Loved By a Warrior

by Donna Fletcher

  Tara knew her father had hoards of money and could well afford to let the MacAlpins keep her bride price and still pay the king it as well.

  It was the only sensible thing to do, and it was the right thing to do, the unselfish thing to do.

  She freshened her appearance, letting her dark hair fall freely and thinking how only a short time ago Reeve had proposed marriage under conditions that just might have proved successful against the curse, and now . . .

  She sighed and shook her head slowly, not believing how it had all changed in such a short time. With her cloak wrapped around her and her head bent against the cold wind, Tara returned to the keep.

  Reeve hurried right over to her, taking her hand. “It will be all right. I promise.”

  At that moment, Tara felt the urge to tell him how she truly felt about him. After all, she might never get another chance, and she also knew she would regret it if she never told him . . .

  “I love you,” she whispered after leaning close against him.

  She felt him grow rigid next to her, and she knew she had shocked him. She had even shocked herself, but it was something she had to do. Her father would no doubt want to leave early in the morning, and she wouldn’t be surprised if the king’s men waited in the woods to take her directly to the king to be wed.

  Her time with Reeve was short, and she didn’t want to waste it. She wanted him to know she loved him and always would.

  “Always,” she murmured. “I’ll love you always.”

  His arm curved around her waist and he drew her up against him. His dark eyes danced with passion and joy, and he grinned. She just loved his grin, and she smiled in return.

  He pressed his lips to her temple, looking to all as if he kissed her, but instead he whispered, “You’re mine, and your father will not take you from me.”

  Her smile grew. She hadn’t expected words of love, he would save them for when he was sure it was safe and could not be used against him, could not be used to prevent them from marrying.

  Besides, in an odd way, his response was better than his admitting he loved her. It settled deep in her heart and gave her a smidgen of hope.

  Bryce rushed into the great hall, a flurry of snow covering his shoulders. “Carnoth has arrived.”

  Reeve was quick to hurry her over to the table by his family. Tara noticed that Bliss and Willow were not present, and she wondered if Trey was all right. She didn’t have a chance to ask; her father stormed into the hall, shouting her name.

  Tara wanted to cringe, but she didn’t. She held her head high and squared her shoulders, prepared to do whatever it took to keep Reeve and his family safe.

  Reeve watched King Carnoth march toward them. It didn’t surprise him that Tara took a heroic stance beside him. He was aware that she planned to sacrifice herself for him, she had been sacrificing herself for years, and when she had admitted she loved him, he knew she was saying good-bye.

  He had no intentions of letting her go anywhere even if he had to battle her father’s entire troop to keep her here.

  Carmag stepped forward. “Welcome to the MacAlpin clan.”

  Reeve was proud at the way his father stood tall and reminded his guest that he was on MacAlpin land, which meant he should tread light or suffer the consequences.

  Unfortunately, Reeve could tell that King Carnoth was too angry to listen to reason, and he approached like a man ready to battle, a mistake he’d be certain to regret.

  “You better welcome me, Carmag of the clan MacAlpin, and explain why my daughter resides with you.”

  With the man only a few feet away, Reeve assessed him quickly. He was not a tall man though he was broad and thick, though more round, his long hair was all gray, and his face wore a multitude of wrinkles.

  Tara moved out of Reeve’s arms before he could stop her, and his heart lurched in his chest, fearing at that moment he had lost her.

  “I requested shelter from the MacAlpin clan, and they were kind enough to give it to me,” she said. “In return, I offered them my bride price.”

  “You what?” her father shouted. “Your bride price belongs to your future husband.”

  That was all Reeve needed to hear. He stepped forward, moving to Tara’s side. “That would be me.”

  “The hell it is,” King Carnoth spat. “Tara has been promised to King Kenneth, and it is King Kenneth she will wed.”

  “Not anymore,” Reeve said vehemently.

  “Get over here, daughter,” King Carnoth ordered, his hand snapping at his side.

