She had nearly broken his heart when she had confessed how lonely she had been. He could not imagine not having his family around, or their refusing to speak with him, completely ignoring him as if he didn’t exist. How could her father, her clan, have done that to her? And how had she survived it and retained her sanity?
His heart went out to her, and he wanted to keep her close and protect her not only from her father but from loneliness. He wanted her to know that she need only reach out, and he would be there.
Always. He always would be there.
He wished he could declare, shout, sing out his love for her, but he held his tongue. He knew that was the last barrier they would need to breach before she agreed to marry him. And he would not take the chance of her using it against him. She might believe he loved her, but it was to his advantage not to voice it just yet.
He was glad that they would have some time alone together. He didn’t know how long he could stay with her. Bryce was aware of the situation and had told him that he would send word when the time was right for him or them both to return.
He hoped for more than just a few days. He hoped they would have weeks to love and to let their love take firm root and grow. Then nothing could stop them, not even a curse.
He still wasn’t sure how he would work his way around the curse. How he could convince her that it could not affect them and even how he knew it held no power against their love.
He would take one step at a time, and the first step was getting Tara to see the power of their love. And the more he made love to her, the more time they spent together, the more she would realize that and the better chance he’d have of convincing her that their love was more powerful than the curse.
He made sure their cloaks were tucked around them, the last of the warm ashes having died off and the cold already seeping in through the walls. Their bodies, however, had retained the heat of their passion and were warm and snug beneath the cloaks. He would keep watch over her and listen for any unusual sounds.
He would let nothing happen to her. Nothing.
He pressed a kiss to the top of her head and whispered what he wished he could shout. “I love you. I will always love you.”
Chapter 26
Reeve had slept for only a few hours. Tara had woken suddenly a couple of hours before dawn and insisted that he sleep even though he could see she was still fatigued. He didn’t argue, knowing a couple of hours would refresh him enough for the day.
He had been trained as a warrior since a very early age and had learned to exist on little sleep. Tara, however, had not, and he knew the fast pace he set would wear her down though they had little choice.
The king’s soldiers and Carnoth’s men would not rest. They would keep a pace more grueling than the one he and Tara set. And he explained this to her.
She yawned and slipped her bundle on her arm. “Then we will need to set a more strenuous pace. And if I’m correct, that would mean we will reach Pict land by nightfall.”
“It is possible if we can keep a good pace.”
“Then I suggest we get started,” she said, and opened the door.
Reeve grinned and followed her out. Clouds greeted them and a brisk chill, though no snow fell. Reeve took the lead, and Tara remained close behind. He glanced back often to make certain she kept up, and she did, though he wondered how long she could last. They didn’t converse much, a word or two here and there. Instead, they conserved their strength for their laborious journey.
They stopped briefly to grab the food left from last night and ate as they walked. Reeve knew Tara was feeling the pace, but she bravely matched his strides. He was glad for the silence between them, his warrior instincts always more alert in the silence.
The day dragged on, but not their feet, and soon dusk would be falling. An hour or more, and they would reach Pict territory. Though the day had gone well for them, Reeve wouldn’t let his guard down until they were safe, and even then he would be watchful.
He heard it too late, though he was able to draw his sword and shove Tara behind him as he braced for attack. They came charging from the woods, only three, and he knew he could easily do away with them. Then three more charged from another direction, and he felt he’d be able to dispose of them as well, though he worried that in the melee Tara could be taken from him.
“Stay close,” he ordered. “Don’t let them separate us.”
Her back slammed against his.
“Keep alert and let no one near you.”
There was no more time for talk, only time to fight. They attacked from all sides and Reeve took two down right away. The others did as he expected; they tried to separate them. He was impressed and grateful that Tara hadn’t let fear intrude. She bravely kept to his back and he heard a soldier yelp now and again.
“Get her, you fool,” one soldier yelled.
“She’s throwing stones at me,” he answered.
“She’s only a woman.”
“A cursed woman,” Tara yelled. “Look what I’ve brought down on this fool.”
Her threatening words gave the soldiers a brief pause, and Reeve took advantage. In no time, he disposed of two more. He wasn’t happy to see two others emerge from the woods, and he wondered how many more waited in the shadow of the trees.
He fought with the fury of ten men, intent on keeping the soldiers from separating them, and Tara did the same, staying at his back and fending off their attackers with stones.
Reeve took another one down, but they were getting smart, and he feared they would somehow drive a wedge between him and Tara.
“Stay close,” he yelled, as his sword clashed with three, the others circling behind him.
Another soldier fell, and Reeve felt confident that he’d have them all down in no time. When suddenly one circled in a run and charged him from the side, Reeve turned to fend him off, but too late. He went sprawling to the ground, leaving Tara vulnerable.
He scrambled to his feet, and what he saw stabbed at his heart and made him roar with anger. A soldier had hold of her by the hair and was dragging her off into the woods. She was screaming and kicking and clawing at his hand, but he held firm.
Reeve turned on the remaining soldiers with a vengeance. They were no match for his fury, and he disposed of them quickly and made a dash after Tara. He stopped for a moment once in the woods and listened.
