As the afternoon sun hung low in the sky Jamie awoke, the room spinning out of control making his stomach flip over and over again.
"Daniea?" He choked, his throat dry and hoarse as he gazed at the mass of golden brown hair lying in his lap.
Within a flash the night's events came back to him. A whirl of anger, the feverish disposal of clothes, the tearing of teeth and nail on flesh as he buried himself over an over again into a woman that made him feel more empty than the bottle of whiskey by the bedside.
He tried to move, he had to get out of this place but as his body rocked, the head within his lap arose. Her cheeks blushing and a smile of pure pleasure on her face.
"You can call me whatever you like." She giggled as she began to stroke his manhood once more.
"You know I have never not charged for my services but you… oh anytime you want to stop by it would be my pleasure I'm sure."
He pushed her aside, frantically trying to find his clothes. As he glanced up he saw his disheveled appearance in the mirror. Claw and bite marks plastered his form, his stomach finally coming to it's senses spilled over, making him retch in the pot by the corner. He heaved till he thoughts his guts would soon be spilling forth from his mouth.
As he slowly rode home, the night's events with the woman became ever clearer. He took out all his frustration and anger on her, which she took as immense pleasure. He made her shatter over and over again without stopping because he did not feel anything for her except contempt for Daniea. The night brought him no release but more heart ache than he could ever imagine.
As he arrived back at the castle Alec soon ushered him towards Colum's study.
"Lad, where in all of hell have you been?"
Alec shook his head in disapproval once he took a good look at him.
"What is it?" Jamie groaned, only wanting to find his own bed with his own woman lying within it.
"You were wanted hours ago by your Uncles, get your arse up there!" Alec pushed.
As he walked into the study Colum and Dougal's sullen faces greeted him, along with Taran who was casually lounging in one of the arm chairs.
"What's this?" Jamie asked again, barely remembering they were suppose to meet that morning to discuss Daniea and their nuptials.
"Oh nothing you should concern yourself about boy. It looks like you had quite the fun time last night." Taran jeered.
"Jamie, I think it would be best if you sit down." Colum stated, taking a steep drink from his Rhenish glass.
Just then three light raps on the door sounded. Then stepped in Daniea, clad in an extremely tight fitting black gown that hugged all of her curves.
"Ahhh doesn't she look bonnie." Stated Taran, standing to take a closer look.
"Doesn't this gown make her beautiful breasts look so plump lad?" he questioned Jamie, running his hands over the contours of Daniea's corseted chest.
Jamie immediately began to lurch towards Taran but Dougal caught his arm holding him back. The action brought a deep laugh from Taran's throat. He then maneuvered her unbound hair from her face, laying it to one side, exposing her bare neck.
"I believe it is almost time my fox, are you ready?"
Daniea simply nodded as her father gathered a black cloak from the chair he had been resting in. The clasp an ornate silver and jeweled fox head, shining against the watch's tartan that framed the inside of the cape and hood.
As he laid it gently on her shoulders, he kissed her just below her ear lobe as he clasped it together.
"Oh don't look so sad boy, I saw your face yesterday when you found out who my fox really is. I thought you would be most happy to be relieved of her ill gotten presence so soon." he cooed, positioning himself behind her, " oh and don't worry I shall make certain that they are both taken care of." he chuckled now resting his hand on Daniea's abdomen.
Pure confusion fogged over Jamie's mind, he wasn't sure if he was still dreaming or drunk.
"May I say goodbye father?" Daniea asked sweetly between gritted teeth.
"Of course dear heart." Taran agreed.
Daniea kissed both Colum and Dougal's cheeks and whispered to them, then as she turned towards Jamie, Taran grabbed her arm.
"Did you leave the note you asked me to let you write?"
"Yes, father it's in my room." She stated.
"Then we shall be going,"
Daniea nodded, looking over Jamie, noticing every mark and the smell of the brothel that clung to him, choking her senses.
Taran carefully rose her hood and escorted Daniea away from the study to the black horses that awaited to take them far away from Castle Leoch. And away from Jamie with not so much as an explanation.
