Branded by a Warrior Read online

  Closing the door to the solar behind him, he locked it with one hand as he claimed her mouth, squeezing her ass as she moaned his name. Carrying her over to the large bed he tossed her on the bed, extracting a giggle from her as she bounced onto the fluffy bed.

  Crooking her finger at Broderick she beckoned him as she lifted his shirt over her head and tossed it on the floor, leaving her naked before him.

  Crawling on the bed, Broderick let his sheet fall away from his hips as he kissed her toes and worked his way up past her ankle, sliding her lean legs apart he knelt between them.

  “I dislike you leaving our bed first,” he whispered as he kissed the inside of her thighs, sliding his hands underneath her exquisite ass pulling her closer to him.

  Biting her lip she looked into his eyes, she could see the desire in his eyes. He was glorious, his body was in tune with hers as if they were made for each other.

  Lying naked in the solar bed, she looked up into at her lover kneeling between her legs as he kissed her thighs. Growing hot with need she shut her eyes and ran her hands through his silky hair.

  The moment his tongue touched her center she melted with pleasure. Broderick pulled her into him as he feasted on her; his tongue teased her as he pleasured her.

  She had never felt anything so intimate as his mouth on her sex, it was erotic and breathtaking, “Oh my god Broderick,” she whispered as she writhed underneath his skillful hands.

  Bringing her to the edge of a climax, Broderick rolled her over and brought her down upon his rock hard cock in a slow pace. Sinking into her molten core slowly he watched as her head fell back as he entered her.

  Gasping at his size, she rolled her hips and lowered herself down upon her glorious warrior, moaning his name as he reached up and cupped her bouncing breasts with his large hands.

  Bouncing her up and down he loved watching her fall apart, naked except for her new leather bracer she rode him with growing skill. He no longer had to hold back from her, she refused to allow him to take it easy on her. She had told him night after night to have his way with her; she enjoyed everything he had done to her. She gave freely to him, unashamed or embarrassed she craved their closeness.

  “Tell me what I want to hear my queen,” he purred as he watched her ride his velvet cock.

  Looking down into his handsome face, she leaned closer to him and let her breast touch his bare chest, whispering into his ear, “I love you Broderick, I am yours.”

  Rocking into her with such a feeling of possession, he grabbed her ass and buried himself deep into her womb as he catapulted them both into a climax, “Aye Lis, you are mine.”

  Screaming his name she exploded on top of him as he filled her womb with his warm seed as he did every time they had sex. Lying in each other’s arms they feel back asleep for a few hours before they both woke up hungry, and in need of a bath.

  Broderick was the first one dressed and ready for the day, kissing her, “Join me downstairs when you are dressed my love, we can visit with Isobel for a while together.”

  Nodding she watched as he left their room to see to his duties, his dogs following behind him. Lying back in the bed, she pulled the covers over herself and simply laid there in pure happiness.

  Less than an hour later she was dressed and ready to find her future husband; leaving the room she descended the stone staircase to the keep. Donning another beautiful creation by Rhona, she had her MacMillan plaid draped over her chest as the women normally wore it. Over her shoulders, Broderick’s prized sable fur she had claimed as her own. She wore her new sword with honor at her left hip, her dirk and shortsword also attached to her side. It felt incredible to be armed, especially in such personalized weapons that matched Broderick’s swords.

  It was nearly the afternoon by the time she appeared downstairs. Many of the castle staff was busy doing their chores, waving to their new mistresses happily as they went about their duties.

  Looking in the kitchen she found it empty, turning down the hall towards Isobel’s room she recognized Broderick’s stern voice echoing down the corridor as she approached. He wasn’t alone and by the tone of his voice, he wasn’t pleased either.

  Hearing the female voice, she stopped in her tracks well out of view and listened. She knew exactly who he talked to with such irritation.

  “But you can’t just ignore the fact that we are betrothed Broderick, if you marry anyone, it will be me!”

