Odin, sensing they were no threat, sat.
The father stepped forward. “We caught a whiff of your food and wondered if there was any to spare.”
Charlotte put her bow aside and waved them forward. “There is plenty. Come join us.”
Bryce sheathed his sword and welcomed them. “Yes, do come join us. We have more than enough.”
The trio hurried over, the lad keeping his distance from Odin. They were soon gobbling down the fish as fast as Odin had done, though it was the lad the da and mum fed first before taking any for themselves.
“I’m sorry,” the father said. “I have lost my manners. It has been days since we have eaten.” He wiped his hand on his dirt-covered garments and extended it to Bryce. “I am Ian, this is my wife Brigit and our son Thane.”
Bryce admired the strong set of his handshake. Even though weakened, he demonstrated strength. “I am Bryce and this is . . .” He hesitated, not sure how exactly to introduce Charlotte.
She decided for him. “I’m Charles, and this big dog is Odin, friendlier than he looks.”
The little lad giggled.
Odin, hearing his name and the giggles, positioned himself next to Charlotte though he extended his paw to the lad.
The lad shook it and giggled again. When he finished eating almost a whole fish, the lad took to playing with Odin. It was a game of fetch and catch with a stick that they both seemed to enjoy.
“It is good to hear him laugh again and have fun,” Brigit said, tearful.
“We lost our farm,” Ian said with a resigned painfulness. “The soldiers kept taking and taking until there was not enough to feed my family. And then we heard the soldiers were taking men old and young from their homes to serve the king.”
“We had no choice but to leave,” Brigit said as if in way of an apology.
Ian shook his head. “We still can’t understand what brought so many soldiers to our area. I believed we were too remote for them to have any interest in us.”
Charlotte was quick to ask. “Did the soldiers pass your way with any prisoners?”
“No,” Ian said. “We never saw any prisoners. I wondered if perhaps the king made use of the remote area to grow his troops without the true king finding out.”
“That’s where we go now,” Brigit said. “To find safety with the true king’s followers.”
“We both are followers, and Bryce knows where you can go to be safe,” Charlotte said.
Bryce liked that Charlotte didn’t hesitate to offer them help, especially with her instincts about people being so keen.
A squeal from the lad had them all turning their heads. Odin was licking the lad’s face clean, and the little fellow was delighted.
“Let me show you where to go,” Bryce said to Ian, and took a stick from the pile he had collected for firewood and began drawing in the dirt.
The couple was eager to be on their way, happy that they finally had a specific destination to reach. And knowing that Bryce’s clan would greet them with open arms only encouraged a speedy journey. Thane didn’t want to leave, having made friends with Odin. Charlotte explained that where they went was Odin’s home as well, and once the animal returned, Thane would be able to play with him as much as he wanted.
Thane gave Odin a big hug, and the dog gave the lad a sloppy kiss, which delighted the boy. He left with a wave, and called out, “I see you soon, Obin.”
Bryce and Charlotte smiled at the way the lad pronounced Odin’s name and waved as the trio disappeared into the woods.
“Time to go ourselves,” Bryce said.
Charlotte turned to gather her things and went tumbling over Odin, who had circled behind her. Bryce reached out, grabbing hold of her and yanking her up before she could fall.
She landed so close to him that their lips almost touched. Their closeness startled them both for a second. And time seemed to stand still between them, as if each one did not know what to do.
Then Bryce did what he normally would have done with any woman he found attractive. He leaned in, ready to kiss her.
Chapter 14
Bryce’s lips had barely touched hers when he suddenly found himself sprawled on the ground, Odin standing in a guarded stance, paws spread out, body down and head low, in front of Charlotte, and snarling.
“Odin!” Charlotte scolded.
The big dog refused to relent.
Bryce got to his feet slowly, dusting dirt off his plaid, then suddenly pointed a finger in Odin’s face and warned firmly, “Enough!”
The animal quieted instantly and gave a small whimper though he remained in front of Charlotte.
“Odin must have thought you meant me harm.” She shook her head. “He didn’t understand that you only meant to—” She took a breath and looked as if she wasn’t sure how to continue.
Bryce finished for her. “Kiss you. I meant to kiss you.”
“Truly?”
Her bewildered tone confused him. “You didn’t realize that was what I intended?”
“I thought it was, but I wondered why.”
Bryce scratched his head, then shook it. “You wondered why I attempted to kiss you?”
Charlotte nodded. “It’s a reasonable thought; after all, you have made it quite clear that I am not the type of woman you are attracted to.”
“When did I say that?”
“Big bosoms,” she reminded. “You favor big bosoms, and you saw for yourself that I don’t have—”
“Enough!” he shouted, this time at Charlotte, though Odin whimpered. “You should not question a man when he wants to kiss you.” He winced. “That’s not what I meant. You should not question me when I try to kiss you. And your breasts are quite lovely.”
“Truly?” she asked, a smile growing.
Bryce ran his hand down his entire face. “We should not be having this conversation.”
“Why not? It clarifies things.”
