Loved By a Warrior

by Donna Fletcher

  “You need—”

  “That’s right, I need you. Do you want to feel how badly I need you?” he asked

  The itch to touch him was unbearable, and she squirmed to get out of his arms and place some distance between them, or else this encounter would end in his favor. He, however, would not let go; he held her firm.

  “We’ll speak with my brother tomorrow. Right now, you and I have a matter to attend to.”

  A distinct cough startled Tara, but had Reeve only turning his head.

  Willow stood there with a smile. “Sorry to disturb, but Trey has been asking for you both. If you have a moment?”

  Tara silently thanked Trey. Reeve would not turn down his brother’s summons, not after all he had been through. This would at least give them time to calm their passion and approach things more pragmatically.

  Reeve took hold of Tara’s hand as if letting her know that she was not getting away from him that easily.

  Willow didn’t join them when they entered Trey’s room, and Tara was surprised that no one else was there. Trey was alone.

  “Where is everyone?” Reeve asked, obviously surprised himself.

  “I asked for some time alone with you both,” Trey said. His voice wasn’t as strong as before, and he looked fatigued.

  Reeve must have noticed the same, for he said, “You are tired. This can wait until morning.”

  “I don’t think it can,” Trey said firmly. “I remember something the witch said, and I thought Tara would want to hear it.” He didn’t wait for a response from either of them. “I’m not sure if the old hag wanted me to hear it or not, but I did. Though it made no sense to me at the time, after hearing Tara’s tale, it just might fit.”

  “Do tell,” Tara said, eagerly slipping away from Reeve to sit in the chair close to the bed.

  Trey kept his attention on Tara. “After the old woman finished advising me as she had claimed, she turned to leave and that is when I heard her say, ‘Deserves it she does, stole my son from me.’ ”

  Tara gasped, and even Reeve’s eyes turned wide.

  “Did you take her son from her?” Trey asked.

  Tara retold the tale to Trey from beginning to end.

  “Then it seems she is the one you look for,” Trey said.

  “Where is she?” Reeve asked.

  “Last I saw her, she was traveling north toward Grunnhil.”

  “The Norse settlements,” Reeve said. “That’s a distance.”

  “Time would be needed for such a journey,” Trey said.

  Tara knew by the look in both their eyes that it was time that could not presently be spared.

  “This is for you both to discuss,” Trey suggested.

  “What discussion?” Tara asked with resignation. “I know that your mission to seat the true king takes priority over everything. And I cannot fault that. I just worry the curse she placed on me could adversely affect your family, your clan, your mission. What then?”

  “You said there was another way of ridding yourself of the curse,” Trey reminded.

  Tara nodded. “To find someone more powerful than the one who cast the curse and have her or him remove it.”

  “Then that is what must be done,” Trey said.

  “Reeve has tried that with no success.”

  “So far no success,” Reeve said, and gave her shoulder a comforting squeeze. “But we’re not giving up. We’ll find who we need.”

  Tara was relieved when she felt Reeve’s reassuring touch. She knew he thought their love could solve everything. And she wanted to believe it herself, but she worried. She couldn’t help it. Too many years spent facing too much heartache to simply think that she could dismiss the curse so easily. And though nothing had happened to Reeve since exchanging vows, there were many hours left before morning.

  Trey groaned when he moved, and Reeve went to his side. “Need help?”

  “I need to sleep,” Trey reluctantly admitted.

  Tara stood. “Lift his head and back some, so I may fix his pillows.”

  Reeve did as directed, Trey grabbing hold of his arm to help. When all finished, Trey sighed with comfort as he lay flat, his head resting on one pillow.

  Tara was fussing with the soft wool blanket when Willow entered.

  “Your father requests your presence in the solar,” she said to Reeve.

  Trey reached out and took a firm hold of his brother’s arm. “You’ll tell me what was discussed?”

  “All of it,” Reeve assured him, and gave Tara a quick kiss before leaving.

