Branded by a Warrior Page 11

  Since she only had a dagger, she needed him to be close, allowing him to get within arms reach she moved like a viper, sending her long golden dagger up through his chin into his brain. Pulling out her blade quickly, he dropped at her feet.

  Across the field Kendrix was slowly losing his battle against the large warrior; his good arm was too damaged from the arrow. Running to fetch an arrow, she dropped to a knee on the ground as she watched the large warrior bring up his broadsword up to deliver a fatal blow across Kendrix’s neck.

  Pulling the longbow back one more time she fired her last arrow as the Douglas warrior’s arms were high in the air, directly to his heart.

  Before her, she saw the Douglas warrior drop dead, Kendrix looked back at her before he himself also dropped to the snowy forest floor.

  Screaming his name she crossed the blood covered snow and slid next to him, cradling his head, “Please hang on, please don’t die Kendrix, please stay with me.”

  Pushing on his wound to control the bleeding, she prayed for Broderick to find them soon. Looking around, she saw the bodies of four fallen Douglas warriors, their blood splattered all around her in the white snow as she held onto the shallow breathing MacMillan warrior.

  Cradling Kendrix, she begged him to stay with her as the sun fell behind a cloud and snow began to fall. In the silence of the forest, she sat on the ground praying for Kendrix’s survival, the arrow had been so close to his heart.

  At the castle, Broderick was in the stable saddling his stallion; they had been gone too long. Something was wrong; he could feel it when he heard the tower guard calling his name.

  “Laird Broderick, Isobel returns alone, on Lady Elisabeth’s stallion!” his guard cried out from the tower.

  “Lower the drawbridge man!” running back to his horse he jumped into the saddle, his heart was pounding. What the hell had happened?

  When Broderick saw Isobel come riding over the drawbridge crying, saddled upon Elisabeth’s stallion, his heart sank. There was no good explanation for what he was seeing.

  “Uncle Broderick! You have to save them, Douglas warriors are after them by the creek!” she cried as he rode up to her.

  Ordering a guard to take her up to Old Rhona, Broderick kicked his stallion and followed the tracks. Galloping as fast as his warhorse would go, his wolfhounds trailed close behind. Why hadn’t he given her a sword or bow?

  Urging his stallion into a full gallop he followed the horse tracks to the creek where Isobel had just fled. Never had such a short distance felt so long, he rode hard, listening for signs of a fight or screams. Dead silence was all he could hear.

  In the bright snow, he saw the stain of blood far before he saw the bodies. Riding up to the scene he scanned the bodies for his brother and future wife.

  Ordering his wolfhounds to find her, he watched as they ran over to a body by the creek and sat down. Turning his horse, he quickly he saw his sable fur sloped over a body, “Elisabeth?” he shouted, his heart had stopped.

  As he rode towards his sable fur, he saw her beautiful face peer up at him, tears running down her ivory face, holding his brother in her arms.

  Jumping off his horse he ran towards her, “No” he whispered as he slid next to her in the snow, blood soaked the ground around them.

  Tears fell from her eyes, “He lives Broderick, just barely. We need to get him back to the castle, his wound in his shoulder is grave and willnae wake up.”

  Looking at her, he saw no wound on her, “Are you okay? Are you hurt?” he asked as he grabbed his brother and threw him over his shoulder.

  “I am fine, Isobel?” she asked as she held the reins to his horse so he could get into the saddle, she watched as he easily mounted his stallion cradling his brother.

  “Aye, scared, but okay,” nodding to Kendrix’s mount, “Bring his horse back Elisabeth, we must hurry.”

  Jumping into Kendrix’s saddle, she followed Broderick back to the castle. The two of them galloped through the woods, the hounds following behind Elisabeth. Not another word was spoken as they rushed towards the castle.

  The drawbridge was lowered by the time they came up to the castle, storming over the bridge Elisabeth saw Broderick ride directly to the castle, following behind him she knew she had to find Isobel. She was sure the young lass was shaken and worried. Broderick shouted orders to those around him as she opened the castle door for him; he took Kendrix to get help, and asked her to find Isobel.

  Doing as requested she nodded and went in search of his niece.