God bless her, she was still screaming, and he followed the sound.
He almost panicked when he heard the sound of horses snorting. If they got her on a horse and rode off, he’d never catch them. He broke into a dead run that nothing could stop. He mowed down small bushes, shoved branches out of his way, vaulted over large rocks, and never once slowed down.
He focused on her scream all the while mumbling, “I’m coming for you, Tara. I’m coming for you.”
He barged through a clumping of bushes onto a large boulder and as he did he saw one of the two soldiers land a punch to Tara’s jaw, snapping her head back and knocking her unconscious.
A feral snarl started deep in his chest, and as he launched himself off the boulder, sword in hand, it burst into a spine-chilling roar.
The soldier paled as the mighty Highlander came hurtling through the air toward him. Shock and fear froze the soldier, and, with one forceful swing of Reeve’s sword, he was dead. He turned to dispose of the other soldier, but he was gone.
Reeve kept his sword in hand as he hurried to Tara, draped over the horse on her stomach. She was still unconscious and a bruise was darkening her chin. If he could kill the fool soldier all over again, he would, he was so furious that he had hurt her.
It would be a while before she regained consciousness, and he intended to take advantage of that. After sheathing his sword, he mounted the horse and hurried them away from the carnage and possible further attack.
In no time they would be on Pict land, and the soldiers would dare not follow since the Picts blended with the land and one never saw them coming until it was t
oo late. He and Tara, however, were expected, Bliss having sent one of Roan’s men with a message days ago, having sensed that someone would need sanctuary though not knowing who.
They crossed the border though no line of demarcation could be seen; it was simply known. This was the land of the Picts. The land of the old ways and old beliefs, and one trod with respect or not at all.
Reeve brought the horse to a stop as soon as he heard Tara groan. He was off the horse and had her in his arms just as her eyes struggled to open.
“You’re safe,” he said, and his heart ached as she struggled to fight through the haze that engulfed her. He continued to encourage. “You were so very brave, and I am so very proud of you.”
Her eyes finally opened, and a full smile bloomed though it turned to a quick wince, her bruise having worsened considerably. “We survived?”
“We did.” He grinned. “But then I would have it no other way.”
“You are an obstinate one.”
“I will take that as a compliment since it comes from someone with the same quality.”
She laughed, but a painful grimace soon stole it.
“No laughing,” he ordered, her pain bringing him pain.
She lifted her hand and tentatively touched his face.
He knew what disturbed her. “I told you the curse can’t affect me.”
Her look asked, are you sure?
“No curse will touch me,” he said, and gave her a gentle kiss.
She, in turn, gave him a weak smile, and he laughed, saying, “You don’t believe me, but just wait, you’ll see I’m right. I’m always right.”
She almost laughed but stopped herself, the slight crease of her mouth causing her to wince. The lack of a smile didn’t prevent her merriment from showing, for it danced boldly in her lavender eyes.
Reeve felt a catch to his heart. Never had he seen someone as beautiful as her. He had gazed upon her many times, but not until this very moment did he see her true beauty, and it astounded him. And he felt it, actually felt her beauty. It seeped slowly and steadily into him, and as it took firm root, he knew it was life-sustaining and that never, ever would he be able to live without it. Never before had he experienced such an overwhelming sensation, and he knew then and there that he loved Tara with a deep abiding love that he had never known existed until now.
He kissed her gently. “We need to find shelter for the night.”
“What of Bliss’s cottage?’
“It is too far. If we get an early start tomorrow, we’ll reach it before nightfall. Bliss made mention of a run-down croft just over the border.”
“Then let’s find it,” Tara said, struggling to sit up.
Reeve got her to her feet with ease and held her firm until he was sure she had steady footing. And even though she insisted that she was fine, he scooped her up, carried her to the horse a few feet away, and lifted her to the saddle. He swung himself up, coming to rest behind her.
His arms went around her, and she snuggled against him as he took the reins in his hands.
By the time Reeve found the dilapidated croft, Tara was asleep in his arms. Exhaustion had finally claimed her, and he wished he didn’t have to disturb her. His worry was for naught since when he dismounted, she barely stirred in his arms.
The cottage had a partial roof left, and one wall had crumbled in half. It would be more like sleeping under the stars, though the remaining walls would keep the wind from whipping at them. And the fireplace appeared intact, so they would have a modicum of warmth for the night.
Reeve shook his cloak off his shoulders and, with his booted foot, spread it out on the floor. He carefully lowered Tara down on it, tucking her cloak more tightly around her. He then set to work, his first chore getting a fire going. Afterwards, he saw to the care of the horse, finding shelter for the animal in an old lean-to. With no food left, he ignored his grumbling stomach and figured it would be best to sleep and get an early start in the morning. He stretched out beside Tara and eased her cloak from around her, intending to wrap both of them in it. He yanked a little too hard, and she rolled into him, her chest slamming against his.
