FLAME ACROSS THE HIGHLANDS (31 page)

Ian
groaned softly, the blood pounding thickly in his head.  His hold on her hips tightened as the throbbing shaft of his maleness possessed her again and again,  moving up and down with the waves. Instinctively, Brianna tightened her legs around him certain she could never withstand the ecstasy that was engulfing her body. It was as if the night shattered into a thousand stars, bursting within her.  Arching her hips, she rode the storm with him.  As spasms overtook her she dug her nails into the skin of his back whispering his name.

A sweet sha
ft of ecstasy shot through Ian and he closed his eyes whispering her name. Even when the intensity of their passion was spent they still clung to each other, unable to let this magical moment end.  They touched each other gently, wonderingly.

"Now you are truly my lassie! 
My
wife.  And such a passionate one you are." He nibbled playfully at her ear.

"Am I now?  And are ye not pleased?"

"Aye! But not surprised."  Indeed, Ian was not surprised by the passion she expressed.   Her lovemaking was as fiery as her hair.  Indeed, she made love with all the same daring that she lived.  She was a sensual woman who was more than his equal in passion, the perfect mate.

Brianna
shivered again, but this time it was from the cold.  A chilling fog was slowly engulfing the curach.  She smiled as Ian  massaged her body with slow, lingering movements , bringing warmth with his touch.  It promised to arouse them to each other again, but he shook his head regretfully, pulling her gown over her head, helping her into her garments.

"Though I would like nothing better than to make sweet love to you forever, I had best look to where we are going."  Tilting his head he looked up a
t the sky.  “I do not like it at all.  A dratted fog is rolling in. It will detain us. By my calculations, however, we are right on coarse."  He kissed her lips gently, then hurriedly dressed himself.  Bundling her in the warmth of his plaid, he held her close.  "Try to sleep, Brianna.  It's been a harrowing day and you must be near exhaustion."

She laughed.  "Aye.
Making love is strenuous, Ian dear.  Ye should hae told me.  But are ye sure ye want  me to sleep."  She touched his lips in  a smiling kiss, then pulled away.

"Nae!"  His eyes roamed up and down her body, remembering the pleasure he had found there.  "I do not want ye to, but ye must.  And I must tend to navigating this wee ship if I am going to get you back to Ulva safely."  An incredibly tend
er expression crossed his face. "You are the most precious thing in my life, Brie."  Unexpectedly he gathered her close against him, shuddering as their bodies embraced, but then he pulled away. "Now, do not tempt me.  Close your eyes and when you awaken you'll be back at home. Our home if I have my way."

Though Briann
a would have argued she gave in to his plea. The gentle sway of the curach rocked her, and sooner than she might have thought she settled into a deep sleep, welcoming the warmth of Ian's arms as he at last gathered her close again.             

PART THREE:   A Lover’s Tryst

The Isle of
Staffa

“But pleasures are like poppies spread;

You seize the flow’r, its bloom is shed!

Or like the snow-fall in a river,

A moment white-then melts forever.”

Burns –
Tam O’Shanter

Chapter Forty

A spray of ocean mist splashed into Brianna’s face, awakening her. She stirred, stretching her arms and legs in slow, easy motions.  Feeling warmth against her flesh, she opened her eyes, remembering all that had happened.  Not Robbie but
Ian
was beside her.  It had not been a dream after all!  Ian was sitting  beside her, his steady breathing rustling the strands of her hair. Her heart quickened as she turned her eyes in his direction.

"Good
morrow!"  Ian felt an aching tenderness.  She looked so young, so vulnerable snuggled up against him. He felt a tightening inside. Just looking at her rekindled a fire deep within him.

Brianna flushed under the scrutiny of his eyes as the passion they had shared passed between them. “I thought perhaps I had been dreaming.”

“Nae, it was real. You are here with me, and I will never let you go!” Bending forward, grasping her shoulders, he kissed her long and lingeringly, running his hands through her hair, whispering that she was and always would be his treasure. When at last he broke away he was smiling. “I’m glad you are with me.”

“So am I.” Her hand found his and squeezed tightly.
  "Where are we?"  Sitting up, she stared out at the sea. A sea mist engulfed them, a blinding swirl of white.