  Reeve tried to grab hold of her arm, but she avoided his effort to stop her and went to her father’s side.

  “How dare you think that you can do as you please. The king’s men wait to take you to him and be wed. You leave in the morning.”

  Tara tried to accept her fate, she truly did, though what troubled her more was the thought that her father held so little regard for her that he would send her to possible death without thought or care. That hurt terribly, especially after spending time with Reeve’s loving family and seeing how they all cared and looked after each other.

  “And if I don’t,” she bravely asked.

  Her father’s face exploded red, spittle flying from his mouth. He was too angry for a coherent reply. His hand was as quick as ever, and he raised it, Tara only having time to brace for the blow.

  It never reached her. Reeve stepped forward and grabbed her father by the wrist before his heavy hand could do any damage.

  While her father struggled against Reeve’s strength, he said, “Tara belongs to me, touch her, harm her in any way, and I’ll kill you.”

  A group of six who had entered with King Carnoth quickly stepped forward, hands on the hilts of their swords. Reeve’s brothers and the MacAlpin warriors who occupied the hall had their swords drawn as they stepped forward.

  “Enough,” Carmag declared. “There’ll be no bloodshed here.”

  “Then tell your son that it is not his decision as to who my daughter weds,” King Carnoth said loudly.

  “Perhaps an agreement can be reached,” Carmag suggested.

  King Carnoth yanked his wrist free and stepped away from his daughter, while his eyes remained intent on Reeve. “My daughter weds the king. There is nothing else to discuss.” He snapped his fingers at his men. “Take her and see that she stays put.”

  Reeve stepped in front of the men who came for her. And when they hesitated, Tara glanced at Reeve. His look was feral, like an animal ready to attack his prey and enjoy every minute of tearing them limb from limb.

  “What do you wait for?” King Carnoth yelled.

  Tara thought she had imagined the growl, but then she heard it again. It came from Reeve, a snarl of sorts that developed soon enough into a low, predatory growl, the rumble coming deep from his chest.

  Her father’s men quickly retreated several steps.

  “Carmag,” her father shouted. “I expect you to honor my rule when it comes to my daughter. The choice is mine, not hers or yours.”

  “I certainly have no intentions of usurping your rule,” Carmag assured him. “Though I do suggest that we all sit and partake of the bountiful feast my wife has seen prepared for you and your men.”

  “First, I will have a private word with my daughter,” King Carnoth said.

  “As you wish,” Carmag said, and waved Reeve away.

  Reeve went reluctantly though not before whispering to Tara as he passed her, “I will not fail you.”

  Tara wanted to cry. That he should still believe that he could save her against all odds proved to her just how much he loved her. It also proved that she could not marry him, for he would surely die. And she would rather see him live and lose him than love him and see him dead.

  Her father stepped so close that his hot breath felt like it singed her skin when he spoke. “I can see you wed this fool here and now, if you wish. And when he dies at your feet or before the night ends, then I will take you to the king and see that you honor the agr
eement I have made with him. I give you that choice.”

  Fear tickled down Tara’s spine. She could not wed Reeve. She could not take the chance. She would never be able to live with the thought that she had been the cause of his senseless death. She also didn’t wish to wed the king. But how she would escape that, she had no idea.

  “I’ll have your answer,” her father snarled.

  She had no choice and her father knew it and that was why he had enlisted her aid in seeing this matter settled before it escalated into a battle.

  “I’ll wed the king.”

  “Tell all here that you have agreed,” he ordered sharply.

  Tara stepped away from him, and her glance fell on Reeve. He would live and that was all that mattered to her and she was glad, so very glad that she had had the courage to confess her love to him. Her strong voice carried throughout the hall. “I will wed the king.”

  Reeve shook his head slowly, a snarl spreading across his face.

