“I love you, Emily.”
Emily smiled, though her eyes did not open. “Thanks, Brig. That’s better than I deserve. You should go now. It’s getting close to sunrise, isn’t it? Take care of yourself.”
Brigid sniffed and rose to her feet, brushing back Emily’s hair from her forehead as she heard Mr. and Mrs. Neely approaching in the hall.
“I always do,” she whispered. “Good-bye.”
Brigid stumbled into her house just as she started feeling the pull of day. As soon as she did, her sleepy senses went on alert.
There was someone in her house! Old energy. And… panting?
She blinked once as Madoc bounded down the hall and pushed into her legs. She swayed and tilted. What was Madoc doing there? Deirdre had taken the dog back to Wicklow when she returned from Rome. Unless…
“You mutt.” She heard him call. “Don’t knock her over; it’s almost dawn. She’s probably exhausted.”
Carwyn was back.
A brilliant smile lit up her face when she saw him approaching. Her vision was swimming, but he was still the most wonderful sight in the world.
“Brigid?”
She was grinning like an idiot and still couldn’t speak. There were too many things to say and she was going to pass out on her face. How completely romantic and elegant of her. Luckily, Carwyn caught her in his arms and she took a deep breath of his scent. Dark earth and wind and a woody kind of spice. Home. She let out a breath and wound her arms around his neck as he lifted her up.
“We’ve rendered the woman speechless, Madoc.” He walked to her darkened bedroom, but not before securing the locks on the door behind her. “Well done. Enjoy the moment.”
“You’re here,” she finally whispered. “You’re safe. I missed you so much.”
Brigid felt him press a kiss to her forehead. “And the moment passes. Forgive me for breaking in, love. I couldn’t wait to see you. Thought you’d be home earlier.”
“I was at the hospital. Emily… my friend is sick.”
His voice was soft as he tucked her into bed. “I’m so sorry, love.”
She pulled on his hand. “Stay with me.”
Carwyn winked. “If you insist.”
“I insist.”
He slipped in behind her and wrapped her in his warm arms. She felt his breath as he buried his face in her hair and sighed in relief. It was right. She didn’t care about anything else anymore. The world, the church, their families. They could think what they wanted. Carwyn was exactly where he was supposed to be, and she was never letting him go.
Brigid whispered, “Two dozen sheep and a… draft horse, Carwyn.”
“What?” She heard him laugh at her.
“Sheep. Horse. Ask… Deirdre.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Us. Silly. Marry you. You forgot already.”
“Brigid?” His voice sounded so far away.
She sighed and let the dark envelop her. “Love you…”
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Dublin, Ireland
January 2013
He was frozen, staring at the top of her dark head as she sank into sleep.
“Brigid?”
Carwyn blinked and shook her shoulder. What was she talking about?
“Sheep. Horse…”
He poked her side. “What did you say?”
“Marry you. You forgot already… Love you…”
His heart raced, but she was utterly and completely still.
“Brigid Connor, you can’t say things like that and then fall asleep!”
He rolled her over and stared at her. “Did you just agree to marry me?”
No response.
“I think you did. Did you?”
She was sleeping the sleep of a baby vampire.
“Aargh!” He rolled over on his back and stared at the ceiling.
“Love you…”
He rolled back toward her and narrowed his eyes. “Are you really sleeping or are you teasing me?” He poked her side. “Brigid?”
She lay completely still. She wasn’t even breathing. He poked her once more. Again. He might have lifted her eyelid, just to be sure.
“Brigid Connor!” he yelled. She didn’t even flinch. He glanced at the clock. Seven in the morning. She wouldn’t wake for another twelve hours.
“Twelve hours…” he muttered. “Twelve hours?”
Carwyn ran a frustrated hand through his hair and rolled her on her side so he could face her. Madoc stood on the other side of the bed with his head propped on her hip. Carwyn glared at him. “Back off. You’ve already shared her bed.”