"I wish I knew.  Somewhere off
Mull I believe."  He tried to keep the tone of his voice calm for more than the fog concerned him. The wind was starting to blow, and though it would push out the fog, he didn't like it.  A fiercesome storm was brewing.  He could read it in the  churning of the sea, smell it in the air.  Instinctively, he gathered her into his arms as if to protect her from what was to come.

"Ian, what is it?  I feel a
tenseness in yer body that wasna there last night.  Ye are worried."

"There is going to be
quite a gale.  We'll have to brace ourselves, that's all."  He stroked her hair again, remembering last night.  Never had he realized that love could be like that, such a shattering ecstasy as to be almost pain.  And then this morning it was a gentler emotion, such an overwhelming need to protect her that he would give up his own life for her. That is how he felt at this moment.  No matter what happened to him he would protect Brianna.

"I hate storms!  When I was a child my father told me that they were caused by huge sea beasties growling.  And yet when I am in yer arms I hae no fear."  Reaching up she touched his cheek with her fingers.  "I feel safe wi' ye
, my love."

"Brie!"  He cupped he
r face with his hand, kissing her soft open lips.  Like a flower opening to sunshine, she moved her mouth upon his, feeling again the wondrous enchantment of the night before. 

Lifting her arms, she encircled his neck and wound her fingers in his damp, dark hair, clinging to him, wanting him to love her again. "'Tis too bad that it is so chilled this morning for I long so to be naked in yer arms."

"Oh?" Ian's hand reached out to caress her, sliding his fingers over the soft mounds of he breasts.  Her body, pressed  so tightly against his, drove him beyond all thought, all reasoning.  "The cold should be no problem to those in love.  I'll show you."  Lifting up his shirt and her gown, he caressed her bared flesh against his own. His hand moved over her body from shoulder to thigh, caressing the flat plain of her belly, then moved to cup her breast.  “I can keep you warm. See?" The warm safety of his arms was a blissful haven from the storm.

"Aye...."  Oh how she loved the feel of her bare breasts against his chest.  She arched against him in sensual pleasure.  He had initiated a hunger in her that she had never e
ven known existed, a desire for him that could only be appeased by blending with him  as they had last night. Her whole world was Ian, now and forever more.  She  closed her eyes, sighing as he took her mouth in a hard, deep kiss.  For a long time she relished being close to him, just being held by him.

“Oh, my darling lass. I love you so much!” he whispered huskily. The words trailed off as his mouth traced a pattern of fire on hers. Their lips caressed and clung, smiled against each other as they held each other tightly.

Ian’s hand moved down her stomach and into the soft flesh between her thighs. Tremors shot through her in pulsating waves. She lifted her hips, seeking him, then she felt his hardness, entering her. Remembering the rhythm of passion they had created before, it was Brianna who took the lead, moving her hips against him, caressing  him in a way that carried him with her on a wave of passion. He heard her moan of pleasure as they came to a climax at the same time. The whole world seemed to be rocking crazily, like an enormous wave crashing over them.  Only the harsh recognition that it was indeed the sea and not their mutual desire that was causing the tumult, brought them back to reality.

"By Saint Michael...!"  Ian
pulled away from her, sat up and looked around him, peering out at the ocean, straining his eyes for any sight of land.  "The storm!  Never have I seen one take shape so quickly.  He damned himself for being taken unaware, for letting his attention wander from the boat for even a moment when he had known a storm was coming.  But Brianna had been so tempting.                             

"Are the water beasties angry?" 

"Angry and threatening.  We're going to have to weather out the storm, Brianna.  What ever happens, no matter what, hold on to the side.  Do you hear me?"

"Aye!"  Her heart lurched in her breast
as she realized fully the danger they were in.

"Even if...if something should happen to me, do not let go.  Do you understand.  You will be safe as long as you stay inside.
The curach is sturdy. It will float. Remember!"

Brianna nodded, holding on to Ian as tightly as she could, praying that the fearful gust of wind and
  turbulent waves would soon abate.  Oh, how she wanted to be on land again.  Never would Ulva  and  the MacQuarie side of Mull seem so dear.

The small boat rocked from side to side as the ocean pounded viciously against the stern.  Ian look
ed nervously over his shoulder. "Dear merciful God," he whispered. Pulling away from her he picked up the oars that lay in the bottom of the boat. 

"What is?  Tell me, what is wrong?" Alarm rang through her, hurrying her heart, jangling her nerves and stretc
hing her courage to its limit. He confided in her, counting on her bravery. "The fear gnaws at me that we are off course and heading ashore.  I got to stabilize our course."

