Highland Burn: Guardians of Scotland Book 1 Read online

  Nonsense. Abigale threw the cover aside and climbed out of bed.

  She paced in front of her window. James was here, why didn’t he say something? Abigale Bruce, ye didn’t give him much of a chance. She shook her head. “I’m going to Bothwell and far away from…him.” Saying it out loud stung. “Besides.” She folded her arms across her chest, “I won’t have to pack.” Her trunks had just arrived a few days ago from Castle Douglas, and there they sat—unpacked.

  Abigale quit pacing when she noticed something on her nightstand that wasn’t there before. Odd, she normally kept a candle and snuffer, nothing more. When she got closer to the nightstand, she saw a wooden statue of a horse. Taking the figure in her hands, she smoothed her fingers over the wood. “It’s Fergus.” Bewildered, she inspected it inch by inch. Every detail whittled into the birch was a testament to Fergus’s perfection. Every strand of hair and muscle was skillfully carved, even down to his hooves.

  “James,” she whispered.

  With the figurine in hand, Abigale raced to the door and down the corridor. She had to find James. Her curls bounced with each step she took, bare feet padded on cold stone floors as she opened every chamber door in search of the man she loved. What a fool she’d been. He’d come to her, and she had turned him away. Fool. Continuing her search, she raced down the stairs, through the great hall, and into the kitchen. But James was gone. He couldn’t be far; he was just in her chamber.

  Cold, damp air bit through her light linen shift. It didn’t stop her as she stepped back into the great hall. Only stopping to catch her breath, it dawned on her…the solar. He had to be in the solar.

  A soft glow of light filtered beneath the solar door. Abigale placed her hands on the cold wood, closed her eyes, and prayed he was in there. She gave the door a push and it opened. The room was lit by the raging fire in the hearth. No candles were lit, which left the corners of the room dark and eerie. As she opened the door further, she could see James sitting in a chair in front of the hearth with his elbows resting on his knees and his head in his hands. He looked deeply troubled. Her heart ached for him.

  Abigale shut the door. “Thank ye for my gift. ‘Tis beautiful.” Her voice shook a little.

  Startled, James’s looked up. “Abigale?” He must have been in deep thought, for he'd not heard her enter the room.

  “I’m sorry for blaming ye for Fergus’s death. It was wrong of me and I hope ye can forgive me."

  “Aye, I forgive ye, but I dinnae blame ye for being upset. I should have told ye sooner what I was.”

  Abigale joined him by the hearth. Her beautiful, wicked Highlander raked his whisky-colored eyes over her body.

  James cleared his throat. “I was wondering when ye plan on leaving for Bothwell?”

  What? Abigale was confused. She’d never mentioned leaving. Oh no. Abigale’s throat went dry. Could dragons read minds? Had James read her mind?

  “I saw yer trunks were packed and…well…I—”

  “Nay. My trunks arrived when I was taking care of ye.” She paused. “Ye thought I was leaving?”

  “Aye.” James’s face seemed to relax a little.

  “Well, I would be lying if I said the thought didnae cross my mind. I dinnae wish to leave.”

  Abigale could almost see his shoulders drop with relief at knowing she was staying. “Good, because I wouldn’t be able to let ye go. So, lass, why are ye here then?”

  The deep tone of his voice curled around her body, sending cold shivers over her skin. Knowing that he wanted her to stay gave her all the strength and courage she needed. With inches to spare between them, Abigale stepped in front of him. “’Tis like I said before, my laird, I came to thank ye.”

  “My lady, I must warn ye, when ye play with fire, ye get burned.” His eyes held truth, so she knew he meant every word he said.

  Abigale felt herself being pulled toward James until she straddled him on the chair. He rested his large hands on her hips, and she felt the strength of his grip—the depth of his desire.

  She traced her fingers along his face, noticing the coarseness of stubble along his jaw, reminding her that he was pure male. The scar under his right eye reminded her that he was a warrior wielding strength and power, and the softness of his lips reminded her of how soft his heart could be. He purred low and deep, relishing her caress, reminding her he was every bit a dragon.