He gathered her into his arms, kissing her forehead and singing her name in a coaxing voice. “Brigid, wake up. I brought you something very silly from Florence. Wake up, love. Please…”
Carwyn peppered her face with kisses. He begged. He bargained. And Brigid was just as asleep after twenty minutes of his most concentrated efforts. He rolled out of bed and resisted punching the wall.
“I travel hundreds of miles—in a boat!—and you tell me you love me… I think. And maybe agree to marry me. I think? And then you fall asleep.” He groaned. “Oh, wake up, Brigid.”
He sighed and collapsed on the bed next to her. “You’re not waking up are you?”
He knew, logically, that she wasn’t going to wake. It had taken him decades to wake during the day. Even now, it still took effort during parts of the afternoon. A vampire as young as Brigid wouldn’t wake for at least twelve hours. He would have to be patient.
“Love you…”
“Oh, Brigid.” He settled next to her and cuddled her sleeping body into his chest. “I’m yours. Completely.” He kissed her forehead. “Utterly yours. Even if you’re sleeping.”
Madoc gave a mournful sigh on the other side of the room and Carwyn glanced at him.
“Agreed, my friend, this didn’t fit my plan, either.”
Wait, she’d said something about Deirdre…
Deirdre would still be awake, and no doubt she’d be happy to hear that he was back in the country. She hadn’t been in Wicklow when he’d visited to pick up the dog. He’d traveled up from Waterford after catching a boat in Genoa. Days on a freighter. Days waiting to claim his woman. Only to have her stumble in the door and fall asleep almost immediately. At some point, he was sure to see the humor in the situation.
Eventually.
Restless, he eventually got up and prowled around her small house. The windows had all been equipped with automatic shutters, so he could snoop at his leisure. He poked through her bookcases, randomly offering commentary to the sleeping woman and the dog, who trailed after him, looking on accusingly.
“What?” he scowled at the wolfhound. “If she didn’t want me to snoop, she would have stayed awake.”
The dog huffed.
“Fine, she has no control over that. I’m just being nosey. Aw, love, look at that.” He smiled when he saw a picture of himself and Ioan taken ten years before on a trip to Wales. “Where did you find that? Wicklow, no doubt. Maggie probably sent a copy to Deirdre.”
There were a few more mementos from her childhood. A picture of Brigid in a dance costume. One of her and a friend at university. “Look at your hair, Brigid… It was so long. You were so darling.”
Carwyn puttered and poked around the house, grabbing a pint of blood from the refrigerator before he decided to call Deirdre and catch up on the most recent news. After a conversation that made him worry and laugh in equal measure, he lay back down next to Brigid, rife with plans for the coming night. Finally, he closed his eyes and prayed that the hours would fly.
He heard her stir before she woke. He rolled over and watched her eyes flutter open, smiling when he saw the grey-brown gaze meet his own. He’d been patient all day.
Patience had run its course.
He scooted down and placed a soft kiss on her lips. They barely moved against his own.
“Brigid?” he whispered. “Can you hear me?”
Just
barely, she gave a nod, a smile ghosting over her lips. Which he kissed again before he scooted down and kissed her neck. Her skin was delicious.
“You’re really here,” she murmured.
“I am. Now, darling, I know you’re still sleepy, but I should inform you that two dozen sheep and a draft horse are being delivered to the farm in Wicklow as we speak.” He glanced over his shoulder at the clock as he felt her tense beneath him. “Actually, I believe they’ve already arrived.”
She frowned. “Carwyn…”
“And since the bride price has been met, and I am back in the country, we can now be married. Don’t worry, I’ve already spoken to Deirdre and your aunt. Obviously, they’re disappointed not to be able to attend the wedding, but since we’ll be married immediately…” He trailed off, teasing her collarbone with his lips and anticipating the howling protest that he’d face as soon as she roused to full consciousness. “They gave their blessing anyway.”
Her voice was a little louder and her hands reached up to his head. “But Carwyn—”
“Ah ha!” He looked up at her with a grin, pausing in his exploration to watch her. “Speechless. You’re obviously as excited as I am.”
