Broken Highlander's Blood Oath

by Strom, Missy

What had she done?

  She felt as if she was a stranger to herself. A complete and utter stranger! Embarrassment flashed in her chest, and she snatched her night shift down to cover her bare thighs. Panic began to churn inside her. She couldn't understand what had become of her, what had compelled her to throw her innocence at a man that she didn't know?

  “Whoa, lass!”

  Shancy tried to snatch Cheval back, but she was too fast and the move was too sudden. Cheval slid down off the mare with a move that completely blindsided him. “Cheval!”

  Shancy leaped to the ground after her, when he realized she wasn’t merely stretching her legs or some other womanly affair, but instead fleeing as though she were being chased. But the most telling part that there was something amiss, were the anxious whimpers cascading from her.

  He kicked himself three times for being such an ass as he chased Cheval, who was fleeter than he could imagine in the rain and slippery ground. Through the pelting rain, he caught glimpses of her white shift harrying out in front of him, and he broke to the left, sprinting forward to intercept her.

  “Cheval, stop, lass! It’s not safe!”

  Shancy skirted a tree, and Cheval ran directly into him. She screamed as if he were a ghoul, and tore out of his hands at once. He caught her directly, as she screamed and fought him.

  She was soaked with rain and her shift was plastered to her body, making her slippery. They played the catch and struggle free, several more times, while he exclaimed repeatedly for her to stop. He wondered why she feared him so suddenly. But in their frantic struggling that thought flew away from him with the greater need to stop her, to make her understand, and to help her. He was nearly becoming as frantic as she was.

  “Cheval! I’d not hurt you. Stop! Please stop!”

  Nothing he said was working and he finally tackled her in a bear hug from behind, wrapping his arms completely around her. She wrestled in his grasp, while panting wildly; at times he lifted her feet off the ground, trying to stop her. Nothing he said seemed to cut through her panic, and he was at his wits end, when it finally came to him—

  “Twin hearts!” he bellowed. “Two nightingale tears! Twin hearts beating together! One Brenin king's song binding them together! To ere, to life, to love, you shall be the judge!”

  Shancy gasped as if the air had been wrenched from his lungs, and Cheval fell limp in his arms, sobbing.

  “Thank God,” he exclaimed, turning and lifting Cheval up into his arms as she sobbed Analise’s name. “Aye, lass, aye. I’ll take you to your sister.”

  “I don’t know what I was doing,” she wailed. “I don’t know what happened. I don’t know you,” she gasped. “But the song!”

  “Hush, lass, hush. Tis all right, little one. Hush now,” Shancy murmured.

  He thanked God repeatedly for that song, as he took Cheval back to his mare, and then on to find Cheval’s sister, as he should have done without stopping on the burn.

  Chapter Eleven

  Donan held Analise close knowing for the first time in his life the fear and joy of love mingling as one. He wasn’t a foolish man, but a reasonable and thoughtful one. His fear stemmed from his vulnerable position. If he could only get Analise to his holdings, and his clan in Scotland, he’d never fear for the lass’ safety again or worry over his inadequacies.

  He was a man of faith, and now, as never before, he needed a wee bit of luck and a huge helping hand from God. But the fear he worried over was reasonable, and it itched at him to no end. He’d never be able to live with himself if Armand captured Analise again. Even though he knew he could raise an army of clansmen to take her back.

  But a man’s worth was in holding safe that which he dearly loved, and to be willing to fight to the death to protect it. He'd never desired anything as much as being with Analise. Not even the use of his legs came near to it. The want and overpowering need of it dared him—and he was strong of mind, even if he was not strong of body. So he knew he had to use all his cunning and wisdom as never before, and it was past time to start.

  He was vulnerable on the ground, but he was not as weak atop a horse.

  “Analise,” Donan whispered. “Analise, my love, wake up, lass. We must go.”

  Later, Analise gazed up at the side of Donan’s stern jawline in the early morning twilight. She rode sideways in front of him on Xavier, and she knew Donan was worried—very worried. Her arms were clasped loosely around his strong waist, and she realized too late how much danger she'd thrown her beloved into.

