Hunter leaned in close. “As I have repeatedly said, wife, “We think much alike.” He kissed her slow and easy and she melted against him.
A shout of her name brought them apart.
“I will be so glad when we are finally home,” Patience said, annoyed at being interrupted again.
“Again we think alike, wife,” Hunter said with the same annoyance.
She stood, releasing his hand reluctantly. “Later we will spend time together?”
“Aye, we will and I will kill anyone who interrupts us.”
Patience laughed. “I think your threatening look alone will frighten them off.”
“Then I will wear it the rest of the day, so all stay clear.”
Patience’s soft laughter continued as she shook her head. “You are far too congenial to wear a scowl all day.”
Hunter stood and wrapped his arm around her waist. “Are you telling me that I am not a feared warrior?”
“You are not the common warrior,” she said, laying a hand to his chest. “You do more damage with words than you do with weapons and that in itself is a remarkable talent.”
He grinned. “My tongue is talented.”
She punched him softly in the chest. “There you go tempting me again.”
“It does not take much to tempt you. I sometimes think that I only need look at you and you become aroused.”
“You know me well.”
“I intend to get to know you even better,” he said, nuzzling her neck with tender kisses.
Her name was shouted again and she cursed softly.
“My sentiments exactly,” he agreed and stepped away from her, fearing if he lingered he would not let her go.
“Later, husband,” she said as if declaring a declaration and hurried off before she changed her mind or before he stopped her.
Hunter watched her go, wishing that tomorrow was here and they were on their way home. He intended to make certain that they kept a fast pace, for once home they would have privacy and she would be all his. At least that was his hope, though he feared that somehow his brother might find a way to interfere.
Chapter Thirty-one
The small troop left the Dark Dragon’s land at sunrise the next morning, each and every one of them, including Beast, keeping keen eyes on the changing landscape around them. Few exchanged words, most too intent on what might lurk beyond the bend or over the small rise to be occupied with idle chatter.
Ewan had agreed with Hunter that Una should leave with his sons and return to his home where she would be safe until this matter was finally settled. Una had not been the only one to disagree, Ewan’s sons did as well and so it was settled that they would stay and lend their swords should it prove necessary.
Hunter had no doubt it would prove necessary. His brother would not allow this opportunity to pass, though when the ghost warriors made themselves known Greer would have second thoughts, and that worried him even more.
“Your silence and scowl tells me it is you who is now having troubling thoughts,” Patience said, breaking the silence that hung heavily around them.
“I am concerned over Greer’s response when he discovers that the Dark Dragon’s warriors will come to our defense.”
“If he wishes to stay in good graces with the infamous warrior, he will have no recourse but to retreat.”
“Then his anger will spark and ignite into a fiery rage, and there is no telling what he will do to see his plan reach fruition.”
“One thing at a time,” Patience cautioned. “Once home, we can seek my father’s council on the situation. After all, with the both of us safely home, what could Greer possibly do that would be serious enough to plunge us into war?”
“That is what concerns me most... what would he do?”
They continued traveling, though mostly in silence and when they camped that night, neither slept well. The next day was more of the same and by the third day, only a day away from reaching home, anxiousness and determination prevailed thanks to the speech Patience had given her men at sunrise.
She had not dwelled on an impending battle, but rather on how good it would be to get home and see loved ones again and finally have tasty food to eat, which had brought laughter. She talked about how the crops would be sprouting, gardens flourishing, animals giving birth and a clan that would be overjoyed to welcome them home. She had given them a taste of home and the determination to get there.
It was when they approached a forest, thick with foliage, that everyone grew apprehensive, for it was a good place for an attack.
Hunter turned to his wife riding beside him. “Stay close.”
Patience smiled. “Do not worry, I will protect you.”
“I have no doubt you will, wife, since we have only one day before your bedchamber welcomes us for a full day, perhaps two.”
Patience was about to respond when Edward approached them.
“Ghost warriors have been spotted, many of them,” Edward said.
Patience was not surprised. “They want not only us to know they are about, but they want Greer’s men to know as well. Hopefully, their presence will ward off an attack.”
They day passed without incident and by the time the group was camped for the night apprehension had dissipated and excitement was high that they would arrive home tomorrow.
Patience and Hunter joined Una, Ewan, and his sons to enjoy fish caught in a nearby stream. They talked and laughed at Noble’s humorous tales and just as Patience and Hunter were ready to seek their blanket for the night, Beast started whining and pacing. Before anyone could discover what bothered him, he took off into the woods as if the hounds of hell were on his tail.
Una went to go after him, but Hunter stopped her. “Leave him, Mum, we do not know what he senses out there in the dark. It would be dangerous for any of us to go after him.”
Suddenly vicious barking ripped through the air.
Hunter saw the look on his wife’s face and knew what she was about to do, so he blazed ahead of her into the woods. Ewan and his sons followed.
