by Kira Freitas
I stared at Bruce with surprise. His words were filled with hope as if he was sure of something.
- I agree! - said Alistair. - A toast to the future!
- To the future!
Even though I participated in the toast, I was not very willing to talk and limited myself to answering what I was being asked. Alistair and Bruce exchanged discreet looks and it was already pissing me off. I counted to ten, hoping it would calm me down, when Adelaide made a comment about my behavior. Lucky for her, I wasn't in the mood to get into a fight, so I just smiled and responded cordially about what I thought of her comment.
- Well! I still think it's a little primitive for a woman to use a gun. Even if to defend himself. - Adelaide said, on a provocative note, returning to the subject. - So what good would men be, if not to defend us?
- His thought is quite retrograde, considering that our origin was founded and established on top of great battles against enemies, that today, add to our culture. - I answered cordially. - It is right to remember that in several battles like these, many women were leaders. Therefore, in times like our own, I do not have to be ashamed to know how to wield a sword and not have to depend on a man to defend me from any danger. Whatever it is.
Bruce let out a laugh, making Adelaide snort. Aideen looked at me as a proud spectator, while Alistair almost applauded me for my words. Adelaide stirred herself in the chair and stretched her arm to cut a piece of pork.
- I don't think we'd be in "times like ours" if it wasn't your father's fault. - she fired with disdain.
Those words brought me to the height of my irritation, yet I tried to control myself.
- Roy MacGregor is not my father! - I shot between my teeth.
- Is that so? That's not what I heard! - she fired.
- Yeah, you heard wrong! - I took a deep breath. - I am the daughter of Loch MacBride, and no one but him will be my father.
- Are you sure about that? - Adelaide provoked again.
I've had enough of her boldness.
- That's enough, Adelaide! - shot Alistair. - Lord Macintosh, contain your daughter or I will be forced to cast you out of the fiefdom in the rain.
Alistair's words surprised me. It seemed that he was also not enjoying much the presence of Ector and Adelaide in the castle, but she was engaged to his cousin and he should support him.
- It's okay, Alistair! - I said sighing, and I stood up. - I still feel exhausted, so I should retire as soon as possible.
- But, my sister, you haven't eaten anything! - fired Aideen. - You'll end up sick from it.
- I'm sorry, Aideen, but I'm not hungry! - I said in a sorrowful way. - I came to the banquet, just to accompany you.
- I'll escort you to your quarters! - said Bruce standing up.
- Thank you, but that's not necessary! - I took a break. - Like I said, I know every path that this castle hides.
- I can imagine where "those paths" have taken her.
I looked at Adelaide smiling at me with disdain.
- May I ask why you were offending me? - I fired angry. - You've been teasing me since I sat at this table. What have I done to deserve your contempt?
Adelaide smiled for a few moments and replied with coldness.
- He was born!
Dropping a scornful laugh, I threw the napkin on the table and turned my back.
- Forgive me, but I don't have to stand here and listen to this! - I shot myself away.
- Get out, really! - she fired in a debauched way. - Nobody needs a whore around. In fact, you offend the image of your sister's queen.
Frowning my forehead, I turned abruptly and looked at it indignantly.
- What did you say? - I asked.
- What you heard me say! - she fired while standing up. - Or do you think I don't know that you slept with my fiancé?
- What's that? What's that? - said Aideen shocked. - Did you go to bed with Bruce?
Holding my breath, I looked at Bruce, who shook his head in a negative way as if answering a silent question.
- Aideen, that's not what you're thinking! - Bruce fired in a stunned voice.
- Yes, it is! - Adelaide fired. - As you can see, Your Majesty, your sister is a first-class whore.
- Shut up, Adelaide! - Bruce has gone wild. - I didn't even know we were engaged when it happened.
Bruce closed his eyes, growling, at the moment his words were spoken. They all looked at me in shock. That was the height of my day. The humiliation that was missing. Now everyone knew that my reputation was tarnished, although I didn't care much about not getting a husband who respected me. If I didn't want to get married before, now that I knew what it was to be used, even less so. Even though I was humiliated, I decided to leave that room with my head held high, because I refused to lower it for anyone else. But first, I'd take a prize along with me.
