Chapter Twenty-Five

Alaric stood in front of Logan and Gavin Ramsay in the courtyard that evening. "Gavin, I love yer daughter. We handfasted while we were on patrol. I know this is late, but I'd like yer blessing for our marriage. I hope to marry her properly someday soon."

"Why wait?" Logan asked. Eli's grandsire stood with his arms crossed.

Alaric had expected that question, and the answer was not negotiable. "I'd like my brother to be able to stand by my side. He is unable to do so at present."

"I hope he is well when ye return. Have ye discussed where ye will live? I'm happy to see another Grant marry a Ramsay, but there is always the choice of which clan to live with."

"Honestly we havenae discussed it. We have time. But when I go to visit my brother, I hope Eli will come along. I'd like her to meet my family. She knows some, but family is important to me."

"Ye have my approval. Welcome to our clan," Logan said, clasping his shoulder.

Gavin looked shocked. "Da, ye feeling all right?"

"Aye, why?"

"Ye never approve men for yer granddaughters that quickly. I welcome ye also, Alaric. Ye must be a rare man indeed if Eli agreed to handfast with ye. Treat my lassie well. I'll be watching, but I know yer clan has the same code as we do, so I trust ye will treat her well." Gavin motioned them all inside. "A wee celebration. I'll find the breath of life for all of us."

"And some for yer mother, Gavin. She needs more."

They stepped inside just as Eli came out of her grandmother's chamber. She made her way straight to Alaric and wrapped her arms around his waist, laying her head against his chest.

Eli's mother, Merewen, joined them. "I'm glad we have that settled at last. I spoke with Alaric while ye were in with yer grandmother, Eli. I like him. It was as if he was waiting for ye."

Alaric let out a breath and said, "I was. I think we will make a good life together, but I'm sorry things are troubled here. I know it was tough to see Gwyneth that sickly, Eli. I'm sorry."

"I still hope she can recover," Eli said, stepping back from Alaric's embrace. "Mama, I'm going to speak with Aunt Brenna. Alaric, come with me, please?"

He nodded and took her hand. "Where is she?"

Merewen embraced him as they began to move away from the group. "Welcome to the clan, Alaric. Eli, I'm happy for ye, though I wish ye'd shared with me sooner. A mother likes to hear these things directly from her daughter."

"Mama, I haven't had time. The battle was difficult and seeing Grandmama was worse." She paused and leaned her head on Alaric's chest again. "I didn't even know I liked him until this last patrol."

"Eli, were ye crying?" her sire asked, tipping his head to the side.

She nodded.

"We've no' seen that in a long time, Alaric," Merewen said. "But ye've had reason to. We have spoken with Aunt Brenna, and she is trying everything she can. We fear she's run out of ideas and treatments for Grandmama."

"I wish to speak with her myself."

"Go then," Merewen said, waving them toward her chamber.

Alaric and Eli hurried across the great hall to the healing chamber. She opened the door and stuck her head around the corner looking for her aunt. "Aunt Brenna? May we come in? I would like to speak with ye about Grandmama."

"Come in, both of ye. And I hear ye have handfasted. Congratulations. Any Grant is welcome as a spouse here." She gave them both swift hugs before leading them to the small table in the center of the chamber. The walls were lined with pallets and cots. "I'm happy someone is keeping Quade's and my legacy going. A match between two powerful and wonderful clans. But I see the concern on yer face, Eli. Sit and we'll talk about Gwyneth."

Once they settled, Eli began questioning her aunt. "Is there no' something more ye can do for Grandmama?"

"I've tried everything. Nothing seems to be helping her at all. I've tried elderberry, wild sage, and chamomile. Jennie and I had made a nice mix of the three, and I've been using that. I dinnae know what else to do for her. Sometimes, there is nothing more I can do."

"What about Aunt Jennie? Can she no' come and try some of her treatments? Should I go ask her for help? There has to be something more we can do." Eli let go of Alaric's hand and was now rubbing her cheek so furiously that he thought she might tear the skin from her palms. He reached for her again and set her hand on his lap, using his thumb to draw circles in her palm in the hopes of calming her down.

Eli was a strong woman, but losing a grandparent was most difficult. When he'd lost his grandfather not long ago, he'd cried his heart out because it had hurt so much. He'd do anything to keep Eli from having to deal with loss just at this moment, on top of her first battle and their handfasting.

"Why do we no' go to visit Aunt Jennie to see if she's learned anything new," he suggested. "'Tis possible, is it no'? I've heard the monks receive news from traveling monks about treatments and new methods from Europe. True?"

Aunt Brenna's eyes lit up. "Aye. Aye. They do. In fact, 'tis where Aedan got her medicinal text long ago. They could have learned something new."

