Watching Isobel fly through the woods on the stallion, Elisabeth quickly turned her attention back to Kendrix. Picking up her skirts she ran through the deep snow back to his side. He struggled to stand, kneeling beside him she watched as four warriors on chestnut horses were nearly upon them. Quickly assessing the situation, she knew Kendrix’s wound was enough to disable him from fighting hand to hand combat with the oncoming men by himself. Moving quickly she leaned over him and pulled his longbow off his shoulder along with his quiver full of arrows. Notching an arrow, Elisabeth focused as the Douglas warriors were advancing on them rapidly.
“Elisabeth, it’s strung for a man lass, there is no way you’re strong enough to pull it back, get on my horse and go!” Kendrix ordered gruffly.
“Don’t tell me what I can’t do Kendrix, stuff it!” She bit out as she focused.
Inhaling a large breath as she pulled back the tightly strung longbow as the first rider approached, the pain in her shoulder raged through her as she let her first arrow loose, flying directly into the eye of the rider. Dropping him dead, instantly.
Stringing a second arrow she took aim once again, survival outweighed her pain, behind her Kendrix’s shoulder poured blood as he struggled to stand. Letting her second arrow fly, it found its mark in the neck of the second warrior. The last two men were upon them in seconds, on the ground Kendrix and Elisabeth stood beside each other as the Douglas men came into view.
“Look at that Ian, a redheaded lass who can use a bow! Looks like we found the missing Drummond wench after all!” The fat Douglas warrior sneered as he dismounted and brandished his deadly blade at her.
The bow and arrow where useless with the men this close, gripping the golden dagger Broderick had given her, she held it tightly in her hand in the folds of her skirts.
Kendrix held his broadsword out to the men and warned, “Get off MacMillan lands now or you will die!”
“We’ll just be taking Laird Douglas’s betrothed with us and we’ll have no problems, will we?” The tall redheaded warrior said, the warning in his tone wasn’t lost upon Kendrix and Elisabeth.
“We have no such betrothed on our lands, this is my wife! Be gone before my patience wears off.” Kendrix ordered as the men continued to gain ground.
“If you won’t give her over, then we will just take her.” The fat warrior said as he rushed towards Kendrix. The other Douglas eyed Elisabeth, his sword pointed at her as he grinned at her, licking his lips. Beside her Kendrix clashed swords with the plump Douglas warrior as the taller warrior approached her with caution.
Since she only had a dagger, she needed him to be close, allowing him to get within arm’s reach she moved like a viper, sending her long golden dagger up through his chin into his brain. Pulling out her blade quickly, he dropped at her feet.
Spinning around, she saw that Kendrix was slowly losing his battle against the large warrior; his good arm was too damaged from the arrow. Running to fetch an arrow from the quiver, she dropped to a knee on the ground as she watched the large warrior bring up his broadsword up to deliver a fatal blow across Kendrix’s neck.
Pulling the longbow back one more time she fired her last arrow as the Douglas warrior’s arms were high in the air, directly to his heart.
Before her, she saw the last remaining Douglas warrior drop dead. Kendrix looked back at her, locking eyes one last time before he dropped to the snowy forest floor.
Screaming his name she crossed the blood covered snow and slid next to him, cradling his head, “Please hang on, please don’t die Kendrix, please stay with me.”
Pushing on his wound to control the bleeding, she prayed for Broderick to find them soon. Looking around, she saw the bodies of four fallen Douglas warriors, their blood splattered all around her in the white snow as she held onto the shallow breathing MacMillan warrior.
Cradling Kendrix, she begged him to stay with her as the sun fell behind a cloud and snow began to fall. In the silence of the forest, she sat on the ground praying for Kendrix’s survival, the arrow had been so close to his heart, with every beat of his heart he lost more blood. Covered in blood, she prayed for him and prayed help was on the way.
***
At the castle, Broderick was in the stable saddling his stallion; they had been gone too long. Something was wrong; he could feel it when he heard the tower guard calling his name.
“Laird Broderick, Isobel returns alone, on Lady Elisabeth’s stallion!” His guard cried out from the tower.