  The whirlwind of events had nearly left her gasping, and falling helplessly in love did tend to take one's thoughts away from everything else. But now, she could feel the urgency and tension in Donan’s body and the tone of his words. It flowed through her and made her ashamed that she’d put the man she loved in such a position.

  “So, lass, you’ll do two things for me from this point on with all the faith you have.” Donan’s breath blew warm puffs against her ear as he tilted his head down to speak to her. “You are of my clan now, Analise. We are the Clan of the Eagle and that makes you a warrior as men, women, and children alike in our clan are. Analise, the first law of the clan is to follow your laird’s commands. You must do so without questions and as quickly as you can.”

  “And you are my laird now, Donan?” Analise felt the warmth of it filling her up and easing some of her fears.

  “Aye, I am, Analise, from now and for always.”

  “I promise, Donan.” She tightened her arms around his waist.

  “Aye that is well, lass, and you should know that I trust you with my very soul.”

  “Donan,” she murmured, with his words making her proud, and she leaned up to lightly kiss the eagle tattoo along his jaw.

  “The second thing, sugar lass, I want you to memorize one more line, I’ll give you, to your song. You’re never to forget it, and you’re to sing it out loud if I command you to.”

  “The special song, Donan?" she asked.

  “Aye, lass, the special song. Our song, don’t you think?” he said, tightening his arms around her.

  “Oh yes I do, Donan!” she exclaimed. “For always, it is ours.”

  “The nightingale and the eagle,” he vowed.

  “Yes, Donan, the nightingale and the eagle,” she with a smile.

  “Then you will add this to the song and never forget the words. It will make it our song. The words are ... handfasting forever with the eagle, who is my heart.”

  “Donan.” Analise murmured his name on a sigh with her eyes gleaming as she reached her hand to his hands on the reins. “Like this, Donan? Handfasting?”

  Donan released the reins from one hand and intertwined his fingers through her fingers, clasping her hand. “Aye lass, this is our special handfasting.”

  Donan looked to the north. The border of Scotland was a few short miles from where they now rode. However, his men and the Abbey were further along in a direct line with the border. At the Abbey they would be even closer to Scotland. He needed both his men and that border.

  He needed to know his brother was safe and not in need of the Glenncannon knights. He couldn't go haring off to Scotland right then, even though it might be safer for Analise, and the need to bind her to him was so strong.

  He sighed. How much could a man with useless legs be expected to do? Then, Analise began softly singing the song beneath his chin. It was their song, and the words filled him. He knew then that a crippled man could hope to conquer the world.

  He went south—he was a laird, a man, and he hoped to be a husband. Those would conquer his world.

  By mid-morn they were nearing the Abbey. Donan hadn’t taken the main road, but a roundabout one. The day was sunny when he wished for more clouds and rain. He was perhaps a quarter of a league from the Scottish border and he had to piss, but he ignored it. Nothing in heaven or hell was getting him down from atop Xavier, until he reached Scotland with Analise, he vowed silently.

  “We must be quiet now, Analise. Ho
ld tight.”

  Donan felt Analise silently nodding her head. It was good she'd taken his words to heart, and he smiled with the thought. A man could smile through tension. Then, he clicked his tongue commanding Xavier down to a slow walk. He decided he would look about a bit, before he went closer to the Abbey.

  The Abbey was peaceful, which would be normal. The peace of it though, soothed him a bit more. His knights would be peaceful and respectful, yet Armand’s knights would bring disturbance and commotion.

  From the distance, as he sat atop Xavier, he could just make out the warhorses all tied off on the east railing of the Abbey. His men would be inside waiting—he sincerely hope so. He clicked his tongue, moving Xavier into a slower walk.

  There were no sentries, anywhere. His quick gaze should have caught sight of them, and he would not have missed them. Glenncannon knights always posted sentries, even at a peaceful Abbey.

  Donan squinted his eyes, as he looked closer at the warhorses when he drew near, while his shoulders filled out tightly with more tension. He wished the horses hindquarters were not facing him, but were sideways, so that he could see the gear and see the heralds.

