to wife.
The third night, he awoke to her sobbing, but when he moved to comfort her, he realized she was still asleep. Gathering her close against him, he asked, “What is upsetting ye so, Ethne?”
“Finn,” she cried, her lashes fluttering open, but her sobs continued. “Oh, poor Finn.”
“What has happened to the boy?”
She glanced around, a deep furrow between her eyes. “Where has Finn gone?”
Lachlann held her closer and said, “Nothing has happened to the lad. Ye had a bad dream only.”
Her sobs finally subsiding, she said, “It seemed so real.”
He kissed her firmly on the lips. “’Twas not real. ’Twas only a dream.”
She nodded, but her face didn’t relax, her look of concern continued. The next morning when they were breaking their fast, she asked him if she’d said anything when she was asleep.
“Ye called out for Finn.” Lachlann poured honey over the porridge he’d dished for himself.
“I have this bad feeling still.” She pushed aside her bowl. “And I canna even remember my dream.”
He took a spoonful of the sweet mix, talking while he chewed. “That is probably why ye sense something is wrong. If ye could remember yer dream, ye’d be less concerned.”
“I hope so.” She didn’t sound convinced.
That night, it was the same, but Lachlann pressed her about the dream while she was just awakening.
“They were in the caves. Verra bad.” That was all she’d said before she opened her eyes, only to break down and sob against his chest.
“I think ye miss the boy.” He ran an open palm down her back, pressing her to him. “He is like yer son.”
She looked hopeful and asked, “Do ye truly believe so?”
“It makes sense, dinna it? He’s been left behind, and ye’re not sure how he is when he was always yer priority. Mayhap we can see how he fares.”
“Are ye saying we could go to the cave and see him?”
It did not go well the last time they saw Aidan, but the price had been paid. Would it be enough?
* * *
Just the thought of seeing her “family” again brought on more tears. Ethne shook her head. “Think ye they care how I feel about them? No, ’tis better if I leave them in my past, both Finn and Mongfind. Though I cared for them as my own, they are not mine.”
Lachlann gathered her close, his scent comforting her as did the way he gently stroked her hair. “If ye change yer mind, come and tell me. We will see what can be done.”
“Thank ye.” She snuggled against him before righting herself. “I would like to have a good night’s sleep and an end to these nightmares.”
He grinned. “Mayhap I have not loved ye well enough lately.”
