Oath of a Warrior

by Mary Morgan

  Erina laughed. “As ye can witness, I have not ventured far from this area of satin and ribbons.”

  “Tempting, are they not?”

  “Aye.”

  “Well, I am going to go make my purchase and return it to the ale tent for safekeeping.”

  “Then I will go with ye,” Erina suggested. “There is naught which I need from these vendors.”

  Catherine waved her away. “Nae. Go find your candles and salt. I will come find ye, or I’ll tell a certain man to search for ye.” Her voice trailed off among the many others, and Erina was left speechless.

  Recovering her senses, Erina steadily sought out the vendors to procure her salt and candles. After giving her thanks, she stuffed the items into her satchel and moved out of the area. Once again, her stomach protested at the lack of food as she continued to wander away from the main market. Several young girls were playing a game of hoops in a circle, and she paused to take in their skill. Their laughter was contagious, and she smiled.

  Leaving the gaiety behind, Erina strolled in the soft afternoon light toward a cluster of pine trees. Blissful silence greeted her as she leaned against the rough bark of one of the trees and dropped her satchel. She sniffed the air, deeming snow would soon come to Kileburn.

  A squirrel darted out from among the leaves and paused in front of her.

  She lifted her hands in surrender. “I am sorry my friend. I could ill afford any nuts this day, or I would gladly share.”

  “Ahh…but I do have some of what he craves,” responded a low male voice behind her.

  Startled, Erina turned and met Rory’s hard gaze. He stood within the shadows of the trees, the fading sunlight behind the clouds dancing off his features. “Would ye care to share?” Her stomach protesting once again.

  When he stepped forth, his smile sent shivers throughout her body. “Always,” he responded huskily and then tossed several to the small animal. The squirrel stashed his precious food into his mouth and scampered away.

  Rory held out the bag to Erina. “Why have ye not eaten?”

  Erina ignored his question and withdrew several hazelnuts. “Thank ye.” She brushed away their skins and popped a couple into her mouth, savoring their rich flavor. “Good.”

  He reached out and wiped a thumb across her lower lip. “Ye missed a piece.”

  She swallowed and searched his eyes. Waiting. Seeking. Needing some assurance he was feeling the same. “Why are ye here?”

  “To make sure ye would not go hungry. Did ye not wish to sample some of these nuts?”

  “Ho…How did ye ken?” she stammered, wishing for more than the touch of his hand. Recovering her partial senses, she asked, “Were ye following me?”

  His laugher was rich, warm, and sensual. “It would be unwise to do so.”

  Erina’s mind screamed to move away. Yet, her body craved more from the man. “Why would it be unwise?”

  His thumb continued to stroke gently across her lip. “Because I long to taste ye again.”

  “Another stolen kiss?” she challenged.

  Rory arched a dark brow. “Or given freely, perchance?”

  Erina bit her lower lip, wanting to touch and taste the man. She ignored the battle within her mind, warning her to flee. It was dangerous being so close to him—intoxicating. “Always,” she uttered softly, echoing his own word.

  His groan surrounded her, and he dropped the bag of nuts. Grasping her firmly around the waist with one arm, he cupped her chin with his other hand. “I find I cannot stay away. By the hounds, I have tried.” His mouth sought hers, filling the emptiness with his kiss, and Erina wrapped her arms around his neck. Passion hummed in every part of her body, and she yearned to strip her gown free and lie with this man among the trees. Rory brought forth her wildest desires, and she ached to have him touch her in those secret places she had heard others speak about. Erina’s desire for him overrode everything else.

  When his tongue slipped inside her mouth, her body tingled all the way to her toes. This time she was the one to moan when his hand cupped her breast, and he deepened the kiss. Slowly, Rory walked her backward until she was against the rough bark of a pine tree. After releasing his grip on her body, he placed his hands on either side of her, trapping Erina.

  Lust danced within the depths of his beautiful eyes. Slowly, he lowered his head and with his tongue traced a path along the vein in her neck, igniting a firestorm within her blood. The sensation pooled in an intimate part of her body where she longed to have him touch.