  Willow joined Tara at the bed and helped her arrange the blankets over Trey.

  “You look familiar,” Trey said, staring at her.

  “You’ve stopped at my family’s croft on occasion. I am Willow, Edward’s widow.”

  “Old Jacob’s place,” Trey said with a smile. “How is he?”

  “He died,” Willow said with audible sadness.

  “I’m so sorry. He was ill?” Trey asked.

  “Sadly, no. He was as stubborn about dying as he was about living. I believe if we hadn’t been forced to leave our farm and walk here in a raging snowstorm, the old fool would have outlived me.”

  “What happened?” Trey asked curious.

  Tara excused herself before Willow recounted the heartbreaking story. She was eager for some time to herself. Not so much to think, she had done enough of that for today, just simply to be. And the best way to accomplish that was to keep her hands busy. With busy hands, her thoughts would fade, her worries would calm, and, for a while, just a while, she’d be somewhat at peace. She could sew, or she could bake bread. She chose the more strenuous of the two and hurried off to the kitchen.

  Reeve’s father and brothers were waiting for him, and he dropped into the only unoccupied chair in the room.

  “Sorry to take you away from your wife on your wedding night,” Carmag said. “But I felt this meeting could not wait.”

  “After all that has happened tonight, I expected it,” Reeve admitted, and his brothers nodded in agreement.

  “The king grows bolder, as do his soldiers,” Carmag said. “They prowl our land whereas before they kept a respectful distance. Something has changed.”

  “We know that the king has suffered money woes of late,” Bryce said. “Could be his coffers are bone-dry, leaving his troops to suffer.”

  “He found a way to appease the soldiers he sent to collect Tara,” Reeve said. “He told them to enjoy her and return her in good enough condition for him to wed her.”

  “Her father deserves to die,” Duncan said, “along with the soldiers who almost beat Trey to death.”

  “That beating makes no sense,” Bryce said, shaking his head.

  “I have to agree,” Reeve said, having given it some thought. “Why not just kill him and be done with it? Why beat him and leave him to die? I think Da is right, something is going on.”

  “We have plotted the return of the true king for years, and I daresay King Kenneth has plotted just as strongly to see that his throne is not taken from him. Two plots at work, with many people involved. If we have spies, the king certainly has spies—”

  “Here among us?” Bryce asked.

  “Who else would have stolen that piece of hide relevant to the future king?” Carmag asked and answered. “None in this room. I believe we should be more cautious in our discussions and more aware of those around us. I have asked Neil to keep alert. He spied for us; he could certainly spot another who spies.”

  “The time draws near,” Duncan said. “Many wonder if blood will cover the land before all is done.”

  A gentle knock sounded at the door, and cautious glances were exchanged. No one ever disturbed them when they retreated to the solar, not even Mara.

  “Who goes there?” Carmag called out.

  “Bliss,” came the soft reply.

  The brothers immediately stood, fearful something was wrong with Trey, and Bryce hurried to the door and opened it.

  Bliss
entered and, slipping the door from Bryce’s, grasp closed it. “I need to talk with all of you.” She walked to the center of the room.

  Carmag offered her a chair, but she shook her head. “I don’t wish to disturb you. You have much planning to do. I’ll say what I have come to say and take my leave.”

  “As you wish,” Carmag said, and the men gathered closer to her.

  “More goes on around you than you know, and there is one who has spied before and will spy again. But there is another who you think betrays you but does not. This one knows more than any of you know. This one knows the true story of the true king.”

  “Who?” Bryce demanded sharply.

  “I cannot say,” she said.

  “You cannot or refuse to?” Reeve asked.

  Bliss shook her head. “I do not refuse.”

  “She doesn’t know,” Duncan said.

  Bryce looked on her with angry eyes. “What of this spy?”

  “Keep your eyes open and your heart clear, and you will find the person.”

  “You talk too much in riddles,” Reeve said.

  “I can only say what I know, and it is not always clear until it comes to pass.”