  “We were betrothed Siobhan, many many years ago. You certainly ignored that fact when you ran off and married another man Siobhan, you broke our engagement. I will not honor a contract after you married another. I am sorry your husband died, but it is not my duty to marry you. I will marry Elisabeth, accept that as a fact. She will be my wife, not you.”

  Standing against the stone wall of the corridor she felt guilty listening to the conversation, turning to walk away she stopped in her tracks as Siobhan countered with, “Don’t you think it is odd that she was the only survivor Broderick? That your brother and niece were attacked while in her presence, and yet again she survived? She’s only using you. Didn’t you learn your lesson with Fiona?”

  His voice was cold and bitter, “Do not ever compare Elisabeth to Fiona. Are you so jealous you’d make outlandish accusations against my future wife?”

  Lowering her eyelids she countered, “Time will tell, I guess we shall see if you are made to be a fool yet again, I’ll be waiting for you when she betrays you.”

  From the corridor Elisabeth’s blood boiled, how dare that whore accuse her of such vileness? Pushing off the wall she walked away before she walked around the corner and tore that bitch’s throat out with her bare hands.

  Clenching her jaw she exited the keep and went in search of her horse, she needed to ride. Walking through the snow-covered bailey she marched towards the stables determined to escape these walls for a ride. Today she was outfitted with her new weapons and felt invincible with the rage flowing through her veins.

  Although the warriors rode out on daily border patrols, she had yet to be allowed to leave alone; yesterday with Kendrix was the only time. She cared naught that the woods could be teeming with Douglas warriors, she would be glad to kill anyone she came across in her current mood.

  Saddling her brother’s stallion herself, she ignored the stable hands as they begged to do it for her. Her polite mood and graciousness were absent today, replaced with rage and frustration she swung up on her black mount glaring at anyone who stood in her way.

  Sitting upon her horse, she leaned down and patted the large black stallion’s neck and whispered to him, “Let’s see if we can escape our prison my friend” lightly tapping her heels into the horse’s side, they moved as one towards the drawbridge.

  “Lower the drawbridge” she called up, with determination and power.

  “I have not been given approval to allow you to leave alone Lady Elisabeth, I am sorry” the nervous guard answered as his eyes searched for his laird.

  Pulling her broadsword from her side, she pointed it right at the guard, “You will lower the drawbridge Ian or I will cut off your balls” she commanded with such force the warrior’s jaw dropped.

  The other guards looked at each other, not quite sure what to do. She noticed several men run towards the keep, most likely to inform their Laird of her demand. Sitting upon her horse, she watched as the tower guard froze. Narrowing her eyes she pointed her broadsword at the drawbridge. “Lower it NOW Ian!” She barked with such commanding force she saw him move instantly.

  As soon as the large wooden drawbridge hit the ground she spurred her horse and galloped away from the castle with such speed. Anger poured off her as she rode along the trails, the cool wind blew her hair free. Siobhan’s words still fresh in her mind; she rode as fast as her stallion would take her. Her hair whipped in the wind as she urged her mount on. She felt free and alive, letting the ride and peacefulness of the frozen woods calm her nerves; she rode on, her destination unknown. She knew it was only a ma
tter of time before the guards informed Broderick of her escape from his heavily fortified castle. He would come, and he would be livid with her, and right now, she didn’t give a damn.

  Deciding to enjoy the time she had alone, she maneuvered through Broderick’s forests with ease; the sunlight flickered through the dark clouds hitting her face every now an then. The freedom of being outside the castle walls was welcoming to her soul; she had felt trapped for weeks. She was unaccustomed to being sealed inside for such a long time. Yesterday’s trip had turned into a disaster; today she promised herself was a new day. She was the master of her fate.

  From in the keep Broderick had heard the grating sound of the drawbridge being lowered as he argued with Siobhan. Leaving her standing in the castle he ran outside to see several guards running towards him, his wolfhounds following closely behind him.

  “My Laird, she made us lower the drawbridge, we tried to stop her!” a winded guard explained as Broderick looked at the lowered drawbridge.