He looked to Eli for approval. "We could leave at first light on the morrow. I'd like to visit Els within a sennight. We could stop along the way and see if Aunt Jennie has anything to help yer grandmother."

"And if she does?" Aunt Brenna asked.

"If so, we'll return. We can escort Aunt Jennie back or bring ye whatever herbs she thinks will help. Then we'll go to Grant land."

Eli threw her arms around Alaric with enough force that she nearly knocked him off the stool.

"Thank you, Alaric," she said into his ear. She turned back to the healer. "As much as I want to leave right now, I'm too tired to get back on a horse until morning. Is there a place where Alaric and I can sleep alone and no' be bothered? Can we sneak out the back and sleep in some cottage without Grandda noticing?"

"Lass, if ye handfasted with him, Logan willnae bother ye. He'll want ye to spend time alone."

Eli frowned and rubbed her cheek. "But in my chamber, I'll feel odd," she whispered. "And Ysenda is next door."

Aunt Brenna said, "Aye, I understand. I believe I have just the place for ye. Follow me. I'll tell any who asks that we are going for herbs, and I'll lead ye to a lovely cottage."

Aunt Brenna led the way, and to Alaric's surprise, no one questioned where they were headed, all too busy listening to Tevis's description of the Battle of Skaithmuir. He had to smile—he guessed he would be doing the same when he reached Grant land. Everyone loved hearing about battles.

When they stepped inside the cottage, Alaric waited to see what Eli thought of it. It didn't matter to him where they slept as long as she was in his arms. He had a strong need to be with her, to caress her, share thoughts on all that had happened.

He didn't want anyone's opinion but his wife's.

His wife.

Eli said, "'Tis lovely, Aunt Brenna. Many thanks."

Aunt Brenna moved over to a cabinet and reached under the bottom shelf, pulling out a bottle of wine. "Raise a celebratory cup of this. I sleep out here on occasion in the warm months and keep it stocked with what I want. I have the place cleaned regularly. And there is always dried meat in the other cabinet. I can send a serving lass with something better, if ye like."

"Nay, please. We can find more on the morrow. I'm so tired that I feel like I will fall asleep standing up," Eli said, glancing at Alaric.

"If ye change yer mind, just send Alaric to the kitchens. On the morrow, come to the kitchen to find food for yer trip whenever ye are ready."

Eli gave her aunt a kiss and a hug, and Aunt Brenna left, closing the door softly behind her.

The moment they were alone, Eli grabbed Alaric, kissing him hard on the lips. He was happy to return it. They'd been too long unable to touch and caress each other. He teased her with his tongue, delving deep into her mouth, tasting all of her, and she followed his lead, doing whatever he did.

Even teasing his nipples. It didn't take long for him to respond to his wife, and her saucy smile let him know she'd noticed his erection.

"Ye like that ye have that power over me, do ye no', wife of mine?"

"I do, but I'll also apologize."

"Why?"

"Because I am exhausted. So if we dinnae hurry up, I'll fall asleep on ye for certes."

He scooped her up in his arms with a whoosh, swinging her wildly before depositing her on the bed. "Then we shallnae waste any time."

Alaric dropped his plaid to the floor and barely had the chance to remove his boots and trews before she reached for him, taking him in hand. "I missed ye."

He stayed her hand so he could help her out of her clothes and under the coverlet before he joined her in the bed. He had to admit she looked exhausted. "We can wait, Eli. We have many nights ahead of us."

She locked gazes with him and shook her head. "I need ye, Alaric. I need yer strength. I feel like I'm losing something powerful. I have to know I'll still have ye. Things have been too chaotic, too unpredictable."

He kissed her slowly, angling his mouth over hers, settling himself over her with his weight on his elbows. He kissed her lips, her neck, her ears, and trailed a path down her tender skin to the valley between her breasts, finally settling on her nipple. She arched her back and moaned, a sweet sound that went straight to his member.

"If ye moan like that much more, I'll lose my seed on yer leg and ye'll get naught."

She giggled and reached for him again, guiding him between her legs.

"Ye are ready for me? Are ye sure, lass?"

She nodded, that look she had about her telling him she was. And she was right. When he discovered how slick she was with her need, he entered her swiftly and only stopped when he was deep inside her. He whispered in her ear how much he loved her.

She whimpered and moved against him, pulling her knees up to take him deeper. Once she found her perfect position, placing him right where she wanted him, he thrust against her until they found their rhythm. They rocked together in sweet bliss until he reached down to bring her to finish quicker because he was so close.

As soon as she tightened around him, telling him she was climaxing, he went over the edge with a roar, and she shouted his name out, his orgasm bursting even more powerfully through him.

Hell, but they were great together. When they finished, he held still, enjoying being inside her for a wee bit more. When he began to shrink, he rolled off her and tucked her close.

He kissed her, but she didn't return the kiss.

Eli was fast asleep.