Free The Magic of Highland Dragons by Kella McKinnon Page B

ye are my little brother that ye are no’ punished more often for all yer indiscretions. I swore to Dirc I’d keep her safe, and even though I’d rather dunk him headfirst into the bog right now, I always keep my vows.” He paused to push his hands through his hair in a gesture of impatience. “Aye, I’ll talk to her myself; it’s a good idea, Eian.” He let out a long breath. “I just dinna need a new problem taking up my time when Mored is so quickly gaining strength and men again. There have been so many more attacks recently…”
    Eian snorted, not in the least diverted. “There’s nay problem that I can see. Ye like the lass. Ye want her in yer bed. Her kin are no’ here, and it is yer duty to provide protection.”
    Bren raised an eyebrow, his brother was stating the obvious. “I would like to bed her, aye, and I have every intention of doing so, eventually”, he said matter of factly. But I have much greater responsibilities here Eian, as do ye”, he reminded. “Have ye done as I asked?”
    “I checked the outer wards this morning, aye. All is in order. We’ll need to be extra vigilant, though, with Beltane only days away.”
    Bren sat back in his chair, folding his hands behind his head and allowing himself to relax for just a moment. “Mmm, Beltane, my favorite time of year.” It was, too. The world was new again, a time of hope, of rebirth, of celebration. And of lush sensuality, when sex became even more an act of worship of the earth and its fertility. He loved the joys of the flesh; loved all things carnal. The anticipation, the scents and the pure intoxication of it. And of course the powerful pleasure of release. Come to think of it, it had been quite a while since he had had any release at all. That was probably part of his problem. Maybe even most of it. Hopefully a problem that would soon be remedied. He smiled.
    There was definitely something about Beltane time that lifted the spirit and restored the soul, but there was really only one woman he truly wanted to share it with this season.
    “I only hope I will no’ be too busy with other things to enjoy the night. But I dinna think there will be any attacks on Beltane, Eian. Mored would think of that, but he’s nay fool, he’ll assume we’ll be expecting him then. He’ll wait until sometime after, I think. Maybe even before, while we’re preparing. Anything to catch us unaware. Anyway, I plan on actually enjoying Beltane Eve this year, so he’d better keep far away from Creagmor. I willna be happy if anything interrupts my plans for the evening.
    Eian gave him a speculative look. “I’m glad ye will be taking the time to enjoy yerself this year, Bren. Ye need to do so more often. Maybe ye’ll be blessed with a child on whatever woman ye choose to go into the forest with. That would mean luck for the whole clan. We could use some extra luck.”
    Bren gave his brother a look of patient exasperation. “I have nay intention of getting a woman with child, Eian, this year or any year. I will not be populating the village with my bastards to be raised without a proper father. A child of mine will be just that, a child of mine . To be brought up by me .” He looked out the window for a moment, into the distance, where the sun was beginning to set behind the rugged hills. “I have never given a woman my seed, and I never will, unless the day should come when I am properly wed and can be a true father to any child that is created from the union.”
    Eian stared at him in astonishment, his mouth already hanging open. “Bloody hell, Bren. Ye’ve never… no’ once? Ever?”
    “Never.”
    “Jesu.”
     
    ***
    Faith just needed a few moments to herself. She was definitely not used to the constant crush of people everywhere in the castle her tasks required her to be. And so after the dinner things were cleared away, her job officially done for the day, she slipped out the back door for a much needed moment of solitude. Her head was