  Another man might assume these were his men’s. He was not another man. He pulled up on Xavier’s reins, halting him, then he hooked one arm around Analise’s waist. He didn’t want to startle her when he gave the eagle call. He chose the eagle's striking call. It was loud and would bring Glenncannon men to arms at once.

  The sound echoed shrilly over the Abbey, while Donan tensed, counting his heartbeats. Two ... three ... four.

  Then Donan knew, at the same time Armand threw opened the plank doors to the Abbey, bellowing, “After them! Now!”

  Analise cried out, burying her face into his chest as Donan wheeled Xavier roughly about with all the strength that his arms possessed. All his fears and hopes were in Xavier. That thought flung through his mind as he pulled down low over Xavier’s neck, while Analise clung to him.

  Then, he commanded Xavier into a gallop. But just as Xavier was leaping forward and nearly past the graveyard into the heather, Donan heard the lethal sound of arrows. He puffed his body outward as broadly as he could to cover Analise, while he prayed and bellowed a curse on the same tongue.

  Then, he heard the sickening thud of an arrow hitting flesh so solidly it twanged in his ears like a roar. No pain. All he could think was that he felt no pain, unless it had struck his legs. Or—

  “Analise,” he groaned. But she would have screamed, but then he felt Xavier falter beneath them. “Nay!”

  His great warhorse held no armor any longer He was a pet that was being used in a war. How cruel of him. As it all flashed through Donan’s mind, his gaze was riveted onto the heather. He had to reach Scotland. And as cruel and shameless as he was, he urged his faltering Xavier on.

  “Ride, laddie! Ride! Please, God, ride!”

  But his brave Xavier would make only a few more strides, not reaching the heather, before he shuddered to a thrashing halt. Xavier was going down, and Donan pried Analise from him at the same time shoving her with all the force he possessed, while he yelled, “Jump! Jump, lass!”

  Analise’s cry of terror scorched Donan’s ears as he saw her hit the ground on her side, then she rolled into the heather. Xavier crumbled beneath him, and he hauled up harshly on the reins driving the bit deep with the command for Xavier to bow instead of fall, while tears stung his eyes at his cruel need.

  If Xavier went down onto his side, he would be trapped. The sound of Xavier’s pain struck his ears, but his brave and fierce stallion came to rest on his haunches and not on his side.

  “Analise you bitch! Eagle, I’ll have your head on a platter for this!”

  Donan winced at Armand’s shout, while he looked up and he saw Armand wheeling in his stallion tightly, before he jumped off and rushed to Analise.

  God help him, Donan prayed fiercely, just before he shouted, “Sing! Analise! Sing!”

  Analise’s voice came shrill and wavering as she began to sing. Then, she screeched when Armand grabbed her, hauling her roughly to her feet, yet she bravely continued to sing.

  “Thank God.” Donan muttered harshly, and he jerked loose the last of the ties holding his legs to Xavier’s back.

  “T-Two nightingale tears, twin hearts beating together. One Brenin king's song binding them together.”

  “I stole her!” Donan shouted, as he flung his body sideways to land on his belly in the dirt. “I’ve not the money to buy her! She didn’t willingly come with me.”

  “Donan!” Analise stopped her singing to cry his name in disbelief.

  Donan began dragging his body forward using his elbows as he raised his gaze to Analise’s frightened stare. Armand had his arm clamped across her chest as if he might crush her, while he stood behind her. Even her small heels were off the ground.

  Donan mouthed the words, “Sing” even as he dragged himself through the dirt toward the heather. Two more pulls. He prayed fiercely, and then Analise began singing again. Thank God, she was near the end.

  “Is this true?” Armand shouted, shaking Analise harshly. Her song faltered, but then the last lines became clear.

  “T-To ere, to life, to love, you shall be the judge,” Analise sang.

  “I say it is true!” Donan shouted, trying to distract Armand just as his hand touched the heather. One more pull. Donan heaved, dragging the weight of his legs behind him.