  “Does your blood burn, Erina?” he asked, nuzzling her neck.

  “Aye,” she gasped, placing her hands on his hips.

  Rory glanced down at her hands. “Do ye see my desire for ye?”

  “I want ye, Rory. I crave ye like no other.” She closed her eyes, trying to calm her breathing.

  “And I ye.” His voice so hoarse, she could barely understand his words. He continued to tease her breasts, and all she wanted was to be set free.

  “More,” she pleaded.

  Rory grasped her hand and led them deeper into the woods. By the time he stopped, the echo of voices from the market were a light whisper among the branches.

  “Will ye take me here?” she asked, brushing a lock of hair from his face.

  He touched her trembling lips with one finger. “Nae, but I promise to give ye pleasure.”

  Her mouth parted on a sigh as he swept her into his arms and took her to a nearby boulder. Setting them both down, Rory cradled her on his lap. He placed soft kisses on her cheeks and lips, and his hand slipped under her gown. Rory’s fingers stroked along her thigh moving upward.

  Erina wrapped an arm around his shoulder. “Wh…what are ye doing?”

  His gaze seemed to see straight to her very soul. “Giving ye pleasure, mo ghrá.”

  She couldn’t speak. Couldn’t move. The air warmed around them, and Erina surrendered to the growing passion.

  Rory slipped one finger inside her center. “One day I will taste ye here,” he declared, drawing his finger back out before stroking her again.

  Erina shook her head, shocked by his words and touch.

  He smiled seductively and kissed her lips. “Aye, ye will allow me.”

  When one finger stroked over her sensitive core, colors danced before her eyes, and she arched backward. His hand was doing glorious things to her, and Erina tried to grasp what to do as her body trembled.

  “Let yourself go, Erina,” he whispered, while he continued to stroke and tease her in a place that was driving her into an unknown abyss of pleasurable delights.

  She squirmed and gasped, trying to capture an elusive sensation she did not understand. His mouth covered hers hungrily, and when she thought she couldn’t go any further, Erina shattered into a million tingling pieces. She soared, floated, and a scream of pleasure ripped through her.

  Time dissolved around them, and she broke free from Rory’s mouth. She leaned her head on his shoulder as she tried to calm her breathing. She’d never known such pleasure, and Erina tried to fathom what it would feel like with Rory deep inside her. Would there be pain? Or would the pleasure be greater than what she had just experienced? She shuddered and closed her eyes.

  Rory removed his hand and attempted to smooth her gown, but he made no sign of wanting to leave their trysting place.

  “I ken there is more between a man and woman,” she uttered softly and looked up at him.

  He wrapped his free arm around her waist, and she snuggled more against him. “Aye, but I will not take ye here.”

  Erina cupped his cheek. “The trees will keep us safe.”

  Rory chuckled softly and kissed her palm. “Agreed, but when I take ye, I want ye for an entire night.”

  She bit her lower lip. Would there be many nights? Or only the one? “A night?”

  He leaned his forehead against hers. “I was speaking of our first time.”

  Good, Rory MacGregor, because ye will be mine. Her lips sought his, and the kiss
made her weak all over again.

  After finally removing his arms from around her, Rory brought them to standing. Erina’s legs wobbled, and Rory placed her hand in the crook of his arm. “Ready?” he asked.

  “Not really, but we must.”

  When they stepped out of the protection of the trees, Rory released his hold on her hand. “Go onward, and I shall follow shortly.”

  Erina nodded. Striding toward the market area, she was unprepared for the assault that came barreling toward her in the form of Betty Timmons. She clasped her hands together and attempted to smile in greeting. “Betty, what a lovely surprise to see ye here at the market.”

  Fury glittered in the woman’s eyes. “How dare ye! I came to your cottage, only to find ye gone! Furthermore, I waited most of the night.”

  Frowning, Erina replied, “I left ye a note tacked to the door, Betty, telling ye where to find the love charm I made for ye.”

  She shook her head vehemently. “There was naught.”

  Erina placed a hand on the woman, but she jerked out of her grasp. “I can assure ye that I did. In truth, I have a witness.”

