Chapter Nine

T he sun came through her bedchamber's window and Nala stretched. She'd been sitting on the floor folding her newly dried garments. She stood, opened the trunk she'd brought with her and placed the items into it with care.

Greetings from the guards carried upward, and she went to the window. The Ross family along with a contingency of warriors arrived. Beside the coach, was Alexander, his black hair shimmering in the sunlight making it seem otherworldly. Just behind the carriage rode Cynden and another man. She squinted at the newcomer, not quite sure who he was.

The man was broad and muscular with the same color hair as Cynden. He wore a beard and across his wide shoulders the Clan Ross tartan. A member of the family. She would find out soon enough, Nala figured.

Then a thought crossed her mind. Was he being brought as a potential husband for her? Surely not. They had more pressing matters at the moment. It was doubtful that while watching an execution, Alexander would be so cavalier as to play matchmaker.

Curiosity got the best of her. Standing, she smoothed her skirts then unbraided her hair. After brushing it, she braided it again, with expert fingers. Once the task was done, she pinned her hair up and pulled curls down to frame her face.

From the bedchamber, she peered into Cynden and Ainslie's room, it was empty. So she hurried down the stairs and to the parlor hoping to find Ainslie there, but the woman was nowhere to be found.

Finally, she went to the great room, it too was empty. Everyone was probably in the courtyard to welcome the laird back. At the front door, she found Ainslie holding a handkerchief to her eyes.

"What is the matter?" Nala asked taking her friend by the shoulders. "Did something happen?"

Ainslie shook her head. "I dinnae ken why I am so weepy today. It is terribly sad that those men had to die. Is it not?"

"It is," Nala replied. "Ye must remember, they killed others and had to be punished. They knew what would happen if caught."

"I do understand," Ainslie replied with a shaky breath. "I tire of it. The senseless deaths."

Nala understood her friend. Ainslie was with child, and it tended to make women weepy. At least that was what her mother had told her.

Just then Cynden walked in. His eyes widened at seeing his wife's stricken face and he rushed to her. "Is something wrong?" The warrior took her into his arms, his handsome face pale.

When he met Nala's gaze, she gave him what she hoped was a reassuring smile. "Ainslie is sad that the men had to be executed."

"Do ye wish for some sweet mead?" he asked gently. Ainslie sniffed and nodded. The warrior lifted his woman up in his arms and carried her to the stairs.

Nala watched them and wondered if she'd ever find a man who would care for her as deeply.

"Nala," Alexander's deep voice startled her, and she whirled to see him standing next to the muscular man. "Do ye ken who this is?"

Swallowing past the dryness in her throat, Nala looked from Alexander to the other man, who watched her with interest, a warm expression on his ruggedly handsome face.

"Munro!" Nala threw herself at the warrior, lifting to her toes and pressing kisses to his cheeks. "Ye look so very different. Ye are huge."

Thick arms wrapped around her, and he lifted her off her feet then twirled in a circle, his rich laughter loud in her ears.

He placed her down with a gentleness that was surprising, then cupped her face, his green gaze taking her in. "Alex told me ye had become a beautiful woman. He didnae do ye justice. Other than my wife, a more beautiful woman I have never seen."

"Oh, aye," Nala said smiling widely. "Ye married a woman called Lila. Mother told me all about it. She and I planned to visit, but with all the attacks, it was too dangerous."

Munro kissed her brow. "I have missed ye, lass."

Too happy for words, she clung to Munro's arm as they made their way into the great room. "Ye must sit with me and talk once ye rest. I wish to hear all that ye have done since I left Skye."

His hearty laughter made Nala join in. "It would take long a tale to tell ye what occurred over the years ye were gone, lass," he stated.

People began streaming into the great room. Some were guests who'd come to witness the executions. They'd be there to eat and rest before continuing on to their destinations. Others, like her parents, came to show appreciation to Alexander.

Nala went to her mother, and they embraced. "I didnae ken ye would be here today." She motioned to Munro, who'd joined the others at the high board. "It is Munro."

Her mother nodded. "I ken dear. I have seen him several times since ye left." Her mother chuckled. "He is a gentle man for being so… big." They giggled as they made their way to where Lady Ross sat.

During the meal, Nala noted that Alexander was solemn. She supposed watching an execution was not something that lifted yer spirits. Yet, Lady Ross and the others didn't seem as affected.

When he walked from the room, Nala excused herself and followed him at a distance.

He walked down a short corridor, past his study then down another corridor. Nala had not been in that area of the keep, the corridor was dim and foreboding.

When Alexander hesitated near a door, Nala ducked into a hollow in the wall and waited a beat before peering out to see what he did. Alexander opened the door and walked into a room.