  Chapter 24

  Reeve kept the appearance of a man in control, but inside he felt like a caged animal waiting to be released. He knew Tara was once again sacrificing herself for the sake of others. She had done it so often that it had become a natural thing for her to do.

  He had until morning, though he had the feeling that Carnoth would probably sneak her out in the middle of the night, and therefore he needed to hurry and devise a feasible plan. He knew his family was thinking the same.

  It was a difficult situation for sure. The MacAlpin clan had no business denying King Carnoth his daughter. The king had the right to do with her as he pleased, his clan, his laws. But as a Highlander and a defender of the true king of Scotland, Reeve had been raised with a strong moral code. He was there to protect the people, fight against injustices, and see that the man who could bring all of that to Scotland be seated on the throne.

  Until that could happen, he presently needed to protect one particular person—the woman he loved.

  Love.

  How had it ever happened to him? He certainly hadn’t been looking to fall in love, but somehow love had found him. It had laid claim to him whether he was ready, willing or not. And while he had never given love much thought, being too busy in seeing that the true king took the throne, love had crept up on him and settled firmly in his heart.

  He was in love, and there was no denying it. He just hadn’t expected for it to be this difficult, to face so many obstacles, and each more insurmountable than the next. He refused to give up. He told Tara he would not fail her, and he wouldn’t. A plan was already bubbling in his mind. He would stir it around, let it simmer, and when it was finished, he would serve it up hot and ready and most likely not to everyone’s taste.

  He had tried to capture Tara’s attention, but she had avoided looking his way. His heart ached for how much she must be suffering, but he’d soon remedy that.

  Bryce came over to stand beside him, his hand on his shoulder. “Let me know when you’re ready.”

  Reeve loved the unspoken understanding amongst his brothers. Bryce had no idea what Reeve had planned, but he was letting him know he stood beside him regardless. Reeve never doubted he would, and it was good to know that he could always count on that.

  “He will take her before sunrise,” Bryce whispered.

  “Agreed.”

  Duncan joined them, smiling and retaining his grin as he said, “Don’t leave me out.”

  The brothers smiled and nodded, all the while planning.

  Tara was relieved when Willow entered the room and explained that Tara was needed in Trey’s room. Mara grew upset and was quick to jump up, ready to go to her son.

  “Stay. You have guests,” Willow urged with a strong grasp of her arm. “Tara can see to this without any help.”

  Mara returned to her seat, and Tara looked to her father, knowing if she didn’t seek permission, he would make a scene.

  “May I?”

  “Be quick about it,” her father snapped. “It grows late, and we leave at first light.”

  Tara left with Willow and was surprised when the woman stopped abruptly on the staircase as they neared the second floor.

  “Bliss, Mercy, and I have talked and decided that you must leave here, not only if you wish to live but if bloodshed is to be avoided.”

  “When have you had the time—”

  “That doesn’t matter. What does matter is that you are much like us—”

  Tara shook her head. “You are all so strong.”

  “As are you, which is why we know you can do this.”

  “Do what?” Tara asked, a bit fearful yet eager.

  “Escape to the protection of the Picts.”

  Tara felt a smidgen of hope. Her father often spoke about avoiding the pagan Picts. He wanted nothing to do with them. They lived by their own rules, guarded their land vigilantly, and were fierce fighters.

  Willow continued explaining. “Bliss has offered you sanctuary with her people and insists that you stay at her cottage. She will not be returning until she makes certain that Trey is healed. You should be safe there.”

  “And with Reeve and his family not knowing where I’ve gone . . .”

  “Your father cannot hold them responsible.”

  “When do I leave?” Tara asked. Thanks to the help and caring of her new friends, she didn’t feel as isolated as she had felt for so many years. Their courage gave her courage, and she finally felt that she just might be able to survive this ordeal and hopefully find a way to conquer the curse and, please God, be free to love Reeve.

  “Now,” Willow said. “Follow me.”

