A Hardened Warrior

by McQueen, Hildie

  There were not as many people in the great room as the days before. Two of the visiting clans had departed early to return home. There were empty tables where the guards normally ate last meal, which meant they were in all probability eating outdoors.

  The Mackenzie stood and motioned to guards, who hurried away.

  “What now?” her father grumbled and took a long drink from his cup. He motioned for the same servant girl who immediately refilled it.

  Within moments, two sets of guardsmen entered.

  From one doorway, a group of Clan Ross men entered, their tartan colors proudly displayed. Merida stiffened upon noting that her own clan guardsmen entered the other side and stood seeming to wait for some sort of announcement.

  “What is happening?” her mother asked, her hand clutching her shawl at her chest. “Clyde?”

  “I’d hoped to tell ye before, but I must go to my men.” He stood and walked to stand before his guards.

  At the same time, Tristan Ross went to stand with his men. His expression seemed relaxed, as he kept his gaze to the front of the room. Everyone in the room was silent, as those in attendance waited for whatever was to be said.

  The Mackenzie made a show of scanning the room. Merida was shocked when his gaze rested on her for a moment. She let out a breath of relief when he finally looked away.

  “As ye may be aware, Clan Ross and Clan McLeod have been at war,” the man began and paused for effect. “I brought them both here to bring forth the discussion of a truce.”

  “We were already in a truce,” Merida whispered. Her mother motioned for her to remain silent.

  “Part of the agreement is that the clans will be united. And as such, an attack by one or the other, would be an attack on themselves.”

  Her mother frowned and let out a breath. Merida had to agree to the silent communication. The Mackenzie enjoyed attention a bit too much. His wife, who was looking around the room, seemed just as enthusiastic by the way she leaned forward and had her lips curved in approval.

  Lady Mackenzie’s gaze traveled over the people gathered as if searching for someone in particular. Upon seeing Merida, her eyes widened and her smile grew wider as if in glee.

  “What is she up to?” Merida hissed. “Mother, did she say anything to ye about me?”

  A woman sitting across the table looked to her. “Shhh.”

  “I am pleased to announce that there will be nuptials between Clan Ross and Clan McLeod.” Murmurs rose, and heads swiveled from one group to the other. When the people quieted, everyone now enthralled to see what would happen, the Mackenzie motioned with one hand toward Clan Ross.

  “Tristan Ross, come forward,” the Mackenzie said, hand outstretched. When Tristan walked to the front of the room, he turned and faced the crowd.

  His gaze remained forward, his expression blank. Merida looked to her father who stared at the Mackenzie, his jaw set firmly.

  What was happening? She couldn’t figure out how it was possible that there was a marriage between the clans and she had no idea who was involved. She’d not heard of any of her cousins coming. “Mother…” She stopped speaking at noticing how pale her mother had become.

  “Merida McLeod, approach.” The Mackenzie’s voice felt like a slap and Merida whirled to meet Tristan’s widened gaze.

  “What?” Merida said, not moving. It wasn’t until her mother gave her a light shove that she managed to stand and take a couple steps toward the front.

  “Go on, girl,” an impatient person said, giving her yet another push.

  “I…I am not sure what is happening…” Once again, she looked to her father, who motioned with both hands for her to go forward.

  When she came to where Tristan stood, she looked up at him. “Did ye know?”

  “Aye.”

  Crossing her arms over her chest, she glared up at the Mackenzie. “I was not informed of this. I will not be bartered off like a prized cow…”

  Before she could continue, strong arms wrapped around her and she was more dragged than guided out a side door.

  Behind her, the Mackenzie continued to speak as if nothing had happened. “Through this marriage, peace will descend in the region. Our people will no longer be afraid to traverse past borders to visit family or sell wares…”

  “Let me go,” Merida shouted. “I must return and ensure that man is aware I am not a puppet to be handed off at will.”

  Tristan released his embrace, but held her arm. “Tis best ye wait until ye are not so cross.”

