Celtic Storms (22 page)

“Yes?” he begged, unable to endure the sweet torture any longer.

“Patrick, we have al-al-all night……” she gasped still grinding against his cock.

Yes. But I don’t right now.

‘Twould mean me no dishonor my lord.

What?
He moaned himself this time - a deep guttural moan that sent ripples through the top of the water.

It would be no offense Patrick, if you would… Oh.
She moaned and leaned into his mouth for a kiss, still grinding and clenching herself around his fingers.

If you would peak with me, my lord – twould be glorious Patrick. Please, don’t make me stop,
she begged him with her mind.

“Darina!” Patrick moaned in her ear.

“Bathe me Patrick. Bathe me in your seed,” she groaned into his mouth and intensified her pressure on his cock. He writhed and shook and felt her spasm against his fingers as his own release swept over him and into the water around them.

She collapsed against his chest and lay lifeless there for long moments. His breath finally stabilized and he released his hold on her womanhood. She jerked about as continuing waves of ecstasy pulsed through her blood and she settled deeper into his embrace. She couldn’t get close enough to him.

“Darina, answer the question.” Her thoughts snapped back to present time.

“Darina,” said Atilde. “Are you alright dear?” she asked wiping the tears from Darina’s face. “Can you answer his question?”

“Darina, was it his choice not to consummate the marriage?” asked Payton again, slowly and methodically this time.

“I – I don’t know – how to answer that.”

“Does the blame belong with you or with him?” asked Ruarc abruptly tired of the questioning.

Darina untied and retied the belt covering her tunic and truis and petted Fanai who lay at the ground beside her. “I would have to say, that the blame lies with you, Uncle Ruarc,” she answered stoically looking him right in the face.

Payton coughed and Ruarc rose from his chair to address her directly. “How on earth would the consummation of your marriage in any way be my responsibility lass?” he asked angrily.

“You took him Uncle. You took him from our chambers and he has never returned.”

A hush rose over the chambers and Lucian shook his head back and forth; an apparent fear rising in him.

Council Chambers – O’Malley Castle

Pain and anguish adorned Ruarc’s face and he sat to collect his thoughts. His niece’s accusation met him with force.
She was right. I did take him from her on their wedding night. I had no other choice. He had to know.

Payton interrupted, “That’s it – I’ve had enough of this charade. It’s time she knew and since none of ye other pussy willows have the bollocks to tell her – I will!”

He strode towards Darina and bent to kneel down beside her. Fanai got up and moved to her other side, sensing it was needed. “Promise ye won’t punch me again my lady?” he asked sheepishly grinning up at her.

“Don’t Payton, let me,” said Lucian.

“Nay – I won’t. Ye’ve had eleven years to get to the right of it, and I’ll not give you the opportunity now.”

Darina shook her head in confusion and looked up at Payton. “Payton will tell me. I trust him.”

“Good,” he said as he rose and walked towards the stony wall. “Darina, Ruarc came to get Patrick that night in your chamber, did he not?”

“Aye, he did. We were um, in the bath, I mean I was in the bath and we were wet and a fierce banging came on the chamber door and Patrick rose to open it,” she said from behind flushed cheeks.

“He did and who was there, Darina?”

“From behind the privacy screen – I could hear Uncle Ruarc and Patrick discussing something that seemed to be of importance.”

“And then what happened?” he asked as he waived his hands across his chest animatedly as if making a point to the council.

“Then Patrick returned to the room, shut the door, adorned himself with his chain and armor and told me that he was needed to retrieve something and he would be right back.”

“And you haven’t seen or heard from him since?”

“Nay – I haven’t. Payton – what is going on?”

“Ruarc, would you please tell Darina why Patrick left at your request.”

Ruarc flinched at the mention of his name and his face grew red with shame. “We were told by Mavis that the boy, Braeden had been abducted at the piers and taken off in a boat the morn of Samhain. Mavis managed to escape by leaping from the vessel and swam for hours until she reached the shores, just past midnight.”

“And?” bade Payton motioning for him to continue.

“And I sent for Rory and Kyra to accompany Patrick to retrieve the boy.”

“You sent him?” asked Darina not believing it. “You
sent
my husband after his bastard child on my wedding night on the advice of his mistress?” Tears threatened to spill themselves down her cheeks again.

Payton interrupted and spoke directly to Darina this time, “Braeden is not Patrick’s bastard child and Mavis is not his mistress.”

“I’ve heard tell of your brother and his many illegitimate bairns. His reputation precedes him unfortunately,” retorted Darina angrily.

Payton’s voice rose in anger. “You don’t know what you are talking about you snotty wench,” he said behind clenched teeth.

Fanai rose from the cold stone floor beside Darina and growled loudly and deliberately, clearly showing Payton his teeth. He scampered until he had put himself between Payton and Darina and sat, teeth raised, inviting him to continue.

“Payton, you would do well to lower your voice,” Darina mused. “Explain yourself.”

