The Bewitching Twin (10 page)

“I
cannot believe we are wed,” Aliss said, staring at her hand locked firmly in Rogan’s.

“How can you not?” Rogan laughed. “Just look at this celebration.”

Aliss smiled and glanced around the village. Tables and benches had been moved outside, a summer’s bright blue sky provided the perfect canopy, and everyone had supplied enough food for double the people.

Music, chatter, and laughter mingled as the whole village celebrated the joining of the Wolf and the healer. Gifts were even given to the couple, to Aliss’s surprise—especially since many of the gifts were for her in particular.

Laurel and Peter had presented them with a beautifully crafted twig basket. James had carved her a small jar with a lid for her herbs, Anna had sewed a wool pouch, and a robust Ivan, with tears shining in his eyes, had presented her with a stunningly carved cross.

She knew the gifts were meant for more than just her wedding and she was grateful for each and every one of them.

What nagged at her, however, was the fact that the villagers assumed she would now be residing with the clan. It was not that she disliked the idea. It was that she desperately missed her sister.

Aliss had always assumed that Fiona would witness her wedding and enjoy the celebration to follow. She had never dreamed of getting married without her sister present. She had felt their forced separation more than ever preceding her vows, wanting so much for her sister to be there with her. She had half expected to see Fiona appear, so strong was the thought of her.

Aliss hoped that Fiona would understand the need for her to wed so quickly. She also hoped that her sister would accept Rogan as family with little difficulty. If she did then Tarr would also accept him.

“You wrinkle your brow. Troubled thoughts?” Rogan asked, squeezing her hand.

“I think of my sister. I wish she could have been here.”

“She is in your thoughts so therefore she is with you.”

“That is another thing I like about my husband. He is wise.”

“Shhh, do not tell anyone. Most think me fierce.”

“Wolves are both,” Aliss said.

“They are also fiercely loyal,” he whispered near her ear.

Gooseflesh caused her to shiver.

“You can always rely on me, Aliss. I will always be there by your side, holding you when necessary, freeing you when need be, and always supportive.”

Aliss did not know what to say. She had not expected or requested he give so much of himself. She merely wished for a husband to fulfill the prophecy and free her, or was she afraid to admit that she wanted more?

Rogan kissed her cheek. “We will do well together.”

“You are sure of this?” she asked, puzzled.

“I have not a doubt.”

Aliss beamed and her cheeks flushed red. “I knew I was making the right choice in marrying you.”

“That you did, my bewitching healer,” he whispered and kissed her gently.

They drifted apart to see Anna running toward them.

“Daniel has had an accident.”

Aliss scrambled off the bench. “Is he hurt badly?”

“I have not seen him. I was sent to fetch you.”

“Let me get my healing—”

“I have it,” Rogan interrupted from behind her, holding up her basket. “We best hurry.”

Aliss touched his arm. “Thank you.”

“I told you I would always be there for you.” He looked to Anna. “Where is he?”

“Derek carried him to their cottage.”

The child’s cries could be heard before they reached the cottage and they tore at Aliss’s heart and relieved her. At least he felt his pain and wasn’t unconscious. She hurried into the house and went directly to his bedside.

One glance at his skinny little leg told her it was serious. A wide gash ran from beneath his knee to an inch or so above his ankle. Blood was everywhere and that had to be her first line of defense. She needed to stop the steady flow of blood or he would not survive.

“Please, help him,” his mother, Tara, pleaded, kneeling beside the bed, holding his small hand and fighting tears.

Daniel cried louder when Aliss’s hands neared the wound.

“A warrior must be strong,” Rogan said, gently nudging the young mother out of his way to bend down by the side of the bed.

Daniel’s eyes widened in awe and Aliss assumed it was because of fear. Here was the mighty Wolf, the leader of his clan speaking.

“You are a strong warrior, are you not?” Rogan asked, taking hold of the lad’s hand.

The lad sniffled and nodded.

Aliss wanted to hug Rogan. Keeping Daniel occupied would allow her to determine her course of action. She set Anna to mixing herbs that would be needed and Tara to ripping cloths to bind the wound.

Aliss concluded fast enough that the leg would need stitching. She would worry about fever and festering later. Right now, she needed to get the wound closed.

If it were not for Rogan’s help, the ordeal could have turned into a nightmare. He held the lad and talked to him though he cried and screamed. Anna and Tara held his leg while Aliss stitched as fast as she could.

Aliss was grateful when Daniel had cried himself to sleep from exhaustion. After making certain the lad was settled, she left him to his mother’s care. Anna insisted on remaining to help, chasing the newlyweds out to continue their celebration.

“Will he be all right?” Rogan asked when they stepped outside the cottage.

“There is festering and fever to worry about. I cannot say for sure. Only time will tell.”

