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  Laying it flat in her palms, she held in front of her, and whispered, “Open your eyes my love.”

  Broderick opened his eyes, and looked down at his redheaded wife to see a magnificent sword perched in her small hands, the detail on the hilt and blade were incredible. Carved into the handle were an intertwined E and B, the sword gleamed in the fire lit room.

  “For you my husband.”

  Reaching down, he took the blade out of her hands in awe and twirled it in his palm, the weight was perfect, it was expertly balanced and the detailing on the blade was breathtaking. He had never seen such detail on a blade; Celtic knots ran up the length of the blade on both sides.

  “Did you make this Elisabeth?”

  “Aye, do you like it Broderick?”

  Looking down, he leaned down and captured her lips, wrapping his other arm around her slim waist pulling her in close, “Aye, I will cherish this sword forever my love, you once again impress me with your skills. Your craftsmanship is flawless Elisabeth, who taught you skill like this?”

  “Duncan. The year I gave up my blade, he taught me all he knew of forging weapons. For a year he worked with me relentlessly in our armory, I think he felt guilty for accepting my weapon that day.”

  “He always was one of the most skilled weapon makers I’ve ever known, he had immense skill and patience. He’d be please with your work Elisabeth, tis’ one of the finest blades I’ve ever seen, the detailing on the blade is incredible.”

  Shifting his broadsword, he sheathed it beside his war sword and looked back at his lovely bride and wrapped his arms around her slim figure, bringing her chest against his. Looking down at her glowing face, “You’re amazing Elisabeth, you took my breath away when you walked down the aisle tonight, seeing Kendrix walk you down to me warmed my cold heart lass. You’ve filled a place in my heart, my family and clan that I didn’t know was empty, I love you Elisabeth Rosslyn MacMillan.”

  “Oh Broderick, I love you more than you’ll ever know!”

  Chapter 9

  They took their time walking back to the main hall; hand in hand they found their wolfhounds waiting at the base of the tower patiently waiting for them. Scottish drums announced their arrival as they entered the great hall; all in attendance stood and joined in cheering for the newly married couple.

  Hand in hand Broderick and Elisabeth walked through the sea of happy faces to the head table where Kendrix and Isobel sat. Taking their places at the head table, Broderick signaled for his clan to be seated. Pulling out Elisabeth’s chair, he watched her gracefully sink into the chair as he tucked it in. Casting his gaze down his table, and over the countless tables before him he nodded to his clan, “Tonight we celebrate, we celebrate life and family. We celebrate the bond of marriage and the start of a new era for our clan.” Raising his goblet high, “to Elisabeth, and to our clan, may God continue to smile upon our people, let us celebrate my friends!”

  Lifting their goblets, every person in the room lifted their goblets and cheered loudly in merriment; celebrations like this were rare in the Highlands. The MacMillan clan took nothing for granted, life was fickle and precious in this troubled time.

  Tray upon tray of savory foods was delivered, tankards and goblets were filled with ale and mead, food and drink flowed from the kitchens.

  Laughter and music, clanking tankards and voiced filled the hall. The large hearth easily warmed the large hall as the winter snow lightly fell outside in the dark night.

  Broderick and Elisabeth ate their fill, chatting with Kendrix and Isobel throughout the dinner. Couple by couple, clan members took to the floor and danced as the musicians struck up a lilting tune, with the drums keeping beat it wasn’t long before the floor filled with kilted warriors and their women.

  Casting his eyes over his wife, he smiled as he watched her bounce her foot to the beat of the drums; it was easy to see she loved music, unlike the last wedding, he knew to ask her to dance before his brother did.

  “Would you like to dance Wife?” he asked, grinning at how her face lit up when he called her wife.

  “Oh yes, I would love to!” Smiling Elisabeth’s eyes dazzled in the candlelight.

  Taking her hand, he led her out to the floor so they could join in the merriment with their people. His chest burst with pride as he watched his wife tonight, she was a goddess. She had touched his heart when he saw her walking down the aisle with his brother; she knew how much family meant to her.

