Caught Between Brothers

Chapter 14

Aedan could feel the anger fueling his actions, yet he did nothing to stop it. He raged around the tiny shed, the thunder from the storm outside muffling his sounds. He rammed his fist into the wall, leaving an indention. Why did she have to be so infuriating? He upended the small table. Why did she sit outside in the rain, waiting for him? He threw the lamp to the floor, plunging the room into darkness. He slumped down against the wall as his anger lessened. He knew she was trying to do something good for him, for the both of them. Since the day their child had been stillborn, he’d had this anger rising out of him. He blamed Elle, knowing she had done nothing to cause this. She was hurting just as much as he was, maybe more. He couldn’t help it. The only reason he had agreed to marry a girl he had barely met was to have an heir. As his anger died, sadness and longing filled its place as he went back to the day his parents told him who he was to marry.

--flashback—

“Oi will not!” Aedan’s voice shook the stone walls of the spacious room. His parents were sitting across from him, their faces an unemotional mask. “Yer canno’ tell me who ter wed. ‘specially some spoil’d wee brat.” Honestly, he hadn’t yet met the girl they wanted him to marry, but he was angry and didn’t care. His father stood and wavered for a moment. His health had been declining steadily for the past few years but had gotten even worse over the last six months. Aedan knew his father just wanted to have the comfort of knowing there was an heir to follow his son. He knew this but it still made him angry that they would not let him find his own wife on his own time. “Yer will marry ‘er. Be reasonable, me boy. She be a pretty lass. Oi’ve known ‘er pa for a bit o’ time. If’n it’s love yer worried ‘bout, don’t. Love will grow with yer. Jus’ give ‘er a chance.” Aedan’s shoulders slumped at his speech. He knew he wouldn’t go against his parents, especially his father. Since he was a little boy, he had always done what his father asked. He attended every lesson, cleaned every barn stall and respected every elder. Running his fingers through his hair, he nodded. “Alrigh’. Oi’ll do it.” I’ll do it for a son. I’ll just marry the girl and as soon as she has me a son, I’ll do what I want and she can run the household or whatever she wants this marriage for.

His father nodded with a smile and held out his arms to his eldest son. Aedan went to him and hugged him tightly. There was nothing he wouldn’t do for this man. He released his father and gave his mother a quick embrace, before making excuses to go to the nearest market town. He had someone to see.

Later that day, Aedan rode through the middle of the main street, weaving through the crowds of vendors and beggars. Children bobbed in front of his horse, but the horse did not startle. He was well trained. Guiding the horse down a familiar alley, Aedan leapt down and tied the reigns to a nearby post. He had come here many times over the past year and a half, but after today, he knew he could never come back.

The door opened to the small home and a dark skinned, dark haired beauty stepped out. “Me love.” Her soft voice reached out to him and nearly pierced his heart. How was he going to tell her goodbye? He closed the distance between them and pulled her face up to his. Their lips met in a heated kiss. His hands ran lightly down her arms and waist, before lifting her up. On instinct, her legs wrapped around his waist. Walking quickly, he carried her through the doorway and shut the door behind him. He laid her down on the rough bed. Hadn’t he promised her a new bed? The thought was forgotten as her hands had found his hardening flesh. She was bold and he loved it. His lips left hers and trailed a wet path down her body. Deft hands pushed her shift to the side and revealed her supple breast to him. His mouth closed over it, leaving little marks in its wake. Her hands worked magic on his manhood, causing him to groan against her skin. “Vixen.” He mumbled and pulled her dress over her head. Before she could grab him again, he thrust himself into her. She let out a seductive moan, which nearly sent him over the edge. It wasn’t long before their synchronized movements brought them both to their pleasures.

Breathing heavily, he rolled off of her and pulled her against his chest. “Oi canno’ come back ‘ere.” His voice broke as he told her that he was to be married. Small tears escaped from her eyes and broke his heart. “Oi’m sorry, me love. Oi don’t want ter do this ter yer. Please, me love, don’t weep over me.” She sniffled against his chest and spoke, her voice even. “Oi don’t weep for yer, Aedan. Oi weep for him.” As if on cue, a small wail pierced through the room. Aedan stood and walked over to the tiny basket in the corner of the room. Pulling the bundle to his chest, the wails subsided. The little boy was comforted in his fathers arms.

--present—

Aedan knew why he treated Elle so horribly. It wasn’t her fault. His parents just wanted an heir. They wanted Aedan to have a son to carry on the family name and to run the manor. Aedan’s heart sank even more, because he knew…He already had a son.

A/N: --GASP-- I know this chapter is short but I felt as if we needed some insight into why Aedan is the way he is.