  Betty folded her arms over her chest. “’Tis a lie.”

  “Nae, lass, Erina speaks the truth,” argued Rory, stepping forth from the trees, carrying her satchel. “She did indeed leave ye a note.”

  Erina swallowed, but kept silent.

  Betty darted a glance at Rory and then swept her gaze back to Erina. “I have missed my chance because of ye.” She pointed a finger at Rory “Were ye with him that night? Is this your lover?”

  “Ye dishonor the lady,” warned Rory, taking Erina’s elbow.

  A tremor of unease trickled down Erina’s spine. “There is still time, Betty.”

  “Nae,” she spat out. “The moon is full this night, and my Fergus is gone.”

  “Gone?” echoed Erina.

  She took a step forward. “I followed him to the market and then watched as he took coin from a man and left. When I approached the man, he laughed and told me Fergus was leaving to return home to his kin in the north. If I had the charm yesterday, I would have prevented him from leaving. I did not ask much from ye, only sought out your help. I deemed ye were my friend.”

  “I am sorry, Betty.”

  The woman’s lip trembled as she spoke. “Nae, Erina MacIntyre, ye should be the one who is sorry. I curse ye where ye stand that love never finds ye.”

  Erina watched in horror as the woman turned and stormed away. Betty’s words spread like poison inside her, and Erina clutched a fist to her chest. Foolish woman, ye have cursed your own self.

  But when she turned to look at Rory, his expression was one of cold steel, and his eyes were shards of dark crystals.

  Chapter Seventeen

  “When the Dragons assisted the Fae, great miracles occurred and peace was attained between the worlds, until fear drove a wedge between them, killing the dragons.”

  ~Chronicles of the Fae

  With each blow of his hammer to the anvil, Rory took out his frustration on the steel. Sweat and grime beaded along his brow, and trickled down his face. Though the day was brisk, his body burned from the work. Picking up the blade, he submerged the metal into a bucket of water and held it up for inspection. Tossing it back onto the anvil, he wiped a hand across his forehead.

  Betty Timmons’ words remained a lodestone around his heart, and he could not shake the opinion the woman posed a dangerous threat to Erina. When they had returned from the market, Erina swiftly excused herself and took her evening meal in her chambers. How he longed to give her comfort, but Rory stayed away that night, and the following ones. He remained steadfast in his belief to guard and protect her.

  A leaf fluttered past him, and he held up his hand. Blowing across his palm, he whispered, “May the winds warn ye of any danger, Erina MacIntyre. Let this be a message to ye.”

  Rory leaned against a post. His previous memories of Erina were now only tiny bits of images, dissolving with each day. If the Fates had given her another chance, why did they not strip his love for her as well? His previous oath was now shredded and another one took its place. A vow of love, honor, and protection.

  “Are ye hiding from me, Rory MacGregor? Or have ye become the new blacksmith for Kileburn?”

  Erina’s words startled him, and he glanced over his shoulder. Her lips twitched in merriment, and her gaze bore into his. He became a flustered youth in her presence and often times found he could not utter one single word.

  She cradled a basket over her arm. “I thought I’d seek ye out and tempt ye with some food. Or will ye banish me once again?”

  ‘Tis not food ye are tempting me with, lass, and by the Gods I have missed ye. “Do not remind me of my earlier rude behavior. What fare are ye presenting?”

  She laughed, the sound filling Rory, and he placed his fists on his hips waiting for her to approach. When she neared him, Erina lifted the cloth from the basket, and he inhaled the hearty aroma of warm bread mixed with herbs. “Larena has been teaching me to bake.”

  “So the woman has softened to ye? How did ye manage the task?”

  “It was simple,” replied Erina, walking past him and disappearing beyond the forge.

  Curious, Rory grabbed his tunic and followed the alluring woman through the trees. As he ducked under a cluster of birch and yew trees, he approached her standing near the stream. Bending on one knee beside her, he splashed some water on his face and chest. The brittle sting did little to douse the fire inside his body as he slipped on his tunic. He darted a glance at Erina, noting the blush staining her cheeks, and her hands clutching the basket tightly.