  “Stop who? Please tell me you didn’t let Elisabeth leave?” he barked, walking past them towards the stables.

  “Aye, she’s alone and madder than I’ve ever seen her. She threatened to cut off Ian’s balls if he did not lower the bridge. She left only moments ago; your horse is saddled my Laird.”

  Running to the stable he swung up on his tall chestnut stallion and thundered out of the castle in search of her. What had made her so upset? Had she stumbled upon him and Siobhan arguing? Did she not remember the fight for her life yesterday? His brother had almost died, and she rode back out into the woods alone? Now that she had a weapon, did she leave him so quickly?

  Following her tracks to the west he urged his horse into a gallop as he traced her path in the snow. His dogs close behind him. He rode for what seemed like an eternity before he found her. His black sable fur stood out amongst all the snow, she had dismounted and sat near the frozen waterfall on a fallen log. The sun illuminated her in a single beam from the cloudy sky. Her hair had fallen loose of its pins, falling gloriously to her waist in.

  Elisabeth had heard Broderick approaching from far away; turning her head to look at him she locked eyes with the formidable laird. Sitting perfectly still, she watched Broderick slow his approaching horse as he drew near. She could see him physically calm down once he saw her, he was obviously worried, if not furious with her.

  Her long ride had soothed her soul, being alone on her massive horse she had rose through the peaceful woods, shutting out the world around her. There were no children, no warriors, no men, and no women, only her and her horse as she galloped to this spot. She had time to clear her chaotic mind, time to regain control of her rampant emotions. During her precious few moments outside the walls of Castle MacMillan she was break free of her role and just be one with nature.

  Keeping her eyes upon Broderick, she watched him ride up and gracefully dismount his tall horse. Walking in front of her he knelt before her and grabbed her small hands and looked into her eyes, “Tell me what is going on my love,” he asked as he squeezed her hands gently.

  “Do you trust me Broderick?” she asked, crinkling her eyebrows.

  “Aye Lis, I trust you with my life,” he answered immediately, reaching up and brushing a curl from her face.

  Pushing him away she stood up and walked over to the corner of the frozen lake before turning around, “Do you trust me with your heart?” she whispered, tears pooling in her eyes as she eyed the tall warrior.

  Standing alone together in the frozen forest he closed the distance between them, “Aye, you know that I do lass.”

  With a questioning looked she countered, “Do I Broderick? Each night you claim me as yours, you require me to admit my love for you yet never have you told me that you loved me. Never.”

  He was aware he had yet to make that declaration to her yet, she hadn’t brought it up once over the course of their days and nights together. He had been so close to telling her loved her so many times, yet he couldn’t get the words out of his mouth. Crossing his arms he looked down at the vibrant beauty, “I would die for you Lis, I would give up anything and everything I have for you, only you. I have chosen you to be my wife. I owe you my life for saving Kendrix and Isobel; I owe you my life for stopping your brother and I from fighting all those years ago. Are you really going to stand there in front of me and question my love for you? Can you not feel it when I touch you? Did you not feel it when I bestowed those weapons you have strapped to your side? Tell me woman, although I may have not said it, do you really doubt what I feel for you?”

  Her heart melted as he spoke, he was right. He might not have said the words but he had showed her in his actions, he thoughtfulness and in his touch. Lowering her eyes, she stepped into him and wrapped her arms around his waist, “Nay, I know that you care Broderick. I am sorry.”

  Wrapping his arms around her he squeezed her, “I may never be able to say the words you want to hear, but never doubt what I feel for you Lis.”

  “I heard you arguing with Siobhan in the hallway, I was so upset with her comparing me to Fiona I saw red. I felt like the walls were closing in on me and I needed to ride, my anger took over and I threatened your guards so they would let me leave,” she explained, she never wanted him to distrust her like he did so many others.

