The Tiger Within (8 page)

Amelia released a weak scream at the searing pain that pierced her neck. She struggled to free herself from the painful grip and found that her body felt stronger.

“What have you done?”

“I have marked you,” he said as her ran his tongue over her flesh. ”You are now bound to me for the rest of our lives. We must still complete the mating, but I hope this will give us the time needed to accomplish it with honor.” He stood then and sent for her mother.

Charlotte helped her daughter dress and everyone gathered. The ceremony was simple and short, but it was official and it was over. Amelia could feel the debilitating illness taking her again and she collapsed.

Henry lifted Amelia into his arms and carried her back to the room they shared. He helped her undress and then did so himself. He eased himself down on the bed and made love to her mouth. With every stroke of his body against hers she felt strength surge. She gave herself over to him, body and mind and he loved her. His kisses soon traveled down her neck and to her breasts. She moaned as he suckled first one then the other. His hands explored her and hers began to seek him as well.

She ran her hands over the muscles in his back and she gasped at the scars she found there.

“What happened to you?”

“I was attacked.” He said as he lifted his head and searched her blue eyes. He smiled before he replied. “He looked much worse.”

She gasped as his lips continued to move down her body. She quivered when he ran his tongue inside her navel. He sat back on his heels and gazed down at her. He slowly placed his hands on her knees and widened them.

“I want to taste you, My Amelia. I want to know all of you.” Then he leaned down and ran his tongue across her most intimate core. Her taste exploded on his tongue. She gasped for breath as he continued to plunder her hidden treasures. She closed her eyes, squeezing them tightly as she shattered.

Amelia came to her senses as Henry moved in between her legs. Her strength had returned only to desert her again after her fulfillment. She smiled weakly up into his amber-green eyes.

“I am sorry, Amelia. It will never hurt you again. Just this one time I beg you to endure. May I continue or do you want me to stop?”

Her moan was her only answer. He set a steady pace and she soon joined him. Her hips rose to meet his thrusts until he thought he would go mad.

“Henry!” She moaned loudly as she once again found her release.

It was only then that Henry allowed himself to let go.

When he achieved his release she felt it burn in her belly. The heat surged through her and she moaned at the intensity. Henry placed his hand over her belly where her womb lay and recited an ancient blessing of his people. He gently kneaded her belly and spoke calming words to her. He held her close until she fell into a deep healing sleep.

Chapter Fourteen

The next morning, Amelia was embarrassed. She awoke to an exploring Henry who quickly had her begging him to take her. Her silvery hair was tangled around them and her body showed the signs of his possession. Everyone would know what had been done to her. Everyone had no doubt heard her wanton cries begging Henry to take her.

“Yes, they will and they have all done so before themselves. They will not judge you. I fear they thought it had taken place already.”

“I suppose,” she said as she stirred her food.

“Amelia, you must eat. It isn’t healthy for you or our cubs to starve.” At her astonished look he only nodded. “I told you that you would be with child by this morning. The scent is very faint, but I smell two.”

“Two? Am I to have a litter then?”

“Not a litter. Twins run in my family. It is not the same with all of us. You will be so beautiful, round with my children growing inside you.”

“How does that work? Am I to have cubs or children?”

“You will be able to change. If the babes are to be boys they will change within you. If there is a girl she will not. My only regret is that it may make it more difficult for you to change if you are carrying a female. You may give birth in any form with a male, but must be human to give birth to a female. It is all rather complicated. You will have little control over which form your body takes while you labor. You may change several times. Your body will know what to do.” He smiled warmly. “It matters not at all which you have.”

They were. The entire town came to greet them. There were remarks about her odd coloring, but Henry reassured her that it was only interest. It was to be expected.

They were allowed to rest for several hours before they were awakened. They made their way to the bailey and into a small pavilion that had been erected for them. Henry helped her undress, which was hard to do in front of the whole town. They were inside, but the walls were made of a thin linen and torches illuminated it. She knew that everyone could see her, perhaps not clearly, but clearly enough. Henry kissed her and removed his own clothes. He entered her mind and helped her reach for her animal. She fell to the floor and changed.

Henry stood and watched as Amelia changed. Hair, as silver-white as the moon, covered her body. Her stripes were a dark gray instead of black. She was magnificent. She turned her clear blue eyes on him and sniffed.

“It’s still me. I wanted to see you with these eyes before I saw you with the others.” She growled low in her throat and he chuckled. “Yes, yes, I will change now.” Her voice was not as clear in his head as her voice to his ears, but he simply understood her. Her way was much less intrusive and would be harder to detect. He would have to be ever alert. She growled again and he changed. She sniffed him and he felt himself stir. He had never wanted anyone in this form, but now he wanted her. He heard her clearly then. She was laughing at him.