  Arriving at Kendrix’s room, Broderick booted the door open and carried his large brother directly to the bed. Setting him gently down, Broderick leaned down and ripped his brother’s shirt off in one movement. He needed to see the wound. Walking over to the fire, he grabbed the kettle of hot water and poured it in a basin. Carrying it over to the table beside the bed, he eyed the arrow wound low on Kendrix’s left shoulder, just above his heart. It was still bleeding profusely. Dunking a clean linen strip in the hot water he squeezed the water over the wound so he could clear away the blood.

  As soon as the hot water hit Kendrix’s skin his eyes flashed open, a scowl upon his face, “Jesu Broderick! I’m alive stop your damn meddling! Is my daughter okay?” he asked as he struggled to sit up in bed, swatting at Broderick’s hand.

  “Yes she made it back to the castle unscathed. Elisabeth went in search of her. What the hell happened Kendrix?” he asked as he got up from the side of the bed and sat in the chair beside the fire, giving Kendrix space.

  Broderick watched as Kendrix ran his hands over his face and through his hair before he answered, “We had arrived at the creek when it began to rain arrows on us; I took one directly to the shoulder and was thrown off my horse along with Isobel. I ordered Elisabeth to see to Isobel, assuming she would grab my daughter and flee back to the castle. Instead, she sat little Isobel on her warhorse and sent her back to you. Elisabeth then ran to my side dispatched two Douglas warriors with my bow and one with her golden dagger. I was losing the battle with the final Douglas warrior, he went for the fatal blow and Elisabeth stuck an arrow right into his heart. She was strong enough to pull my longbow back Broderick, what woman can do that?” he asked as he took a drink of cool water, “She asked me for a sword before we left and I refused to give her one, Isobel and I are alive because of her Broderick. Give the woman her damn sword back! If it wasn’t for Elisabeth, Isobel and I would be dead.”

  Sitting back in the chair Broderick closed his eyes and thanked his stars that she had managed to fend off the warriors, when he approached the creek and saw blood he was sure he’d find her dead. He had been such a fool delaying her a weapon.

  Behind them, they heard the door open, Old Rhona and Caitriona shuffled in with herbs and bandages to clean up the laird’s younger brother.

  “Aye Kendrix, ye have my word, I’ll see her armed immediately. I’ll check on you later Brother, I’ll send Isobel up to see you herself, she’s worried about you.” Nodding, he left Kendrix in the capable hands of the elder women and went in search of his future bride. He had so many unanswered questions, everything had happened so fast. He knew Elisabeth hadn’t healed enough to pull a bow back, especially Kendrix’s extremely tightly strung bow without hurting her existing injury.

  He searched the kitchen first knowing it had fast become one of her favorite spots, not finding her there he went upstairs to their room to find that empty also. Growing frustrated he went in search of little Isobel, knocking on her door he heard her sweet voice bid him entrance.

  Walking in, he saw his beautiful niece cuddled up in her bed, “Isobel, your father is doing great love, come here and give Uncle Broderick a hug! You were very brave today lass, I am proud of you,” kneeling he opened his arms and watched her run to him with tears still in her eyes.

  “Will he live Uncle Broderick?” she asked as she held onto him.

  “Aye lass, you can go see him if you’d like. He’s in his room now; can you tell me if you�
�ve seen Elisabeth? I can’t find her,” he asked as he held her hand and walked her back to her father’s room.

  Nodding, “She said she needed to go pray, she just left my room moments ago. I told her she could have my sword this morning, she told me you’d give her one. I hope you give her a sword Uncle Broderick, it would make her smile,” she said innocently as they arrived at Kendrix door.

  Ruffling her hair he smiled at her genuine honesty, “Go in and see your Da, he’s waiting for you. I’ll go find Elisabeth lass, and don’t worry, I’ll get her a sword my love.”

  After seeing Isobel snuggle with her father as the elder women saw to his wound, he left them alone and went in search of Elisabeth.

  He found her in the chapel, alone, standing in front of the altar with her head bowed. His sable fur sloped over her shoulders falling to her waist; her dark red hair had fallen from the crown on her head and spilled over her shoulders in loose curls to her waist. His wolfhounds sat at her feet, looking up at him as he entered the chapel from the back.