Patience was already on the move, silently berating her husband for being faster than her to react, as she summoned a few warriors and headed in after them.
They all followed the dog’s continuous barking. He sounded as if he was trying to keep a foe at bay. It hit Patience then, could he have sensed her sister and was keeping the ghost warriors away from her? She picked up her speed and she was glad her warriors had had the good sense to light torches, the darkness suddenly pierced by the glowing flames.
Her heart slammed against her chest when she saw her husband bent over the body of a woman and Beast continuing to bark and warn off the ghost warriors who attempted to approach the prone woman, as if they also were anxious to learn her identity.
Patience hurried to her husband’s side as he turned the woman over.
“Saundra?” Hunter said shocked, and gently brushed her hair away from her pale face.
Once again Patience felt her heart slam against her chest only this time in disappointment.
Beast’s barking halted abruptly and when Patience looked up, she saw the ghost warriors receding into the darkness. They had been curious as to her identity, which lead Patience to believe that they did continue to search for Heather.
Hunter lifted Saundra into his arms. “We need to get her back to camp.”
Beast trotted protectively beside Hunter, growling now and again if anyone else got too close to him and his master.
Una hurried over to them once they entered camp to see to Saundra’s care and directed her son to place the unconscious woman on the blanket by the campfire. Beast lay beside his master, daring anyone with a snarl to move him.
With some tender ministrations by Una and Beast licking her face, Saundra’s eyes began to flutter open.
A gentle smile crossed her face as her hands reached out to grab the large dog around the neck and pull him to her to bury her face in his fur. “Please do not let this be a dream,�
�� she murmured.
“It is not a dream; you are safe now,” Una said.
Saundra’s eyes opened and tears gathered in them. “Una, I am so relieved to see you.”
“What are you doing here and however did you get here?” Una asked perplexed.
“Aye, we are all curious to know what happened to you,” Patience said, dropping down beside Una.
Hunter hunched down by Beast. “We are all pleased to see that you are well, Saundra, and are eager to learn of your ordeal.”
Patience looked at her husband and realized it was not only charm he possessed, but a caring heart.
Saundra stretched her hand out to Una and the woman took firm hold of it. “About a day after you all left, Greer summoned me and wanted to know why he had not seen Beast around. I got the impression that he was looking to harm him and I was so relieved that I had sent him with you.”
“What did you tell him?” Hunter asked.
She turned tear-filled eyes on him. “I told him that Beast had taken off and had not returned.” She shivered. “He smiled as if I had given him a wonderful gift, and then he told me that I was to go with a group of warriors and find him and not come home until I did.”
“Rab never objected to Greer sending me away and I knew why. My husband knew I would never return home. It was when I heard the warriors talking one night when they thought I was asleep that the deed could not be done until they reached Macinnes land.” She quieted a moment, then continued. “They talked about the fun they would have with me and that night I made my escape. My only choice was to seek refuge with the Macinnes clan.”
“And you have it,” Patience said. “You are now under the protection of the Macinnes clan.”
A tear fell from the corner of her eye and Beast was quick to lick it away.
“Oh, how I have missed you, Beast,” Saundra said and hugged the dog again. He whined and licked her face some more, letting her know he felt the same.
“You rest,” Patience said. “We reach my home, now your new home, tomorrow.”
“Thank you,” Saundra said her arms firm around the big dog, his head resting on her chest. She would be going nowhere without him.
Patience stood and asked before leaving, “How did you ever avoid the ghost warriors?”
“I traveled at night after having observed that they traveled mostly during the day.”
“You did not meet up with anyone else along the way, a blond woman perhaps?”
Saundra shook her head. “I saw no one; I did not want to. I felt safer that no one could see me at night, especially with there being no full moon yet.”
“Sleep well,” Patience said. “I will see you in the morning.” Patience gave a nod to her husband to let him know she wanted to talk with him.
Hunter exchanged a few words with Saundra, and then bid her good-night and joined his wife.
“Your brother was not taking any chances. Besides having us killed, he would also make it seem as if his brother’s wife had been abused and killed by the Macinnes clan. He is intent on declaring war on my clan.”
“And it makes one wonder what he will do when he discovers that both plans failed.”
~~~
The Macinnes warriors woke with smiles and an eagerness to be on their way. Today they would arrive home and the sooner the better.
Patience approached Ross McCuil. “You are a fine warrior Ross McCuil.”
“I thank you, Patience Macinnes, and I am honored by the compliment from such a skilled and honorable warrior.”
Patience acknowledged his tribute with a nod. “I need a favor of you.”
“Anything.”
Patience smiled. “Your response proves you are not only a superior warrior but a confident one.”
“He only lacks confidence with the lassies,” Noble said, walking up to his brother and giving Ross’s shoulder a firm squeeze.
Ross shook his head and yanked free of his brother’s grasp. “Go away, Noble, this does not concern you.”
“Anything that concerns my little brother concerns me.”
