The Bewitching Twin (17 page)

D
usk had settled when Raynor went to join his men, who had set up camp just outside the village.

Aliss had grown weary from the tension that had been palpable between the two men, and while she looked forward to her brother’s visit, she could do without the animosity between the two.

Then there was the startling news that Rogan had claimed the isle as his rightful inheritance. She wanted to know more and waited for him to come to bed.

Her eyes were drifting shut when he finally entered their bedchamber. He was exceptionally quiet, attempting not to make a sound. Was it his intention to avoid her?

She would have none of that. As soon as he slipped gently beneath the covers she asked, “You mentioned that you inherited this isle from your parents.”

He jumped. “I thought you were asleep.”

“I waited for you. Which parent had it belonged to?”

He rustled uncomfortably in the bed. “It doesn’t matter. The isle is rightfully mine and will be passed on to our children.”

“Until this is settled between us, you yourself felt a child would only be an interference.”

He turned on his side to face her. “Don’t you want a child, Aliss?”

“We made a bargain,” she snapped, her own doubt annoying her. “A child would keep us together.”

“I love you and I want us to spend the rest of our lives together. I want to raise a family.” He rested his hand on her flat stomach. “I want to watch you round with my child. Watch our children grow, a fiery redheaded daughter with your smile and a son with my handsome face.”

She couldn’t help but laugh softly and her mind conjured up the picture he painted.

“I want to grow old together for I know age will never diminish your beauty. Your smile will always light my heart, your green eyes will always entice me. It couldn’t be any other way. I love you that much.”

His declaration warmed her heart. Someone to laugh with and someone to cry with, someone to love you through the good and the bad times. Someone you can always count on being there for you even if you haven’t done the same for him.

Rogan.

His name reverberated through her mind. He had been there for her even before they had wed. She had never had to seek his help. He offered it generously and genuinely.

“Take your time to answer. That tells me there is hope.”

She had a lot to consider.

“I want to hold you, let me hold you.”

Did she dare move closer to him? Would he think she forgave him?

“I love you,” he said again. “And I plan on telling you that every day for the rest of our lives.”

She stared at him.

“You still find it difficult to believe?”

“If you had been truthful with me from the beginning I would not have difficulty now. You told me once you loved me and I believed you with my whole heart, only to discover it was a ruse for you to benefit by.”

She shook her head. “Why? Why couldn’t you have told me the truth from the start?”

“I did what I thought was best.”

“For whom?”

“For all.”

“You were wrong,” she said.

“No I wasn’t. I planned for everything except—”

She waited.

He finally rolled over. He braced his body against her side and took hold of her chin, squeezing lightly. “I never planned to fall in love with you, but I thank God every day that I did.”

He leaned over her, bracing his hands on the sides of her head, and lowered his mouth to hers. He brushed his lips with hers and sighed.

“Tasting you is like dusting fire with sweet wine. It fuels the flames. One kiss isn’t enough, one touch isn’t enough, one coupling will never do.”

He made her passion soar, teasing her lips with promised kisses, never tasting deeply, only skimming the surface and causing her to ache with need for him.

She groaned and tossed her head to the side, a mistake. He nibbled along her neck, sending gooseflesh trembling over her entire body before traveling down to suckle at her nipples through the linen night shift until they were so hard they pulsed.

“Tell me to stop, Aliss.”

She couldn’t find the words. They refused to leave her throat.

He moved down, kissing her midriff, while working her night shift up along her body and exposing her stomach, which he nipped and nibbled on until she squirmed.

“Tell me to stop,” he warned again.

“No.” She breathed a heavy sigh.

“No, don’t stop?”

“Damn you, Rogan.”

“You don’t want me inside you?”

His husky query sounded like an erotic invitation and quickly she said, “Yes.” But changed it just as quickly to, “No.”

His fingers found his way gently inside her. “I think you do want me.”

She groaned when he flicked her tight little bud with his tongue. Then he did it again and again and again.

“Damn it, Rogan.”

His finger deep inside her matched the thrust of his tongue and she thought she would go insane from her uncontrollable mounting passion.

She was lost, completely lost, and he was her only way out.

“Please,” she begged.

“I do this because I love you.”

He thrust his tongue inside her, and if it were not for his hands grasping her bottom firmly, she would have vaulted off the bed. He made love to her as she had never thought possible, bringing her pleasure after pleasure while ignoring his own needs.

And when he finished he took her in his arms and held her until the ripples of passion faded and she drifted into a restful slumber.