“Lower the drawbridge man!” Running back to his horse he jumped into the saddle, his heart was pounding. What the hell had happened?
When Broderick saw Isobel come riding over the drawbridge crying, saddled upon Elisabeth’s stallion, his heart sank. There was no good explanation for what he was seeing, his heart fell.
“Uncle Broderick! You have to save them; Douglas warriors are after them by the creek! Da was shot!” She cried as he rode up to her.
Ordering a guard to take her up to Old Rhona, Broderick kicked his stallion and followed the tracks. Galloping as fast as his warhorse would go, his wolfhounds trailed close behind. Why hadn’t he given her a sword or bow?
Urging his stallion into a full gallop he followed the horse tracks to the creek where Isobel had just fled. Never had such a short distance felt so long, he rode hard, listening for signs of a fight or screams. Dead silence was all he could hear as he approached the creek.
In the bright snow, he saw the stain of blood far before he saw the bodies. Riding up to the scene he scanned the bodies from afar.
Ordering his wolfhounds to find her, he watched as they ran over to a body by the creek and sat down. Turning his horse, he quickly he saw his sable fur sloped over a body, “Elisabeth?” He shouted, his heart had stopped.
As he rode towards his sable fur, he saw her beautiful face peer up at him, tears running down her ivory face, holding his brother in her arms.
Jumping off his horse he ran towards her, “No.” He whispered as he slid next to her in the snow, blood soaked the ground around them.
Tears fell from her eyes, “He lives Broderick, just barely. We need to get him back to the castle, his wound in his shoulder is grave and he willnae wake up.”
Looking at her, he saw no wound on her, “Are you okay? Are you hurt?” He asked as he grabbed his brother and threw him over his shoulder.
“I am fine, Isobel?” She asked as she held the reins to his horse so he could get into the saddle, she watched as he easily mounted his stallion cradling his brother.
“Aye, scared, but okay,” nodding to Kendrix’s mount, “Bring his horse back Elisabeth, we must hurry.”
Jumping into Kendrix’s saddle, she followed Broderick back to the castle. The two of them galloped through the woods, the hounds following behind Elisabeth. Not another word was spoken as they rushed towards the castle.
The drawbridge was lowered by the time they came up to the castle, storming over the bridge they rode directly to the castle. Broderick shouted orders to those around him as Elisabeth opened the castle door for him; he took Kendrix to get help, and asked her to find Isobel. Elisabeth nodded, and did as requested and went in search of his niece without another word.
Arriving at Kendrix’s room, Broderick booted the door open and carried his large brother directly to the bed. Setting him gently down, Broderick leaned down and ripped his brother’s shirt off in one movement. He needed to see the wound. Walking over to the fire, he grabbed the kettle of hot water and poured it in a basin. Carrying it over to the table beside the bed, he eyed the arrow wound low on Kendrix’s left shoulder, just above his heart. It was still bleeding profusely. Dunking a clean linen strip in the hot water he squeezed the water over the wound so he could clear away the blood.
As soon as the hot water hit Kendrix’s skin his eyes flashed open, a scowl upon his face, “Jesu Broderick! I’m alive stop yer damn meddling! Is my daughter okay? Elisabeth?” He asked as he struggled to sit up in bed, swatting at Broder
ick’s hand.
“Yes she made it back to the castle unscathed. Elisabeth went in search of her, she too is unhurt. What the hell happened out there Kendrix?” He asked as he got up from the side of the bed and sat in the chair beside the fire, giving Kendrix space.
