A Warrior's Promise (14 page)

Chapter 15

O
nce Culth had retreated into the woods, Odin cautiously stepped in front of Charlotte and tentatively sniffed the air while she turned her attention to Bryce. “Do you think I would make you a terrible wife?”

“I haven't given it a thought,” Bryce said. “Now let's be on our way. We've lost enough time today. We'll barely make it much farther before it's time to stop for the night.”

His hurried and dismissive response turned Charlotte silent, for to her it spoke volumes. He might have wanted to kiss her, but he had given no thought to her as a wife. He simply lusted after her, no more. She felt a disappointment she did not quite understand. Why should it bother her? They didn't know each other all that well.

But then her father had simply looked upon her mother and had fallen in love.

Obviously, that hadn't happened with Bryce when he had first gazed upon her. But then he had thought her a lad.

She was foolish for letting it disturb her. He had more important matters to consider, and so did she. They had shared a kiss, that was all. She almost cringed recalling how she had told him that she wouldn't mind if he kissed her again.

He was lusting after her, and she was . . .

She shook her head. She would think on such nonsense no more. Determined, she picked up her pace, Odin following suit.

Conversation lagged between them for the rest of the day. Even when they made camp, not many words were exchanged. And she turned her back on him when going to sleep though sleep eluded her far too long and was interrupted far too often once it did claim her. Thus the reason for her many yawns the next morning when they continued on their way.

“You did not sleep well last night?” Bryce asked.

“I woke too often.” She didn't wish to talk about her troubled sleep, especially with his being the cause of it. She hadn't been able to get him and the kiss off her mind. Why couldn't she have found it repulsive? Why had she enjoyed it so much?

Odin interrupted, prancing in front of her with a stick in his mouth. She took it and gave it a toss. He scampered after it, returning it to her in seconds.

The stick was much too similar to her thoughts; she could toss them away, but they always hurried back.

“We could stop if you need to rest,” he suggested.

Her tired limbs screamed with relief, but her stubborn nature objected. She'd not show any weakness in front of the Highlander, not take a chance in having him think her incapable of completing this mission.

“That's not necessary; I'm fine,” she insisted.

“No, you're stubborn,” he argued.

“Is that why I would make you a terrible wife?” Her sharp retort was out of her mouth before she could call it back. It was a mistake she would probably regret, but she hadn't been able to stop herself. It was a question she itched to have answered.

“A stubborn wife can be a trial.” He grinned.

That he found it amusing annoyed her. “Then it is good I will never be your wife.”

“I am not looking for a wife.”

“Nor I a husband.” Charlotte marched ahead of him, Odin dropping the stick and joining her.

Bryce caught up with her in two easy strides. “That is good, for we don't have time to allow such interference.”

He was right, of course, but why then did her heart ache, as if she had lost something dear to her. She turned the talk elsewhere, fearful she'd be unable to conceal her distress if they continued on about it.

“Is the village far?” she asked.

“An hour or more, though we should pass a croft before we reach it.” No sooner did Bryce say that than they emerged on a meadow with a croft just beyond.

Charlotte hastened her pace, eager to known if the farmer had seen prisoners pass this way. The closer she got, the slower her steps, and it wasn't long before Bryce positioned himself protectively in front of her.

“Stay behind me,” he ordered, his sword drawn and his steps cautious.

The farm looked as if it had been sacked, the garden trampled, barrels and benches smashed to pieces, the door torn from its hinges, and not an animal or inhabitant in sight.

Odin rushed ahead sniffing the ground frantically.

“What do you think happened here?” Charlotte asked, clutching her bow.

“A struggle? Though anger could be the culprit, the soldiers not finding what they searched for destroying what was here.”

Odin barked just then, startling them both. Charlotte grabbed an arrow from the cache and readied the bow as Odin ran barking toward a small cropping of woods, a few feet from the house.

Bryce took a guarded stance a few steps in front of her, and it struck her that once again he had positioned himself protectively between her and possible harm. It warmed her heart and annoyed her all at the same time.

Odin rushed forward, barking, when suddenly it stopped, and he began whining.

Charlotte lowered her bow, his actions telling her that they had nothing to fear. “Children,” she said to Bryce.

Sure enough, a lad around seven years and a lassie no more than four years stumbled out of the woods, each holding tightly to a parent's hand.

The man, slim and barely reaching Bryce's chin, stepped forward. “The soldiers grow bolder, take all our food, not caring if we can feed our families, and lately, they have been dragging off all males to serve the king. I spotted them in the distance.”