Rogan took her hand as they walked. “What made you become a healer?”

“I can’t say for sure. It seemed a natural thing for me to do. My mother taught me a little about healing, the things most instinctive to women. When she grew ill there was little I could do to help ease her pain and it upset me. I wanted to learn more, understand more about healing. The more knowledge I gained the more I hungered for even more, and I have never stopped wanting to learn.”

“You can keep on learning as much as you want. Perhaps one day you will teach our daughter.”

Aliss stopped and glared wide-eyed at him.

“You have not given
our
children thought?” he asked.

“I—I—” She shook her head.

He took both of her hands in his and smiled. “Have you not thought of the consequences of our making love?”

She sighed while continuing to shake her head. “This is why I will not make a good wife. I do not think as a wife should think. I think only of my work and myself.”

“You never think of yourself, though thinking of your husband now and again would be good.”

“I think of you all the time.” She cringed as soon as her secret slipped out.

Rogan laughed. “Do you now?”

She shook her head. He was her husband now and she did not feel the need to hide the truth from him. She could share anything with him and not worry that he would judge her.

“I admit I do think of you.”

“Good, then I admit that I wish I could carry you off to my bed and make love to you for the rest of the day and throughout the night.”

His declaration tingled her flesh and she shivered in his arms.

He laughed softly as he hugged her tightly. “You will do more than shiver in my arms tonight.”

She raised her head and whispered, “I have known no man.”

“And will know no other but me,” he murmured and kissed her.

“Hey, hey, none of that until later,” Derek yelled as he approached them. “We have more celebrating to do before you two get to be alone.”

“I will do the same for you on your wedding day,” Rogan said.

Derek laughed loudly. “I worry not, since I have no plans to wed.”

“Careful,” Aliss warned with a shake of her finger. “I said the same myself and look at me now.”

The three laughed as they drifted back to join in the festivities. Every now and again Aliss slipped away to see how Daniel was doing and she was grateful to find he was crying and complaining. If he were unresponsive to his discomfort, it would worry Aliss more.

With the lad left in Anna’s capable hands and Anna herself convincing Aliss she was not needed for the rest of the night, Aliss left the cottage to find her husband waiting outside for her.

Dusk was fading to darkness, the celebration had ended and the final remnants of the festivities were being cleared away, and parents carried exhausted and overfed children to their beds.

Bed.

That is where Rogan intended to take her.

She liked the way he approached her with an outstretched hand, requesting her to join with him. She didn’t hesitate, she took his warm strong hand in hers, and when his fingers wrapped around hers she felt safe, as if she had finally come home.

They strolled in compatible silence to the cottage. No one disturbed them. This was their time to seal their vows and begin life as husband and wife.

Aliss entered his bedroom in his arms, he having scooped her up moments before. He carried her to the bed and gentle lowered her to the mattress.

The scent of lavender drifted off the bedding and she smiled at the thoughtfulness of the women who had freshened the linens for them. The only light in the room was a single flickering candle beside the bed; the hearth was not needed with summer’s warmth.

The lone window over the bed provided a night breeze along with a symphony of harmonious night sounds.

Her heart grew joyful and she cupped her husband’s face in her hands. “My body trembles with bliss.”

He turned his face to kiss the palm of her hand. “Never fear me. I would never intentionally hurt you.”

Aliss smiled. “At least you admit you would not
intentionally
hurt me. Mother says that men swear they will not hurt the woman they love but that it is inevitable for they are men after all.”

“A wise woman, your mother, and remember her words, Aliss. If a day comes that you feel I have wronged you, remember that it was not intentional. I am just a man who knows no better.”

“You will not get away with such nonsense so easily,” she scolded lightly. “I have witnessed how wise a man you are so therefore you are unlike other men. I expect more from you and I know you would never do me wrong.”

“I am a man—”

“Like no other,” she finished. “I will hear no more. It is more likely that I in my selfish ways will hurt you and know now that I am sorry for my selfish ignorance.”

Rogan rolled over on his back to lie beside her. “You need never apologize to me.”

“I fear I may do it often and if I fail to, at least you have this apology to recount and use if necessary.”

“Then I claim the same,” he said. “I apologize for hurting you and ask your forgiveness. Please use this when necessary or—” He turned quickly, his body nudging her on to her back. “
I
will use it when necessary.”

She laughed. “I will honor it, though I doubt it will be necessary.”

“But honor it you will?” he asked, nibbling at her neck.

She giggled a confirming, “Yes.”

“Good, with that finally settled, dear wife—”

“Aliss! Aliss!”

Rogan moved off her, her hand having pushed at his chest at the sound of Anna frantically crying out her name.

“Back here,” Aliss shouted and ran to the door and almost collided with the young woman.

“Daniel has a fever.”

