Once Upon A Highland Christmas by Sue-Ellen Welfonder Page A

changed his mind about their union, deciding he did indeed need a gentle-born wife? Had he perhaps left her?
    She pushed the notions aside as soon as they came to her.
    He’d made his feelings clear, opened his heart to her.
    She didn’t doubt him.
    But she did miss him, his warmth and the feel of his great, hard-muscled body next to her.
    “I was thanking my gods for the gift of you, that is all.” His deep voice came from the shadows, a corner with a window edged silver by the moon.
    He stood there, full naked and magnificent, the pale light gilding him so that he could have passed for one of the Norse gods he worshipped.
    He smiled, at ease with his nakedness.
    Breena began to tingle again, wondering if he’d always affect her powerfully. She suspected he would.
    She swallowed, lifting her gaze when his manhood twitched and started to grow, the proof of his desire thrilling her.
    “Do you often speak to your gods?” It was all she could think to say.
    “Thor, Odin, and the rest of them aye do what they will and most times are too busy amusing themselves to bother with mortal men. But”—he came over to her, drawing her into his arms, warming her—“it doesn’t hurt to give gratitude when such a treasure as you is put in our path.”
    Breena looked up at him. “You believe the gods brought us together?”
    “I do.” He sounded sure. “Fate is inexorable.”
    Out of nowhere a shiver sped down Breena’s spine. Leaning into Grim’s broad, powerfully muscled chest, she glanced at the bed where, according to the laws of the Old Ones, he’d claimed her body and soul, making her his bride.
    She couldn’t bear to lose him.
    “I’ll ne’er let us be parted, dinnae you worry.” He tightened his arms around her, stroking her back as his words only increased her chill. “The gods wouldn’t be so cruel. And I’d cut down the mortal man who’d dare attempt to take you from me.”
    Breena didn’t say anything, just rested her cheek against his shoulder and closed her eyes, relishing the closeness, the intimacy of being naked in his arms.
    Words weren’t good right now.
    Not with the odd prickles at her nape and the shiver that had chilled her so.
    She, too, trusted in the old ways. She couldn’t shake the feeling all wasn’t right in their world. Something was stirring beneath the surface. And it had to do with her and Grim.
    She hoped she was wrong.
    Yule was a time of joyous wonders. And the spirit of Christmas had been good to her, blessing her with her heart’s most fervent desire.
    So she’d trust in the magic of the season.
    It was all she could do.

Chapter Six
    “Mercy me!” Breena’s breath caught as she and Grim rode past a frozen loch, its icy surface half hidden beneath a drift of snow. A huge fire lit the evening sky ahead of them, the sight filling her with wonder. The blaze stretched toward the heavens from the top of a low, humpbacked ridge, painting the clouds and mist with streaks of red and orange. “So that is a Yule beacon.”
    “Aye, it is.” Grim sounded pleased by her delight. “That’ll be Greer MacGregor’s beacon, true enough. His tower house is around thon bend.”
    “I believe I can hear the flame’s roar.” Breena lifted a hand to her brow, tipping back her head to better see the spectacle. “I never dreamed it’d be so large, or so colorful.”
    “Such a blaze must be huge where the glens are so vast and empty, the hills even more daunting,” Grim reminded her. “ ’Tis a wondrous time of year, Christmastide. The lairds and chieftains will be wanting to guide all friends and kin to their door, to celebrate.
    “The Yule beacons are tradition.” His voice deepened, his love of his Highland home evident. “They’re a fine way to greet visitors, assuring even lonely wayfarers of a hearty holiday welcome.”
    Breena glanced at Grim, her heart doing a little flip when he flashed his crooked smile.
    He rode close beside her, as he’d done since they’d left