  Twirling her effortlessly into the dance, he wrapped his arm around her slim waist and brought her up close to him. Her smile radiated to his soul, with her in his arms, he felt complete. All around them his friends, his brother and fellow warriors and their wives joined them on the dance floor. Enjoying every moment of the night he twirled his bride into a series of tight turns and kissed her forehead as be brought her back into his chest. He knew many others would want to dance with his fair wife tonight, as he was obligated to dance with a few others as well. Handing her off to Kendrix soon after their dance was completed, he went in search of Old Rhona; he owed the cheerful woman a dance or two.

  After hours of dancing and celebrating, Broderick seized his chance and snatched Elisabeth out of the great hall during a break in the music. Hand in hand, budding sexual desire ripped through them as they walked towards their bedroom. He was sure his little wife was a tad intoxicated, her face was flushed and he heard her giggle all night.

  Dancing with the buxom redhead Broderick had found himself staring at her tits more than a few times tonight, she ensnared his senses in every way. Her smell, the sound of her laughter, her touch, everything she did pulled at him.

  More than once Elisabeth had whispered naughty things into his ear as they danced; he had found great delight in building anticipation and his wife’s playfulness.

  Next to him he heard her giggle once again as she tripped on her gown, tipsy from all the mead she had drank tonight, Broderick chuckled as he watched her laugh. Shaking his head, he scooped her up into his arms and took the stairs two at a time. He couldn’t wait to pull her gown off, and make her his wife in everyway possible.

  Ordering the hounds to lay in the hallway, he easily opened the door with her in his arms. Crossing the threshold he claimed her mouth as he kicked the door closed behind them. Sitting her down gently, he watched as her green eyes sparkled as she walked over the fire, slowing removing the pins from her beautiful hair. Curl after glorious red curl fell over her shoulders as she removed the gold circlet from the top of her head.

  Walking around the room he extinguished all the candles one by one, the fireplace was the only source of light. Watching her every move, he wanted nothing more in his life than this moment. She was his wife, she was everything he ever wanted and more, all night he had been waiting for this moment, she had captured his soul.

  Joining her by the fire he slid a hand over her hip and brought her body up against his. Slowly he bent down and kissed her wounded shoulder, the scar had been visible all night. He was proud she wasn’t ashamed of her battle wound; he had felt such immense pride today as he watched her. She was the woman meant to stand beside him for the rest of his days; she was soft and kind, but fierce and loyal. Her intuition and intelligence was a welcome asset as his partner, he couldn’t imagine being saddled with a flighty woman.

  Working his way up her neck he slowly pulled off her gold cuffs and threw them into the chair. Unpinning her broach he discarded that as well, kissing her ear he nibbled on her lobe as he ran his hands over her sensual curves.

  Capturing her mouth he gently pulled her laces and the dress fell from his glorious wife in soft pile at her feet.

  Elisabeth stood in his arms, naked before the fire. Biting her lip as she pulled his shirt off his back, tossing it aside, she placed hot searing kisses on his chest. She felt herself growing wet as she felt his warm hand run over her naked ass and squeeze.

  Tugging at his leather kilt belt, she pulled if off with ease, letting it fall to the floor
with the rest of their belongings. Her eyes grew wide as she eyed her warrior husband, his muscles rippled beneath her hands as she ran her breasts across his hard chest. She had never met a man who made her weak in the knees as Broderick did.

  Hearing him growl with desire she leaned on her tiptoes and gave him a searing kiss before slowly kneeling before him. The warm firelight bounced off Broderick’s rock hard cock as she ran her tongue down the length of him. Her hands traced his hips and strong thighs as she explored her husband’s body. Slowly taking his velvet shaft in her mouth she heard him moan as she sucked on this thick cock. It felt incredible to kneel before her warrior, to please him in such a way. She had never done this before.