  “What good is it then?” Bryce said.

  “I ask the same myself,” Bliss said, “but no answer is ever provided.”

  “What of the one who you say we think betrays us?” Carmag asked.

  “This person holds the answers to many questions, and when the time is right, this person will provide the answers.”

  “This person is friend not foe?” Reeve asked.

  “I’m sorry, I don’t know.” Bliss turned to Bryce before he could comment. “I understand that does you no good, but I can only tell you what I know. The rest is up to you.”

  Bryce summed it up. “So there is a spy among us and a person who knows much more about the king than we do.”

  Bliss nodded, and before Bryce could say another word, she said, “I know the true king is one of the four brothers.”

  They all stood tall, their eyes wide, their mouths stern, and stared at her.

  “You all wonder how someone can know more about the king than he does himself. And I tell you that if you open your eyes and clear your heart, you will have your answer.”

  “Do you know the true king’s identity?” Carmag asked.

  “I would never reveal such information,” Bliss said, and walked to the door. “Open your eyes, or you will miss what is in front of you.” With that, Bliss left the room.

  The men were too stunned to speak until, finally, Duncan said, “She knows who the king is.”

  Reeve shook his head. “She never admitted that she did.”

  “And if she does know?” Bryce asked. “Do we trust her?”

  “Bliss has proven a good friend. Besides, do we have a choice?” Carmag said. “The first thing we must do is find this spy. Until then, we must be extravigilant in what plans we let be known. I will map out a plan, and we will discuss it. For now, go to your wives. It has been a long day.”

  “Bryce has no wife,” Reeve said with a grin, and his teasing manner lifted the weight of their heavy burdens and the long arduous day, if only for a while.

  “Thank the heavens for that,” Bryce said smiling.

  Reeve laughed, and Duncan snorted.

  Duncan elaborated. “You just may be the last of us to find a wife, you poor soul.”

  “True enough,” Reeve agreed. “According to the witch, it looks like Bliss is Trey’s future wife.”

  “Good for him,” Bryce said, shaking his head. “I certainly wouldn’t want a wife that had the kind of knowing that Bliss does. Lord, there wouldn’t be anything you could do that she didn’t know about. I’ll stick to tending to the missions while you fools get wrapped up in love”

  Both brothers laughed.

  “He’s jealous,” Duncan said, heading to the door.

  “Definitely jealous,” Reeve agreed, following.

  “I am not,” Bryce called out, as the door shut behind them.

  Carmag placed a hand on his son’s shoulder. “Your time will come.”

  “With so much to be done, I prefer to wait,” Bryce said.

  Carmag shook his head. “Love waits for no one.”

  Chapter 33

  Tara was enjoying herself. Etty had been just finishing up in the kitchen and was eager to get home to Neil when she had entered. When Tara had informed her that she was going to make her black bread, Etty begged that she make extra loaves.

  The last two loaves of the four Tara had made were cooking. She rolled her shoulders back, easing the stiffness from them, and though she was tired, she also felt refreshed. Baking the bread had cleared her mind, and she was certain she’d have a good night’s sleep tonight.

  After making love.

  She shook her head, the silent words resonating like a clanging bell in her mind. How could she prevent her vows from being consummated when she was eager to make love with her husband?

  The thought hit her then. Both Rory and Luag had died before consummation of the vows. Would it be any different with the vows consummated?

  It was doubtful, but it was worth a try, and besides, she was aching to make love with Reeve. A huge smile filled her face at the thought, and when she heard rushed footfalls approach, she turned, eager to greet her husband.

  She froze when she saw that it was Allen, one of her father’s most trusted warriors.

  “What do you want?” she demanded, though she feared she knew.

  “Your husband dead,” he said bluntly.

  “That’s not going to happen.”

  She and Allen turned to see Reeve sending just inside the arched doorway, his arms folded over his chest as if what he had heard did not disturb him at all, confident that he was right. But then he was always right, and that brought a smile to Tara’s face.