The words chilled her to the bone. “We must hurry,” she said and pushed at Anna to follow her out.

R
ogan could not sleep nor did he want to. He had been tired, his head nodding and his eyes drifting shut before a quick jerk of his head had him opening them again. It was when he started snoring lightly that Aliss had insisted, had actually ordered him home to bed.

What good would it do to have both of them exhausted, was her theory. She was right. There was no real reason that he should remain with her while she tended the feverish Daniel. He could contribute no knowledge, only support, by remaining by her side.

Now lying alone in his bed he wished he had not left her. This was their wedding night and they should be together, whether here in his bed or he beside her as she did her healing.

He pillowed his hands beneath his head and kicked the light blanket off his one leg all the while mumbling complaints until finally he spit out an oath.

He knew what really troubled him and didn’t want to admit it. Their vows needed to be sealed with haste if he didn’t want to risk losing her for good. Time was ticking by and soon there would not be a minute left.

What then?

He groaned and turned on his side, splaying his hand on the pillow where Aliss had rested her head. Many nights he had thought about Aliss lying there beside him, her naked body pressed against his, his arm draped over her and the two of them breathing as one.

He had yearned for that dream to become reality, and now just as it was about to happen, it was snatched away from him. Was Aliss his destiny?

The question had him springing out of bed and wrapping his plaid around him in haste. With sandals on, he slipped out into the night and disappeared into the dark woods.

He knew who could give him the answers he sought.

Giann.

She had accurately predicted many events for his clan, including Aliss curing his people. Now he wanted to know if Aliss would remain his wife and if they would live a happy and long life together.

He walked to the small clearing where he usually met with Giann, his familiarity with the area making it easy for him to travel in the dark. He stood there and softly called her name, giving no thought to the late hour. When he needed to speak with her or she with him, they always heard the other’s summons and answered.

“What is it you want from me, Rogan?”

He turned to the sound of her voice but caught only a shadow that hovered between the trees.

He was direct. “Is Aliss my destiny?”

“Her destiny was written before her birth.”

“Explain,” he said, concern gripping his heart.

“A prophecy foretold the twins’ future.”

“Which is?”

“On a full moon twin babes are born; with their birth sounds the horn; eyes of green, hair of red; destruction comes if without love they wed; for true love will bind their souls together and eternal love will be theirs forever.”

“Aliss must love the man she weds for it to last?”

“And the man must love Aliss.”

Rogan shook his head. “We’ve spoken no words of love.”

“The heart knows before words are ever spoken. What does your heart tell you?”

“My heart aches for what I am about to do to her,” he admitted with sorrow.

“Does that not tell you something?”

“It tells me that the taste of revenge is strong in my heart.”

“Yet you make no effort to tell her the truth and see what is in her heart.”

“I would lose her,” Rogan said.

“Would you?”

“I cannot take the chance,” he said adamantly.

“Cannot take the chance or fear taking the chance?”

“I will not lose her,” he reaffirmed through gritted teeth.

“You may not have a choice.” Giann’s shadow drifted off, blending with the night.

Rogan lingered alone in the woods, Giann’s remark heavy on his mind and heart. With his thoughts too chaotic to make sense of them, he finally returned to his cottage to find Aliss sound asleep in his bed.

He undressed and slipped beneath the blanket to find her naked. His heart swelled with joy, not to mention his manhood. She actually had felt at ease enough with him to climb into his bed naked to wait for him.

She was uncomplicated, giving, thoughtful, and she belonged to him as he belonged to her.

He hesitated to touch her. She slept so peacefully curled on her side, her body warm and content in its slumber.

He could wait until morning when she woke instead of disturbing her now.

What if tomorrow is too late?

He answered his own question by reaching out to touch Aliss.

He ran his hand slowly over her, wanting to familiarize himself with every inch of her flesh. She was warm and soft like fine-spun wool. Her bottom curved nicely as did her waist, which was neither thick nor narrow but just right for his hand to explore.

She stirred though did not wake and he continued to touch her.

The weight of her full breast in his hand brought a smile to his face and he tenderly squeezed the supple flesh and ran his thumb gently over her nipple. It hardened to his touch and he rolled his fingers around the stiff orb.

She stirred again, pressing against him until settling quietly once more.

His hand drifted along her flat midriff before descending over the slight mound of her stomach. It was barely detectable, but so much a part of her, like her wide hips that swayed seductively when she walked. He could not get them out of his mind. He had often daydreamed of her hips swaying beneath him as they made love. Now here she was in his bed and forever in his heart.

He inched his way down, his fingers tangling in the thatch of red hair between her legs, to finally touch her intimately as only a husband could.

“That feels so good.”

Her whisper fanned his cheek and she turned into his arms.

“You are beautiful,” he said.

