Under the Highlander's Spell by Donna Fletcher Page A

child. She must grow tired.”
    Before Artair could continue to reassure him, Zia stepped out of the cottage, a solemn look on her weary face.
    Albert rushed over to her. “Ciley?”
    â€œIs resting, go see her.”
    Artair waited until Albert was out of sight and joined Zia. “What’s wrong?”
    â€œI fear the babe is somehow stuck. I’ve seen it happen before.”
    â€œAnd?”
    Zia rubbed the back of her neck. “I’m not sure, but if I don’t deliver the child soon, neither of them will survive the night.”
    Artair wrapped his arms around her, and she immediately rested her head on his chest. “You’re tired.”
    â€œThat doesn’t matter.”
    â€œIt does to me.”
    She smiled up at him. “It’s nice to have you here with me.”
    â€œI’m not much help.”
    Zia placed a hand to his cheek and a kiss to his lips. “You have helped more than you know.” She turned to reenter the cottage, but stopped and looked at him. “Keep Albert away until I come for him.”
    Artair nodded, and when the young man joined him again, he placed a supportive arm around him and walked Albert to the roasting pit to sit and talk with him.
    As the night wore on, Artair became more concerned for mother and child, but he did not let Albert see it. He kept him talking, even suggesting that Albert might find a better home elsewhere for his family, and telling him he’d be welcome in Caithness with the Sinclare clan.
    The young man had no chance to respond. Zia stepped out of the cottage and walked toward them. Artair stood along with Albert, intending to help the lad however he could, though he hoped it would be congratulations that he offered.
    Zia sighed and ran a hand through her choppy hair as she approached. With hands on her hips, she settled a hard glare on Albert. “So, are you ready to meet your son?”
    Albert broke out in a grin. Laughed, then cried. “A son?”
    â€œA big boy for sure, which is why you can have only a few minutes with Ciley and then she must sleep. She is exhausted.” Zia smiled and pointed at the cottage. “Go, they both wait to see you.”
    â€œThank you. Thank you,” Albert said, bobbing his head as he ran past her to the cottage.
    Artair went to Zia, slipped his arm around her waist and ran a gentle finger under each eye. “You’re worn-out. You need to rest. A cottage has been prepared for you.”
    She nodded. “The women told me.”
    â€œI’ll take you there when you’re ready.”
    â€œI just need to give instructions to the women whowill watch over Ciley throughout the night.” She rested her warm flushed cheek next to his cool one. “I won’t be long.”
    â€œI’ll be here,” he said, running his hand down her arm and lacing his fingers with hers, only to reluctantly release her and feel her fingers slip one by one from his grasp.
    He stood waiting where he was, and though she returned in mere minutes, it felt like much longer. He took her hand, lacing his fingers with hers once again, and again not wanting to let go, yet knowing he would soon have to. Even with slow steps, they would be at the cottage much too soon.
    They strolled to the entrance and when they reached the door he planned to kiss her good-night. She surprised him and turned around, took hold of his other hand and hesitantly brushed her lips over his. “I want to kiss you,” she whispered as if seeking permission.
    â€œI want you to kiss me,” he said.
    She brushed her lips over his once again. “I want to keep kissing you.”
    A low groan rumbled in his throat. “I want you to keep kissing me.”
    Her lips kept brushing, teasing and tasting his until she pushed the door open and pulled him inside.

Chapter 11
    Z ia loved his arms around her, the strength of his kisses, the warmth of his body, but most of all his