“Hello to you, too!” Her fingers tightened in his hair, pulling at the roots as she narrowed her eyes. “You’ve got this all figured out, haven’t you? Been plotting all day?”
“Maybe a little.”
“And on the trip here?”
“There was a boat. Lots of time to think on a boat.”
An evil gleam lit her eye. This was going to be fun. “So, you mean to say we can be married right away?”
“Oh yes.” His face was the picture of innocence. “No need to postpone the imminent joy.”
She cocked her head to the side thoughtfully. “I think you’re on to something.”
“Currently, I’m on you.” He wiggled his eyebrows. “And quite happy about it.”
“Careful. You’ll have to confess.”
His mouth dipped down to skim over her shoulder. “No need. I plan to honor the marriage bed.” A low rumbling sound grew in his chest. “Very, very thoroughly.”
She pulled on his ear to bring his eyes back to hers. “Excellent idea. It’s hardly orthodox, but I can’t imagine you’ve forgotten the ceremony.” She snickered. “Even if you are somewhat distracted at the moment.”
He was fully expecting her to punch him at any moment for his presumptions. He grinned anyway. “Exactly!”
“Well then, Father Carwyn.” She scooted down to meet his mouth, kneading her hands into his shoulders and distracting him as she mumbled, “Proceed.”
“What? Right now?”
“Oh yes. The collar, let’s face it, is kind of kinky.” She pulled away, purring. “Oooh, do you have it with you?”
“Um…” He frowned. She wasn’t reacting at all as he’d expected. “Brigid, what—”
“It’s okay if you don’t. You can always put it on later.”
He frowned. What was she playing at? “Brigid—”
She pulled back and her eyes met his with feverish excitement. “Do you think you could find me a nun’s habit?”
Carwyn reared back as if she’d burst into flames. “Now, wait just a moment! Some things really are…” Then he trailed off when her mouth spread into a grin. “You’re such a brat, Brigid. Don’t tease me about nuns. They’re frightening, holy creatures.”
She burst into laughter. “Well, good to know there are no latent fantasies going on there.”
Carwyn tackled her, rolling them over so that she was lying on top of him. He looked up at her. “Say it again,” he said softly.
She frowned. “Do you think you could find me a nun’s habit?”
Carwyn reached down and pinched her ass. It was, he had to admit, a very nice ass, so he soothed it with a greedy hand. “Not that! What you said…” He brought her face down to his and placed a lingering kiss on her mouth. “Before you fell asleep.”
She let out a deep satisfied sigh. “Two dozen sheep, a stout draft horse, and I’m yours, you ridiculous man. I love you.”
He’d known it, but hearing her say it was different. “Again.”
“I love you.”
He sighed in contentment. “Once more.”
“You’re insatiable. I love you.” She kissed his chin. “I love you.” Bit his earlobe as he groaned. “Mad, foolish man. I’m in love with you, Carwyn ap Bryn.”
Carwyn dove in deep, seduced by her burning lips as they moved against his own. He was already aroused almost painfully when she arched her hips against his. “Brigid, we should probably—”
“Were you serious about the sheep?”
He snorted. “What? No. I don’t have random livestock handy, I’m afraid.”
“Too bad. I do want to get married, and tonight is as good a time as any.”
Carwyn said, “Very funny.”
“Do you think I’m joking?” He blinked as she began to tug at the T-shirt covering his torso. “I want to marry you, Carwyn. Why wait?”
She laid burning lips over the scars on his chest. It was getting harder and harder to think straight. “Brigid… wait.”
“Why?” She pulled away, suddenly blinking back tears. “I thought I was going to lose you,” she whispered. “Those months I didn’t get any news, I thought I would lose you, and you would be gone, and I’d never get the chance to tell you.” She kissed his lips, a tinge of desperation flavoring them. “I’d never get the chance to show you that I love you. I knew a year ago, and I didn’t tell you then. I don’t even remember why.”
“Brigid…” He reached up a hand to stroke along her cheek, soothing her. There were still tears in her eyes.