“Clarifies what?” he asked, throwing his arms wide. “I wanted to kiss you.” He shook a finger at her. “Don’t dare ask me why again.”
She opened her mouth, and he stomped forward with a warning finger in Odin’s face. “Don’t dare move.”
He took hold of her, yanked her up against him, and planted his lips solidly on hers.
She went rigid in his arms, though only for a moment. After his lips caressed and taunted her with pleasure, her body softened and pressed against his. The kiss startled him. It was unlike any he had ever experienced, and he had experienced his share.
The deeper it grew, the more deeply he wanted it to grow. It set his body on fire. Molten heat rushed through him, heightening every sensation and sparking new ones. He ached with the thought that the kiss had to end. He wanted the kiss to go on forever, this feeling to go on forever.
Cold, sound reason intruded and urged him to end it, or soon he would not have an ounce of sanity left. And he would, without doubt, do something he would regret. Something he wasn’t sure either of them was ready for.
Bryce kept her held firmly against him. He might have relinquished the kiss, but he wasn’t ready to relinquish her. He favored the feel of her in his arms. Light as a feather she was, he could hold her all day, and he would not suffer for it.
She sighed and rested her brow to his. A hint of a smile appeared along her plumped-with-pleasure lips, and a faint blush stained her cheeks; that she had enjoyed their encounter was obvious. And damn if he didn’t want to do more than kiss her.
He warned himself to put her down, let her go, take a step away from her for sanity’s sake. He didn’t listen. He kept her close.
“That was most enjoyable.”
Another wave of heat raced through him. Simply because she told him she favored his kiss? But then he had never had a woman say that to him. Kisses, touches, coupling. And it was done. No flowery words or praise had ever been exchanged. Though he had been told often enough that he was a big one, and the gleam in women’s eyes when they had seen him naked had taught him at an
early age that size was an attribute most women favored.
“I would enjoy having you kiss me again . . . sometime,” she said softly.
He liked her boldness, her ability to speak her mind and tell him how she felt. It was refreshing to share such openness with someone and not be restricted by convention.
“I would enjoy the same.” He brushed his lips over hers, and he nearly shivered from the pulsing heat that tempted. He had to keep rein on his senses when he said, “Don’t dare say ‘truly’ or ask why.”
With a tinkle of laughter, she said, “You know me well.”
“I’m beginning to,” he said, ready and willing to learn all he could about her.
It hit him then; his mission. It came first, it had to. And though he didn’t want to, he reluctantly released her, placing her gently on the ground.
“I like being in your arms,” she said, taking a step back away from him.
It was a mistake; he should never have kissed her. She was inexperienced when it came to intimacy, untouched by a man, and she would expect more than he could give. It was not fair to her and to him, for he felt more than he wanted to feel for her.
For once, Bryce was relieved that Odin interrupted them with a low growl. Only this time he wasn’t looking at them. His eyes were intent on a spot in the woods.
“Gather your things and ready your bow,” Bryce ordered in a whisper.
Charlotte had already started doing so and had everything together, her bow ready in seconds.
Bryce pointed for her to follow him off to the left of where Odin kept a steady glare and snarl.
They had taken no more than a step when Culth emerged from the woods.
Odin continued snarling though he was quick to scurry behind Charlotte, and she was just as quick to draw her bow, aiming it at Culth.
“I came for my animal,” Culth said with a snarl almost as vicious as Odin’s.
“You’ve treated him badly,” Charlotte accused.
“I do what I please with what is mine,” Culth snapped.
“Odin no longer belongs to you,” Bryce said. “And don’t make me take your life to prove it.”
“You dare threaten me?” Culth said, stepping forward.
Bryce didn’t hesitate; he stepped forward, sword in hand. “No threat; simple truth.”
“I could call my men from the woods—”
“If you had brought men with you, we would be dead by now,” Bryce said. “You came to restore what respect you lost when not only your men were found dead, but your dog deserted you.”
“You are a mighty warrior like me—”
“Bryce is nothing like you,” Charlotte said, her bow remaining firm in her hand. “You respect nothing, not even an animal, and yet you demand respect. You are a man without honor and not worthy of being master to such a fine animal.”
Culth laughed and shook his head. “I knew she was a spirited one. I will enjoy her after I kill you, though the animal will be severely punished.”
An arrow whistled passed Bryce’s ear and landed on the ground between Culth’s spread legs.
“I would kill you before I’d let you touch me or Odin,” she spat.
As if he understood, Odin barked in agreement, though he remained safely tucked behind Charlotte.
Culth’s eyes narrowed. “You will pay for—”
“It is you who will pay,” Bryce warned. “Unlike you, I not only protect what is mine, I do no harm to what is mine.”
Culth laughed. “I’d say it’s the wee lassie that is protecting and keeping you from harm with her bow.”
“And it’s a wee lassie who holds you at bay,” Charlotte said with a smile.
“I’ll cut that sharp tongue of yours from your mouth,” Culth snapped.
“That makes no sense,” Charlotte said, and Bryce waited to hear the logic she was about to inject into the altercation.