Smiling coldly, I stared at Adelaide. She looked from side to side and frowned without understanding. I approached the table again, keeping my eye on hers.
- You know what, Adelaide? It's because of situations like this that I thank you for being able to defend myself!
Without thinking twice, I held the knife hard and grunted.
- Annabel, no! - Bruce screamed too late, realizing what I'd do.
I ignored him and the next instant, I was on my knees on the table, holding Adelaide's hair tightly. With the knife in my hand, I pulled the end of her throat to keep her still. Adelaide blinked and I saw that there was fear in her eyes.
- Don't touch me or I'll kill you! - I screamed when Ector, Bruce and Alistair made mention of approaching. - That bastard needs to learn a lesson!
- Annabel, what are you doing? - Aideen asked in a shocked voice, but I ignored her.
Queen or not, she was my sister and knew me well enough to know that I did not tolerate defiance.
- Think twice before you offend me! - said by slapping Adelaide in the face, who, for fear of the knife, didn't fight back and just grunted. - I may even be a whore, but I'll never be a spoiled, selfish one like you.
She yelled at the other slap I gave her.
- Stop Annabel! - shouted Bruce grabbing my hand and took the knife. - Let her go, now!
I waved when I felt that I was being lifted up into the air and pulled off the table. Bruce grabbed my hand that held the knife and went away with me in his arms.
- Let go of me, asshole! - I screamed.
- Jesus! That girl is a danger! - said Ector evaluating Adelaide's neck.
- I'm gonna kill her! - I screamed before Bruce disappeared with me through the hall portal. - Bitch!
Aideen was staring at me scared. I've never had a break like that before, so she must have been shocked. I turned my hand back and tightened Bruce's waist, which grunted at me. So I turned around and punched him.
- I said don't touch me! - I fired. - You fucking idiot! It wasn't enough that you humiliated me between four walls, you had to do it in public too.
- I don't know what you're talking about! - Bruce said making a face of pain. - I didn't want to, and I didn't even try to humiliate her.
- How did that bitch know what happened?
- I don't know, Annabel! - he fired. - Maybe she heard my conversation with Alistair.
- Did you tell Alistair? - I fired indignantly.
- I did, but not for the reason you can imagine. - Bruce took a break. - Listen, I know that I made a mistake and that Adelaide should not have said that, but what he did was totally unnecessary, Annabel. Adelaide is the daughter of a lord and deserves respect. You shouldn't have done that.
- She deserves respect and I don't? - I asked with a voice embargoed. - Her humiliating me was unnecessary! I've never hurt her, and neither has anyone else. I can't allow someone like Adelaide, who probably should have been spoiled for a long time, to diminish me like this.
I closed my eyes by leaning against the wall of the corridor we were in. I decided to accept my fate and turn away from Bruce for good, because what I felt for him only
made me feel bad and very unhappy.
- You know, I'm tired of our arguments! They're childish and, at the same time, ridiculous! - I took a break. - I think it's more than clear that we can't stay under the same roof anymore. I had been convinced that I could wait for him to leave after the wedding, but I just realized that it wouldn't work.
- What do you mean by that? - he asked.
- I'll talk to Aideen and ask for an escort to Gretna Green tomorrow morning. - said turning his back to go down the hall.
Bruce growled.
- Over my dead body!
I couldn't think when Bruce threw me against the wall and pressed me with his body. Before I could think, he kissed me in anger. His hands held on my waist and he lifted me up. Everything was happening too fast and by the time I realized it, I was already returning the kiss. I wailed when he nibbled on my neck and grabbed his shoulders, sticking my nail into his skin. Bruce lifted the skirt off my dress and penetrated me hard. I had no idea when he had opened his pants, but I didn't care, because my mind was clouded by the ecstasy that took over my body. Covering my mouth with one of his hands, he started stacking me hard. I clung to it, moving my hips in the same rhythm and in a desperate way. We looked like two animals and I wanted more and more.
