Unforgettable Heroes II Boxed Set

by Elizabeth Bevarly

  Valeria grinned and then threw her head back and laughed.

  “What?”

  “You’d most likely be married to Leda at this very moment if the Emperor had not intervened.”

  By the stars, he loved her. Reaching out, he brushed her silky smooth cheek with the palm of his hand. “I cannot bear to think of it, m’lady.”

  The soft blush rising up her cheeks made his chest swell. He wanted to grasp her hand and take her to the nearest glade and shower her with kisses. But the tapping of the wood stopped. Taran glanced up. The boys all looked at him expectantly. “We’ve had enough training for today. ʼTis time to mount up.”

  Valeria turned in a circle. “Where are Pia and Seumas?”

  Greum cleared his throat. “Last I saw them, they took off toward that clump of trees yonder.”

  She stomped her dainty foot. “Oh my heavens, they’re acting like a pair of lovebirds.”

  “Perish the thought, m’lady.” Taran grinned at her pursed lips, as she stood with her hands on her hips. “Greum, go down and tell them it’s time to go.”

  Pia had fair bit more color in her face when they returned. With a contented smile across her lips, the old woman appeared younger than her years.

  Valeria mounted her horse and turned tail without a word.

  Taran chuckled, wondering what ire spun through that pretty head of flowing black locks.

  Chapter Nineteen

  The sun had nearly vanished when they came upon a roundhouse that appeared to be abandoned. Taran and Greum rode around the structure, looking for clues of any recent inhabitants and found none. Regardless, Taran dismounted, drew his sword and pounded on the door.

  Slowly opening it, he paused to let his eyes adjust to the dim light before he stepped inside. “Hello? We come in peace.” With no response, he took a turn around the creaking wooden floor and found nothing but a wooden chair. However, the hovel had a sound stone hearth and a thatched roof through that showed little daylight.

  He beckoned the others. “The place is empty. It will provide good shelter for the night.”

  Seumas helped Pia dismount.

  “We’ll fetch some firewood,” she said.

  Valeria’s fists flew to her hips as she watched them head into the forest. “Stay close to the house, you could run into a pack of wolves or worse.”

  Taran noted the sarcasm in her voice. “Leave them be. How often have ye seen her happy?”

  “She’s happy all the time.”

  “But have ye ever seen a man look her way?”

  “No, of course not. She’s my slave.”

  Cringing, Taran pulled the saddle off his horse. “Ye believe in human bondage?”

  She stomped a dainty foot. “ʼTis not like that with Pia.”

  “No? Is that how she feels about it?”

  Valeria said nothing, her mouth gaping while she watched him haul his saddle into the house. Taran ground his back molars. If Valeria were to commit to being a Pict, her acceptance of slave ownership must be resolved. She had a kind heart but had lived her entire life with a double standard. He wanted her to understand what life was like from Pia’s point of view. He recalled the night when Pia leaned forward and told him she was a slave. She hadn’t been too chipper about it at the time.

  The floorboards barely made a sound when Valeria slipped into the house. Taran busied himself checking the food in his saddlebags while she watched from a few feet away. He could sense her eyes boring into his back. When he faced her, turmoil simmered in the intensity of her eyes.

  “I’m sorry.” She sighed, those obsidian eyes making his insides twist in knots. “ʼTis not that Pia is a slave that has me incensed. ʼTis just she watches my every move, telling me what is proper and what is not. Seeing her wander off with Seumas strikes a nerve.”

  At last, a breakthrough. He stepped toward her. “And how do ye feel when ye’re in the clover with the likes of me?”

  “That is completely different.”

  “Is it?” Taran cupped her lovely face in his hands. “Are they not flesh-and-blood souls like us?”

  Before she had a chance to respond, he pressed his lips to hers.

  Greum cleared his throat from across the room.

  Valeria quickly pulled away. “Taran, I need to check your wound and Stag’s as well.”

  He swallowed and sat on the lone chair. He liked it when she spoke his name; her Roman accent rolled the r slightly, like nothing he’d ever heard before. Of course the Roman soldiers had never bothered to learn his name, which was probably a good thing. If they ever figured out who he was, he could have been used as leverage to pillage Pict lands.