“In one breath, you say you will have me, which no doubt included you forcing kisses on me, and in the next breath, you threaten to cut out my tongue.” She shook her head. “How enjoyable would kissing me be then?”
Culth glared at her, shook his own head, and turned a dazed expression on Bryce.
He explained, without Culth saying a word, “She not only has a spirited nature, but an inquisitive and intelligent mind.”
“A waste of a beautiful woman,” Culth said. “You can keep her, and as for your punishment for killing my men? I’ll let you live. Having her as your woman is a more fitting punishment than death. I’ll take my dog and be on my way.”
“Are you deaf?” Charlotte shouted loudly, as if he were. “You’ll not be taking the dog.”
Culth glared at Bryce. “Do you truly want to fight over a dog?”
“I have met many idiots,” Charlotte angrily spat, “but you are the biggest one yet if you believe this fight is about a dog.”
Culth turned livid eyes on Bryce. “Her tongue slices as sharply as a sword. She needs to be taught a lesson.”
Charlotte was ready to retaliate, but Bryce’s hand snapped up, and she clamped her mouth shut.
“So she does obey,” Culth said with a sneer.
“She does not remain silent out of obedience; she does what is wise,” Bryce corrected.
“You both make no sense.” Culth snapped his hand at the dog. “Odin, come now!”
The dog rested his big body against Charlotte’s legs and whimpered.
“Odin!” Culth yelled.
The dog trembled and turned sorrowful eyes on Bryce.
“Stay, Odin!” Bryce ordered, pointing his finger at the animal.
“You fight for a dog?” Culth asked incredulously.
“I fight for what is right. You fight for gain.”
Culth crossed his arms over his massive chest. “You are one of the true king’s men, aren’t you?”
“A spark of intelligence,” Charlotte said. “Perhaps there’s hope for him after all.”
“Does her mouth ever cease?” Culth asked of Bryce with a grin.
“Only when I kiss her, and even then . . .”
While Culth laughed, Bryce wondered why he would tell the mercenary such a thing, though truthfully he knew. He wanted to make certain that Culth understood that Charlotte belonged to him. Realizing that himself, he knew he was headed for trouble where Charlotte was concerned.
“I find I like you, Highlander,” Culth said.
“Odin still isn’t going with you,” Bryce said.
“I no longer want him. His escape has made him useless to me. I could never trust him again.”
“Then why did you come for him?” Charlotte asked.
“You won’t like my answer.”
“I know your answer,” she said. “You intended to kill the dog to prove to your men that no one, not even an animal, can betray you without suffering consequences. So now what will you do?”
“You tell me,” Culth challenged. “You seem to have all the answers.”
Bryce already had thought of a solution, but he waited to see what Charlotte would suggest. He had often been impressed by her acute grasp of fitting solutions in difficult situations, mostly because he had thought similarly.
“Since your leadership is in question—”
Culth quickly interrupted Charlotte. “How do you know that?”
Charlotte shrugged and lowered her readied bow though she kept it close to her side. “Gossip spreads as rapidly as fire. And I imagine that as soon as we had left your village, word spread that King Kenneth would not be honoring the promise of riches he had made to you. Add to that your men who never returned to the village and your dog running off. You definitely will need something sizeable to regain your clan’s respect.”
Culth took a step back as he sent Bryce a wary look. “Is she a witch who is able to see the past, present, and future?”
Bryce smiled. “I’ve wondered that myself at times.”
“You are too intelligent to think such nonsense,” Charlotte scolded.
Charlotte stared at him a moment. “You may be right.”
“What of my dilemma?” Culth demanded.
“There is a simple solution,” Charlotte said.
“You believe so?” Culth asked doubtful.
“Of course,” she said, “You strike a bargain with Bryce, pledging your services to the true king. You continue to allow King Kenneth to believe you fight for him and learn anything that will help the true king. And when the time comes, you battle for the true king. In exchange for your services, you have no worry that you will lose your land—”
Bryce took over from there. “And you will share in any wealth that is found.”
“How do I know you speak for the true king?” Culth asked skeptically.
“I serve the true king and have been given permission to speak for him when necessary,” Bryce said. “Therefore, my word is his.” Bryce stepped forward and offered his hand.
Culth did the same, accepting the offer without hesitation. “I give my word to serve the true king.”
Both warriors clamped hands hard, sealing the pact.
“One other thing,” Culth said. “I want to offer my condolences.”
“For what?” Bryce asked guardedly.
“The lassie is going to make you a terrible wife!”
Chapter 15
Once Culth had retreated into the woods, Odin cautiously stepped in front of Charlotte and tentatively sniffed the air while she turned her attention to Bryce. “Do you think I would make you a terrible wife?”
“I haven’t given it a thought,” Bryce said. “Now let’s be on our way. We’ve lost enough time today. We’ll barely make it much farther before it’s time to stop for the night.”
His hurried and dismissive response turned Charlotte silent, for to her it spoke volumes. He might have wanted to kiss her, but he had given no thought to her as a wife. He simply lusted after her, no more. She felt a disappointment she did not quite understand. Why should it bother her? They didn’t know each other all that well.
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