Nala strained to listen for any sounds, but it was silent. Finally, on tiptoes, she closed the distance between her hiding place and the room, the whole time keeping an ear out for any sounds.

Upon coming to the doorway, she peeked inside through the open door.

It seemed to be a healer's depository. A shelf holding jars of different sizes lined one wall. In the center was a narrow table, upon which rested scales, a mortar and pestle, and an array of tools such as knives, scissors, needles, and shallow bowls.

Through a small window, a bit of sunlight lit the room enough to see. Alexander pushed the shutter open wider and stood looking out, hands to his sides, still as a statue.

Nala watched him for a long moment, noting his powerful build and strong stance. He never seemed to relax, to allow himself moments of vulnerability.

Then he did. His shoulders rounded and he lifted his hands to cover his face. Alexander kept his head bowed, not making a sound. She wondered if he cried or prayed. Either way, it was not her place to intrude when he obviously sought to be alone.

She took a step backward, her shoe sliding against the stone floor. Nala froze. The sound, although soft, caught Alexander's attention and he turned, his red-rimmed eyes looked at her then he turned away without a word.

There were two choices. Stay and comfort him or leave him to his thoughts.

Nala turned away, but then she heard a long sigh, and it broke her heart. She walked to where he stood, came up behind him, and wrapped her arms around his midsection.

"I am here. Ye dinnae have to talk to me."

He sagged against her, his large frame heavy, but Nala didn't mind. The ten years they'd been apart melted, and it was as if they'd always been together. He wasn't just a strong formidable man, but he was her friend, her protector, the man whom she trusted more than anyone.

Alexander turned and she dropped her arms.

"If ye need to be alone…" Nala began.

He shook his head and took her hand leading her to a chair. Lowering to sit, he pulled Nala onto his lap and then hugged her tightly. "I am tired. That is all."

To her it seemed there was more to it. That something weighed so heavily, he could not bear it. "Today was hard for ye. I cannae imagine having to order the execution of men, no matter their sins."

Nala kept her voice even. "Ye did the right thing, Alex."

It was the first time she'd called him by name. Nala couldn't suppress the sweet feeling at how easily it had come to her lips.

In the depths of his eyes, she saw a storm. "A man pleaded for his life. Cried out that he had a wife and bairns. I almost ordered him to be released."

"People will say many things when pleading for their lives," Nala said.

Alexander continued, "Said he'd never taken part in any of the attacks. That he was nae involved. What if he told the truth?"

The fact he was laird meant Alexander could never show any remorse or doubts about orders given, especially at a time when the clan's people needed him to be at his strongest. They needed a leader who defended them at all costs. Without doubting himself. It was the only way to earn the respect and loyalty of his clan.

Nala cupped his face with both hands, the shading of his beard prickly in her palms. If not for the need to be strong for him, she would have acknowledged how much she wanted to kiss him.

"What if he lied? Ye can ask questions about it until the end of time. What we do ken is that the men he rode with killed without mercy. Ignored the pleas of the people they slaughtered. What of that man Edgar? That he had a family didnae spare his life. Aye, perhaps this man never took part, but he knew them and knew what they did. That he kept silent meant he did take part."

The corners of Alexander's lips twitched. "When did ye become so wise, lass?"

Warmth heated her cheeks, and she looked away. "I am nae wise."

"Ye called me Alex," he pressed on. "I dinnae believe ye have done it since ye were wee."

"I have always called ye Alex," Nala insisted. "Even if nae out loud."

The air shifted as they looked at each other. It was suddenly awkward that she sat on his lap. She wasn't sure if she should jump up or slide away slowly. She'd meant to comfort him, and it had felt natural, but now it felt different, much too intimate.

"Alex, I think…" She stopped speaking noting the heat in his eyes.

Alex pressed a soft kiss to her lips. "I am glad ye came. Feeling bad for myself does nae accomplish anything."

"We all feel that way every so often," Nala acquiesced, her voice hoarse in her own ears.

Once again, he kissed her. "Do ye wish for it?"

Nala's lips parted as her breath caught. "Do I wish for what?" Her mind was scrambled, she couldn't think about anything other than having his mouth on hers again. His hands on her. His body against hers.

"Us," Alexander replied taking her mouth with so much hunger, she let out a soft moan. It was what she wanted more than anything in her life. Him. She wanted him.

It wasn't in her nature to skirt direct questions—unless necessary—and for a second, Nala considered it. In the end, she was honest.

"I do," she replied wrapping her arms around his neck and looking straight into his eyes. "I want ye Alex. All of ye."

Their mouths collided, Alex pressed his tongue at the seam of her lips, and she parted them, gladly, so he could plunge in. Their tongue twisted and turned, in a way she'd never tire of.