Aliss woke feeling wonderful. She stretched herself awake and smiled.

“You slept well?”

Aliss’s cheeks beamed bright red as she turned to face her husband.

He smiled and got up from his chair to walk over to sit on the bed beside her.

She wanted to hide beneath the blanket, not only recalling the intimacy of last night, but feeling herself grow wet with wanting him yet again.

“I was unfair with you last night.”

She shook her head vehemently.

He nodded firmly. “Yes I was. I took advantage, knowing how you would respond when I promised the choice would be yours.”

“It was mine.”

“You did not initiate it. I forced the issue and you simply responded.”

“But you pleased me, not yourself,” she said, defending him.

“I may not have climaxed, but I took pleasure in making love to you. The choice remains yours as to when we make love.”

Aliss stared at him, speechless. He had yet again proved his honor to her and she continued to think him deceitful? She should put an end to this tormenting situation right here and now. She should forgive him and love him and share her life with him. But she had yet to have all the answers. She had yet to be sure of his intentions. She had to know for sure. She could not be made to feel a fool again.

She moved to the end of the bed, holding the sheet to her chest.

“I am a patient man. I will wait.”

She almost winced at the thought that he contained his own desires while seeing to hers. How unselfish of him.

Or wise.

She wanted to slap that pessimistic voice right out of her head. But it was a warning she needed to heed. She had to make certain he loved her without reservation. She wanted no doubts, no barriers in the way of their love. She wanted love pure and simple and unburdened.

She shook her head. Could that ever be?

“Is something wrong?”

“No, my thoughts just drive me crazy.”

“I know what you mean.”

He smiled and her heart leaped. He was such a handsome man, ruggedly handsome, the kind that makes a woman act foolishly. A fate she could attest to. Or was it her heart that actually found him more handsome than she had realized?

“Your brother grows impatient to visit with you. He insists that you usually rise with the dawn and it is already well past dawn.”

She gasped. “You jest.”

He laughed. “No, you slept and snored quite soundly.”

“I did not,” she protested.

“You did, but I will not tell anyone if you wish me not to.”

“I cannot believe it. I always rise with the sun.”

“Your brother’s exact words. I think he thinks I keep you prisoner.”

A prisoner of love.
She blushed a crimson red.

He laughed, walked over and kissed her. “I love you.”

She stared motionless as he shut the door behind him.

Aliss and her brother hibernated beneath the heavy branches of a large oak tree after she had finished a later-than-usual morning meal, while Raynor had enjoyed a second one.

“Rogan treats you much better than I had expected. He is considerate of you, patient with you, and sees to your needs better than you do.”

“You sound disappointed,” Aliss said, considering her brother’s remark. Had she neglected to see the obvious?

“The Wolf has been a nemesis for some time. It isn’t easy to go from considering him a foe to a friend when the past keeps rearing its ugly head.”

“You think me foolish for wedding him?”

“I never thought you foolish or stubborn, those qualities belong to Fiona.”

They both laughed.

“I just want to make certain the Wolf isn’t using you to benefit himself.”

“Which is why you think he treats me well?”

Raynor shrugged. “I cannot say for sure. I was surprised by his attentiveness toward you. But it could be a ruse to make certain he keeps this land.”

“The land is his. Tarr gave it to him freely.”

“It was a wedding gift to you both and for a good reason. Tarr knew neither you nor your sister would be happy living too far apart.”

“He was right about that, but I’m curious. Did this land hold any special meaning for Tarr?”

“It was an inheritance from his mother’s people, as far as I know. I think Tarr mentioned that his mother’s father designated it to someone specific, though I don’t recall who.”

“It does not disturb him to see the land leave his family?”

“The land does not leave his family,” Raynor said. “You became part of the Hellewyk clan when your sister wed Tarr. As far as he is concerned the isle remains part of his clan.”

“The Wolf clan now being an extension of the Hellewyk clan,” Aliss concluded.

“It is the way to become an unequaled force: smaller clans expanding larger ones and the chieftain’s power growing when each unite. I am sure Rogan is pleased that his insignificant clan has joined with a powerful clan. After all, a chieftain’s duty is to make choices that will benefit his people.”

“A good reason to wed me, but then aren’t many marriages arranged just for that reason?”

“The differences being that most betrothed women know that before they wed. You made a choice to wed based on lies,” Raynor said. “Can you live with that?”

“The very question that haunts me.”

“You have time. Do not rush it, make sure it is what you want,” he said.