  “Cross! I am not cross!” Merida screamed. “I am furious.”

  “Merida!” Her mother exited the doorway and hurried over. For a moment, Merida thought she was about to cover her mouth by the way her mother held both hands out. “Lower yer voice at once.”

  Too angry to think clearly, she would not be mollified. “Did ye know as well?”

  “Nay, but we did come seeking ye a husband.”

  “A husband, aye. One that would be an attribute to our clan. Not a Ross.” She turned to Tristan. “I do not mean to offend ye.”

  “I am not offended,” he replied and shrugged.

  She studied him for a moment. “Why did ye agree? I know ye and yers detest my clan.”

  “I was not given a choice, Lady Merida.”

  Merida lost steam, unsure what to do next. “Surely if ye and my father stood up to the Mackenzie and not allow him to dictate, it would not have happened.”

  “Wife.” Her father stood in the doorway.

  He motioned for his wife and then met Merida’s gaze. Fury exuded from him. “Ye will remain here until ye accept it. Once ye and yer husband-to-be come to terms, ye will return inside and apologize to our host.”

  Merida started to respond that she would not, however, she’d never seen her father so angry. He glared at her. “Ye have disgraced us with yer behavior, Merida. Ye act like a child, disrespecting our host.”

  With that, he took her mother’s arm and they went back inside.

  Looking to the doorway for longer than needed, Merida suddenly became aware of the large, muscular and extremely handsome man who stood silently and solidly beside her, waiting for what she’d do next.

  Tristan Ross was to become her husband.

  And yet, she continued to be furious.

  Chapter Nine

  “I do not wish to apologize.”

  Tristan wasn’t sure why, but he wanted to laugh. Merida was so contrite her expression was almost comical.

  She’d not seemed to realize they were to be married until the last moment. It seemed her anger was based more on being dictated to than the fact she and he were to become man and wife.

  “It cannot be undone. Ye must obey yer father.”

  When she whirled toward him, he was astounded at how beautiful the woman was when she was angry. Her face flushed and her lip curled, she reminded him of a fabled fury. Darkened blue eyes flashed from the door to him.

  “I suppose I will have to obey ye once we marry. From one master to another, such is the life of women.”

  “A man should not dictate to a wife. One would hope the woman would be intelligent enough to know what should be done and what should be left alone.” Tristan took her arm and slowly turned her to face him. He then lifted her chin so their gazes met.

  “What do ye think is best right now, Merida McLeod?”

  Her brow crinkled as she considered his question. “Tis best I apologize and, after, ask that he grant ye and I time to know each other.”

  “That would mean remaining here longer. Is that what ye wish?”

  “I’d not considered that.” Merida covered her cheeks with both hands. “What do ye think?”

  “The sooner we marry, the sooner ye and I can return to my home.”

  Her eyes widened. “Yer home,” she said slowly. “I am never returning to mine, am I?”

  In an effort to divert her attention, he lowered his mouth and covered hers.

  At first, she responded. Merida’s
body fell forward until against his. Taking full advantage, he wrapped her into his embrace, pulling the fetching woman tightly. He’d been looking to distract her, but had instead succeeded in his own departure from the present because, in that moment, everything disappeared.

  One kiss after another, he pressed his lips from her mouth down to the side of her face to just below her ear.

  Merida’s fingers grasped the thick fabric of his tunic and let out a long sigh. When she pushed him backward, it caught him so off guard that he stumbled. The reality of the moment, the cool wind and surrounding sounds immediately reappeared.

  Wide pools of dark blue reminding him of the color of the sky met his. “Why did ye do that?”

  “Do what?” Tristan responded with a frown. “Kiss ye?”

  “Yes, that. Ye had no right.” Her chest lifted and lowered, a flush lifting from her neck to her cheeks. “That was…it was…” She seemed to lose the ability to speak and instead huffed and rolled her eyes.

  “It was nice?” He took a step closer. “We will be doing more than kissing once we marry.”