Her eyes fluttered open, and the tip of her tongue peeked out and licked her dry lips until they were plump with moisture. Being that her mouth wasn’t far from his and her lips glistened invitingly, Reeve didn’t think twice. He kissed her.
She returned the kiss with more passion than he had expected, igniting his own passion, which sat far too close to the surface and had been for some time. He wasn’t sure if she was fully awake, or perhaps thought herself in a dream, for her eyes remained closed. Either way, it didn’t matter; they had hungered for each other far too long, and it was time to quench that hunger.
He slipped his hand inside the bodice of her dress and took hold of her plump breast. He gave a slight squeeze and she moaned into his mouth and he deepened their kiss.
To his utter surprise, she rolled on top of him and wiggled her body against his. His body instantly responded, and she settled herself comfortably against his bulge as if nesting on it, in hopes that her heated warmth would bring it further to life. It was his turn to groan, and she took advantage, taking charge of the kiss.
Her teasing tongue had him wondering how it would feel if she should taste the size of him with as much enthusiasm and made him grow all the more hard. Which sent her moving against him in a steady rhythm and had her mewling like only a woman in need could.
He tore his mouth away from hers and tore at the ribbons of her bodice to plant his face in the crevice of her bosoms. Lord, but she smelled good, the perfect blend of sweetness and woman. His mouth soon found a nipple, and he suckled it, not like a thirsty babe but like a man needing to satisfy, not only himself, but her as well.
She moaned and rubbed herself against him harder, and he joined in her frantic rhythm; the scent of her moisture drifted up to sting his nostrils and sent him over the edge of passion and into madness.
He grabbed at her waist, flipped her on her back, and came to rest over her, his hands rushing her dress up her legs. Her eyes spread wide open. They were the deepest purple he had ever seen and sensual, almost as if her passion had heated her usual lavender to this raging purple.
“I—I–”
He kissed her quick. “Don’t ask me to stop.” His fingers found the opening between her legs he was searching for before she could respond, and the sleek moisture that welcomed him had him groaning. “You’re wet and ready for me.”
She nodded, her body arching against his playful fingers.
He knew she wanted this just as much as he did, but he wanted to hear her say it. He moved his fingers, positioning himself to enter her, and then he rubbed enticingly against her, entering just far enough to tease. “Tell me you want me, Tara. Tell me.”
Her passionate groan almost had him plunging into her, but he held firm. He would hear it from her. He would hear her say that she wanted him. She had to. She had to surrender willingly, for to him it was the only way to break that wretched curse she believed in.
With her eyes wide and her lips trembling, she said “I—”
Reeve slammed his hand over her mouth and shook his head. In the split second before she spoke he had heard the crunch of footfalls.
“Quiet, I hear something,” he murmured in her ear, and she nodded.
He moved off her, and Tara quickly fixed her garments.
The sound came again, and Reeve looked to her. Her eyes were wide with fright, and damn if passion didn’t remain strong in them. He placed a finger to his lips, warning her to remain silent, and she nodded.
His sword was already in his hand, since he had grabbed it from where it lay beside him. He couldn’t believe that the soldiers would be foolish enough to cross over into Pict territory. They had to know that they would never survive against the indigenous Picts.
Still, Reeve had to remain cautious. The king could very well have ordered his men to bring her back at all costs. And only in the
condition that she be able to speak her vows. The thought still infuriated him, and he hoped he would be the one lucky enough to see to King Kenneth’s demise.
“Greetings clan MacAlpin.”
Reeve didn’t take any chances, he called back. “Who goes there?”
“A Pict. Who else would dare tread on our land without invite?”
Still cautious, Reeve signaled Tara to remain there while he went to make certain it was a Pict who greeted them. He returned in no time to find that Tara had secured all their belongings and was ready to run if necessary.
He smiled. “You did well, and thankfully we are safe. Odran has come to take us to Bliss’s cottage.”
“Now?” Tara asked.
“He says a severe snowstorm approaches and will be here by morning.”
Tara nodded, staring at Reeve.
He stared back. They both understood the urgency of their departure, but they both also understood that passion still ran like fire through their bodies. Though Reeve was no longer as hard as he had been, there still remained a thickness to him. And from the color of Tara’s eyes, purple, he knew that she was still wet and ready for him. It was not going to be easy sitting behind her on the horse, and damn if the thought didn’t harden him all the more.
“We best go,” he said abruptly.
She nodded, grabbed the sack, and hurried out the door.
He followed after, first taking a deep breath and giving the wall a punch.
Odran explained that the snowstorm would probably last a few days and that they would be snowbound, though not to worry. Bliss’s cottage was stocked with all they needed.
Reeve rolled his eyes to the heavens in gratitude. He’d have Tara all to himself for days on end, and he intended to make love to her as often as possible, in every which way possible. And he’d start as soon as they got there. He’d have to; he’d have no other choice since riding like this, with her bottom tightly against him, had him on the verge of exploding.
She shifted against him for the third time, and he tightened his arm around her waist. “Sit still,” he whispered harshly in her ear. “That tight bottom of yours bumping against me is tormenting the hell out of me.”
Loved By a Warrior Page 22