“I’ve no doubt you have heard tell of my brother, Darina. And – he does have a reputation as that of a lady’s man, a lecher some might say.”

“See,” Darina responded nodding her head and gesturing to the council members.

“But that brother, Darina, would be Parkin; not Patrick. Parkin is the one with illegitimate children and a handful of heart-broken women following him about. Patrick is the most honorable man I have ever known. Patrick is more honorable than me own da even - though it would shame him to hear it.”

“Then why by the goddess, would he leave his wife on their wedding night to chase after a no account bastard child?” she spat at him, the indignation rising in her voice.

“Shall I tell her then?” asked Payton to Lucian who stood stone-faced and pale against the hearth. Lucian nodded.

“Because Darina, that no account bastard child is your brother.”

***

It had only taken moments for Darina to return to her chamber and don her armor and cloak. She called for Riann to be readied and for Moya to prepare her steed. She was situating her helmet when Payton burst through the door.

“Where do you think you are going?” Payton asked accusingly. She ignored him and jumped into her boots as she tied Fanai to the bed post and instructed Minea to care for him in her absence.

“I asked you a question,
sister
,” he jabbed sarcastically at her.

“I’d like to know the same thing,” interrupted Ruarc who was out of breath after having followed her up nearly seven flights of stairs.

“I am the best hunter in the clan and no one else has my tracking abilities,” she said as she gestured towards the window where Riann was seen circling the keep. “I intend to bring my brother and my
husband
home.”

“I will deal with you later,” she pointed at Ruarc. “Ye’ve sent yer brother, a ship builder, with Kyra and my husband, who does not know our lands to retrieve the true Laird of O’Malley clan.”

“And you, I would thrash you within an inch of yer life if ye hadn’t been the only man brave enough to tell me the truth,” she directed at Payton.

“Well?” she gestured towards Payton impatiently. “Aren’t ye coming with me? He is yer brother, an honorable mon ye say? Don your amour and ride with me,” she insisted.

“Nay,” said Ruarc from the other side of the bed. “Patrick has left him in charge in his stead.”

“And I am leaving you in charge in my stead. I trust you won’t muck this up?” she shouted angrily, loud enough for the rafter to shake.

Ruarc nodded and Darina and Payton headed off into the night to save her brother and her husband from the Burke witch.

MORE TITLES

BY DELANEY RHODES

Celtic Steel Series

Book 2: Celtic Shores

Book 3: Celtic Skies

Book 4: Celtic Stars

Book 5: Celtic Sun

Patrick MacCahan just became the new Laird of the O’Malley clan. His new position is met with many obstacles including a tempestuous new wife, a two decade long war with a neighboring village, a missing foster child and a pagan witch who overpowers the clan at every turn.

Parkin MacCahan’s life just got a lot more exciting. His older brother Patrick has married the eldest daughter of the O’Malley clan. And his father Laird MacCahan is building a shipping empire off the coast of Northern Ireland. Parkin must oversee the operations and coordinate efforts between the O’Malleys and the MacCahans.

In order to dock at O’Malley port, Parkin and his men must sail passed the legendary Island of Women. Will Parkin be able to withstand the temptation to trespass the legendary shore? Or will he be invited?

Kyra O’Connell has resided in O’Malley territory all of her life. As the niece of the late Laird Dallin O’Malley, and daughter of the clan’s chieftan; she has been part of the inner circle since before she can remember. When a spy is found among the villagers, Kyra is asked to take up residence on the Island of Women and to infiltrate their ranks as a spy herself.

Of Irish and English descent, Romance Author Delaney Rhodes is a native Texan from birth. She is a Graduate with double Majors from The University of Houston, in Law and Writing. She has two teenage daughters, and is married to an entrepreneurial Husband. Three of her favorite people, are her three rescued Russian Blue cats; Sebastian, Sasha, and Sissy. The family would not be complete without “13”, an adopted Bearded Dragon.

Together they live life at a fast pace, enjoying each other and striving to help the world become a better place. Besides her writing and family – Ms. Rhodes is active in many charitable organizations that benefit animals and children, both through volunteering and fundraising.

Ms. Rhodes’ writing was prompted and inspired by many hours of research and study into her Irish and Celtic family lineage and heritage. Many of the stories you will find in the chapters of her writings were birthed while striving to connect with those that had walked these paths and lived before her.

Ms. Rhodes has been previously employed in executive positions within Fortune 500 oil and gas, information technology, and lumber products companies in corporate legal departments. She is a member of the Writer’s Guild of America, West with several registered works.

Warning: This book contains adult subject matter and adult material not suitable for children. It may contain any or all of the following: explicit sexual contact, graphic language, occult references, and violence and adult subjects.

Any similarities contained herein between fictional characters and actual events are merely coincidental and represent the imagination of the writer and are used for entertainment purposes only.

Celtic Storms

Copyright © 2012 by Delaney Rhodes

DR Publishing

ISBN: 978-0-615-59798-0

Cover Design by Kim Killion

Edited by A. McConnell