"Ashore?"  The  dark gray rocks up ahead seemed to be drawing them, pulling them.
Staffa! Brianna knew the danger of capsizing upon the jagged rocks. Staffa was an island to be avoided at all costs! She cursed her impetuous nature which had led them into this travail.  It had been her idea to sail to Ulva.  Now perhaps her daring would be the death of them both. "What can I do to help."

"Just sit quiet!'

"I willna just sit by and be swallowed by the waves!  Tell me, Ian."  She crept  cautiously towards him on hands and knees, intending to help him at the oars. A violent wave sent her sprawling, unbalancing the boat as she hit the side. 

"Brianna
!" On both sides of the boat the treacherous sea flung itself in massive crests, the spray whistling into the air. The rumble of the water  was so loud it caused the boat to vibrate. “Are you all right?”

“Aye! Oh, Ian, what are we going to do?”

“Stay clear of the rocks,” Ian shouted. “Perhaps I can steer the boat. The roar of another wave drowned out his words. 

Suddenly the boat capsized and Brianna
was hurled into the air by a giant wave. A scream tore from her throat as she felt herself hit the water. She was engulfed in icy blackness.  "Ian!"  Blindly floundering about, she searched for him in the watery prison. No! This could not be happening. “Ian!” She choked out his name between mouthfuls of sea water. Where was he?

Taking a deep breath, she plunged into the water’s depths, searching
beneath the boat. There was no sign of Ian. Had the water beasties captured him? Was he even now being taken to their lair? In agonized fear for him she cried out his name. She wanted them to take her too. She couldn’t live without him!

Frantically fighting the water, Brianna renewed her search, but he had vanished. He was
gone
. The burden of his fate was like a weight. She had cajoled him into bringing her here. He had stolen the boat just to get her back to her island. Now he had been devoured by the storm. “Ian!”

The watery prison seemed almost endless as she seemed to eternally put one arm before the other, fighting for survival.  Somehow she had to hope that Ian was struggling just as hard, that he was even now swimming for the shore. 
She didn’t want to believe that death had been his fate. No! Oh, please let that be the answer. He was struggling toward the shore just as she was now.

She fought the strength of the waves but as a large wave tugged her under, Brianna choked as she swallowed some of the salty water.  Oh, please!  She had so much to live for.  Blessed Saint Michael!  Her life was still ahead of her.  And Ian!  She could not exist without him.  Please, dear God!'

As if in answer to her prayers, the flow of water rose to aid in her combat with the elements. She found herself drifting towards the shore. From childhood Brianna had known how to swim; it was something she always enjoyed, but that was in lochs and burns, not in such threatening water.  Still, she knew  if only she could reserve her strength and let the sea carry her to land, she might survive. Trying to control her breathing, to relax despite her fear of the icy ocean, she determined that she would be the victor over the icy sea. She was strong. She was a MacQuarie!  So thinking, when the next huge waves appeared she rode with them, and when they ceased she paddled in the direction of the land.

The ocean seemed to go on forever, the
tall monoliths of Staffa were a large ominous speck in the distance. The longer she struggled the more hopeless the situation seemed.  The icy water robbed her of her stamina. Her strength was wavering.  She was weary.   Despite her resolve she was just too tired to go on.  Help me!  Please.  If there were any sea fairies to aid her, she needed them now.  Opening her mouth she gurgled a plea for herself and for Ian.             

A rock struck her foot and she realized that all was not lost.  Not yet.  Just a little further and she could make it.  Somehow she had to find the courage and the physical prowess to stay alive!  Fight.  She must
survive the waters. She would not give up.

Hands reached out for her, grabbing her, pulling her up.  Ian?  The salt water stung her eyes so she could not see.  "Ian!"  A
hazy figure loomed in front of her. With a final effort she shook he head and squinted her eyes. Though she was half blind, she saw
her
. A witch! Dear merciful Saint Michael! A water hag!

Instinct told her to run.  Run.
Nimbly escaping the grasping hands, she sprang to her feet and sprinted across the rocks as fast as her weary legs would carry her. It was not fast enough. The hag closed the distance and now was pulling at her hair. Screaming in outrage, Brianna pulled free of her grasp, fighting with all her waning strength. It was no use.  With a shriek of despair she gave in to the darkness that swirled about her and fell to the unconscious to the ground.