  “If we do, which I still do not believe will happen.” Merida turned away. “I must go see after Duin.”

  He caught up with her and they walked in silence toward the corrals. “Ye have to apologize to the Mackenzie.”

  When she let out a second huff, he realized it was her response when she was annoyed. “I know. But I refuse to do it in front of everyone.”

  “Ye misbehaved in plain view of all those present.”

  Shoulders rounded, she stopped. “Ye’re right. I may as well do it and get it done with.”

  They returned to the great room. The noise of cups hitting tables, conversations and a fiddler meant she’d have to go close to where the laird sat to be heard. Tristan accompanied her to stand before the laird and await his acknowledgement.

  The Mackenzie had daughters so Tristan was reassured when the man looked upon Merida with the indulgent look fathers often gave unruly daughters. “Have ye something to say, lass?”

  Merida looked to where her parents sat and nodded. “Aye, Laird. I apologize for my behavior earlier. Ye see, I was caught by surprise.” She leaned forward. “Tis not a good idea for me to marry him.” She motioned to Tristan with her head. “He is my enemy.”

  The laird chuckled and met Tristan’s gaze. “Ye will nay be bored with yer wife. Treat her well.”

  “Aye.” Tristan wondered how long it would be before Merida accepted that he, a Ross, would not only be her husband, but she would forever now be part of his clan.

  After the meal, Tristan offered to go with Merida to see about her horse. Her parents urged her to accept and she trudged alongside him as if being punished.

  “I thought ye liked me,” Tristan said in an effort to start a conversation. “Or was it just compassion for an injured man?”

  She shrugged. “I do like ye. But tis not what worries me about marrying ye.” Her gaze swept over him. “Ye are too big.”

  It took effort not to laugh at her statement. “So it is not my clan that ye object to, but my size?”

  As if he were a child, she took his hand and led him until they reached the corrals. “I know what transpires between a husband and wife,” Merida whispered. “My friend, Frieda, said tis most unpleasant and that because her husband was large, it was worse.”

  “I see,” Tristan replied. “I assure ye, I have never hurt a woman in that manner. Quite the opposite.”

  Her eyes narrowed. “Perhaps.”

  “Come.” He guided her to the side of the stables where they would not be seen. “I promise not to hurt ye or take yer maidenhead. But to show ye how it feels.”

  Merida wasn’t sure why she agreed, but instantly there was a heating sensation between her legs that seemed to present itself whenever she was in close proximity to Tristan.

  He pulled her into a dark corner beside the stables, the cramped area blocked off on three sides. Pulling at her skirts, he lifted them up and held them with one hand.

  Like earlier, his mouth covered hers and she couldn’t help but respond. His kisses brought too many sensations, overwhelming to the point of complete distraction.

  However, through the haze, his hand sliding up her inner thigh permeated and she tensed.

  “Relax, I will not hurt ye.”

  Ever so slowly, his fingers moved up and down her thigh, caressing the much too sensitive skin. His actions made every single inch of her body tingle. She wanted more, but when she parted her lips to ask, his tongue slid past.

  The invasion was delicious, sending new currents of heat to every part of her being. It was then that his fingers finally found her core. She gasped at the strange sensations.

  Tristan slipped a finger down the center of her sex, gently flicking until she lost the ability to stand. Thankfully, he held her upright when her legs quivered. Grasping his tunic, she wished there was more to what happened and at the same time, it had to end else she cry out and bring unneeded attention.

  The heat at her center was intense. The combination of his kisses and ministrations so overwhelming that when he slid a finger into her, she dissolved, losing all control.

  Thankfully, his mouth over hers and muted any sounds she made. Merida pulled her head away and leaned against his chest. Attempting to control her breath, she gulped before speaking. “Stop. I cannot take more without begging for something I’ll regret.”

  Immediately, his hand was gone and her skirts fell to the ground. He embraced her against his hard chest that heaved with each breath.