  Hearing him enter the chapel, he watched as she raised her head and turned around to look him in the eyes. He saw she was covered in blood, her dress was ripped and she held her injured shoulder. Fresh tears fell down her face; her beautiful eyes were red from crying. Taking the alter stairs two at a time he closed the distance between them in seconds.

  Cupping her jaw with both hands he kissed her full upon the mouth, he had came so close to losing her today he almost died. He felt her small hands wrap around his chest as she kissed him back. Wiping away her tears he held her tight as he comforted her.

  Pushing away from him, she shook her head, “Kendrix and Isobel almost died today Broderick, I cannot continue on without a weapon. I’ve let you change the subject time and time again, no more Broderick! I will gladly die for them, for you, but give me a fighting chance! Let me die a warrior’s death, not without a weapon to defend myself!” She seethed between clenched teeth, clearly emotional and upset.

  Her words shamed him, she was right. He had pushed aside the conversation every time she brought it up, today his brother, niece and his future wife almost died because of his stubbornness. In the back of his mind he thought if he gave her a weapon, she’d change, that she wouldn’t need him. He had assumed when she got a blade in her hands that she would morph into a different person, that she would no longer have use for him.

  Taking her hand, “Come with me Elisabeth, I have something to show you,” entwining fingers with her, he walked with her from the chapel up to the keep. Night was falling upon them and the snow had stopped, walking through the fresh snow he brought her up to the keep. The two walked in silence, hand in hand.

  Bypassing all those they saw, he took her upstairs to the solar next to his room, it had been his mother’s and had set empty for years. These past weeks he had Rhona working on making it habitable again for her, he knew eventually the lass would want her own room. He was unwilling to have her far away. Although he wanted her to sleep in their room every night, he wanted her to have a room in the castle all to herself, a room for his queen.

  Walking up the stone stairs he stopped before a door she had never entered before, the door that was directly across from his bedroom.

  “Wait here, I’ll go light the candles so you can see,” grabbing a candlestick off the stonewall he opened the door and closed it behind him. Moments later he appeared, opening the door wide.

  “Welcome to your solar my love, I wanted to gift you with it after our wedding. I fear I just can’t wait that much longer, come in,” he beckoned from the doorway.

  Walking into the lovely room, she looked at Broderick, “You don’t want me to sleep next to you?” she asked, confused at finally being given a room now.

  Shaking his head and standing behind her, he wrapped his arms around her chest and leaned down to whisper into her ear, “I always want you to sleep next to me Elisabeth, this is room is to be your escape. Your personal room to do with as you see fit, the room is for you yes, but what I wanted to really give you sits in that corner,” pointing over to the wardrobe on the far wall, “You are right, I almost lost three people I love today, go open the doors,” he let go of her shoulders and nudged her towards the wooden doors.

  Looking over her shoulder, she was reeling in the fact that Broderick had in his own way, told her that he loved her. In all of her time here, he had never once mentioned anything of love. Walking over to the large wardrobe, she pulled the doors open and stepped back.

  Before her lay an impressive broadsword, a perfect match to his. Leather bracers with his crest notched in them. Hanging in the back of the wardrobe was chainmail, specifically shaped for her, a woman. Along with that was a beautiful longbow, intricately carved with a quiver of arrows, a shortsword that shined with perfection and a matching dirk.

  Reaching in she picked up the broadsword and held it out at arms length as she tested the weight in her hand. Turning around she looked up at Broderick, “You had all of these made to match your weapons, for me?” she asked as she tested the grip on the sword.

  “Aye lass, there is a new place above the mantel for your broadsword too. I’m sorry it took so long to make, I wanted your set to be perfect, it is your wedding present,” he admitted as he walked towards her, “I had the blade shortened and forged for you only, do you love it?” he asked, hopeful he had given her something she valued.

  Sitting down the sword, “Not as much as I love you Broderick,” stepping into his arms she threw her hands around his neck and bestowed a kiss upon him that had him kicking the door to the solar closed. Reaching behind him he threw the latch and picked her up, carrying her over to the large bed across the room he sat her on her feet as he unchained his sable off her shoulders letting it fall to the floor.