“Not this,” Patience said. “Now leave us.” Noble’s brow went up and he was about to speak when Patience held her hand up. “Do not waste your words or time on me. This matter is between me and your brother. Take your leave now.”
Noble looked to Ross as if waiting for him to come to his defense. Ross folded his arms across his chest and glared at him. Noble walked off mumbling.
Ross turned to Patience with a smile. “How may I help you?”
“Saundra has suffered a terrible ordeal and she needs to feel safe and protected. I would like you to see to keeping her safe and also to let her ride with you on your horse for the remainder of the journey home.”
“I would be pleased to help her in any way I can.”
Patience held her hand out to him. “I am indebted to you.”
Ross gave her hand a shake, surprised by the strength of it. “Then perhaps when the time is right we can talk about me joining your elite warriors.”
Patience nodded. “That we can.”
“One other thing,” Ross said, “I do not lack confidence with the lassies. It is that I show no interest in the lassies Noble tries to force on me that leaves him believing his own foolish words.”
Patience laughed. “Come, I will introduce you to Saundra and let her know that you will look after her as long as necessary.”
Hunter caught up with them, his arm catching his wife around her waist. “What did you do to Noble? He tells his father that you have turned Ross a trader.”
“He is upset because he has come to realize that his little brother is not his little brother any longer, but a grown man,” Patience said.
Ross stopped for a moment, his eyes wide, then hurried along with them. “I never thought of that.”
“I am guilty of the same myself,” she admitted.
“You are?” Hunter and Ross said in unison.
“I am,” Patience repeated. “I was overly protective of Emma, my youngest sister, and when I found out she married, I was furious. I feared she was stuck in a forced marriage. My father told me she was very happy and loved her husband, but at first I did not believe him. It took me a while to realize that it was not my father I did not believe, for Emma would never lie to him about a thing as important as her marriage. It was the fact that I had lost my little sister. She was a married woman now with a loving husband and a babe on the way. I will miss her greatly, for she has been, and will continue to be, my loving sister.” She sighed. “Life changes whether we want it to or not.”
Hunter hugged her close. “You have me now.”
“Not the same as a sister,” —she grinned—“though there are some advantages.” Patience eased out of his arm to walk ahead and speak with Saundra.
“You are a lucky man, Hunter,” Ross said with envy. “She is a fine woman.”
“Aye, I am and one day you will meet a fine woman as well.”
The two men joined Patience and she turned to Ross. “Ross, I would like to introduce you to Saundra McLaud.”
“It is a pleasure,” Ross said with a bow of his head.
“It is kind of you to take on the unfortunate task of protecting me,” Saundra said.
Ross stepped forward, closer to Saundra. “It is not unfortunate and not a task, but an honor to help such a lovely lady in distress.”
Patience stepped back, tugging her husband along with her. When they were a few feet away, she said, “He charms a woman almost as skillfully as you do.”
“I always knew I liked Ross the best,” Hunter said with a laugh. “Now I know why.”
~~~
Anticipation grew as the day wore on and they got closer and closer to home. Patience could not wait and it was not only because she would have her husband alone to her in her bedchamber, but also because she missed home and her clan.
She was surprised that they had not come upon warriors from the MacTavish clan or that they had not met u
p with Macinnes warriors, but time had been limited.
By late afternoon the village and keep came into sight and relief and joy spread throughout the group. Their pace was quickened without an order from Patience.
Patience felt her heart swell as soon as she passed through the gates.
“Finally home,” Hunter said, seeing her face light with joy.
She stretched her hand out to him and he grabbed it. “All is well now.”
Hunter nodded, though did not feel as confident as she was. Greer had not gotten the chance to successfully attack them, but he was not finished with them yet.
Chapter Thirty-two
It was the usual chaotic scene when warriors returned home after a long absence. Loved ones rushed to greet the warriors and tears of joy that all returned safely flowed freely.
Patience had duties to see to before she went to see her father. While she was looking forward to seeing him, she also had the task of introducing her new husband to him, and she was not sure how he would react to that, especially since she had married Hunter out of duty to her clan, something she had been adamant about not doing. She had told her father repeatedly that she would wed who and when she wanted to.
She instructed servants to prepare rooms for the guest and more permanent quarters for Saundra and to let them know that Beast was welcome in the keep at all times. But first and foremost, a good, tasty meal needed preparing since most would come to the Great Hall to celebrate the warriors’ return.
After orders were given and guests settled, Patience found her husband sitting at the table by the large hearth in the Great Hall with Ewan and his sons.
“It is time for you to meet my da,” she said.
“A good man,” Ewan said, raising his tankard of ale and his sons joining in the salute.
Hunter raised his as well, took a swallow, and stood. “Then it is best we do not keep him waiting.” He went to his wife’s side and, with hands clasped, they left the room.
“I am not sure how my father is fairing, so—”
“We will take it slow,” Hunter said and knocked on the door they had stopped at.
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