“RUN! RUN!”
The voices increased in their fury and not a minute passed until the rummaging reached the huts and the adobes, dangerously close to where Rose and Allia were staying.
“Where are all of our fighters?”
“I don’t know…what do we do now, Allia?”
“We pray…there’s not a lot more we can do.”
The battle raged on outside and men hollered to the sky as sounds of stabbing and puking sounded off, each minute providing more desperation, more begging and pleading. When the footsteps became imminent, Rose and Allia decided to bolt for it.
The window inside the hut was small, but was just large enough to push at least one of them through.
“You go first,” Allia said.
“But you’re the rightful heir. I…I am nothing.”
“It doesn’t matter. I’m worth more…maybe…maybe I can survive. I fear for you, little one. When I push you through, run away to the hills and go as far away from the borderlands as you can.”
“Okay…I’m scared…”
“So am I, love…”
Allia opened the window and helped Rose to the windowsill, by propping her feet on her hands. Rose squeezed her way through and looked out, seeing nothing but open grass.
“The coast is clear. GO!”
“But…will you follow me?”
“God willing I’ll try…now go!”
Rose wiggled her way through the window until Allia gave her a rough charge to the buttocks, knocking her through.
And just in time, for not a second later the door was kicked in, and a ravenous beast of a man stood before her.
“Oh!” she cried, walking backwards towards the window.
The warrior looked mad, already covered in blood and heaving in and out like a bull or an elephant ready to charge. He eyed her wantonly and laughed, her dainty frame and light red hair taunting the lonely old thief.
“Well what do we have here…” he said with an evil face that only made his unshaven beard look more menacing. “Are you a virgin, girl?”
“No,” she said firmly, trying to dissuade him with an unflattering lie.
“Well I’ll be the judge of that,” he said, pushing the door behind him shut.
“You don’t have to do this,” she said. “I’m an heir to the throne.”
“Really? Gooooood,” he said lecherously. “Then I’ll be your king.”
She looked towards the window and almost lunged out before he caught her.
“Don’t even think of going. Or I’ll take your arse first.”
Allia stood still, flinching and all out of options.
Just as she began to brace herself for a hard lunge, the door flew open. There stood a man, a red-haired man of six and a half feet tall, shaven and green eyed, looking more like a god of the ancients than any warrior.
As he made eye contact with the heiress to the throne, his eyes seemed to change colors, with a subtle glowing sensation. She instantly felt his power, his inhumanity and magical presence. The moment he walked into a room the air seemed thinner and every human around him seemed to become weightless.
“Oh, hello master,” the warrior said, instantly cowering. “I found her here. I kept her safe for you.”
Time seemed to stop when the highlanders spoke. When one interrogated you, you couldn’t help but speak the truth. “Why did you close the door?”
“Because I didn’t want her to get away. There were a whole flock of girls. The rest of them escaped…”
The highlander looked at him in suspicion.
“Promise!”
“Sir?” Allia said softly.
Both men looked at her, surprised that a woman dare raise her voice.
“What happened to the others?” he asked.
“There are no others. Just me…” she said. “But I’ll have you know…if you kill me or take advantage of me there will be repercussions.”
“Oh?” the highlander asked straightly, though the other warrior chuckled. “What kind of repercussions?”
“Why…I can’t fathom to think. I am the legitimate second granddaughter of Lord Fonnelly. He started this village. When my sister died, I inherited the title.”
“And where is your kingdom, your highness?” he asked, causing the other man to laugh heartily.
“I have no doubt that it will come…” she said meekly. “When the time is right. And if God willing.”
“Take her into captivity. Instruct the men that I forbid anyone to lay a finger on her before me. Understood?”
“Yes, master.”
“If anyone goes beyond that law, they will not enjoy their comeuppance. Understood?”
“Of course.”
The warrior and Allia shared an uncomfortable stare, each one covering for the other’s lie. Whatever the highlander wished, was to be. Highlanders were not only blessed by gods, but could rightly be called gods.
The rumor of Allia’s claim to a throne at least stalled for time. She was taken captive but the men were extra kind to her and careful not to push and shove. She was transported to a mobile cage and imprisoned for a day. The invaders kept her guarded and in a position away from their dealings with the nearby village. Allia had no idea if anyone was left standing or if the war was over. She only saw warriors and armored men walking by, avoiding eye contact with her, and mumbling to themselves.
They gave her water and minimal food for the time of her captivity, about three days in total. Two blankets for the night and not much else. She became worried and would holler out to whoever walked by to bring her up to date on what was going on in the region, and if her northern relatives heard about the attack.
“Excuse me!” she said to a girl walking a short distance away. She dressed like them, like the highlander people. She had to know something.
“I can’t talk to you.”
“Please! Just let me know what’s going on. I’m not trying to escape. Just tell me what happened.”
“We’re not allowed to say anything. The highlander clan…they are our leaders. We are just their subordinates. They assimilated our village years ago.”
“You’re not one of them?”