“You make me feel that way.”

They kissed, lingering in the taste of each other while his hands explored her.

Her erotic moan rippled his flesh and he pursued his exploration, delving into the intimacy that marked her womanhood.

She gasped and grabbed hold of his shoulders.

“I like the feel of you,” he whispered and nibbled at her ear.

“I never imagined feeling so safe, so at ease, so crazed”—she sighed heavily and rubbed against him—“with wanting you.”

He took her hand and placed it over the throbbing length of him. “I feel the same.”

She grabbed hold of him. “Do not stop touching me.”

“Never.”

“Promise?” She squeezed him.

“Promise,” he repeated.

She released him.

He kissed her before drifting to suckle at her breast like a man needing nourishment from a loving woman. He lingered there enjoying her taste and the sensation of her fingers running repeatedly through his hair, digging into his scalp, urging him to feast on her.

His hand drifted between her legs, his fingers working magic and gently entering her to entice her with thrust after thrust until she felt wet enough to accept him.

She reached down to grasp hold of him. “I want you.”

He gasped. “Guide me.”

He slipped over her, and with a gentle tug, she brought him to her.

“I want you,” she begged, rubbing the length of him against her.

“I want the same,” he whispered, rising over her, stealing a kiss and settling himself between her legs.

“Love me,” she said on an aching breath.

“Always,” Rogan chimed, and inched his way into her.

She groaned and he pulled back.

“No,” she cried. “Do not deny me.”

“You cried out in—”

“Pleasure.” She smiled.

He kissed her softly. “Remember this moment and how very much I love you.”

She purred. “I will never forget how graciously, how gently, how provocatively you loved me.”

She arched her body as he plunged forward, and in an instant they joined as one. They moved in unison, their bodies swaying, their skin perspiring, their flesh aching, their lips tasting, and their passion soaring.

Rogan watched her toss her head back, felt her moan deep from inside, felt her hands grip his arms tightly, felt her tighten around him, heard her cry out her climax and felt himself explode like a star bursting in the universe.

He joined with her until they both were spent.

He pressed his forehead to hers, grazed her lips with his, and rolled off her to lie on his back beside her, hands joined, never wanting to let go of her.

He heard her sigh, felt her body relax beside him, and then she yawned.

“You are tired,” he said, turning on his side, and with his finger he brushed her hair off her damp face.

“I want very much to remain awake and—” She yawned again.

“You need to rest,” he said, pulling the light blanket over her.

“But it is our wedding night.”

“We have the rest of our lives together,” he reminded with a kiss.

“I feel I have deprived you of—”

He pressed a finger to her lips. “We sealed our vows. We are one under God and no one can come between us.”

“Are you sure?” Sleep slurred her words.

“I would want no other for a wife.”

She smiled, a yawn following. “I have chosen a good husband.”

“Then sleep and worry not for I am here beside you.”

Aliss snuggled against him. “I had never imagined such comfort with a man.”

“It will always be so.”

“Promise?”

“Promise,” he said, kissing her cheek and tucking the covers beneath her chin.

The morning dawned bright and Rogan was not surprised to find his bed empty. Aliss would not be able to start her day without checking on the ill, Daniel in particular, and he could not blame her. He wondered how the little lad fared himself.

She would be finished soon enough and then they would spend the day together uninterrupted, he hoped.

He had plans for the two of them and just the two of them. They would take a packed basket to the river and spend the day on the river’s bank. They would have time to talk or lie in each other’s arms, make love, nap, eat, and just be together.

He dressed in his plaid, a tan linen shirt, and his sandals. He combed his hair and let it fall as it would and then went to see to filling a basket. He smiled when he saw the spread of food the women had left on the table. It would be easy to pack a full basket and then go collect his wife and be off for the day.

That is, if Daniel was all right. He would not force her to go if Daniel needed her.

Rogan left the cottage to look for Aliss. He spotted her walking toward him.

She smiled and waved and hurried her steps.

He held out his arms; she ran into them and he swung her around.

“I missed you, wife.”

She laughed and clung to his neck. “I thought I would be back before you woke.”

“Is Daniel well?” he asked, a silent prayer on his lips.

Aliss beamed. “He does very well. He has some discomfort, but he handles it surprisingly well and is begging to get out of bed. I think he will heal remarkably fast.”

“I am glad to hear that,” he said, more relieved than she would ever know.

“Is that a basket of food I spy near the door?” she asked, stretching her neck to look at the cloth-covered basket.

“A surprise—”

“No more.” Aliss laughed and wiggled free of his arms.

Rogan let her go to run to the basket.

“I planned a day of food and rest, just for the two of us, near the river,” he confessed.

“Perfect,” Aliss said, grabbed the basket and then hooked his arm with hers. “Let’s go.”