  “I did not think to bring a covering for the ground,” she protested, looking around the area.

  Rory took her elbow and steered her toward a fallen log. “The forest will provide. Now, do share how ye managed to persuade the cook.”

  After regaining her composure, she took a seat and placed the basket on the ground between them. Tearing off some bread, she handed him a portion. “I merely stated I wished to learn, since one day I might have to for a husband.”

  “Husband?” He croaked out between the bite of bread he had just devoured. By the hounds, had another stepped forward and made an offer of marriage? Ewan? No, he had declined. Darren? The other lairds?

  She waved him off dismissively. “Aye. It was the—”

  Rory tossed the bread into the water, and stood. “Who has spoken for ye?”

  Her eyes narrowed to slits as she glared up at Rory. “If ye would let me finish…”

  Wiping a hand over his face, he sat back down. “Pray forgive my outburst and continue.”

  Erina tore another piece from the loaf and held it out to him. “Please dinnae throw this one away. As I was saying, by telling the woman I intended to learn for a future husband, she positively beamed and agreed to assist me.” Pursing her lips, she added, “Though, she did quickly add I would most likely have a cook to prepare all my meals.”

  Rory leaned his forearms on his thighs. “So ye lied.”

  Erina shrugged and retrieved another pouch from the basket. “Not really. Mayhap there is a husband out there for me.”

  He glanced outward at the stream. “How many other lairds have arrived?”

  She looked aghast at him. “Ye have been hiding. They arrived two days ago.”

  “I have nae desire to go hunting.”

  “But do ye not want to aid your laird when he is tending to the hawks?”

  Rory shook his head. “My laird understands me well, and he would not want me around his birds.”

  “Oh. How many did he bring?” she asked, handing Rory some berries.

  “Two. Both females and I would surely set them free to soar over the land. No bird is happy being chained to a master.”

  She brushed the crumbs from her gown. “I mean no disrespect, but ye eat nae meat, and do little to help your laird, so why would he bring ye along? Ye even appear like ye dinnae have any desire to be h
ere. Ye are not an ordinary man.”

  Rory blinked and then burst out laughing. He popped the berries into his mouth, savoring their sweetness. “My laird has other needs for my services. Ye are a keen observer, Erina.”

  “Sometimes,” she uttered softly, and turned away from his heated gaze. “To answer your earlier question, there are three other lairds from the neighboring lands. I have been ordered by Graham to appear at the feast tonight, since I have done my best to avoid everyone.”

  “So ye have been hiding as well.”

  Her mouth twitched in humor. “Aye. Catherine is furious with me for leaving her to the wolves.”

  “Wolves?”

  Nodding, Erina added, “Those are her words. She states they are naught but groping men with bad teeth, and a taste for lewdness. She’s shocked Graham would invite them as possible suitors and told him so in his solar this morning. Then she promptly informed me that if I did not show a sign of unity with her this evening, she would bring all the men to my chamber, no matter my appearance.”

  Rory stood slowly. “Then ye must attend the feast.”

  “Aye,” she grumbled in protest and kicked a rock away.

  “But ye have naught to fear.”

  “Words spoken by a man,” she contested and dropped the berries back into the basket.

  Rory grabbed her hand and brought her to standing. “As ye have already stated, I am nae ordinary man.”

  Her eyes grew wide, and her lips parted in an invitation. “Nae…nae ye are not.”

  He released her hand and took a step backward. Stripping his tunic free from his body, he tossed it aside. Erina’s gaze traveled the length of his chest, and Rory fought the yearning to take her into his arms. “I thank ye for my meal, but now I must prepare for tonight’s feast.”

  Her brow furrowed, and she angled her head. “Feast? Ye…ye will be there?”

  As he removed his boots, he winked at her. “Aye.” Loosening his trews, he paused. “Unless ye are joining me in the water, ’tis best ye leave now.”

  She gasped. “Oh…aye…I mean…aye I shall leave ye to your bathing. Ye can return the basket when ye are finished.”