  She loved this man with all her heart, even his rough edges and imperfections.

  “James, please forgive me for my cruel words. I didnae mean them.”

  He stared back at her. This close, she could see amber waves swirling in his eyes. “There’s nothing to be forgiven.”

  “But—”

  “Shh. Kiss me.” James took Abigale’s face in his hands and drew her into a soft kiss.

  He intensified the kiss. Her heart raced, sending molten lava through her veins. The fluttering in her stomach was back, making her core throb. These feelings were like nothing she had ever felt before. And she craved more.

  James gently tugged her hair causing her to break the kiss. He firmly gazed into her eyes. “Do ye love him?” A shadow of the menacing Black Douglas lingered on his face as he waited for her to answer.

  “Who?”

  James tightened his grip on her hair as the name passed over his lips. “Marcus.”

  Abigale brought her hands up and covered his, loosening his grip. She whispered over his lips, “I’m here with ye, James Douglas.”

  Strong arms circled her body, pulling her even closer. She slipped her hands over his broad shoulders and down his back until she reached the hem of his tunic. She pulled it over his head, throwing it to the floor.

  With soft lips, he kissed down the tender part of her neck just below her ear, leaving a blazing trail of heat behind. James yanked down her shift. The coarseness of his massive hands tenderly squeezing her breasts drove her daft, and just when she thought the torture would stop, he traced small circles around her nipples, turning those fluttering butterflies into flames.

  Continuing his delicious assault on her breasts, he took a nipple in his mouth and sucked until Abigale moaned in pleasure. Her body was his to command. Wanting more, she threw her head back, desiring more of his wickedness as he kissed, licked, and sucked her skin.

  Feeling an intensity billowing deep within her core, Abigale rocked her hips forward to relieve the ache. A soul-shaking growl rumbled through James, and before Abigale could react, her nightdress was ripped clean off her body. A rush of cold air pricked her skin, which only intensified the sensation. What was this man doing to her?

  Their hot bare skin touched, igniting a fire that set them ablaze. She wondered if he could feel how she burned for him, even though he still wore his kilt. As she moved her hips, James hissed and grabbed her arse and rubbed her sex against his cock. Abigale threw her hands into his long, black hair when he took her nipple into his mouth and nipped. A wave of heat spiraled through her body. Aye, Sister Kate was right… Highlanders were a wicked breed.

  “James,” Abigale moaned breathlessly, “what are ye doing to me?”

  “Och lass, do ye trust me?”

  She nodded. James slipped his hand between her legs and gently stroked, then gently slipped his finger deep inside of her, careful not to hurt her. Abigale sucked in a shaky breath.

  James looked up at her. “Did I hurt ye?”

  “Nay, and don’t ye dare stop,” Abigale commanded.

  James was more than happy to oblige.

  He was taking her down a blissful path. He knew exactly what to do and the exact time to do it, and he wasn’t even inside of her yet. By the saints, if she let go, she’d shatter.

  “Look at me, lass,” James whispered.

  Abigale shook her head. Her insecurity had crept up on her. Could she please him?

  He brought her head down so their foreheads touched. “Look at me, my bel ange.”

  Abigale opened her eyes to the most breathtaking man she’d ever seen.
<
br />   A man of raw power.

  A man of honor.

  A man who was a dragon.

  A man who did wicked things to her body that she enjoyed. She found a strength in his eyes that made all her worries fade away.

  “I want to see ye shatter, lass,” James whispered against her lips.

  As if on command, warmth tingled through her body and she indeed shattered. “By the saints,” she moaned and threw her arms around James’s neck as another wave of pleasure hit her.

  For a moment they held each other.

  “I’m not done with ye, lass,” James said.

  Abigale snaked her hands down his neck and grazed the thickness of his chest. “Just what do ye plan to do?” she teased.

  His eyes never leaving hers, he unbuckled his leather belt. Black fabric unfolded and fell to the side, revealing his hardened length.

  Abigale watched every move he made. She was curious and wanted to explore his sinful body, yet her eyes grew wide when she saw what lay between them. Abigale arched a questioning brow and looked at James, who was quite amused by her astonished reaction.