  Feeling his hands sink into her long hair, she worked her mouth up and down his throbbing cock; it felt amazing to have such power over a man like him. She had been waiting for days to do this; she wanted Broderick to feel how much she worshipped him. Never had a man held such control over her, vulnerable to her core for opening her heart, she would go to the end of the world for this man. Today he had showered her with touching gifts, married her and told her he loved her, today he had handed his heart to her.

  “Elisabeth, Jesu woman,” Broderick moaned as he looked down and saw his queen kneeling before him like the goddess she was. The sight of her sucking on his member made him even harder, the sight was intoxicating, erotic. She made him feel like a king.

  Although he’d love to come in her mouth, he had other plans for their night together. Pulling out of her mouth slowly, he pulled her up and tossed her over his shoulder like a conquering warrior. Hearing her giggle at being handled roughly made him want her even more. He loved how he could toss her around without fear of hurting her. She liked it rough. Running his hand over her bare ass, he gave her a little spank before slowly lowering her down. She wrapped her lovely legs around his waist, his rock hard cock nudged her core as she kissed his neck. Sinking into her he brought her up and down as he held her hips. Elisabeth dug into his back as he flexed his spine sending himself deeper and deeper inside of her.

  A storm of ecstasy brewed between them as he backed her into a wall, capturing her mouth, their tongues danced as he pulled out slowly and tortured her into sweet moans.

  “Do you like that my queen?” he purred into her ear as he buried himself to the hilt inside of her.

  Throwing her head back she teetered on the edge of ecstasy as she whispered, “Mmmmmm, yes husband”

  “Say it again Lis” he demanded, tilting into her even deeper.

  Opening her eyes she ran her hands up into his glorious dark hair and grabbed tight as wicked smile curled on her rosy lips, “Do you want me husband?” she asked in a sultry voice as she rotated her hips in a circular motion on his cock.

  Pulling away from the wall Broderick carried her over to the large bed and slowly pulled out of his wife before playfully tossing her open their bed.

  Sliding in beside her he grabbed her slim waist and pulled her upon him once more, he loved the sight of her in all her glory riding his cock.

  Looking up at his bride, he saw desire in her eyes as he lifted her up and impaled her upon his thick cock “I will always want you wife,” he replied as he rolled his hips with he movement.

  Her long hair fell to her waist as she rode him into a earth shattering climax, screaming Broderick’s name she felt herself pulsing, wave upon wave, milking Broderick’s velvet shaft as he set a deliberate pace for the both of them.

  Joining her in ecstasy moments later Broderick flipped her back over and pounded into her as she wrapped her legs around him before burying himself one last powerful time. Collapsing together in a pile of sweat and skin, the two tangled together in perfect peace as they fell asleep in each other’s arms.

  Waking first, pointed her toes under the covers and stretched as she felt her husband sleeping peacefully beside her. She loved how warm he kept her, there were benefits sleeping next to a man, she had never been more comfortable and warm in her life. Overly parched and in need of a drink, she gently slipped out of bed and walked across the room to the pitcher. Pouring a cup of water, she heard movement behind her. Looking over her shoulder, her extremely handsome husband was watching her with a smile upon his face, the sheets crumpled around his waist, his hair a glorious mess.

  “Good morning wife.”

  Smiling brightly, she replied, “Good morning husband” crinkling her nose as raised her glass to him and winked at him. Taking a long drink of water she sat the cup down and started to walk back towards her lover.

  Almost instantly the room started to spin. Stumbling she grabbed for the chair as she fell to the ground, in the background of her haze she could hear Broderick screaming her name as her world went black.

  His greatest nightmare came true before his eyes as he watched Elisabeth crumble to the ground.”Elisabeth!” he shouted, running to her side. He quickly checked her pulse; she was still alive but refused to wake. Shaking her and screaming her name, Elisabeth didn’t respond. Running back to the bed he grabbed a blanket and covered his naked wife as he quickly turned to throw on clothes. Swinging the door wide, his wolfhounds ran into the room, both of them began circling Elisabeth as she lay on the ground unresponsive. Screaming for his brother, Broderick left the door open and returned to her side, pleading with her to live.