  Willow took her through passages in the keep that she hadn’t known existed, and she surmised that Mercy must have shared their secrets. That these women trusted her without question and believed in her made her all the more determined to succeed.

  In the night shadows of the towering keep, Willow stopped and searched behind several barrels. She pulled out a wrapped bundle, untied it, pulled out a thick wool cloak, and handed it to Tara.

  Willow retied the bundle. “There is a change of clothes and food that should last until you reach Pict land. Bliss thought of having Roan and his men take you home, but if she did, that—”

  “It could start a war, since my father would never believe that I would willingly go with the Picts.”

  Willow gave Tara a hug. “You can do this. You’re a strong woman.”

  “Thank you. You don’t know how much your encouragement helps me.”

  “We’ll see you again,” Willow said with teary eyes. “Bliss says so.”

  That knowledge brought a smile to Tara’s face though it didn’t prevent a tear or two from falling. “I look forward to it.”

  “Go,” Willow urged. “Don’t stop and don’t look back.”

  Tara did just that. She disappeared into the woods, following the trail Bliss had outlined to Willow though it was more a trail of trees that she had been advised to follow. Willow had assured her that she would not get lost, even with its being the dark of night.

  Willow had also explained that if she should accidentally deviate from the prescribed path, she could possibly come upon the king’s men since they waited in the woods to take custody of her. And so Tara kept a keen eye on the towering trees, with particular notches that guided her along the way.

  Reeve watched Carnoth grow more and more agitated as an hour passed, and Tara hadn’t returned. He had grown concerned himself. What was keeping her?

  Anxiousness grew as chatter slowed, and whispers began circulating the hall as another hour passed and still no Tara.

  Carnoth stood angry. “Bring me my daughter now.”

  “I’ll go see what’s keeping her,” Mercy offered.

  When Mara said she’d go, Mercy hurried off, ignoring the woman and even avoiding her husband’s hand that reached out to stop her.

  Reeve sensed something wasn’t right, but there wasn’t much he could do right now but wait and see.

  Carn
oth started pacing between the tables while his men sat rigid, eyeing the MacAlpin warriors. Tension was brewing, and if Tara didn’t make an appearance soon, a fight just might erupt.

  Mercy returned just as Carnoth looked ready to explode.

  “Tara is busy tending Trey’s stitches. She will be a bit longer and bids you to retire if you wish.”

  Carnoth glanced around at the MacAlpin clan, and Reeve knew what he was thinking, for he would have thought the same. With the MacAlpin family present, Carnoth felt safe that no one was attempting to help his daughter escape. None of the MacAlpins, not even the warriors, had left the hall, so he obviously felt confident in his assumption.

  Not so Reeve. He could feel something was going on. Willow had come for Tara and had brushed off Mara’s help. Then Mercy hadn’t even acknowledged Mara’s offer. Something definitely was brewing. He wanted to go find out for himself, but if he left now, it would look suspicious. And if the women were up to something, would his actions interfere?

  Reeve waited, feeling ever more the caged animal hungry for release. When Willow finally entered the hall and explained that Tara was still not finished, Carnoth exploded.

  “I will have my daughter here now!” he screamed, shaking his fist in the air.

  Carmag had no choice; he stepped forward. “Tell Tara that her father demands her presence. She must come now.”

  Willow sighed and shook her head. “Tara is not with Trey.”

  Carnoth kicked at benches, sending one or two sprawling as he approached Carmag. “What have you done with her?”

  “I know nothing—”

  “He doesn’t,” Willow said, before Carnoth could accuse him otherwise.

  Carnoth took an abrupt step closer to her, his round chest near bumping her. Reeve and Bryce were at her side in an instant.

  “Where is my daughter?” Carnoth demanded.

  “I don’t know,” Willow said with a shrug.

  Reeve was impressed that the blustering man hadn’t upset Willow in the least.

  “After Mercy let us know you inquired about her, Tara simply said she was leaving and to please give her time to make her escape.”