  They remained in the embrace for a long moment. Merida wanted to ask him questions. What had been the one elusive thing she’d wanted? Why had the world seemed to spin? Instead, she took a breath and looked up to him.

  He was magnificent. Too handsome for words and yet at the same time a rugged, seasoned warrior.

  “I feel that perhaps the marriage bed will not be as distasteful as Frieda claims.”

  Tristan’s deep chuckle made Merida smile.

  Merida floated into her chambers. It was as if everything had been painted over, the colors around her much more vibrant.

  How was it possible for so many new sensations to be just now discovered by her? She’d been convinced men were the only ones who found pleasure in intimacy. If what Tristan had shown her was any indication, there was definitely a great deal of delight a woman felt as well.

  As she prepared for bed, the stark reality of what her marriage meant descended like a wet blanket across her shoulders. When she left Mackenzie Keep, she’d be part of Clan Ross. With the animosity between the clans, it meant she’d probably not see her parents or brothers for months on end.

  Her new friendship with Paige would end.

  Everything she’d known all her life, all the people and surroundings would be gone forever.

  When she sniffed, her companion, Elsa, rushed to her. “Are ye scared of what will happen, Lady Merida?” The young woman patted her back. “That man is intimidating.”

  “I fear not seeing my family. Moving away to live with our enemies.”

  Elsa sighed and nodded. “I will come with ye.”

  “Thank ye.” Merida hugged the young woman and both began to cry.

  Chapter Ten

  Paige was awakened by a sound and reached for Alec and found she was alone in bed. Remembering he’d returned to their keep now that all had been settled, she let out a sigh.

  Slipping from the bed, she went to the window. She had a view of the courtyard and the gates. Both were as expected for the middle of the night, nothing seemed off. However, there was a troubling tingle in her chest and Paige decided to investigate what was happening.

  Donning a shawl over her nightgown, she tiptoed across the room toward the door. Just as she reached the doorway, someone yanked her back and against the wall.

  “Ethan?” she whispered. “I thought ye had returned home.”

  “Why should I?” His breath reeked of ale and
she turned her head away.

  “What are ye doing in my chambers?” she replied, attempting to pull away, but he held her fast.

  “I do not believe my brother would mind sharing ye. We’ve shared plenty a lass over the years.”

  A feeling like that of a boulder formed in the pit of her stomach. Paige wondered how to get attention without alerting the entire household.

  “Let me go.” She did her best to keep her tone even. “Ye are drunk.”

  His chuckle was dry, without mirth. “Aye, I am. And in need of a woman to fuck.”

  “If ye do not release me, I will cry out.”

  “No, ye will not. Tis boring to be with one man and ye want to experience more.”

  What he said made no sense. Her heart thundered in her chest and an errant tear slipped down her temple. What would she do if this happened? Tell Alec? Her mind raced.

  She shoved him backward, but he held fast, much too strong for her. His mouth covered hers. With his body and one hand, he held her still and gripped her breast with his free one.

  Paige gagged and scratched his face, but nothing deterred him.

  Finally, she lifted her leg and kneed him in the groin. He fell onto the floor cupping both hands between his legs and grunting in pain. “Bitch.”

  Thinking it best to find his mother, she took a step forward only to stumble back when he grabbed the hem of her nightgown. “I will have ye under me,” Ethan said, his voice still hoarse with pain.

  Just as she fell forward, Paige grabbed a teapot from a small side table and swung it as hard as she could across Ethan’s face. His head lolled to the side and he let out a long breath and went still.

  Ethan lay motionless on the floor, his mouth slack. Paige gasped and crawled away. Had she killed him? If so, what would happen to her?

  When someone shook her awake, Merida almost screamed. After a moment, the sleep ebbed. A disheveled Paige loomed over her.

  “What is going on?” Merida mumbled, scooting over. “Do ye want to sleep here?”

  “No, wake up,” Paige hissed, taking her by the shoulders. “Ye must come with me at once.”