  “Dinnae worry.” He smiled. “We'll take it slow.”

  Abigale licked her lips nervously. “I trust ye.”

  * * *

  James took great pleasure in the sight before him, Abigale straddled him, her flawless skin blushed by his kisses. His bel ange. He was determined to make sure that Abigale's first time was going to be beyond anything she had ever dreamed of.

  James stood Abigale up so he could positioned himself between her thighs. He rubbed the tip of his length along the inside of her folds, giving her a feel of his cock. God’s Blood, her slick wet heat inspired fierce need in him.

  Slowly, she lowered herself. Abigale tensed and grabbed ahold of his shoulders. He paused for a moment. “Relax, love.” He smoothed his hand down her thigh. She slid down his shaft, letting him sink deeper.

  The smoothness of her breasts against his body made him shudder. The urge to thrust deeper nearly consumed him—he must be gentle. He sucked in a breath and stopped moving, afraid to hurt her.

  Abigale took his face in her hands. “Don’t ye dare, James Douglas. I want all of ye.”

  He groaned—he’d give her what she wanted—what he was dying for. With one hard thrust, he buried himself to the hilt. She sighed and moved with him, holding on to him. James felt his release building and grabbed her arse, pushing her toward a second release. Abigale threw her head back and succumbed to the pleasures James brought out of her. “Oh God, James Douglas," she screamed.

  His name echoed through the solar and straight to his cock, breaking him. He spilled his seed deep inside her.

  James would never have thought that surrendering to anyone would feel so sweet, but he felt content wrapped in her arms. His bel ange. No doubt about it, his beautiful wife was made for lovemaking. Passion shone through her deep blue eyes when she had shattered beneath his hands and he hoped he would see it again…soon.

  Abigale rested her head on top of James’s as he trailed his hands up and down her back. “Did I hurt ye?”

  Abigale lifted her head and smiled. “Can we do that again?”

  James cupped her face with his massive hands and grinned. “Aye, at least two more times tonight and then again in the morn.” He stood, cradling her in his arms.

  “And after we break our fast.” He kissed her as he walked toward a fur on the floor by the hearth. “Then again at midday." He kissed her as he carefully set her on the rug. “And how about sunset?” James wiggled his eyebrows before he trailed hot kisses down her neck.

  Abigale giggled. “My laird, I won’t be leaving our bedchamber.”

  “That’s the plan, lass.”

  19

  He was immortal; he was never-ending.

  Abigale couldn’t hide the smile on her face as her husband rested his head on her chest. She combed her fingers through his hair as she thought about the last round of lovemaking. He had made her body want and do things that would cause the devil himself to blush.

  As she listened to the sound of the fire crackling, she gazed into the flames, lost deep in thought. She stroked James’s hair as he rested his head on her chest. Questions lingered in her mind about dragons. Never would she have believed such nonsense, but she’d seen for herself the swirls in his eyes. There was no denying it, which left her mind consumed with one particular question. Could they have children?

  Another thought crossed her mind that gave her a mental shake. Magic? Aye, there was something magical about her wicked Highlander. There had to be some kind of magic pumping in his body, for no flesh-and-blood human had his healing abilities. Then there was the memory loss she had experienced. Two full days were left unaccounted for, and it still bothered her that she couldn’t remember how she arrived at Black Stone.

  Instantly, her body ignited as James ran his thumb over one of her nipples, sending a shiver down her spine. Indeed, dragons possessed magic. She closed her eyes and sighed.

  “What’s going on in that beautiful head of yers, bel ange? Ye seem far away." James kissed the top of her breast and trailed another kiss to her neck.

  “’Tis nothing.”

  “Lass, one thing I can no’ tolerate is lies. Tell me what troubles ye. Ask me anything, love, and I’ll answer.”

  Not wanting to know the answers about children quite yet, Abigale fumbled through what she was going to say. Dragon talk seemed outlandish, nothing more than a fairy tale.