“I just wanted to know.” She said and backed away from him.

He stalked her. She laughed again and turned and ran from the tent. When she stepped out, there was a gasp from the crowd that had assembled. Amelia quickly backed up, but Henry urged her on. She heard the murmurs and outraged gasps from the crowd.

If a tiger could cry she would have. She felt Henry close at her side. He nuzzled her and rubbed against her. She felt his calmness envelope her. Then she listened again. This time not only to the words being spoken, but those being thought as well.

She sighed and followed Henry as he ran toward the forest. Tonight she would hunt. Tonight she would be free. Several others changed to run with them. She felt the presence of her father and of Mrs. Chambers. She stopped suddenly when she also felt her mother. She looked to see her standing near the tree line in a shimmering mist, as if she were only a dream. She was not a changeling and she could not run with them, but Amelia sensed her presence. She gave her daughter a contented smile and evaporated. Amelia was finally whole. Her destiny fulfilled. Charlotte inhaled the night air. Now she could find her own contentment with out worry for her daughter.

Epilogue

Nine months later

Henry was met at the door of his chamber by his physician. He had been in town settling a dispute when he had gotten word of Amelia’s distress. He rushed to her side.

“I can help with that.” He lay down beside her and took her pain and her weariness. He had to grit his teeth to keep from crying out at the pain that wracked his mind as it wracked her body. How could she endure this? He felt his first twinge of fear. Could he lose her?

The physician spoke then. “The birth is eminent,” he said importantly as if her were bestowing great knowledge on them.

“Oh, please! The birth has been eminent for weeks! Do something you old fool or I swear I will rip your throat out.” Amelia surprised the assembled crowd with her words.

It was tradition for all of the unmated males to be present at the birth of all female births. The girl would instantly know her mate and he would know her. This practice insured the protection of the mated pair. Since Amelia believed that one of her children was a girl, they were all assembled. They were separated from Amelia by a heavy curtain to preserve her privacy. Henry watched them all now for signs of distress. He saw none. He could not feel the thoughts of his children. He knew there were two, but nothing else would come to him. Amelia constantly talked to the children and often laughed as if they were speaking with her as well. He yearned for this connection and prayed that it would come after their birth.

Amelia changed again and growled low in her throat. A tiny mewing sound filled the room as one tiny cub was born. Henry scooped up his child and wrapped it in a towel and rubbed it vigorously. He laughed delightedly when the tiny creature hissed at him. Amelia growled at him.

“I will not hurt him. I only want to clean him up a little. I need to see him in order to choose the proper name. I think Colin will suit him. Do you agree?” She growled again and he placed the cub with her and she guided him to nurse.

He had a son. Amazement washed over him as he looked at the tiny creature. He was unusual. He was mostly the vibrant orange of his people with only a streak of white that ran from his nose to the tip of his tail. His stripes were very dark gray, a bit darker than his mother’s. his eyes though were amber-green and held an intelligence unseen before in an infant.

Amelia made a sound of distress and Henry placed his hand on her cramping belly. She sighed heavily as he bore her pain and pushed again and gave birth to her second cub. This one was almost completely white, but with black stripes and one orange stripe encircling the tip of he tail. The cub looked into Henry’s eyes and they were blue. He felt her tiny mind probing his own. Her. How could this be? Amelia had given birth to a female cub.

He stared down at the beautiful creature in his arms as she began to change. He heard Amelia’s cry of pain as she changed back to her human form, but he was in awe of his beautiful daughter.

He heard the choked sob of another and quickly place his daughter at Amelia’s breast as she guided Colin to her other breast. He kissed her on the forehead and surveyed his beautiful family. Both babes drank hungrily from their mother as she cuddled them close. At her assurance that she was fine he turned to the men. He secured the bed curtains again as he stepped from behind them. He found a boy, of no more than twelve, kneeling on the floor.

“What happened to him?” He asked the others.

“He ‘eard the babe and fell to his knees. You may be looking at your future son in law, My Laird.” Laird Liam McNeal stepped forward and clapped Henry on the back. The man smiled, but Henry could see the crushing disappointment in his eyes. “He’s James McIntosh, son of Cyril and Amy. Rightful Laird of McIntosh clan, well, what’s left of it,” he said with a shrug of his massive shoulders.

“A worthy lad then.” Henry remembered the overwhelming feelings that had overtaken him upon Amelia’s birth all those years ago as he spoke to Liam. “Your time will come, my friend. Do not lose hope.” He said looking into the eyes of his friend.

“Och I am too old for a wee lass such as ye have there. Nay, I fear I will not be blessed as ye have.” He turned and left the room with a sad shake of his head.