  Valeria eyed the boy entering the roundhouse. “Manas, can you make a lamp of wolf fat? I cannot see a thing.”

  Greum patted the boy on the shoulder. “I have some cedar bark for a wick and a big clam shell I keep at the ready just for the purpose.”

  Within minutes, the lamp burned bright enough for Valeria to examine Taran’s arm. He held it out while she removed the bandage. Heat spread between his hips and he sucked in a deep breath when she leaned forward to sniff it. Her head hovered just above his midsection. Taran’s breathing became shallow. Atar help him, he wanted her.

  “Good, no infection has set in. How does it feel?” She met his gaze, inches from his nose.

  His tongue shot out and tapped his top lip. All he needed to do was pull her a wee bit closer and he could steal another kiss. “Like I said yesterday, ʼtis but a scratch,”

  Valeria blinked, completely unaware of her power over him. “Do you have more mead in the bladder?”

  “Aye, but why should we be wasting potent mead on me arm?”

  “I’ll use but a few drops. We need the cleansing properties of the spirit.”

  Taran complied and gritted his teeth against the stinging pain while Valeria wasted the precious liquid.

  “Such a pity,” Greum sighed.

  “Hush,” she chided. “Would you have his highness struck down because of a simple dog bite?”

  Greum shrugged. “Well, if ye put it that way.”

  While Valeria tended to Stag, Manas sidled up to Greum. “Can I look at yer sword?”

  Greum slid the long blade out of its scabbard, but hesitated before he handed the weapon to the boy. “Be careful, I keep it sharp. One slip and the blade could slice clean through yer arm or worse.”

  Manas held up the weapon with awe in his eyes. “Ye think I can have one?”

  “Ye’re a darned mite too young to be wielding a blade. When a man picks up a sword, he must be prepared to stand against another in a fight to the death.”

  “I’m not afeard to die.”

  “Aye, but let’s not rush things.” Greum patted him on the shoulder. “Tell you what. I’ll train ye, and when ye’re of age, I’ll have the blacksmith forge a fine Pict sword that tells the tale of your bravery when you fought Runan and saved her ladyship.”

  Manas’s face looked like a set of teeth with two enormous eyes shaded by a mop of brown hair.

  Valeria squeezed the boy around his shoulders. “ʼTwas very nice of Master Greum. What do you say?”

  “Thank ye. I’ll groom yer horse for the rest of me life if ye want me to.”

  Greum looped his arm around Manas’ neck and rubbed his knuckles into his skull. “Now there’s a fair trade. Ye can start in the morning by picking his hooves.”

  Pia and Seamus not only brought back wood, but they found a nice cache of mushrooms, and the group dined on them and the remains of the wolf meat. The roundhouse felt cozy with the fire warming the room. With full bellies, they all reclined on their saddles and horse blankets on the hardwood floor.

  “Greum, did you bring your lyre?” Valeria asked.

  “Nay, ʼtwas not practical.”

  “Would you sing us a song anyway?”

  “Only if ye’ll join me.” Greum’s eyes darted to Taran for approval.

  Taran lowered his gaze to her lovely face. “Ye
think ye can sing with the likes of him?”

  Greum started to sing the ballad that Valeria had performed on her first night in Dunpelder. Taran closed his eyes and let the music sooth him. Their voices complemented each other, and Greum added harmony on the second verse. Valeria sang out stronger to carry the melody, their voices pure as bells. The skin on Taran’s back tingled.

  When the song ended, quiet filled the tiny house. Taran could hear only the sound of the crackling fire. He grinned. This night contrasted with the previous eve in the cave with wind howling and rain pummeling the rocks.

  He glanced at the others, who’d mostly succumbed to sleep. Even Valeria reclined on her saddle with her cloak pulled up over her shoulders, Stag curled at her feet. She lay on her side. The form beneath seemed so petite, almost childlike, except for the way her shoulders dipped to her tiny waist, curving to the unmistakable mound of her hips. His hand reached out to touch her seductive curve but stopped at the sound of a woman’s throat clearing. Evidently, Pia slept with one eye open.