- More! - I whispered biting his shoulder.
Bruce growled and started to move even faster. With one hand, he touched my clitoris, rubbing frantically. I muffled a scream, biting your shoulder again. A heat wave took over my insides and exploded inside me. Bruce came to a climax right after that. We held each other for a long time, until our breaths returned to normal. He put me on my feet, and then he pulled himself together. Bruce closed his eyes, punching the wall behind me.
- I won't let you go anywhere! - he said between his teeth. - You're mine!
That said, he turned his back and walked out of the hallway, going in another direction. I leaned my head against the wall, certain that I would never get rid of what I felt for him. That act made it clear that I should leave as soon as possible. I didn't want to be Bruce's lover. I loved him too much to bear to have to share him with another woman. Tears took hold of me and I slipped to the ground. I stayed there for a while, until I could get up again. Drying my tears, I walked down the hallway until I reached the security of my room. That night I would weep again for everything I felt, but in the morning I would leave forever.
- And no one will stop me! - I whispered, leaning against the door.
Chapter 14
Bruce
- Damn it!
I screamed shaking my hand when what was left of the bow hit me hard. I'd pulled the rope so hard, it broke in half. I had been training for hours and ignored the cold wind that blew burning my skin. It was more a reflection of my lack of concentration. I looked at the arrows I'd already shot and took a deep breath. Many of them were off target, others stuck in targets that weren't targeted. My lack of concentration had a name, last name, blue eyes, silver hair and a temper as explosive as mine.
- Poor bow! - said a melodious voice that turned me around.
Adelaide was standing behind me with a smile. Her dress was simple, but the amount of ornaments she wore overcame her beauty and made her an exaggerated knickknack. Although Adelaide was a beautiful woman with long hair, almond eyes and full breasts, she had a habit of overdressing herself just to attract attention.
- I'm not on a good day. - said smiling on the side.
- Well! Whatever's tormenting him, I don't think the bow deserved it. - she returned the smile while swinging her index finger.
I knew Adelaide had something in mind. That hidden smile of hers never deceived me and she possessed it since I was a child. It was with those gentle eyes and that false smile that she was able to take away everything she wanted from Ector.
- What are you doing here, Adelaide? - I asked, discarding the bow and taking another one.
The smile died on Adelaide's lips and she looked at me with a more serious expression.
- I wanted to talk about yesterday. - she said approaching. - I'm sorry for my behavior, but you know Annabel deserved it.
I closed my eyes, deeply breathing and prepared myself for the shock, which I knew was about to happen.
- Really? Why do you think she deserved your childish, unreasonable attack?
- Unreasonable? - she fired with a cold voice. - Do you really think it was good for me to have taken a long trip to marry someone who lies down with the first offer that comes along?
- Adelaide? - I sighed for an arrow. - Annabel is no gift, and I didn't even know you were here, who'd say I'd marry you.
I frowned and, losing my concentration with the laughter she released, I missed the target again.
- Are you gonna go through with this story that you didn't know about that deal?
I growled up stepping towards him and grabbed his throat.
- Are you accusing me of being a liar?
- You're hurting me! - she said out of breath.
- I'll hurt you even more if you keep calling me a liar or if you don't stop offending Annabel! - said between her teeth and let her go with a push that made Adelaide fall while sitting down. - There will be no marriage between you and me, so get this crazy idea out of your head. If you wish to stay, stay, but there's nothing else to keep you in this castle.
Adelaide looked at me furiously. She was my best friend after Cora when we were kids. He knew every crooked smile, every disguised look and his untimely genius. Adelaide was an only child, so she had everything she wanted. Especially after he lost his mother so soon.
- Are you going to keep rejecting me because of that brat? - she asked in anger. - She's the one who seduced you, Bruce! Don't you understand that? You know what MacBride's capable of. You have no obligation to her.
