Page 52 of Highlander’s Quest of Desire

“I love ye, Elspeth. I love ye dearly. I cannae ken of a life without ye. Will ye do me the immense honor of staying by my side for the rest of my life?”

“Ye have made me so happy, Bruce!” she said. “Aye!” she said. “I will.”

Bruce joy knew no bounds. She would be his! A future in exile didn’t seem so bleak now that Elspeth had agreed to be by his side through thick and thin. He held her close to him, breathing in her scent. Her breasts pushed against his chest. Her legs parted, and the tip of his distended and rigid state grazed the folds of her. Her sticky sweetness coated him, and he could hold it back no longer.

Bruce entered her inviting folds, the fluid tightness of her clasping on to him, pulling him in further until he was encased to the hilt. He made love to her surrounded by water, the sun shining on their union. Hips rocking up to meet his thrusts, Elspeth’s breath caught and released, and she stared up at him, her green eyes full of trust and love.

Each thrust brought him closer to release, and her pretty gasps of pleasure drove him even closer. He drove in deeper, harder, faster until he was on the verge, and he saw that she was too. She yelped, and bit her lower lip, her cheeks flushed, sweat prickling her brow.

“Elspeth,” he groaned, gaining his release.

They lay there for a few minutes, her arms around him, head resting on his chest. He kissed her forehead and played with her hair. This was heaven. If death were to come, he prayed it would come when he was in Elspeth’s arms.

“Bruce?” Elspeth asked, playing with the hair on his chest.

“Hm?”

“Are ye nae anxious to get to Falkirk?” she asked.

“I am nae anxious anymore,” he said. “But we should be on our way soon.”

Elspeth helped him bathe, and he helped her. There were distractions in every curve of her. The day might have ended there in the stream with him partaking her pleasures, but Elspeth kissed him, promised more when they reached Falkirk, and pulled him out of the stream.

Bruce prepared the horses once they were dressed, and Elspeth made a quick lunch they could eat while riding. The bannocks were still fresh after a day, and the strips of meat in between provided hearty sustenance. But more than the food the bond between them made the journey sweeter.

“Are ye determined to go to France?” Elspeth asked, nibbling on her bannock.

“It is the only place I will find refuge.”

“Have ye ever been there before?”

“Nae,” he said. “But I’ve read of it.”

“Does it have any hills?” she asked. “Any streams? Does it have bannocks, and haggis?”

“It has some of the most beautiful cities in the world,” Bruce said.

“Even prettier than Edinburgh?”

“I donae ken if it’s better than Edinburgh.” Bruce smiled. “And I ken it will nae be like Scotland. But if ye will be with me I will feel at home.”

The look of absolute happiness she gave him reminded him of the way his mother used to look at him. It held trust and assurance that Bruce would never make her unhappy. Bruce intended to keep that trust and make her happy no matter where they were, or what the future brought.

He would fulfill his promise to the Bishop, find the Honors, and restore Scotland’s rightful king, but he would not take up the mantle himself. He would be happy with being the king of Elspeth’s heart.

* * *

Falkirk was an up-and-coming town. Dotted with farmsteads and wheat fields, at its heart was a town center with new buildings being constructed. Men went about with smiles on their faces, and women sang songs as they worked the fields. The children were healthy, hearty, and full of mischief. The sight of them reminded Bruce of his people at Dunnottar. He missed them dearly and hoped they were doing well under the English.

The church was their first destination. It was a small stone building but tended with such love that its size didn’t matter. Flowers bloomed on its plain windows. The inside was illuminated by candle light. Elspeth went to her knees, and Bruce joined her.

He prayed for God’s intervention.

Thank ye, Lord, for granting me Elspeth. Please, Lord. Help me find the Honors and fulfill my oath.

He looked to his side and saw Elspeth’s serene face, eyes closed, head bent over clasped hands. He tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ears. Her lids fluttered open, the candlelight gleaming in her green eyes.

“Shall we go?”