Broderick watched as Kendrix ran his hands over his face and through his hair before he answered, “We had arrived at the creek when it began to rain arrows on us; I took one directly to the shoulder and was thrown off my horse along with Isobel. I ordered Elisabeth to see to Isobel, assuming she would grab my daughter and flee back to the castle. Instead, she sat little Isobel on her warhorse and sent her back to you then came to protect my sorry hide. Elisabeth ran to my side dispatched two Douglas warriors with my bow and one with her golden dagger. I was losing the battle with the final Douglas warrior, he went for the fatal blow and Elisabeth sunk an arrow right into his heart. She was strong enough to pull my longbow back Broderick, what woman can do that? She killed all of them, she saved my life Brother, and Isobel’s. When I told her she wasn’t strong enough to pull back my bow she told me to bugger off, and proved me wrong. I don’t think I’ve ever been so happy to have a woman show me up.” Taking a drink of cool water, Kendrix added, “She asked me for a sword before we left and I refused to give her one. I told her I would not overrule your decision. Isobel and I are alive because of her Broderick. Give the woman her damn sword back! If it wasn’t for Elisabeth, Isobel and I would be dead. I saw your warrior queen in action, she is flawless Broderick, arm her or I will.”
Sitting back in the chair Broderick closed his eyes and thanked his stars that she had managed to fend off the warriors, when he approached the creek and saw blood he was sure he’d find her dead. In that moment, in his heart, he had no doubt what he felt for his lady. He had been a fool to delay arming her, a fool.
Behind them, they heard the door open, Old Rhona and Caitriona shuffled in with herbs and bandages to clean up Kendrix.
Locking eyes with his little brother, “Aye Kendrix, ye have my word, I’ll see her armed immediately. I’ll check on you later Brother, I’ll send Isobel up to see you herself, she’s worried about you.” Nodding, he left Kendrix in the capable hands of the elder women and went in search of his future bride. He had so many unanswered questions, everything had happened so fast. He knew Elisabeth hadn’t healed enough to pull a bow back, especially Kendrix’s extremely tightly strung bow without hurting her existing injury. He knew she had to be in pain, praying she had reopened her wound he went in search of the woman who saved his family’s life.
He searched the kitchen first knowing it had fast become one of her favorite spots, not finding her there he went upstairs to their room to find that empty also. Growing frustrated he went in search of little Isobel, knocking on her door he heard her sweet voice bid him entrance.
Walking in, he saw his beautiful niece cuddled up in her bed, “Isobel, your father is doing great love, come here and give Uncle Broderick a hug! You were very brave today lass, I am proud of you,” kneeling he opened his arms and watched her run to him with tears still in her eyes.
“Will he live Uncle Broderick?” She asked as she held onto him.
“Aye lass, you can go see him if you’d like. He’s in his room now; can you tell me if you’ve seen Elisabeth? I can’t find her.” He asked as he held her hand and walked her back to her father’s room.
Nodding, “She said she needed to go pray, she just left my room moments ago. I told her she could have my sword this morning, she told me you’d give her one. I hope you give her a sword Uncle Broderick, it would make her smile. I like seeing her smile, but today she was crying, I dinnae like that Uncle Broderick.” She said innocently as they arrived at Kendrix door.
Ruffling her hair he smiled at her genuine honesty, “Go in and see your Da, he’s waiting for you. I’ll go find Elisabeth lass, and don’t worry, I’ll get her a sword my love, Uncle Broderick will make your pretty Aunt Elisabeth smile again, I promise my love.” After seeing Isobel snuggle with her father as the elder women saw to his wound, he left them alone and went in search of Elisabeth.
He found her in the chapel, alone, standing in front of the altar with her head bowed. His sable fur sloped over her shoulders falling to her waist; her dark red hair had fallen from the crown on her head and spilled over her shoulders in loose curls to her waist. His wolfhounds sat at her feet, looking up at him as he entered the chapel from the back. Smiling at the sight of them, he snorted, when given a choice; they always picked Elisabeth over him.
He noticed the moment she heard him enter the chapel. He watched as she raised her head and turned around to look him in the eyes. He saw she was covered in blood, her dress was ripped and she held her injured shoulder. Fresh tears fell down her face; her beautiful eyes were red from crying. Taking the alter stairs two at a time he closed the distance between them in seconds.
Cupping her jaw with both hands he kissed her full upon the mouth, he had come so close to losing her today he almost died. He felt her small hands wrap around him as she kissed him back. Wiping away her tears he held her tight as he comforted her.
It only took a moment for his lady warrior to emerge.