The woman spoke up. “I made Evan hide with the children and me in the woods.” Tears filled her green eyes. “I did not want to lose my husband.”

“You both did the right thing,” Bryce said. “How long ago did this happen?”

“The soldiers left about an hour ago,” Evan explained. “We've remained in the woods to make certain they were gone.”

“They most certainly will return,” Bryce said. “Perhaps not today, but not finding anyone and its being obvious that someone resides here guarantee their return.”

“I told you the same, Evan,” his wife said, tears streaming down her cheeks and her young daughter reaching tentatively out to Odin, who was impatient to play.

“Where do we go?” Evan pleaded helplessly.

“The MacAlpin clan will open its home to you,” Charlotte said, by now familiar with the invitation Bryce extended to anyone in need.

“This is our home.” Evan shook his head. “How do I abandon our home?”

Charlotte stepped forward. “Your wife and children are your home; therefore, your home is always with you. Land is plentiful. That you can find elsewhere, or when the true king takes the throne, you can return here.”

His wife again spoke up. “Listen to the lad, he speaks wisely. There would be no home without you.”

Charlotte was glad the woman thought her a lad. At least she knew her ruse continued to fool the eyes.

Evan's son grabbed his arm. “I won't let you go.”

“You are outnumbered,” Bryce said with a laugh. “Surrender is your only choice.”

Evan finally agreed, and while Bryce spoke privately with him, Charlotte helped Evan's wife, Lilith, gather what few things were salvageable. And Odin was finally relieved and the children delighted that they could play.

“The Highlander keeps his wife safe by having you dress as a lad?” Lilith asked.

“He isn't my husband,” Charlotte was quick to correct and a trifle upset that the woman had seen through her disguise so easily. But that mattered not now. She needed to learn about her father. “This ruse helps protect me while on my mission to find my da. Perhaps you have seen him?” Charlotte went on to explain what she had learned so far about her da and, once finished, anxiously asked again, “Have you seen him?”

Lilith shook her head. “I am sorry, but if we spot soldiers, we hide. We started doing so when a father and son were dragged away by the soldiers from a farm not far from ours. And those who have passed by have warned us that it is being done much too frequently. But someone in the village might have heard something. Tongues wag constantly there though they have been more cautious of late, many not knowing who to trust.”

“Thank you,” Charlotte said. “I will seek information carefully.”

Lilith reached out and laid a gentle hand on Charlotte's arm. She kept her voice low when she said, “Your ruse works well enough. It is the Highlander who gives it away.”

“How so?”

“He looks at you as my husband looks at me, and that is when I noticed the curve of your hips and their gentle sway when you walk.”

“My hips curve?” she asked incredulously. She never thought she had hips that swayed when she walked. That was not only shocking to hear but too shocking to believe.

“You can see clearly when your hand rests at your waist, and there is softness to your lovely face that could only belong to a woman. I only tell you this so you are aware and will be careful.” Lilith shook her head. “Things grow so much worse. I wish the true king would reveal himself and take the throne from this tyrant.”

“He will,” Charlotte assured her. “He will not let his people suffer much longer.”

Evan called out to his wife and children.

Lilith gave Charlotte a quick hug. “Take care, and I hope I will see you again.”

“I'm sure you will,” Charlotte said, hoping the same, for she liked the woman.

They all gathered together, Odin quickly obeying Charlotte's command to sit, though he turned big sad eyes on the children, disappointed they could play no more.

“We must take our leave now,” Evan informed his family. “Bryce explained where we are to go, where we will be safe.”

“I can't thank you enough for what you do for us,” Lilith said.

“My brothers and I were raised to serve the true king,” Bryce said. “We act in his stead until the time comes for him to reign. We do what he would do—protect his people.”

“God bless you, your brothers, and the true king,” Lilith said, and after a flurry of good-byes and hugs, the family took its leave. And so did Bryce and Charlotte, only they traveled in the opposite direction.

They had traveled only a short distance when Bryce asked, “What you said about family, those were your father's words?”

Charlotte shook her head. “That is something I learned on my own. As I've told you, Da and I traveled around a lot, never remaining too long in one place. It upset me when my da would pack us up and move us. Then one day I realized that it didn't matter where my da and I called home, for without him, I would have no home.”

“What brought about this discovery?”

“You're perceptive.”

“Even more so since I've met you,” Bryce said.

“I'm pleased I could teach you something,” she teased.

“And pleased I am to learn,” he said, “and I plan on learning much more from you.”

The gleam in his eye had her looking twice at him, for she was certain she had caught a flicker of passion there. But he turned away too soon for her to be sure.