“No. There is only one family. They are always bickering and arguing. We fear any day now they could break apart, destroying us along the way.”
“But what about my village? The one they just attacked?”
“What do you mean? They haven’t attacked anyone.”
“The one they just raided? The…”
“That? There is nothing left. They took everything.”
“What?! Are you telling me that my home is gone? They’re all dead?”
“I have to go…” she said, feeling anxious.
“Wait! I’m sorry…just please tell me. Did they kill everybody?”
“Some got away. But the village has been burned to the ground.”
“And no one else…”
“No. You’re the only one spared and the only one found that wasn’t killed.”
“Why me?”
“Oh…I thought you knew.”
“No, tell me!”
“You are being kept by Gerard MacAlister. He is the oldest surviving brother of the clan. And he’s taking you as a wife.”
“No…oh no!” cried Allia.
“I…I thought you would be happy. To be spared…to be treated like a person. You don’t know what it’s like…” The girl suddenly became angry and began heaving and raising her voice. “You’re so lucky! Not all of us are treated like royalty, you know! Some of us have hardships beyond what you could comprehend.”
“I’m sorry…”
“Burn in Hell!” she said scathingly. “I hope the demon bastard rapes you hard like all your people deserve.”
The girl ran off leaving Allia in tears.
“Oh Lord. What have I done to deserve this…”
II
Captivity among the highlanders was no great reward. Even though she was a “princess” of sorts, Allia was
treated just slightly better than a favored animal. None of the ordinary slave humans were kind to her and relatives of the “big brother”, the same ones who looked and felt miraculously like a god. They were no admirers of her or her crown. In fact, the entire camp seemed threatened by her, even while she wasted away in a small prison.
“Dear Lord I am afraid…” she muttered softly. Where is my savior? If I’m to be the queen, the rightful heir…why haven’t my relatives in the North sent warriors and horses to fight for me? Why am I being kept here and tormented…”
She even resorted to calling to the man who once threatened to rape her. The same warrior who kicked her door open and scowled – that cretin.
“You! You know who I am.”
“Quiet down,” he said resentfully, stripped away of all his perverse inclinations by the master himself.
“Can you please tell me what’s happening?”
“You’re being held prisoner, stupid wench.”
“Where is he? What does he want? If my people have dispersed…why are we waiting? Why not set me free so that I can go up North to see my remaining family?”
“So what? You can come back down to kill us? And the highlanders? Good luck, lass. They are a cruel race, that’s for sure. But they are what we need to survive.”
“A girl…she said something about being delivered as a bride. Is it true?”
“Of course not. Highlanders despise human beings.”
“Then why am I still here?”
“Because, foolish girl. You are worth money to your greedy friends up North. They pay the ransom, and we let you go.”
“I see…”
“And if they don’t pay the ransom…” He laughed sadistically. Then the highlanders will give you to us. And we won’t treat you like a queen, that’s for sure.”
“Tell him I want to speak with him. The big one, the one they call Gerard.”
“He’s not talking to you, peasant.”
“I demand it! Perhaps I may be of help in negotiating a fair price.”
“Desperate aren’t you?”
“Wouldn’t you be? If certain death was your only other option?”
“I’ll tell him. But I tell you this, stupid girl. The only clan that hates you Fonnelly people more than we do is the highlanders. The monsters. The wizards and sorcerers. They despise you the most of all. And I would just as soon kill the lot of you for what you’ve done.”
“We haven’t done anything!” she said.
But the man walked away cursing and swinging at the air.
Allia went to sleep that night and stayed asleep until the late morning hours, shivering from the morning chill. She awoke slowly, not knowing where she was or if she was surrounded by peace and quiet, or raging war. A sickening stir came over her as she woke up and remembered all of the terrible sounds of war that occurred but a week ago.
As she sat up and shook her head awake an even more strange feeling came over her—the distinct feeling of being watched.
She was startled to see Gerard, the highlander, staring at her through the entrance of the cage.
“Oh! Hello sire.”
He nodded, unsure of what he was looking at. He seemed altogether confused by her appearance. “I am Gerard. And you are?”
“I am Allia. The heir of the Fonnelly Dynasty.”
He nodded, unimpressed. “You might think twice about broadcasting your titles, Future Queen. Considering that we are at war with the Fonnelly Dynasty.”
“I know. I was there and I saw the damage you did to my village.”
He chuckled quietly. “The damage we did?”
“And besides, I am only waiting until my family pays the ransom. Isn’t that right? That’s what the brute said.”
“Aye,” he said cautiously. “We kept you alive because we thought we might make a deal.”
“Yes, I assure you my family will pay for me. They will give you whatever you ask and even more if you treat me kindly. Not…insinuating that you haven’t been anything but very compassionate thus far.”
“Well, girl. I hate to sound like a prophet of doom. But I don’t anticipate your family is going to be taking you anywhere.”
“How dare you!” she screamed. “I am an heir! You cannot cheat in these negotiations! You will all die if you don’t show me respect.”