  Tilting up her chin, “I’m sorry you had to hear that, she won’t let go of the issue. I know her tactics Elisabeth. I can understand your need to ride, but woman, just yesterday you slayed four Douglas warriors on the other side of my lands, did ye not think of the danger of riding alone?”

  “With my current mood I would almost feel sorry for any foe who found me today Broderick, with these weapons, and my rage, I would lay anyone low who stood in my way without a second thought.”

  Chuckling, “Ah, there is my beautiful warrior! Shall we finish the ride and allow you to cool down before heading home? If we are gone too long Kendrix will order the guards to search for us.” Linking hands with her, he lifted her hand to his lips and kissed it before lifting her onto her waiting horse.

  “Thank you for understanding and not shouting at me, I thought you would be furious” she whispered as they set out back towards the castle.

  Watching her ride beside him, everything about the woman set his blood on fire. He knew he’d never be happy with a quiet obedient wife, he needed fire and ice and his little redhead was just that. She could wield a sword and ride a stallion like a seasoned warrior. He truly did love her, what he felt for her he had never experienced in his life, it had to be love. Why couldn’t he say it? He didn’t understand it himself.

  Riding back towards the castle the two crossed the lowered drawbridge together and headed to the stable. Sliding off his horse he lifted her out of her saddle before she could hop off, letting her slide down him he whispered into her ear, “Go upstairs my love, I’ll join you in a few moments and show you just how much I care.”

  Winking at her, he swatted her sweet little ass as he watched her blush as she walked towards the keep. Watching her enter the keep he turned to find his brother, he had noticed a different set of tracks that had rode up to the castle from a different direction. Finding Kendrix in the armory he shook off the snow as he nodded to his brother, “Who arrived?”

  “A messenger, from Kincaid. Did you find Elisabeth?” he asked as he rounded the worktable and joined his brother by the fire and handed him the parchment he had tucked in his tartan.

  “Aye, woman has a temper on her. Shall we see what that bloody ass has to say?” he asked as he broke the seal on the letter and quickly scanned through the thinly veiled threat.

  Beside him, Kendrix chuckled, “Of course she has a temper, what did you do now to upset her?”

  Looking up from the parchment Broderick replied, “She over heard Siobhan casting suspicion on her, she dared compare Elisabeth to Fiona.”

  Raising his eyebrows and pouring them a drink Kendrix moaned, “Oh I’m sure that went over splendid, Siobhan should consi
der herself lucky she’s not dead. She hasn’t been making Elisabeth’s life easy around the castle. What does the letter say Brother?”

  Taking the ale, he threw back the drink and wiped his mouth before answering, “Our friend Kincaid demands his betrothed is handed over or he will personally come to escort her home to Douglas lands,” crumpling the letter up he tossed it in the fire and watched it burn.

  Taking a bracing drink of his ale, Kendrix smiled as he asked, “and your reply will be?”

  Chuckling at his brother’s question, “My reply shall be the announcement of my wedding to the beautiful warrior queen. I’d die a million deaths before letting that man touch her.”

  “When shall the glorious occasion take place my brother, the clan is most excited to celebrate your wedding?”

  “Tomorrow, we cannot afford to wait any longer. I want her safe and married to me by tomorrow night. I cannot wait to send that bastard my reply.”

  “Perfect, the clan needs a good celebration. Tomorrow it is, I’ll see that the priest is notified and the kitchens prepped for the celebration. I’ll see you later Brother, I’ll go let Rhona know.”

  Standing up to join Kendrix, “I suppose I should go inform the bride of her wedding, eh?” he joked as they walked out of the armory and into the keep. Walking with his brother they talked of security measures that would need to be taken. Splitting at the keep, they went in different directions. Taking the stairs two at a time Broderick reached the top of the stairs to find his dogs laying in the hallway outside their bedroom door. He was unsure if she was in their bedroom or her solar, he chose their bedroom first due to his dogs lying directly in front of that door. Stepping over the hounds he walked in to see her broadsword hung on the fireplace just below where his normally was held. The sight made him smile.