He returned to his question. “So what happened to your father to make you realize home was not a shelter but the person you love and who loves you.”

“You feel the same?” she asked.

He nodded. “When I lost my parents, I had no choice but to find another home. It started with my brother Reeve, who I came upon just after the king's soldiers killed his family. He was only four years and I five. We walked many miles together, never leaving each other's side.”

“Did you know where to go, or did you just happen upon your new home?”

“My mum told me of a close friend she had known years earlier and that if anything ever happened to her and Da, that I was to go to her friend—Mara.” He grinned. “Mara is nothing like my mum though she is a good and loving mum. And I am grateful every day for her.” He bent down as if he meant for no one to hear. “Just don't let her cook for you.”

Charlotte chuckled.

“What of your father?” he asked. “What happened to make you realize that without him you would have no home?”

“He had gone into the woods in search of plants he wished to make drawings of and was gone longer than usual. I felt something was wrong and went in search of him. I arrived to witness two thugs beating on him.”

“Don't tell me you went after them?” he asked.

“I most certainly did,” she said with a toss of her chin. “They would have killed my da if I had not stopped them.”

Bryce shook his head. “If I did not know you, I would think your story nothing more than a tall tale, but knowing you—” He shook his head again. “I know otherwise.”

“I had them off my da in seconds and running for their lives.”

“How?”

Charlotte leaned down, grabbed a good-sized rock, and pointed. “See that broken tree branch?”

Bryce laughed. “You'll never reach—”

Charlotte threw the rock before he could finish, hitting the crevice of the cracked branch, splitting it in two, and sending the broken branch hurtling to the ground.

Bryce stared in awe. “I would have never believed it.”

“Leaving a child with not only a curious mind but a thirsty one, on her own much of the time can produce startling results.”

“It would seem you have the ability to defend yourself against most anything.”

Not against love and not against you.

The thought struck her hard, and if she hadn't caught her misstep, she would have stumbled as they continued walking.

“Everyone has a vulnerable spot,” she said, knowing he was hers.

He thought differently. “Your da is yours.”

If he only knew
.

“And the true king is yours,” she said.

They both nodded even though they knew that it wasn't the truth.

Chapter 16

T
he village they entered was like many of late, cautious. Skeptical eyes followed Charlotte and Bryce as they walked through, nodding greetings though many turned their heads. The atmosphere in the Highlands was changing rapidly, and with it, fear grew. No one knew whom to trust, and so none were trusted.

Tongues, though, never stopped wagging. It was the way of things. The way word was spread and more importantly how hope could be spread.

“While I would prefer we stay close, it wouldn't be a wise move,” Bryce said, wishing there was another way but knowing this would be their best course of action. “Time is limited to us. If we stay too long, ask too many questions, we will become suspect. If, however, we separate, learn what we can independently, and take our leave within an hour, no one will be the wiser.”

Though the plan was a solid one, Bryce hated suggesting it. He knew that if, in fact, Charlotte was a lad rather than a lassie, he wouldn't have such a difficult time with his decision. But since she was, he felt the need to protect her, and the thought of her going off on her own put the fear of God into him.

What if she got herself into trouble, a probability, and he wasn't there to help her? Damn, if it wasn't easier when he thought her a lad. And damn him for kissing her. The memory of that kiss had lingered much too long in his mind. He favored the taste of her and her innocent and eager response. He allowed that to interfere with what was necessary. And what was necessary was for them to separate for a while.

He had to let her go on her own, and the thought made him shiver to the bone. And it didn't help that the bruises on her face were vivid reminders of her previous altercations.

“A sensible decision, and don't worry, I'll be fine,” she said, as if knowing his thoughts.

“Take no chances,” he ordered sternly.

She grinned, and he shook his head. It was like asking the sun not to rise. He watched her dash off like a lad in search of adventure. She blended with the villagers more easily than he. He stood out a bit more, being a Highlander warrior of good size. It wasn't hard to see that fear ruled this village. It was on every weary face he glanced at, in every cautious movement that was made.

That the king's soldiers had passed through here was obvious. They had left behind their mark—despair and fear. Bryce tried trading worthless trinkets for more worthless items that could prove fruitful for future trades, but no one was interested.

He tried to keep his eye on Charlotte, but she was soon gone from his sight, and the longer she was, the more his worry grew. No matter that she had extracted herself from dangerous or difficult situations before, he worried a time would come when she found herself in an impossible situation.

He had become more attached to her than he thought possible, and that brought with it the worry and fear of his not being able to protect someone he cared for.

