Legendary Warrior (21 page)

A couple of hours were spent walking the surrounding area. Magnus and Reena remained by each other’s side, each sharing their opinions and thoughts about the land. His strong hand was there every time the terrain became more demanding with hills and ruts and fallen trees. He made sure of her footing and her safety.

Reena talked continuously even as Magnus lifted her about the waist to assist her in mounting her horse. She offered excellent suggestions to him and he listened carefully, though he could not ignore his growing need for her.

What surprised him the most was that while he desired her and wanted very much to make love to her, his need for her sprang more from the fact that she filled his life with joy and love. He could not think of what a day would be like without her. She was so very much a part of him now that he could not imagine her
not
being in his life.

The thought frightened him, a man who supposedly knew no fear. Yet he feared
not
having Reena by his side. He was hopelessly in love, and it was time he did something about it.

They camped for the night in a small clearing. They enjoyed a meal of roasted rabbit and good conversation. It was not long after that Reena found herself alone with Magnus. They sat by the fire, next to each other, and Reena wondered if their solitude was intentional.

Today she had come to understand the Legend more than she’d ever thought possible, and she had realized that Magnus and the Legend were truly one and the same. His dark and imposing helmet instilled fear in many, but it was actually meant to conceal his caring nature. While many believed the Legend brought harm and suffering, others thought of him as a savior. He had saved her village from further suffering, he had saved the elderly couple from certain suffering, and he had saved his teacher and his family from a horrible suffering.

The Legend was a man with a tender heart and soul, and she loved him more than she ever thought possible. She loved him for his strength and courage, and she loved him for his tenderness, and she was annoyed at herself for not realizing his true nature the very first time they met. A man who could love and protect a small cowardly pup had to have a tender heart.

The question was, what now?

While she had no difficulty with patience for mapping and drawing, patience itself was not one of her stronger virtues. So she thought it was best to speak her mind.

She reached her hand out to him as he reached for her.

Chapter 24

T
heir hands locked, and it was Magnus who said, “We have things to discuss.”

“Aye,” she agreed with a nod. “I thought the same myself.”

“We often think much the same.”

“I have noticed,” she said and smiled softly.

Her smile hit his gut hard and sent a silent groan rippling through him. He could not stop himself from reaching for Reena, and in one swift swoop he had her in his lap and his cheek next to hers, soft, silky and kissed by the fire’s warmth.

Were her lips that warm?

His groan was not silent this time, and he whispered against her cheek, “I am going to kiss you.”

“Please.” Her murmur was urgent, and it sent his blood rushing through him like a raging river.

Their lips touched like hungry souls reaching out for sustenance, and they tasted long and hard of each other until finally they broke apart for much needed breaths.

Foreheads rested against each other, breathing was heavy, and love filled both hearts. Neither spoke, but then neither could, and thoughts made no sense. The only sense was that they were in each other’s arms safe and secure and in love and wanting to make love.

She cupped his face in her hands and with a quieted breath she whispered, “I love you.”

If he thought her smile punched his gut, he was mistaken. Her words devastated and thrilled all at once, and he needed to speak from his heart as she had done. “As I said, we often think the same, you and I, for I love you too.”

She smiled, joy filling her heart, and she gave him a quick kiss. “You are sure?”

His own joy caused him to tease. “I must have a moment to reconsider, for you can be stubborn at times.”

She kissed him again before continuing. “And you are demanding.”

He feigned shock. “Me demanding? Never!” His teasing turned to loving and he gazed in her blue eyes. “I demand but one thing of you.”

“Tell me,” she murmured.

He tightened his arms around her waist, pulling her closer to him. “I demand you love me forever, for that is how long I shall love you.”

They kissed slowly and lovingly, and when their lips parted, they rested cheek to cheek.

Reena took a moment to gather her thoughts, and after carefully considering her decision, she spoke up. “There is something I ask, not demand, of you.”

Her serious tone had him paying close attention. “Tell me.”

“I have thought much on love of late, and I realize the enormous responsibility that comes with it. It cannot be taken for granted or expressed on a whim. Love is born in the heart and soul of two people and it is to be cherished, nourished and protected. I love you with all my heart and I wish to love you forever—” She paused. “But the love I speak of is the love I wish to give to my husband.”