  Allen glared and pointed a finger at Reeve. “You die, and Tara comes with me to fulfill her duty to her clan.”

  Reeve shook his head and walked slowly into the room. “No. You die, and I send your body back to Carnoth to show him that he has failed again. And to remind him of my warning to leave my wife alone.”

  Tara knew Allen was skilled with a dirk. He’d been known to kill a man with a single blow, and that, she feared, was his plan. He was fast and accurate even from a distance. Fear raced through her. Would the curse prove true after all? Was there nothing she could do to save her husband? The horrible thought squeezed tight at her heart, and she inched closer to Reeve, wanting to save him, but not sure how.

  “Of course, I could let you leave now and thus spare your life,” Reeve said.

  Allen laughed, and Tara knew it was a diversion. She had seen him use it before. The dirk was in his hand and sailing through the air before she realized he had reached for it. And with no regard for her own life, she launched her body in front of Reeve’s.

  In one fluid motion she felt Reeve’s arm circle her waist, yank her against him and shield her body with his as he dipped them both to the floor. He released her with a jolt and stood so fast that it took her a moment to realize what had happened. From her prone position, she watched as Reeve retrieved the dirk from where it had embedded in the wall and walked toward Allen.

  “Let me show you how to properly use this,” Reeve said, and, with a fierce roar, launched the dirk and himself at Allen.

  Tara sprang to her feet, her eyes wide. With the look of fury she had caught in Reeve’s eyes before he released her, she knew that he had intentionally missed hitting Allen with the weapon. He was itching for a fight, and Allen had given him the opportunity.

  “Damn, this one might be a match for our brother,” Duncan said, entering the room, Bryce following him in.

  “Do something,” Tara ordered sharply.

  “We are,” Bryce said. “We’re here to cheer him on.”

  “What’s taking you so long, Reeve?” Duncan shouted.

  Reeve delivered a vicious blow to Allen’s j
aw that had him stumbling backward. As Reeve advanced on the man and without a backward glance to his brother, he yelled, “I’m going to beat you when I’m done with him.”

  Duncan and Bryce laughed, and Bryce grabbed one of the freshly baked loaves of bread and tore it in half to share with Duncan. They ate the bread while shouting encouragements to Reeve.

  “You better hurry up and finish him off before we eat all this delicious bread your wife made,” Bryce called out.

  Reeve’s head snapped around, his face in a feral snarl. Allen took advantage of the moment and landed a punch that sent Reeve stumbling back though he remained on his feet. The snarl returned as he said to his brothers, “Eat all my bread, and I’ll kill you both.”

  “Then stop playing with the fool and finish it,” Bryce challenged, and took another bite of the bread.

  Tara stood frozen with anger. How could they make light of the situation? Didn’t they realize their brother could die? Didn’t they know that the curse could rear its ugly head any moment, and Reeve would be dead? It didn’t matter that he had battled many men and had won. He hadn’t been cursed. It was different now. He was more vulnerable, and the two fool brothers simply stood there and did nothing to help him. Even Reeve didn’t take it seriously. He continued to think himself impervious. She wanted to pound on all of them for their stupidity.

  It was only moments later that Tara was finally able to breathe a sigh of relief. Reeve pounded the man so badly that Allen raised his hand in surrender. Reeve picked him up by the scruff of his shirt and dragged him to the door.

  “If Carnoth dares send another, I’ll kill him,” Reeve said, and tossed the beaten man out the door, slamming it behind him.

  He turned with a grin then winced, his lip split, bloody, and bruised. His right eye was darkening as well, and while Tara wanted to run and tend his wounds, she was so angry with him that she remained frozen where she stood, her hands fisted at her sides.

  Reeve grabbed a loaf of bread and tore off a chunk.

  “For a minute, I thought we were going to have to help you,” Bryce said with a smirk.

  Another wince cut off Reeve’s laughter. “That will be the day, that I need help in defeating one lone fool.”