  Taran pulled his hand away, choking back the insatiable burning in his belly. He wanted to be no other place but resting beside her. However, spending nights with Valeria within his grasp drove him to the brink of insanity. The turmoil of emotions churning beneath the surface of his mind as each day passed mounted the tension in him like a coiled snake. He wanted release from the agony, but couldn’t bear to think of losing her. Weariness pounded his skull as he fought his internal battle without resolve.

  ****

  Taran had no idea how long he’d been asleep when Stag’s low growl roused him. Holding his breath, he listened. The horses stirred and Stag growled louder, baring his teeth. Taran held out his hand to silence the dog and drew his sword from its scabbard. Standing, he nudged Greum and Fionn. Seumas had already armed himself.

  Valeria stirred and Taran stooped beside her, pressing his fingers over her mouth. “Sh. Stay here with Pia and Manas,” he whispered. “Ye understand?”

  She nodded, her eyes determined yet fearful.

  A horse whinnied. Taran gestured at the men in silent communication, his hand on the door latch. “Ye ready?”

  Taran threw it open and lunged into the misty dawn. The four Pict warriors filed out, standing shoulder to shoulder, their swords and shields at the ready. There had been no time to don their armor.

  “Throw down now and we’ll not kill ye,” Taran growled.

  A dirty Roman soldier stepped out of the mist, sword in hand, his uniform torn and his breastplate tarnished. “Now why would we want to do that?”

  By the look of his scraggly beard, Taran figured him for a deserter, a filthy, hungry scrapper. He tightened his grip on his hilt. “I meant what I said. Ye throw down now, and we’ll spare ye, else me blade won’t stop until it’s run ye through.”

  The man’s low chuckle indicated his willingness to take the risk. His eyes shot to the door. “Four men with seven horses? Why do you need so many? Let us have five and we’ll leave you two.”

  “Not likely.” Through the mist, Taran counted four other shadowy soldiers who filed in behind the first, all in shabby states of Roman dress. “Lost yer legion, have ye?”

  “Something like that.” The men crept forward.

  Unwilling to wait for them to make the first move, Taran charged forward. A battle cry erupted from the depths of his bowels. He first targeted their leader. Their swords met with a reverberating clash that ricocheted through his shoulder. His opponent, though shorter, proved his Roman training had not been forgotten.

  The soldier’s rapid slashes with the deadly Roman short sword made it impossible for Taran to keep an eye on the others as he defended himself. With brute strength, he backhanded the scrapper with his shield. The soldier stumbled away, but the cur managed to hang on to his weapon. Taking advantage of his opponent’s receding motion, Taran lunged and slammed his sword down. The legionary countered in time to defend the blow. Taran’s sword scraped across his assailant’s blade while Taran bludgeoned him with another whack of his shield.

  A scream shrieked from inside the roundhouse. That shrill voice could belong to none other than Valeria. Taran’s concentration waned for a fraction of a second, met with a sharp laceration across his midsection. Sucking in a deep breath, incensed by the pain, he unleashed his rage. Taran advanced, bearing down on the smaller man. He leveraged his strength and height advantage and brandished his broadsword, wildly driving his opponent into submission. The sword flew out of the soldier’s hand. With a deathly roar, Taran spun. One swift lateral swing and he sliced through his neck. The legionary’s severed head popped from the plumed Roman helmet and tumbled across the ground, mouth agape, eyes vacant.

  Taran whipped around, his gaze darting across the scene. Seumas and Greum were well matched, but Fionn struggled against his opponent’s superior skill. Taran leaped across to the younger man and drove his blade into the heart of Fionn’s challenger.

  Fionn’s stunned face eased with recognition when his eyes met Taran’s.

  “Valeria!” Taran barreled into the hovel, teeth bared.

  The fifth soldier had trapped her in an arm lock, his sword angled toward her neck. Manas crouched across from them, knife in his hand. Pia held her belt behind him.

  “Release her,” Taran growled.

  Beside him, Fionn armed his slingshot.

  The soldier spat and nervously sneered. “Let her go and stand here while you bloody savages run me through and eat my heart?”

  A low chuckle ground Taran’s vocal cords. “The bloody bastard cannot tell a Pict from an Attacotti.” He stepped closer. “No wonder Roman soldiers have their heads up their arse. Tell you what, release her and I’ll fight ye fair.”