  “Well…do ye…I mean…dragon…” Abigale let out a frustrated breath; she couldn’t form a coherent thought.

  “Ye mean to ask me if I have magical powers.”

  “Aye.”

  “Since I’m immortal, I have the ability to heal myself and I can heal others as well through a deep sleep.”

  Abigale sat up, resting her weight on her elbows. “I knew it. Ye healed my saddle wounds. That’s why I can no’ remember how I arrived at Black Stone.”

  “Aye, and before ye ask, aye, I spit fire.” James said sarcastically as he lay on his side stretched out on the fur facing her. The flames from the hearth cast a golden glow over her skin.

  Abigale laughed.

  Scooting over to him, she touched the scar under his right eye. He must be a magnificent dragon. It thrilled her, but it also scared her to know that a beast lived deep inside her husband. Could she accept it? The dragon was a part of James, and she knew without a doubt she loved him, but getting used to a dragon would take some time.

  Taking her hand in his, he kissed her palm. “What else ails ye?”

  “I can no’ imagine how painful it must be to know ye’ll outlive yer loved ones. Eternity is an awful long time to live.”

  James rolled onto his back, arm behind his head. He pulled Abigale tightly by his side. She fit perfectly.

  “And ye’ll have to watch me grow old and gray.” She frowned and took a deep breath before she asked the next question. "And what about our children, James? Will they be immortal?”

  “Abigale, as long as I’m alive ye will be immortal, but our children will not, unless one of our sons is chosen to become a guardian. I’m sorry." He held onto her tightly. “I know how much ye desire a family. This is why Dragonkine do no’ marry, because of their immortality.”

  Their children would be mortal? Abigale fell silent as she wondered if she could endure watching their children grow old while they stayed exactly the same age. She didn’t know what to think.

  “I understand if ye need some time to think this through but know one thing. I would rather live my life to the fullest with ye and our future children than spend my days without ye. I know now, I need ye, lass."

  Abigale’s heart plummeted to her stomach. He wanted a family. He needed her. She understood exactly what James was saying—to live his life to the fullest—and she could do that as long as James was by her side.

  Rolling onto her stomach, she looked down at her husband. “So, there’s a possibility of
wee bairns in the near future?”

  He exhaled like he was holding his breath, waiting for her to speak. “Aye, as many as ye want.” James smirked with the devil in his eyes.

  “Well, James Douglas, the man who never wanted a wife,” she mocked. “Seems like ye’ll have one for a very long time.” Abigale smiled and teased his chest with her fingertips.

  * * *

  James returned her smile and kissed her. Indeed, he had a bonny lass for a wife and took great pride in knowing he could give her the one thing her heart desired. Children.

  James broke their kiss. “There’s one more issue to discuss. Marcus. Promise me ye’ll stay away from him.”

  “James, he has been a friend to me. Ye have my heart.”

  James stared intently into her eyes. “Promise me."

  “I promise. But there’s one condition.” Now it was Abigale’s turn to make a request. “I want the girls to stay here with us until their parents come for them.”

  James grumbled in agreement. He would agree if it meant she would stay far away from Marcus.

  “Good.” James gave her the kiss she wanted. “And I dinnae want ye to leave Black Stone.” Slipping that one tiny request in could do no harm.

  “James—”

  “This is not negotiable,” he demanded. There was an enemy close at hand who made no qualms about wanting his life. It drove him mad that he wasn’t any closer to knowing who lurked in the shadows waiting to strike. Hopefully Magnus could obtain some insight from the dragon elders. That was if he was granted an audience. In the meantime, Black Stone was to be heavily guarded, and he would make damn sure he protected Abigale with his life.

  Abigale rolled her eyes.

  “My lady? Did ye roll yer eyes at me?” James teased her as if he was mad. “Do ye understand the punishment for such a display of rudeness?"

  Abigale lowered her gaze like she was being scolded, but her grin told a different story. “Nay, my Laird.”

  In one fluid motion, James pulled Abigale on top of him and covered her arse with his massive hands. Each cheek fit perfectly in his grip and he squeezed. “Punishable by spanking.” James wiggled his black brows.