  Within seconds Broderick heard Kendrix running up the stairs.

  “Good God what happened?” Kendrix asked as he rushed into the room to see Elisabeth on the floor.

  “She’s been poisoned Kendrix, she took a drink from that pitcher only moments ago. She will not wake up and her pulse is slowing. Go fetch Rhona and Caitriona quickly, I have no clue what she swallowed!”

  “Good God,” nodding, Kendrix took off in a sprint down the stairs in search of help for Elisabeth.

  Upstairs Broderick held her tightly in his arms and whispered into her ear, “Please don’t leave me Lis, I just found you woman. Ye cannae leave me yet lass, our path doesn’t end here woman. You will come back to me. I love you Elisabeth MacMillan, I will find who did this to you my love. Stay with me Lis, I need you!”

  Hearing a commotion coming up the stairs he knew the elderly women were on their way, both skilled with poisons and antidotes. Kendrix must not have had to search far for the women.

  First through the door was Rhona, running over to Broderick she dropped to her knees and felt Elisabeth’s head and then placed her ear over her heart. Caitriona scurried in afterward; she picked up the tainted pewter cup and pitcher, smelling them for signs of the cause. “Hemlock, a strong dose at that,” Caitriona stated, sitting down the objects she walked over to Elisabeth and hovered her hand over the lass, as was her way.

  Broderick looked at Rhona, “Who had access to this room Rhona? Who would want her or I dead? Either one of us could have taken a drink from that pitcher!”

  Shaking her head Rhona began to cry as she knelt next to Elisabeth, “We were in this room together all day, we drank from it earlier, even little Isobel. It had to happen while after we left for the wedding!”

  At the door Kendrix had reappeared and added, “It could be anyone Brother, anyone could have slipped away easily during the celebration and entered your room. Your hounds were with you all day, the room was unguarded, and the question isn’t who had access to the room. Nay, the question is, who wants one or both of you dead?”

  By the fire Caitriona mixed herbs from her pouches that were strung along her belt into a pot on the fire. Stirring them she added a few more items before pouring the contents into a clean mug. “Once this cools, you’ll want to try to get her to swallow small doses every hour until she awakes. The hemlock is a viscous poison, it will not leave her body easily my Laird,” Caitriona explained as she gathered her things.

  Broderick looked at Kendrix and Rhona, “You two, see what you can find out. Tis winter, hemlock would be hard to find unless our supplies or Caitriona’s supplies were stolen.”

  The old healer spo
ke up, “My herbs are under lock my Laird, and only I hold the key to my supplies, nothing looked amiss this morning.”

  Nodding at her foresight to protect the valuable and dangerous herbs he dismissed the three so they could investigate the poisoning. Sending the three off to investigate he picked up his bride and carried her back to bed, pleading with her to fight the toxic poison that coursed through her veins.

  The next three days were torture.

  Unlike her first stay here, she had no nightmares, no movement, nothing. She was dead still for three days. The entire clan had heard of her poisoning, aghast that something would happen to their beloved Laird’s new wife, the entire clan searched for an answer. Broderick refused to leave her side; he had considered it entirely his fault she was in this position. It was his responsibility to keep her safe and he failed. Someone wanted to see her dead; even now he wasn’t entirely convinced she was going to make it. There had been no visual improvement in the past three days; she simply lay dead to the world.

  Chapter 10

  Elisabeth’s eyes fluttered as she woke in the dead of night, nauseous and weak she reached out for her husband. Touching his warm skin she moaned as her stomach rolled in pain, her head began to pound as she turned towards her sleeping husband.

  “Broderick?” she whispered, her throat was so dry she barely could speak.

  The sound of her sweet voice brought him out of his sleep, feeling her upon his chest he wrapped his arms around her.

  “Elisabeth, my God woman, you had me so worried!”

  “What happened Broderick, why do I feel like this?”

  “You were poisoned, the morning after our wedding you woke up and took a drink from the pitcher. You have been dead to the world for three days,” he explained as he gathered her in his arms and pulled her on top of him and held her tightly.