“And the collar? I don’t care about it anymore. I’ll marry you, Carwyn. We’ll figure it out. I walked in my house this morning and you were here. And it was right. And I want to see you there every night and every day. If that means that we have to be married privately, we’ll do it. If that means we have to move somewhere—”
“Brigid.” He put a hand over her lips and smiled. “I would never hide you. And also… I—I’m not exactly a priest anymore.”
She halted. Blinked. “Wha—what?”
“I’m not a priest. I’ve left the priesthood. The pope even gave me his blessing.”
She was frowning. “But… when did you…”
“I knew before I went to Rome that I was leaving the church.”
Suddenly, confusion turned to something else. “You knew in March?”
“Um…” Did he not mention that to her? Right. He’d forgotten about that. Well, this would be interesting.
“In March?”
That probably wasn’t the best way to tell her. Still… she was rather stunning when she was angry. He could feel the heat coming off her skin.
“March! I put up with months of guilt and mental anguish over violating the tenets of my childhood faith—”
“Well—”
“And you already knew?”
Yep. Madder by the minute. How did one distract a righteously angry woman?
“You knew you were leaving and—”
Carwyn grabbed her and kissed her, fully expecting her to injure him in some way. Really, though, it would be worth it. He was aching for her. He dove into her mouth, hoping that would keep her from berating him more. She tried to speak, but finally gave a groan and surrendered to it. Mouth. Hands. Her legs tangled up in his as he rolled over and pressed her into the bed.
Finally, he pulled away, panting. The anger in her eyes was gone, replaced by an edgy hunger that mirrored his own. Oh, he wanted her. A thousand years of desire began to curl in his belly. “I should have told you that I was considering it months ago, but I was being stupid and stubborn, and I wanted you to choose me as I was. I should have told you, Brigid.”
She rolled him onto his back, straddling him, and the heat built on her skin wherever he touched. Her neck. The small of her back. He sat up and slid shaking han
ds along the soft hair at the nape of her neck as she said, “I should have told you I loved you. Loving you was never a sin. I was scared of so much more than that. It was just an excuse.”
“I think I knew that,” he said. His heart pounded as his fingers dug into the soft flesh of her thighs. “But I’m still glad you said it. Brigid, I’m… impulsive.”
“I know.”
“Stubborn.”
“We won’t be bored.”
He couldn’t stop the laugh. “I’m crazy in love with you.”
A gorgeous smile spread over her face. “I know that, too.”
“You deserve—”
“You.” She pressed her lips to his in a lingering kiss. “I deserve you. For all eternity, I deserve you.”
He smiled. “You really want to marry me?”
Her eyes met his with wicked light. “Oh yes.”
“Right now?”
“Now.”
“I… suppose I can agree to that.” Carwyn rolled her under his body, pushing her hands over her head as she arched back into the bed and he began to lick and nibble along her skin. He didn’t care about witnesses. Brigid would be his before God, and that was all he desired.
She was his. He was hers. That was all, and it was everything.
“Marry us, Carwyn,” she whispered into the dark room. “There’s no reason to wait.”
He chuckled and let his fingers push her T-shirt up, revealing a belly button pierced with a thin gold ring. Carwyn licked his lips and bent his head, tugging on the decadent gold and closing his mouth over the flesh to suck as her shivering energy leapt in excitement. “Well, I don’t know.” His tongue played with the ring as she moaned. “You haven’t spent much time courting me, Brigid.”
“Call me a modern girl, but I’m not paying more than a dozen sheep for you.”
He laughed against her skin, then halted and cocked his head, looking at her carefully. Despite the mischievous look in her eye, there was a resolute confidence, as well.
“You’re sure of this.” It wasn’t a question.
“I am. Getting cold feet now?”
He pulled away and looked at her. She was laid out before him like a gift. She was a gift. A heart created to love him. A mind to match his own. A body made to be worshiped. And a soul burned, but never destroyed. The fires that had touched her life had only refined her, molding her into the woman she had become. Strong. Loving. Courageous in ways that he could only imagine.