His quick perusals of the village proved fruitless. All kept silent, many looking anxious and some refusing to meet his eyes. There was nothing to learn here, and the sooner he and Charlotte left, the better he would feel.

Bryce made his way with hurried steps past and around the small cottages, his eyes alert for any signs of Charlotte or trouble.

He found both.

Charlotte was attempting to ward off a bear of a young man, while Odin kept two other attackers at bay with vicious snarls and barks.

“Put him down!” Bryce's shout startled the man so badly that he dropped Charlotte. She fell to the ground with a bounce, rolled, and scrambled to her feet.

Bryce expected her to run to his side, perhaps take cover behind him, but she didn't. After dusting herself off, she gave the big fellow a hard poke to his gut.

“Why did you tell me to be gone?” she asked with another jab.

The big fellow looked ready to throttle her again though that changed when Bryce took a forceful step toward him.

“You ask too many questions,” the man admitted reluctantly.

“What's wrong with questions?” she demanded with another poke.

His nostrils flared, and his thick hands fisted at his sides. “Rein the lad in; I'll not suffer another demand from him.”

Bryce stepped between them. “Lay a hand on the lad, and you'll regret it.”

“Be gone with you both,” the man threatened with a raised fist. “You're not welcome here.”

“Why?” Charlotte asked, poking her head from around Bryce. “Have you something to hide?”

“Enough!” Bryce shouted with a turn of his head to Charlotte, then turned to the large man. “We'll take our leave and disturb you no more.”

“Hurry then and be off with you,” the man spat.

Bryce turned, not surprised to see the look of dismay on Charlotte's face. He was quick to grab her arm and march her with haste out of the village, having to warn her twice to be silent. Odin was quick to follow. Once the woods devoured them, Charlotte yanked her arm free, and he knew she would give him a severe tongue-lashing.

He wasn't in the mood to waste time. He slammed his hand over her mouth as soon as she opened it. “Trust me on this.”

Uncertainty flashed in her eyes, but not for long, and she nodded.

He removed his hand. “Something is not right. All you did was ask questions of him?”

“Not him, two others, who were not forthcoming at all. Then, suddenly, the large man and two others appeared. He swatted at me like an irritating bug and shouted for me to be gone.”

“I found the same reluctance even for minor chatter. It was as if—” Bryce shook his head, suddenly understanding. He grabbed Charlotte's arm. “He and his two friends were trying to save us, trying to get us to leave. The fear I saw wasn't because soldiers had been there; it was because they were on the way.” He shook his head again, annoyed with himself. “I should have realized it sooner. The only men there were too old to serve the king.”

“You're right,” Charlotte said, exasperated. “Fool I am for not having noticed it myself.”

“The three men took a chance leaving their hiding spot to help us, and we would do well to leave this place now as I'm sure they did as soon as we took our leave.”

They hurried off, not another word exchanged. It wasn't long before they heard the thunder of horses' hooves pounding the ground. They had only moments to find a place to hide, but it took less than that for Bryce to yank Charlotte under a thick blanket of bushes. It was a tight fit, with only room for her to lie atop him and Odin to stretch alongside him. The animal was trained well and knew when to stay silent. Bryce didn't have to warn Charlotte the importance of the same. She rested her face on his chest and stared up at him, her lips clamped tightly shut.

For all her bravado, her small body trembled with fear against his, and she clenched at his shirt, as if her hold on him kept her safe. He didn't hesitate to reach out and run his hand soothingly through her hair and down along her face to rest against her flushed cheek. She was soft to the touch from hair to cheek, and he continued to gently caress and stroke.

Her trembling eased, her body melting against his, when suddenly the contingent of soldiers were upon them, or at least it felt that way. The ground beneath trembled violently from the pounding of multiple hooves that seemed only inches from their prone bodies.

Bryce wound his arms tightly around Charlotte. She tightened her grip on his shirt, squeezed her eyes shut, and buried her face against his chest.

At that moment, his need to keep her from harm overwhelmed him, and he knew he would do
anything
to keep her safe.

The ground continued to vibrate well after the troop had passed, and the trio remained as they were, tucked safely out of sight. Neither Bryce nor Charlotte dared say a word, both knowing that troops purposely left a few soldiers lagging to catch any and all who tried to hide from them.

Bryce remained with his arms snug around Charlotte, and she kept her face on his chest and her hand gripping his shirt. She had also tucked her small legs between his large ones, as if getting as close as she possibly could to him.

He certainly didn't mind. He actually welcomed the feel of her so snug against him. And oddly enough, it wasn't passion that dominated his thoughts at the moment. It was something he hadn't felt since he had lost his parents—a loving contentment.