“Oh for God’s sake,” he said with a shake of his head. “Calm your lungs, girl. What I meant was, the negotiation is almost over. Your family who loves you so dearly is not going to send any reinforcements down.”
“What?”
“And they made it quite clear they don’t have a place for you up North. It seems as if another dynasty is coming to power. And the Fonnellys are…well, shall we say going the way of the dragons.”
“Shite!” she screamed. “You lie!”
“I have no advantage in lying, girl. Your Majesty. Whatever you prefer.”
He shrugged and finally unlocked the cage door, much to Allia’s surprise.
“What…what are you doing?”
“Titles are sort of meaningless when your family reputation crashes. I told the people that once we got the ransom paid we’d be done with you. But the word is your extended family thinks that you’re payment enough. In exchange for taking you, we stop the raids and respect the borders. It’s recompense.”
“Recompense? In what world is kidnapping and sexual slavery recompense?”
Gerard laughed. “Are you really that dense?”
She stared cluelessly into his eyes.
“I guess you are. The fact of the matter is that your people have been attacking ours for over the course of two years. I suppose they never sent word out to the women and children, aye?”
“You mean…my brothers waged war against your kind?”
“It’s been a long and bloody battle. We had enough of your pillages and rapes of our innocent. We decided it was time to fight back, manners be damned. The truth is, our human slaves wanted to take you and all the other maidens of your village and treat them like whores. But I spared you. I made the order and let your sisters run to safety, though heaven knows where.”
“Why? Why would you?”
“Not sure. Perhaps because we have a soul. We have to be better than the people who would spurn us.”
“I see.”
“Oh but don’t pity our compassion, girl. We made sure that your murderous brothers suffered. That much we owed to our victims.”
Allia nodded. “Now what? If they don’t pay…what happens to me?”
“I take you as my bride. Or at least, that’s what we tell your people.”
“And would I be queen?”
“Queen?” he laughed. “Queen of highlanders? That’ll be quite the day when our kind bows to you, my Queen. On account of the lot of us thinking you’re quite the troublemaking lass.”
“But…if I’m not to be your bride…what becomes of me?”
“Well, that’s where it gets complicated. If I don’t take you, and my brethren don’t take you…we have to give you to our human slaves.”
“No! You can’t!” she said, taking a few steps back and becoming agitated.
“What?”
“They threatened me. They said, they promised, they would take advantage of me. I am just an heiress. A countess. I am not a warrior and I would never give orders to hurt your people the way my brothers did.”
“I wish I had good news, girl. But I don’t. There’s no way we’re going to be married. And I rightly assume what you’re telling me about my human slaves is correct. However, the only other option would be to let you go. And frankly, with so many maniacs out there in the wilderness, it’s not safe for a girl like you. You’re going to end up beaten and humiliated just as well out there.”
“There has to be something else.”
“I can ask my brothers…but something tells me they don’t want you either.”
“Why do you hate humans so much? Am I really that sickening to look at? The scou
rge of every brave warrior?”
Gerard sighed. “Look, don’t think too hard on this. The truth is, we don’t mix with humans because we have a…well, a rather strange tradition. We marry into our own family.”
“Eeew! I mean…that’s fascinating. Why?”
Gerard shrugged. “I don’t quite get it either. Except that my grandfather decided that we were not to be highlanders anymore, but our own kind apart from the other highlanders. As you probably have figured out, we don’t meet other clans of highlanders. We are designed to be killers, warriors and competitors. We kill other highlanders we run into, such is the unwritten law.”
“But…”
“But…my clan decided a while back we ought to strengthen the bond. Produce offspring that stay loyal at all times. And that loyalty…well, it led to some rather strange bedfellows, literally speaking.”
“But…you don’t have to do that. And unless you feel some weird…I mean…some unusual attraction to your own sister, then you shouldn’t be forced into it.”
“Well, such an objection to tradition would anger my siblings, I’m sure. And hey…”
He smiled and looked into her eyes. “Telling them that I’m choosing the human queen instead of one of them would certainly not be a popular decision.”
“Do you…find me attractive, my Lord?”
He flinched at the thought. “I’m a highlander. You’re a human. How can there be attraction?”
“What if you have human ancestors in your blood?”
“You got quite the mouth on you, huh?”
“I do, my Lord. And to be honest with you, I would much rather save my mouth and the rest of my body for you and you alone.”
The thought scandalized Gerard who tried his best to shake it off. “I appreciate the sentiment. But that can’t happen.”
“Because it can’t or because…you don’t find me attractive?”
“I…I don’t suspect this conversation ends with any dignity. So let’s drop it, shall we?”
She nodded and he walked a few feet away from her, analyzing the clouds in the sky.
“I sense rain coming. It’s best you take off now and head south. I don’t want to see you hurt. My people are sure to hurt you worse than the ones out there, who may be villainous or may be kind.”
Possessed By The Duke (Regency Romance) Page 69