Needing to feel his skin, she slid her hand under his tunic, not satisfied until touching his bare skin. Her palms traveled up his broad back and then down to his sides. The taut muscular hills and valleys were like no other man's she'd known.

Alexander's husky moan was like sinking into warm water. When he trailed his mouth from hers, down the side of her throat, and on further. Nala arched her back, her hands continuously caressing his back.

The strings that held her bodice together fell away easily when he pulled them. Scant seconds later, the cool air of the room touched her bared breasts and Nala shivered. Not from the cold, but the sensual sensation it stirred within her depths.

"Ye are perfect," Alex murmured, his face between the mounds, suckling and licking from one breast to the other. He took the tip of one into his mouth, his tongue circling it until Nala could scarcely breathe. Trails of desire streamed up and down her body and she turned to straddle him.

The feel of his evident arousal stoked the embers of desire until they took on a new life, blazing out of control.

"I need ye," Nala gasped. "Please Alex." She rubbed against him, and Alex's head lifted taking her mouth again.

Grasping her bottom, he ground against her, his breathing coming in harsh breaths. "I cannae. Ye ken I cannae."

"Please?" Nala demanded, then let out a gasp when he lowered her to the floor.

"I will help ye find relief," Alex said, then pulled his tunic off over his head before lowering to lay with her.

The feel of his skin against her breasts was as close to heaven as she felt she could go while alive. Perhaps being fully his would be the only thing better.

Then he took her mouth with his and she drank him in greedily while running her hands up and down his back, never tiring of the feel of his skin.

Alex pulled her skirts up and ran his hand up her inner thigh, his fingers caressing the sensitive skin slowly in circles marking trails of delight.

It didn't help douse her desire but had the opposite effect. Did the man know what he was doing? He said he would help her, instead as a result of his caresses, she was like a burning inferno.

Just as she was about to tell him to stop, he reached the apex between her legs, his fingers delving between her sex, sliding up and down through her moistness. Nala trembled as the heat became so intense, she thought it would consume her.

When she gasped, Alex lifted to look at her then lowered his face against hers.

"Allow me," he whispered against her ear.

"Aye," she whispered.

Somehow, he splayed her open with one hand while stroking the nub at her center. Nala bucked up into his hand, the sensations so overwhelming that she called out his name.

Alex took her mouth and began moving his finger over the perfect place. A place she never knew existed and suddenly she didn't care if the fire consumed her, Nala gave in to it.

The room spun and she lost control, clinging to him as every part of her being came to life. Stars exploded behind her lids and when she let out a cry of pleasure Alex's mouth covered hers and muffled the sound.

He continued the assault until she plummeted once again, this time not as wildly, but just as wonderfully.

Then he pressed soft kisses over her face until her breathing slowed.

Nala clung to him, her fingers digging into his back as she reveled in the wonder of what he'd done to her.

"Nala, look at me." Alex sounded worried. "Are ye mad at me?"

A burst of laughter escaped when she opened her eyes to find him looking as if he'd just done something horrible and was prepared to be punished.

Nala pressed a kiss to his parted lips. "Why would I be mad at the man who just showed me what paradise truly is?"

Relief spread across his handsome face. "Ye are truly an astonishing woman." He rolled to his back, both lying on the floor staring up at the ceiling.

When she peered down at him, his arousal remained quite obvious. "Do ye need help with that?"

He shook his head. "I think it's best we go from here before someone comes looking for ye."

Alex stood and pulled her up, then he expertly tied the stays of the blouse before giving her an appraising look. "Perhaps ye should do something with yer hair."

"Ye will nae act differently when around me, will ye?" Nala asked in what she hoped was a casual tone. In actuality, her heart continued to flutter in her chest, and she had to fight to not throw herself into his arms and demand he kiss her again.

At the same time, if Alexander began looking at her differently, it would be obvious that they'd shared a very private moment. Nala blew out a breath, could she keep an expression of indifference when around him?

"Differently?" He looked puzzled.

"Aye," Nala said as she raked her fingers through her hair and began to twist the strands into a neat braid. "Ye ken those heated looks men give women they desire. Behave like before, ignore me for the most part."

He shook his head. "I didnae ignore ye."

She waved away his comment. "I think ye do." Suddenly her breath caught. "Oh, goodness, I just remembered. My parents are here."

Running out of the room and down the corridor as fast as she could, Nala dashed into the kitchens and grabbed a tray from a befuddled maid. "I will take this." She hesitated. "Where exactly were ye taking it?"

Walking into the great room, all she could think of was that everyone would notice her and see something different about her. There had to be something different as she'd never, ever been so overcome with passion.

Alexander had to be the most magical man who'd ever existed.