  Reaching down he ran his hands up her skirt, across her thighs as he nudged them apart, burying his fingers into her wetness, “Say it again Elisabeth,” his voice velvet smooth as he slid his fingers deeper into her as she leaned up against the bed.

  “I love you Broderick, I’ll love you to the day I die,” her words floated around him as he spun her around and bent her over the bed, flipping up her skirts, he bared her naked ass, toeing her legs farther apart he grasped his hard cock and ran it over her wet valley, “Do you want me my queen?” he teased as he pushed in with his tip and quickly withdrew from her.

  Looking over her shoulder, she bit her lip as she said, “Oh yes my king.”

  Sinking into her from behind, he sunk into her molten core with a powerful thrust that lifted her off her feet and made her moan his name as she grasped at the sheets upon the bed.

  “Say it again my queen,” he demanded as he rocked into her, tilting her high off the floor.

  Gasping at the erotic sensation of him fucking her from behind she whispered, “I love you Broderick.”

  One of his hands reached up and squeezed her ample breasts as his other held on tight to her hip as he made love to her from behind, arching into him she felt the sensation of a climax arising in her as he pounded her mercilessly from behind.

  Not seeing him was a new erotic sensation for her, he was able to penetrate far deeper than he ever had, it took away her breath, he was so large and demanding. She loved every moment of it.

  Both fully dressed, they made love until both of them came together, Broderick had rather liked she was a screamer. She called out his name as he took her over the edge, joining her moments later.

  Slowly pulling out of her, he flipped down her skirts and cradled her against his chest, and carried her over to their bedroom.

  Chapter 7

  The next morning Elisabeth awoke first, slipping out of their warm bed she pulled one of Broderick’s linen shirts over her head and ordered the wolfhounds to stay as she crept out of the room.

  Exiting Broderick’s room she walked over to her new solar, opening the door she walked in shutting the door behind her. Looking over at the bed she saw the sheets a mess from last night whe
re Broderick had made love to her. Smiling at the thought, she walked over to the wardrobe to see her new weapons.

  Throwing the doors wide she stood before the beautifully forged weapons in awe, a perfect match to Broderick’s set; slightly modified for her build, the weapons were breathtaking.

  The chainmail was molded to fit her slim figure and large breasts; the leather bracers were sized to fit her narrow wrists, and also matched what Broderick wore. It was obvious to Elisabeth that he had ordered these weapons forged long ago; it took a considerable amount of time to create such fantastic weapons as these. He had taken great care in selecting each item for her and having it made with specific detail.

  Picking up one of the bracers she attached it to her sword arm, the fit was perfect. Plucking up her sword she twirled it in her hands and sliced it through the air, pleased with the weight. The sword was well balanced, and the handle was small enough for her to grip easily with her small hand.

  From the doorway Broderick watched his future wife, donned in only his shirt. He watched her with wonder as she wielded her new weapon. With the sword in her hand she looked like a natural, her movements quick and skilled, he watched her enjoy her new gifts with appreciation.

  With her back turned to the door, she hadn’t realized he was watching her until she heard his velvet voice, “So quickly you leave my side for your sword, I see how it is my little warrior queen.”

  Turning around, she saw her future husband leaning his shoulder against the doorway, a sheet wrapped around him as he crossed his arms and smiled at her. His dark hair tousled from sleep and sex, his smile made her crave him as she watched his arms flex.

  Sitting down her sword on the table she ran and jumped into his arms, wrapping her slim bare legs around his waist she kissed him as she whispered, “I’ll never leave your side my love.”

  Catching her as she jumped, he grabbed her bare ass and squeezed as he kissed his beloved’s sweet mouth. She stirred such emotion in him; he still had a hard time accepting it. Watching her with a sword made him hard; he never expected the sight to arouse him. The moment the blade touched her hand she transformed into a warrior queen, her movements changed in subtle ways. Gone was the elegant lady, and before him was a well trained warrior. He could tell from her posture and graceful swings that she was indeed worthy of her reputation. Her focus and precision were apparent in her every move. He had watched for her a long time before finally speaking, she was memorizing.