“Are you asking me to marry you?” he asked with a grin.

She eased away from him and held her chin up high, ready to defend herself. “Do you wish to marry me?”

He eased her to him. “Since forever.”

Her heart thudded in her chest and her stomach quivered. “Truly?”

“Truly,” he said and nibbled at her lips.

“It matters not that I am your mapmaker?”

“It matters not to you that I am the Legend?”

She giggled softly. “Why would that matter?”

He shrugged. “Why would it matter that I wed my mapmaker? We wed because we love. What better reason?”

She cuddled close to him. “This day ends in much joy. I would have never thought it so.”

“This day will end in much more joy,” he teased and nuzzled her neck.

She playfully pushed at his chest. “We are not yet wed.”

“The heavens heard us confess our love; we are bonded, you and I, and nothing, absolutely nothing, will keep us apart.”

His words sounded like a proclamation for all to hear and with no objections allowed.

The crunch of leaves and steady footsteps caught their attention, and Reena attempted to move away, but his strong hands held firm to her waist.

Philip, one of Magnus’s men, stepped out of the woods and looked to Magnus, unmoved by the intimacy of his lord and his mapmaker. “All is set, I sleep now until my shift.”

Magnus nodded, and the man took the rolled bedding tucked beneath his arm and spread it on the ground not far from the fire. He turned his back to them to sleep.

“We are as good as wed, Reena,” Magnus whispered and moved her so that they could stretch out beside each other, placing Reena closer to the fire’s heat. He cuddled against her back and draped a possessive arm over her.

She felt the length of him, and the heat of his body penetrated her slowly and steadily, unlike the rush of heat from the fire’s flames. She rested her hand on his arm, glad that they’d made their love known to each other, glad that they would wed and eager for her husband’s touch.

Life was good, so very good, and she was grateful, and she fell asleep with happiness filling her heart.

It dawned sunny, the air less chilled. After a quick morning meal the small group was off for a day of mapping. They stopped at a section of land thick with trees. Magnus stood talking with Philip, while Reena was busy surveying the area. It was soon evident that she did not have a good view for mapping, and she turned in a slow circle to determine the best position.

After several slow turns, she tilted her head back, staring up at the tall tree not far from her. “Perfect.”

She fashioned a satchel of cloth from her shawl to carry her sketching items and draped it around her neck to rest to the side. She then proceeded to grab at the lower branch of the tree and pull herself up.

Magnus caught her antics out of the corner of his eye and turned to watch her attempt to hoist herself up on the branch. Her feet swung wildly and her small hands looked as though they could barely hold onto the thick branch. She was going nowhere and tiring herself out fast, but she persisted.

He walked over to her. “Whatever are you doing?”

After a huff and puff or two she managed to answer. “Need a better view.”

He shook his head and with ease hoisted himself up onto the branch from where she dangled.

She cricked her neck and stared up at him. He did not wear his helmet; his handsome face was fully exposed down to his sinful smile, and the morning sun shone through the branches just budding with spring leaves to kiss the warm honey-colored streaks in his brown hair.

A handsome one he was, and he belonged to her.

“You smile as you dangle from the tree.”

“I smile at the man I love.”

He leaned over, grabbed her arms, and pulled her up, steadying her as her feet found their footing on the thick branch. “You are foolishly—”

“In love,” she finished and kissed him, almost sending them both toppling off the branch, were it not for Magnus’s quick reaction.

He steadied them and then braced her to rest against the thick trunk of the tree. “Is this tree climbing necessary?”

Reena looked up at the next branch.

“Absolutely not,” Magnus said, shaking his head firmly.

“I need a better view of the surrounding area. With the trees not fully in bloom I can see far and wide and produce a more accurate map. Then you will know all approaches to your land, for one map will follow the other and you will have a clear and concise drawing of your property.”

Magnus gave thought.

Reena suddenly looked alarmed.

“What is wrong?” Magnus asked and quickly surveyed the surrounding area. Seeing nothing to warrant concern, he turned his attention to Reena.

She immediately voiced her apprehension. “I will remain your mapmaker when we wed, will I not?”

Magnus took careful steps over to her side and placed a gentle hand to her cheek. “I would never deprive you of your work. I will provide you with paper, charcoal, quill and ink for as long as you wish, and you may map until your dying day if you so choose.”