  The Roman strengthened his grip on Valeria. Her breath stuttered. The soldier inched toward the door. “Stand back. This wench is coming with me. What are you doing with a Roman woman, anyway?”

  “Remove your filthy hands from my person,” Valeria snapped.

  Her words were met with the tip of his sword pricking her neck. Blood trickled down and spilled on her dress.

  Taran rushed forward.

  The Roman shuffled away. “Stand back or she’ll be dead before I reach the door.”

  Taran lowered his sword. His eyes darted to Manas, who crept in the shadows, knife in hand. Taran shook his head at the boy. They couldn’t risk another slip.

  The desperate soldier dragged Valeria through the door. “Stay back!”

  Greum and Seumas met him outside, ready to fight. With a look, Taran signaled them to back away. The soldier glanced at his fallen comrades and made his way to Blackie. Taran’s gut clenched. The big stallion needed a rider with a firm hand, lest he be thrown.

  In one swift move, the soldier tossed Valeria across the horse like a bag of grain. He untied Blackie’s halter from the hitch and lithely leaped onto his back. The horse reared, but the soldier stayed on, digging his heels into Blackie’s ribs.

  Taran turned to Fionn. “Now!”

  He held his breath while the lad whipped the slingshot over his head, eying his target. The stone released, slamming into the soldier’s helmet with enough force to knock him off the horse.

  Blackie sped into the forest with Valeria draped across his back.

  “Finish him!” Taran yelled as he raced to the mare, galloping after Valeria and his wayward stallion.

  ****

  Sprawled over the frightened steed, Valeria bounced wildly. Out of the corner of her eye, she caught a glimpse of the rope swinging from Blackie’s halter. Swallowing her fear, she cooed to him in the gentlest voice she could manage, given the jarring beating against her abdomen. “Easy, boy,” she repeated, fully aware that, at any moment, the horse could buck and she would fly off his back.

  Her hand reached out for the rope, but it was just beyond her grasp. She stretched back and wound the fingers of her left hand through the base of Blackie’s mane. Holding tight, she made another grab for the rope. It brushed th
e tips of her fingers, but swung away.

  A branch caught her in the side of the head and whipped her sideways along the horse’s spine. Her fingers still entwined in his mane, she held on. Pulling herself forward, Valeria turned her body to lay the length of the horse. When she used her knees to inch forward, she thanked God Taran had ripped the slit in her tunic. Both hands now clutched Blackie’s mane.

  She slid her legs down, straddled the horse and sat, then threw her arms around Blackie’s neck. “Easy, boy. Easy now.” She clamped her arms firmly, terrified to move from the security of her grasp, but the horse showed no sign of fatigue. His hooves pounded the forest floor. Valeria closed her eyes and sucked in a few calming breaths, willing herself to make the next move.

  She released her grip, threw her right hand up and latched onto Blackie’s halter. Her body listed to the right and she dug in with her knees to stay on. Her left hand flew up and snagged the other side of the halter. With all her strength, she pulled down on the noseband and forced the stallion to lower his head. “Easy, boy.”

  Blackie’s frenetic gallop slowed to a canter and she let him calm for a few paces until she pulled down on the noseband again. “Easy, boy.”

  Blackie slowed to a jarring trot, rattling her teeth. “That’s right, easy. Good boy.”

  She continued this patient motion until Blackie eventually dropped his head and stopped, sniffing the grass in an open glade. Valeria rested her head on the horse’s mane and closed her eyes, breathing deeply.

  “Valeria!” Taran’s horse skidded to a halt beside her. He jumped off and took control of the lead. “Where are ye hurt?”

  Hurt? She opened her eyes. Seeing Taran’s bloodstained tunic, she bolted upright. “You’re hurt. Oh my heavens, look at you.”

  He reached up to help her dismount. “ʼTis just a flesh wound.”

  She placed her hands on his shoulders and slid down the length of him while he gently lowered her to the ground. Her heart fluttered and she drew in a calming breath. “That’s what you said about the wolf bite.” She touched his tunic. “May I take a look?”

  “Aye, m’lady. I wouldn’t want any finer hands to tend me wounds.” He shrugged out of his tunic and pushed it down to his hips.