“What would you want, Raynor? An arranged marriage or one conceived in love?”

“I have a duty to my clan.”

“Then you would wed a stranger if it was beneficial to your clan?”

“Not through lies or subterfuge.”

“If it were the only way?” Her question had him pausing as well as herself. Had Rogan approached his dilemma in the only way possible?

“I see your point, though I grieve to admit it. You are my sister and I want what is best—” He shook his head. “I want you happy.”

“And if Rogan should prove to make me happy?”

He threw his hands up in surrender. “What choice would I have?”

“You did learn to get along with Tarr because of Fiona and me,” she reminded him.

“It was either that or lose the sisters I had just found.”

“So you compromised.”

“No, I think I just looked at the situation and saw what I would be losing if I chose to be stubborn instead of sensible.”

“Are you finally admitting that stubbornness is a family trait?”

“Shhh,” he said with a finger to his grinning lips and a quick scan of the area. “It’s a secret.”

Aliss laughed and took hold of his hand. “I am glad you came to visit.”

Raynor squeezed her hand. “I am here for you, Aliss, no matter what your choice is.”

R
ogan sniffed the handful of dark soil spilling through his fingers. Crops would grow plentiful in this ground and would provide more than enough sustenance for his clan. The woods teemed with game and the sea provided an abundance of fish. The clan would flourish here.

He let the rich soil drain through his fingers as he caught sight of Aliss strolling through the village.

Time was fast running away from him. Raynor had been here a week already, and the clan had been on the isle over a month. Rogan had remained true to his plan, but his efforts weren’t enough. Aliss looked for solid proof that his love was real and he wasn’t certain how else he could prove it to her.

She was a stubborn one, but he was just as obstinate.

Theirs was a perfect match, if only she would admit it.

She waved to him, the other hand shading her eyes from the bright sun.

He waved for her to join him, suddenly feeling the need to have her by his side, to hold her hand, to kiss her softly and slowly until he was drunk with the taste of her.

She hesitated at first, so he marched through the field demonstrating his willingness to meet her. She responded in kind and made her way toward him.

Her beauty never failed to capture his breath and play havoc with his senses. Her red hair sparkled like a brilliant flame and highlighted her gentle features. And he liked the way her garments fit her curves so nicely, now that Fiona had brought clothes for her.

She also seemed to be forever in motion, going here, going there, tending this one, aiding that one, forever on the move until, exhausted, she dropped into his arms and slept. He liked when she did that, then he could hold her close and know she was safe.

He smiled as she scooped up a handful of dark soil and brought it to him.

“Fertile soil.”

He took a small amount and rubbed it between his fingers. “It will produce an abundant crop next year.”

She dusted the soil from her hands and stared at him a moment before she suddenly caught herself and looked away.

“Would you like to take a walk?”

“What do you have in mind?”

“Exploring the woods.”

She sighed. “I’ve been wanting to do that, but I haven’t found time with all the work that needs doing.”

“Exploring the woods is today’s work,” he decreed.

She smiled and began edging toward the woods. “I cannot deny an order from my chieftain.”

Rogan signaled his intention to Derek on the far side of the field and Derek waved them off with an encouraging smile. From day one on the isle, the clan had persisted in doing everything they could to keep Aliss and him together. Their help was certainly welcome and not at all intrusive, though thus far it had not proved beneficial.

They entered the dense woods, Rogan tempering the pace, though Aliss seemed not to mind. He wanted time alone with her, just the two of them, to talk, to listen, to share the silence, together.

The deeper they went in the woods the thicker the growth of trees and foliage, producing a cool haven from the summer heat. Rogan cleared a path for them as best he could, especially with Aliss warning him not to damage any plants.

“Fern,” she said with excitement and ducked under Rogan’s arm as he prepared to hold back an intruding branch so that she could pass.

Rogan followed and bent down beside her to investigate her thrilling find.

“Isn’t she a beauty?” Aliss asked in a reverent whisper.

Her respect for the lacy plant was obvious in her gentle touch, and the joy in her eyes brought a generous smile to his face.

“Lovely,” he said, paying respect to both plant and woman.

“The spores are believed to hold magic.”

“What kind of magic?”

“The magic of finding treasure, and it is said—” She lowered her voice. “Swallow the spores and it will render the person invisible.”

He reached out.

“No,” she said, grabbing his hand. “I don’t want you invisible. Besides, it’s nothing more than myth.”

