His eyes lit up wickedly as he pinched a piece of bread from my plate.
“You are a long way from home,” he stated.
“As are you,” I replied.
“Hm,” he said grimly. “That I am. Although how a Sassenach like yourself knows that is most curious,” he remarked.
“Sassenach? I am offended, Mr. Campbell. I have lived in Scotland for several years now,” I said haughtily, and he laughed.
“I apologize, my lady.”
I smiled to show him I was not offended. “As for the clan lands, I make it my business to know. That way there are no…missteps.”
He smiled at my choice of words. “Aye, if only half the people who came here wanted to avoid…missteps. Speaking of which, what, pray tell, are you still doing here during this…” He waved his hand about.
I shrugged and remarked, “I love a good fight.”
He spat out the drink he had just taken in surprise. “Sprightly, aren’t you?” he said, voice low in admiration.
“You don’t know the half of it,” I murmured, and he blushed at my tone.
Clearing his throat, he continued to pick at my lunch in silence while I watched him, enjoying him immensely.
“Are you here to fight?” I asked suddenly, catching him off guard.
“I will be, when I’m needed,” he said grimly.
“And in the meantime?” I asked coquettishly.
“I will be getting to know you better,” he said with a wink.
I giggled. “I like the sound of that.”
He narrowed his eyes. “Well?”
“Well, what?” I asked innocently.
“In order to get to know you better, you need to tell me something about yourself,” he said.
I remained silent, then said, “I believe I am still here, this far north, waiting for you.”
He looked confused momentarily and then said, “Waiting for me? You know of me?”
I shook my head. “No, sweet Fraser. It’s destiny. I didn’t know I was waiting for you until I found you.”
“Ah, I see,” he said and flashed me that brilliant smile. “I’m inclined to feel the same way, sweet Emily.”
T he next few days were spent in a whirlwind. I knew I was madly in love with him and wanted him to be mine – in the everlasting sense. I wasn’t sure he would accept my true nature, so I put off telling him, enjoying just being with him, making love to him, talking endlessly of everything and nothing. He was everything I ever wanted. He had Constantine’s serious warrior side: a hard, cold, yet passionate dominance mixed with Devon’s fun side: charming, intelligent, funny, and coy. He was simply perfect, and he loved me. But I still just couldn’t tell him, not wanting to ruin what we had. We made a striking couple and were met with envious looks wherever we went.
He asked me to marry him, four weeks after we met, and I readily accepted. We married in the April of 1745, just months before he was called to arms to help defend Carlisle.
It was the happiest day of my long life. I planned to tell him that night of my secret and my desire to turn him so we could be together forever. After we made love that night, I prepared to tell him, but we were interrupted by a messenger sent from Campbell of Ardslignish, requesting Fraser’s attendance in Carlisle, anon. All thoughts of my secret were put on hold as we prepared to leave for England.
It was a war for him personally and one I knew he regretted. His clan was split in this fight, but he had sworn allegiance to Bonnie Prince Charlie and was fighting to keep his land for his king.
I loved him more each passing day on the road to England. I didn’t think it was possible to love someone so much. I feared for his safety even though he was a seasoned warrior. I enjoyed watching him train. He was so powerful and despite his great height, he was so graceful and swift. Adept at swordsmanship myself, remembering fondly my lessons with William all those centuries ago, I challenged him to his utter surprise and delight, especially as he couldn’t get the better of me. So maybe I cheated and used my Vampire abilities just a tiny bit, but it was worth it just to see the look on his face.
We went to bed that night in rapture. He kissed me so sweetly and touched me so gently, like I would break. I loved him so much. I forewent any assertiveness I usually felt and let him take me as he pleased. His hands sparked on my flesh as he trailed his hands all over me. Mine were all over him, my cold touch made him shiver. He kissed me and whispered so softly, “I love you.” I was so happy. After the heartbreak and disappointment with Constantine and the crazy ride with Devon, that right there was all I wanted. He was everything to me. He gently laid me down on the bed, his loose hair brushed my face, his intense green eyes focused on my fake blue ones and it made me flinch a bit when he whispered how much he loved the color. I brushed it all aside though when he entered me. He was enormous and rock hard as he split me open. I craved him, I needed him. All of him. His touch,