Page 55 of Summer Warrior

“Aye, if you let me.”

She nodded and he pulled her close, his mouth descending on hers. This kiss was much different than the first. With their mouths joined, sweet pleasure took hold of her. She greedily returned his kiss, slipping her hands around his neck to hold him to her.

When he broke the kiss, he did not let her go but continued to hold her close, pressing her head to his chest under his chin. “How can I live without you, my love?” he whispered. “It will take all my fortitude to leave you on the morrow.”

She pulled back so that, inches from his face, she could look long into his eyes, dark with desire in the night’s shadows. “I do not want to be parted,” she said.

“Worry not, Princess,” he said. “I will find a way for us to be together.”

THE NEXT MORNING, Somerled thanked the king for his hospitality and proceeded outside into the mist to bid the princess farewell. She stood at the castle door dressed in green wool the color of her eyes. Her red hair, confined to long plaits, made him want to reach out and touch them. His heart ached to think he might not see her for some time, mayhap not ever again.

“I had food delivered to your ship for your travel,” she said.

“My men and I are most grateful.” Placing a small velvet package into her hand, he said, “I brought you this from Ireland. ’Tis a gift of the season.”

Her brows drew together in a look of dismay. “But I have nothing for you…”

“That you welcomed my kiss was gift enough, my lady.” He bowed and turned to go before he would be unable to do so.

She called him back. Unwinding a green riband wrapped around one of her long plaits, she offered it to him. “May this be a reminder that my prayers go with you.”

He tucked the silk into his waist. “I will treasure it, Princess. ’Twill be a reminder not only of your prayers but of you.”

Somerled was in high spirits as he joined his son to descend the hill to the harbor where Maurice and Liadan waited by the galley. It seemed no one else had claimed Ragnhild’s heart. He only wished that would be enough but he knew better.

“What did you give the princess, Father?” his son asked.

He tousled the lad’s hair. “A trinket for her horse.” He hoped the princess liked his gift, a black leather browband with white Celtic scrolling that would dip to a point when placed on the horse’s forehead. Such a handsome horse, much loved by his mistress, should have a unique adornment. Ragnhild had been his first thought when he had seen it in the marketplace. He believed she would be pleased with the gift.

Once all had boarded his galley, they left the mist-filled harbor and rowed into the Irish Sea where a strong wind filled the sail, allowing them to pick up speed as they headed north to Kintyre. He’d been away longer than he had planned but he wanted to stop there before going on to Islay to see how his brother fared and to convey to him their mother’s good wishes.

By the end of the day, they had reached Dunaverty Bay and beached the galley just as the sun was setting. On the western horizon, the gray clouds were silhouetted against a lavender and gold sky.

Assured the galley was secured, Somerled climbed down and saw his brother approaching. “I brought someone who is eager to see you,” he said to Angus.

His brother looked up to where Gillecolum stood on deck, poised to jump down. After considering him for a moment, Angus shouted, “My nephew! Come here, Gille, and let me look at you!”

“I sail with my father now,” the boy proudly replied as he vaulted over the gunwale to the sand.

“How you have grown!” exclaimed Angus, gazing down at the lad. “Aye, you are a man now.” Then turning to Somerled, Angus said, “How goes the building on Islay?”

“Well enough that I could leave it to pay a visit to our mother who was anxious to hear news of you.”

Maurice joined them to shake Angus’ hand. “Aye, the building goes well enough for our leader to make a stop on the Isle of Man after that.”

Somerled’s brother gave him an inquiring look. “And how is the princess?”

“Busy with preparations for Christmas,” was all he would say. He did not wish to share his time with her but his memories of that night were firmly implanted in his mind and heart.

“And our mother?” inquired Angus. “She is in good health?”

“Aye,” said Somerled. “You will have to make the trip to see her.”

The crew, released to enjoy themselves, hurried up the beach to join the men returning from the day’s labor.

Liadan, garbed in tunic, trews and short boots, left the ship to join Somerled, Gillecolum, Maurice and Angus as they walked toward Ruairi’s house where Angus was staying while Ruairi and his family were in the north.

“How goes the work on the castle?” asked Somerled.