Reena sighed in relief and kissed the palm of his hand.

Her moist lips tingled his flesh and jolted his senses, his male senses. “If only we were not in a tree.”

“Are you not the Legend?” she teased. “A man of many talents and skills?”

His hand grabbed hold of her cheeks, puckering her lips. “You will learn well of my talents and skills.” He smiled. “And I will teach you some of your own.”

She spoke between puckered lips, but her response was clear. “Good, I love to learn new things.”

Magnus groaned deep and harsh and kissed her puckered lips. “Damn, Ree, but you excite me in a most unusual way.”

She eased his hand off her face. “I am glad, for I feel myself eager to be with you.”

He ran a tender finger over her lips. “I promise you that our joining will be a time you long remember.”

She kissed his finger. “I have no doubt of that.”

“Map,” he ordered, and she understood. If she did not soon tend to her work, they would be tending to something much more intimate.

Reena made fast work of the temporary map, asking him relevant questions and giving him pause to reflect on answers that would serve him well in protecting his land.

When they were ready to climb down from the tree, Magnus ordered her to remain as she was and not to move an inch. She gave her word, and he grasped the branch and easily swung himself down to the ground. He then walked with haste to his horse, mounted, and returned, stopping the large steed beneath the tree.

“Drop me your satchel.”

She did as he said.

“Walk out carefully on the branch to where I can reach you.”

It was a bare few steps she needed to take, and she took them without trepidation. She had climbed enough trees with Brigid not to worry about one with a thick and sturdy branch.

“Careful,” he warned with a snap, startling her.

She lost her footing and swung her arms to steady herself, but she could not hold her balance, and she toppled off the branch.

Magnus reacted instinctively, his arms reaching out, and she landed with a solid plop right in them. His heart thudded in fright and his breath raced out in a sigh. She simply smiled.

He shook his head. “You smile when you fall from a tree?”

“I smile because I knew you would catch me.”

“You had no doubt?”

“Nay, not an ounce of doubt. I knew you would be there for me. You never fail to help those you love or those your heart will not let you ignore, no matter the price to you.”

One of his men hurried out from the dense tree covering to the small clearing and shouted to him that strangers were spotted in the distance.

“See what they are about,” Magnus ordered and gave a quick glance at the sky. The sun had suddenly disappeared behind a flurry of gray skies and the distant sky did not look promising; a spring storm seemed probable. “The hills just west of here would be a good place to make camp for the night. There are several small caves where we can seek shelter if it rains. Meet me there when you are done with the strangers.”

The man nodded and disappeared after taking only a few steps into the woods.

“You think a spring storm brews?” Reena asked, glancing at the gray sky.

“I do not wish to take the chance, and besides”—he gave her a hasty kiss—“I wish to be alone with you this night.”

The thought his remark invoked caused her to shiver, and she cuddled against him.

“I will keep you warm,” he whispered in her ear and sent gooseflesh racing down her arms.

“And what of mapping?” she asked, attempting to keep her senses rational, to ignore the rush of tingles that nestled between her legs. She wished to be alone with him and get to know him intimately as much as he wished for them to be alone, but fear mingled with her desire. What if she disappointed him? She was thin and small and not as shapely as most women. And that doubt lingered and nagged at her. But since he loved her it should not make a difference. Still, there would be that moment when she would stand in front of him naked, completely vulnerable. Would he still want her? Or were her doubts her own insecurities?

“Do not fear, there is much for you to map, but
right now
is for you and me.”

He helped her onto her horse and they rode off toward the hills in the distance, the gray clouds thickening and a chilled wind swirling down around them.

It was not long before a sprinkle of rain began to fall and Reena was glad that the hills were not as far as she’d first thought, for the rain turned hard and steady. When finally they reached the hills, they were both soaked through, their skin wet and their bones chilled.

Magnus’s men arrived only minutes later, and they exchanged hasty words before two men and Magnus hurried off in search of sufficient shelter and the other two saw to the care of the horses. Reena waited under a large tree, which kept her protected from the heavy rain, though a fine and steady drizzle kept her wet.

Shelter was located in mere minutes, and the men hurried her and the horses into a cave large enough for them all. A small fire burned and she hurried to warm herself, shivering from her wet clothes and the chill in her bones.