I grunted when I heard my own words repeated by her. Squeezing the bow tightly, I approached her.
- I'm not rejecting you and I don't feel obligated to anything. - he said between his teeth. - You shouldn't be snooping around in other people's conversations. It's none of your business what I do or don't do.
- Your father would be disgusted by what you're doing! - she said with a growl.
- No, I wouldn't! - I fired, so I smiled at her with a cold smile. - He'd be proud of my decision.
- So you're really willing to marry that skinny rat-face?
- Stop offending Annabel! - I threatened again and she shrunk. - I won't keep that ridiculous contract and that's it! Stay away from Annabel or you'll regret it for the rest of your life!
Adelaide stared at me with anger, a mixture of fear and incredulity. I stood up when she started kicking and screaming furiously. I ignored her anger attack and, hanging the saddlebag on my shoulder, I stepped out hard. I started walking to the stable. My life only had room for one madman at a time and fortunately, the first of them, was already very well occupied by a blonde with fleshy mouth and kisses that led to paradise. Entering the stable, I left the saddlebag hanging next to the bay of Esperanza.
- Hello, miss? - I whispered by passing my hand over his back. - Do you have a minute to listen to an old friend?
Esperanza whinnyed as if to say yes. She was mine since I was a child. She was a colt when I got her as a gift from my father and we became great friends ever since. Grabbing a brush, I got to brush it. Whenever I needed to calm down or centre my thoughts, I did that. I began to pour out my thoughts to Esperanza until I felt lighter.
I had given express orders that no one should let Annabel leave the castle and both Alistair and Aideen agreed with my decision. She was furious when she tried to escape this morning and the guards arrested her. I had not yet spoken to Aideen about what had happened during our stay at the inn and was gathering the courage to ask Annabel's hand from her, as she was her sister and queen.
I don't know how long it's been since I decided to come in for a bath. I needed to talk to Alistair about what to do with Morvan. He had been furious when he saw the man who was responsible for Co
ra's death and his first reaction was to try to kill him. As Annabel had done, Aideen interposed herself and suggested a trial. However, I very much doubted that Alistair would judge him and, in order to keep my promise, I would have to climb some of my men to execute him. Morvan might have been in jail, but he still posed a great danger. There was still the fact that MacGregor's men were dressed as English soldiers and carrying out attacks, which only made Roy's intentions to promote an external war even clearer. He'd have to be stopped as soon as possible.
After the bath, I passed through the kitchen and headed for the main hall, where I knew Alistair and Aideen would be. I heard altered voices coming from inside. Franzin' my forehead, I opened the door and came across an angry and wet Annabel. There was also a covering of mud or sand, I'm not sure, but it was black and covered his soaked hair.
- I'm sorry! I'm sorry! Am I interrupting something? - I asked myself approaching to wander and put the fruit basket on the table. - What happened to you? Looks like he tripped over a mud puddle.
Annabel grunted by closing her fists.
- I was sitting in the courtyard next to the garden, reading a book quietly, when I was surprised by a jet of cold water. But it did not stop there, for when I got up frightened, they threw another one at me. - she said in an angry tone. - When I looked up, that crazy Adelaide girl smiled with disdain holding a bucket.
Annabel was screaming furiously. It surprised me because it didn't seem like an act Adelaide would take.
- That must be some mistake! - said trying to ease the situation. - Are you sure it was Adelaide?
Annabel closed her eyes.
- Now, besides being crazy, I'm a liar? - she yelled. - That woman threw dirty water on me!
Aideen approached us and put her hand on Annabel's shoulders.
- Calm down, my sister! - she said. - Nobody here thinks you're crazy or a liar. I know you speak the truth and I would never lie to myself.
Annabel took a deep breath and tears began to appear in her beautiful eyes.
- I don't want to stay here under the same roof as that crazy woman. I want to go to the convent, where I know I'll be safe. - she sniffed. - If I stay, with Adelaide teasing me like that, I don't know if I can answer for myself.