He stood, taking her along with him. They remained as they were for a moment in silence, their eyes fixed on each other. Both seemed to want to speak and yet they were unable or unwilling.

“Can we walk some more?” she asked softly.

“Whatever you like.”

Staunch warrior reflexes kept him from reacting to her hand moving slowly off his arm, where she held it, to drift down to his hand and lock her fingers around his. She waited then for him and he took the lead and led them through the woods.

Her hand felt good in his, warm and snug and
willing
. She had taken hold of him on her own. Was his hard work beginning to pay off? She could have walked ahead of him or waited for him to take the lead and then followed.

Her actions gave him hope that she was starting to believe his love was real. He couldn’t allow this chance to slip away. He had to make certain to grasp it and expand on it.

How?

He had tried everything he could think of with no success. What was left to him?

She slipped out of his grasp to investigate another plant and he felt her sudden absence like a blow to his heart. The pain reminded him of when he lost Kendra. Life had been so empty and so very lonely without her beside him. He did not want to hurt that much ever again.

She turned with a smile and rattled on about the plant she had found and how she intended to gather its seeds to add to her garden.

He smiled and held his hand out to her. He wanted to beg her to come to him, hold on and never leave him. But he kept his fears to himself and held his hand extended in a simple offer—that represented so much more.

She rushed back to him and took hold of his hand all the while chatting about how the woods held a variety of plants she intended to examine.

He listened, enjoying the sound of her voice so cheerful and confident, and walked with her until he noticed her pace had slowed.

Rogan stopped, walked over to a fallen tree not yet ravaged by decay and sat, taking her down with him.

She sighed when her bottom touched the tree.

“Tired?”

“A little,” she said.

“We will rest here for a while.”

“You seem to know your way around here.”

“My father brought me here many times when I was growing up. I know the land well.”

“I wondered how you knew the distance to the keep from the shore the day we landed.”

“He thought it wise that I become familiar with my future home.”

“He wanted this land for you?”

“And the clan,” he added.

“He encouraged you to claim it?”

“He encouraged me to fight for it.”

“Then he knew a fight would be necessary?”

He nodded. “There was no way the land, though mine by birthright, would be surrendered willingly.”

“So he helped prepare you to fight for the isle?”

“He did, though I chose a different way. I did not want to start life on this land with the blood of my clan or my enemies on my hands. I hoped to obtain what was mine with no loss of blood or lives and with a minimum of injuries.”

“You succeeded.”

“Some suffered,” he said. Her in particular, though he had not planned it that way.

“Suffering eventually ends, but deaths are forever. I admire your effort to avoid spilling blood and taking lives to claim this land.” She glanced around. “No wonder it is so beautiful. You have brought no bloodshed and death here, so it rejoices and repays your respect with abundance for your clan.”

“I always felt I had come home when my father brought me here.”

“How did it come to be that the Hellewyk and Wolf clan both lay claim to this land?”

He stood abruptly. “I am not certain.”

Aliss pushed herself up off the fallen tree. “Why did you not tell me all of this from the beginning?”

“It really did not concern you.”

“It most certainly did. It was the reason for my abduction.”

“Part of the reason, and besides, you were to serve your purpose and be returned to your people. I had not anticipated falling in love with you or your proposing marriage to me. It changed everything.”

“But not your quest for this isle. That came first, even before love.”

“Will you ever forgive me for the hurt I’ve caused you? Does it make any sense for me to continue to try to make you realize how much I love you? What must I do to make you understand how much I do not want to lose you?” He shook his head. “I should be done with this nonsense and negate our bargain. You are my wife and should remain my wife.”

“You told me the choice was mine. You go back on your word?”

“You really think I would not keep our bargain?” he asked.

“I know not what to think anymore. You love me and you love this land. Yet you used me to get this land. Now to prove you love me, you will give up this land? Or do you play me for a fool yet again?”

“What about accepting that I love you and love me in return? What about realizing that my plan never included hurting you. What about giving us a chance to make a life together?”

“You robbed us of that when you lied to me.”

“You are obstinate,” he said.

“Cautious,” she corrected.

“Too cautious. Why not take a chance?”

“I did once. I proposed to you.”

He reached out and grabbed her by the shoulders. “I am glad you did.”

“Of course, it served your plan well.”

He rested his forehead to hers. “I love you, Aliss. I don’t know how many times I must say it. I don’t know what else to do to prove it. This isle means much to me and I offer to surrender it for your love.”

“No, if you loved me you would have surrendered it when my family arrived to ransom me.”