Page 31 of Highlander’s Evil Twin

Hiram fought down his rising anger. “I will punish those who wronged you my love. Make no mistake—they will not be able to hurt anyone else.”

“I know they deserve it, but maybe I was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. Perhaps they realized how awful they had been and never touched another woman like that. Not everyone is like Connor. Your perception is tainted because of your brother. Most parents would have taught their children right from wrong, but your mother was deluded. She thought Connor was so special when really he was evil. He even killed your other brother. Why didn’t your father get her help?” Heather asked.

“Hey, come on, I don’t know why he didn’t. Do you not think that even the memory of Connor sickens me? I can’t get it out of my head about Patrick and yet, mother still won’t hear a word against him. I believe my father was protecting her. Right or wrong, he did what he thought was best. I am only concerned about you my love. I want justice for you.”

“I just want to forget,” Heather said.

Hiram stood up and moved to the wardrobe. He pulled out his clothes neatly hanging up and laid them on the bed. “Get dressed,” he directed, and with a look of surprise, she did as she was told. His expression gave nothing away.

“What do I wear?”

“Something comfortable. We are getting out of this place for a few hours.”

Heart lifting, she slipped on a favorite dress that had a tight bodice but flowed around her. She tied her long red hair back in a ponytail.

“Where are we going?” Heather asked, following him down the stairs and into the kitchen. She saw him peek inside. “No one is here yet,” he whispered, and crept over to the large walk-in larder. He grabbed a bag and filled it with drinks, apples, and some cake, and then they tiptoed back out.

“It’s your kitchen, why are you creeping about?” Heather giggled.

“It is more fun to steal.” He laughed at her expression. “I won’t tell if you don’t.”

They sat in the carriage together and Heather watched the scenery stream past the window. The two horses pulling the carriage made light work of the trip passing by small cottages nestled against a backdrop of rolling hills, and she noticed meandering streams that ploughed their way through undulating banks. It was a relief to be away from the castle, she realized. Even though she had no regrets about Connor’s death, it still cast a shadow over them. It was as if the impression of him had never quite left, his spirit having seeped into the fabric of the house and into the solid stone walls. Even the landscape seemed to echo his voice and his evil intent. She wondered why evil outshone goodness.

Heather had found a family oil painting of Connor in one room. It was not a large one like the others but the artist had captured the malice in the boy’s eyes and wherever she walked in the room, it was as if his eyes had followed her. She had shivered at the prospect and had climbed onto a chair, taking the weight of the painting and its dusty frame from the wall, stacking it so that it faced the wall. When she had gone into the room next, the painting had disappeared. There was only the pale wall furnishings behind that depicted it had even been there. Heather wondered who had taken it.

“We are here.” Hiram helped her out of the door and she looked around. The scene was beautifully green, replenished by all the rains and unlike the day before, the sky was a cloudless blue and warmth spread through her as she stood under the sun’s gentle rays. Heather felt like a flower after the rain had drenched the landscape. She felt her heart and mind opening to the gentle warmth, like a flower bud revealing its petals layer by layer.

As she looked down the hillside, she saw the pool of water at the bottom, beautifully clear and sparkling in the sunlight. It was mesmerizing.

“These are healing waters,” he told her.

Heather smiled. “Really? Because you say so?”

“According to folklore actually.” He laughed.

She already felt as if she was healing. Just being here with him away from the oppressive feeling of the castle was enough, but Heather knew she could bare anything providing Hiram was by her side. He was her best friend; he was her soul mate and her lover. She could not ask for more. Hiram helped her down the steep slope, her feet sliding on the soft, lush grass.

When they reached the bottom, she felt concealed from the outside world with steep slopes rising from all sides. It felt like a different world altogether with fresh-faced flowers invading the grasses and adding color all around. Yet, there was the house on the hill to worry about and even though it looked so tiny, she wondered how much they could see from their windows. She suddenly felt self-conscious as she started to peel away her layers of clothing.

“Do you think they can see us?” Heather asked nervously.

“Does it really matter?” Hiram teased her. His large hands reached for her shoulders, pulling her straps down her arms, revealing her ample cleavage. He parted the material, pulling softly on it so that it released her large breasts little by little.

“Hiram...” She was breathless, anticipating his touch.

She couldn’t stop him. Didn’t want to miss out on the sensations that were rippling through her. Just the thought of him revealing her body to the world in this way was exciting beyond belief. With eyes closed, she could feel his fingers gently tracing the curvature of her breasts; they were rising and falling with each breath. He traced the line from her collarbone into the cleavage and then all along the top, teasing her while watching her mischievously as she tilted her head back, lips parting, eyes closed. Her hair tumbled in dark red waves across the creamy exposed skin. He gazed as the breeze whisked the hair across her breasts, and swallowed hard. Half-hidden, half-exposed, he felt the knot of desire tighten within him.

Encouraged by her obvious desire, Hiram bent his head to kiss the exposed skin, pulling back her garments so that from his vantage point, he could see her completely. Then, grinning, he pulled up her flowing skirt and reached beneath to pull the layers down.

Heather gasped, eyes still closed, obediently waiting, but secretly reveling in this display of wantonness. She knew they could be seen, if someone really wanted to, but there was a part of her that just didn’t care. Garments discarded. He moved back up, leaving her with just a lacy bra with breasts spilling over and a petticoat, covering her nakedness.

“Your breasts are definitely growing.” He sighed in appreciation and grinned at her. She was embarrassed but he knew she was loving the attention. “Come on.” He ushered her into the water, the icy chill making her gasp again.

“Hiram, it’s freezing.”

Goosebumps appeared all down her arms and she shivered, but he grinned as he pulled her into the water with him until her petticoat flowed around her. His hands disappeared beneath the water, as he fumbled with his own clothes. She knew it would be only moments before he took her. His eyes never left hers as he pulled her to him. She felt his desire, pressing against her and then, in a deft movement, he lifted her and impaled her soft flesh onto him. She cried out loud and clung to him.

Hoisted in this way, soft breasts still partially covered, nestled against his face and with one arm still clasping her body to him, he held one breast, suckling the nipple. She arched her back with each expert flick of his tongue. He sent electric sensations throughout her body and she yielded willingly to his demands. Fighting the waves of desire flooded through her body, she ached for her release, desperately trying to hold on, wanting this moment to last forever. His movements were gentle but insistent and every time she shuddered with the undulating waves of joy rippling through her, he would stop for a moment, bringing her back down, a small respite against his pleasurable peaks. They kissed, long and passionate, feeling every sensation, his breath warm against her. Incapable of movement, the waves of pleasure engulfed her.