He didn't want to question it, worry over it, or be rid of it. He wanted simply to linger in it, embrace it, and savor it.

It was Odin who stirred first, his large head poking up and sniffing the air. When the sniffing ceased, and he started panting, Bryce knew all was clear. And he had no choice but to let her go.

The thought sent his stomach churning. He didn't want to let her go; he wanted Charlotte by his side. Who would rescue her when she got herself into trouble? Who would see that she didn't do anything foolish? Who would take care of her?

“We should leave,” she whispered, and he saw that she was gazing up at him.

He could get lost in those dark eyes of hers. He didn't know why. There was nothing special to the dark brown color, yet, to him, they were irresistible. He found his glance settling much too often on her eyes and found that once there, he did not want to look away. It was as if the dark color held him captive, locked him in, and he was helpless to escape.

Her stirring forced his musing aside, and he took command. “Let Odin go first, wait a moment, then follow.”

Upon hearing his name and understanding, Odin crawled out of their hiding spot.

Bryce kept a firm hold on Charlotte when she suddenly giggled.

“All is well; Odin licks my leg.”

Bryce unwound his arms reluctantly, and she slipped off him, to the side, and crawled backward out from under the bushes. He turned on his stomach and followed, getting to his feet and dusting himself off.

“We should make haste,” Charlotte reminded.

He agreed, and, without saying a word, he took the lead and began walking. They walked in silence a good part of the day, finally stopping near to nightfall. Bryce had reminded himself all throughout the day that his mission took precedence over his unexplainable feelings toward Charlotte. Just as her need to find her father took precedence over all else.

He watched her from across the campfire. It disturbed him that her eyes were filled with such sadness, and he could not keep silent. “What troubles you?”

“We do not know if we travel in the right direction. We could be headed away from my da instead of toward him.”

“It takes time to determine such things. Patience is needed when in pursuit.”

“In the meantime, my da could be suffering.”

“We've discussed this,” Bryce admonished gently. “You need to have more faith in your da. He does in you.”

“That's what troubles me,” she admitted reluctantly. “He is confident that I will find him, and I have no such confidence. As the days slip by, I fear even more that I will never find him, save him from a terrible fate.”

Bryce reacted without thought. He got to his feet and walked around the campfire to sit beside Charlotte. He took hold of her chin, gently lifting it. “You are much too stubborn for your own good.”

“It is for my own good that I am stubborn,” she corrected.

Sadly, she spoke the truth. With what he had learned of Charlotte thus far, she had required courage out of necessity. It had now become a duty for her, one she did not take lightly. She was as duty-bound as he was, and he suddenly felt the need to free her of such a heavy burden.

But how?

His fingers tightened on her chin, and he leaned down and kissed her. She startled at first, as did he, for he had not thought to kiss her, it simply seemed the natural thing to do. And it was, for they both eagerly tasted and enjoyed. Soon they were wrapped in each other's arms, the kiss fueling their passion.

Her slim arms wound around his neck, his hands went to her waist, and he yanked her up against him as he lowered them both to her blanket. His hands wandered of their own accord, caressing her body as if it belonged to him. And at that moment, it did, just as he belonged to her.

She was ever so soft and responsive to his every touch, and when he moved his lips to nibble down along her neck, she invited more with the tilt of her head. A soft, contented mewl spilled from her lips and fired his already heated passion. And made him all too aware that he wanted more from her—much more.

He paused to gaze into her dark eyes, which seemed to have grown as black as the night, and he knew at that moment that she would easily surrender to him.

“Why do you stop?” she asked, her voice heavy with disappointment and trembling with passion.

He could not take her like this, here on the hard ground, only to walk away. He had nothing more to give her than a night of passion, and she deserved more.

He rested his brow to hers, trying to find the right words, not wanting her to think that he didn't desire her when all he truly wanted was to strip her and himself bare and make love throughout the night.

But it wouldn't be love they made, for he had no time to love, no time to give to another. Not now; not when so much depended on his mission.

She pressed her cheek to his. “It's all right. I understand. It is not a good time or place. Besides, we would come together only out of a need to feel close and not alone in our endeavors. It would mean nothing in the end.”

Her last few words stung. Would that be how she felt? Would joining with him mean nothing to her? His arms fell away from her, and she moved away from him. They lay there, staring at each other, both at a loss for words or perhaps fearing to speak, fear of admitting the truth, fear of wanting more from each other.

Bryce sat up, not wanting to leave her side, arguing with himself that it was for the best. He was ready to get to his feet when he shook his head, turned to her, and took hold of her once again.