Pushing him away, “Kendrix and Isobel almost died today Broderick, I cannot continue on without a weapon. I’ve let you change the subject time and time again, no more Broderick! I will gladly die for them, for you, but give me a fighting chance! Let me die a warrior’s death, not without a weapon to defend myself!” She seethed between clenched teeth, clearly emotional and upset.
Her words shamed him, she was right. He had pushed aside the conversation every time she brought it up, today his brother, niece and his future wife almost died because of his stubbornness. In the back of his mind he thought if he gave her a weapon, she’d change, that she wouldn’t need him. He had assumed when she got a blade in her hands that she would morph into a different person, that she would no longer have use for him.
Taking her hand, “Come with me Elisabeth, I have something to show you.” Entwining fingers with her, he walked with her from the chapel up to the keep. Night was falling upon them and the snow had stopped, walking through the fresh snow he brought her up to the keep. The two walked in silence, hand in hand.
Bypassing all those they saw, he took her upstairs to the solar next to his room, it had been his mother’s and had set empty for years. These past weeks he had Rhona working on making it habitable again for her, he knew eventually the lass would want her own room. He was unwilling to have her far away. Although he wanted her to sleep in their room every night, he wanted her to have a room in the castle all to herself, a room for his queen.
***
Walking up the stone stairs Broderick stopped before a door she had never entered before, the door that was directly across from his bedroom.
“Wait here, I’ll go light the candles so you can see.” Grabbing a candlestick off the stonewall he opened the door and closed it behind him. Moments later he appeared, opening the door wide.
“Welcome to your solar my love, I wanted to gift you with it after our wedding. I fear I just can’t wait that much longer, come in.” He beckoned from the doorway.
Walking into the lovely room, she looked at Broderick, “You don’t want me to sleep next to you?” She asked, confused at finally being given a room now.
Shaking his head and standing behind her, he wrapped his arms around her chest and leaned down to whisper into her ear, “I always want you to sleep next to me Elisabeth, this is room is to be your escape. Your personal room to do with as you see fit, the room is for you yes, but what I wanted to really give you sits in that corner.” Pointing over to the wardrobe on the far wall, “You are right, I almost lost three people I love today, go open the doors.” He let go of her shoulders and nudged her towards the wooden doors.
Looking over her shoulder, she was reeling in the fact that Broderick had in his own way, told her that he loved her. In all of her time here, he had never once
mentioned anything of love. Walking over to the large wardrobe, she pulled the doors open and stepped back.
Before her lay an impressive broadsword, a perfect match to his. Leather bracers with his crest notched in them. Hanging in the back of the wardrobe was chainmail, specifically shaped for her, a woman. Along with that was a beautiful longbow, intricately carved with a quiver of arrows, a shortsword that shined with perfection and a matching dirk.
Reaching in, she picked up the broadsword and held it out at arm’s length as she tested the weight in her hand. Turning around she looked up at Broderick, “You had all of these made to match your weapons, for me?” She asked as she tested the grip on the sword.
“Aye lass, there is a new place above the mantel for your broadsword too. I’m sorry it took so long to make, I wanted your set to be perfect, it is your wedding present,” he admitted as he walked towards her, “I had the blade shortened and forged for you only, do you love it?”
Sitting down the sword, “Not as much as I love you Broderick,” stepping into his arms she threw her hands around his neck and bestowed a kiss upon him that had him kicking the door to the solar closed. Reaching behind him he threw the latch and picked her up, carrying her over to the large bed across the room he sat her on her feet as he unchained his sable off her shoulders letting it fall to the floor.
Reaching down he ran his hands up her skirt, across her thighs as he nudged them apart, burying his fingers into her wetness, “Say it again Elisabeth,” his voice velvet smooth as he slid his fingers deeper into her as she leaned up against the bed.
“I love you Broderick, I’ll love you to the day I die.” Her words floated around him as he spun her around and bent her over the bed, flipping up her skirts, he bared her naked ass, toeing her legs farther apart he grasped his hard cock and ran it over her wet valley, “Do you want me my queen?” He teased as he pushed in with his tip and quickly withdrew from her.
Branded By a Warrior Page 11