  “And you crawl for my mercy!” Armand shouted

  “Handfasting forever with the Eagle. My heart!” Analise sang.

  “I crawl to reach Scotland,” Donan growled fiercely, then he raised his voice into a bellow, praying there were monks within an earshot. “I handfast you, Lady Analise! I make you my wife before God and on Scottish soil!”

  “No!” Armand shouted angrily. “It is a trick! A hoax! English do not believe in such a thing! No one heard you!”

  Armand looked wildly about, and then he twisted Analise toward him, shaking her, and he yelled, “You’ll never speak of this or I will beat you!”

  “They heard!” Donan shouted, rolling onto his back and pointing to the handful of monks standing at the Abbey entrance. “She is my wife now, bound by Scottish law! Now release her!”

  Donan rolled back, glaring as much as he could on his elbows.

  “I’ll kill you!” Armand looked as if he were lathering at the mouth, while he began to tug Analise toward his horse.

  “And you’ll be hanged a murderer by your king!” Donan shouted. “Or hanged as a kidnapper of an English Baron’s lawful wife!”

  “Nothing is lawful about this!” Armand shouted, but he stopped dragging Analise to his horse, looking uncertain. “She is under age! I’m her guardian!” Armand finally shouted, looking to the huddled monks as if seeking justice, while Analise fiercely struggled in his grasp, trying to break free.

  Then suddenly, Donan felt the answer to his prayers in the ground rumbling beneath him. He didn’t know how he knew, but he knew. Or he prayed. Or he—

  “Glenncannon to me!” Donan shouted.

  “No!” Armand yelled. “Fight them!” he shouted to his men.

  Chapter Twelve

  Donan saw the Glenncannon knights with Shancy at their lead rush into the Abbey courtyard. The Glenncannon knights met the clash of Armand’s knights with deafening sounds of metal on metal, men shouting warrior cries, and warhorses colliding. The sounds filled the Abbey courtyard. It was a battle atop warhorses that fell to the ground after the first clash, and Donan tore his gaze away, back to Analise and Armand.

  “No!” he bellowed, because he saw that Armand was dragging Analise toward the back of the Abbey, and was completely unnoticed because of the fighting in front.

  Donan saw that Analise was fighting Armand’s retreat with everything she possessed, but she wasn’t strong enough to break away.

  “Donan! Donan!” she cried, as he began to drag himself back to Xavier.

  He cursed foully at his lam
eness with such anger and fury he'd never felt before. His rage fueled him on with more strength than he'd ever possessed, as his blood pounded with it.

  She was his.

  He dragged himself atop Xavier with his legs fallen on either side, then his upper body fell over the stallion’s neck. He clamped his arms around Xavier’s neck, shaking as he hugged the stallion tightly.

  “Och, laddie, I need you so badly now,” he uttered to Xavier.

  He'd seen the arrow protruding from Xavier’s left flank. It wasn’t a lethal shot, but it could be a laming one. Donan wasn’t sure if he shook from anger or from need.

  “We have to get her, Xavier! We must save her. Rise, laddie, rise!” Xavier shuddered beneath him, so brave, so full of heart, trying with all he possessed to answer his master's call.

  “Rise!” Donan shouted. “Rise!”

  Analise tried to bite Armand’s hand, while he dragged her through the back door of the Abbey. Armand yelped as her bite drew blood, but when she thought he might release her, he instead lifted his free hand and cuffed her across the cheek.

  The pain was shocking because it was so quick and her teeth released Armand’s hand, even while she continued to wrestle within his grasp. He'd already used every foul threat he could name, yelling them at her, trying to get her to stop hindering his escape. But nothing he could do or say would keep her from trying to return to Donan’s embrace. Nothing!

  “You bitch! Quit fighting me!” Armand yelled. “You are mine!”

  “No! Never!” Analise cried, while Armand manhandled her up onto a raised dais, and then he pushed her in front of a large wooden cross.

  “He will never have you first!” Armand shouted, slapping her again and the force flung her backward with her spine hitting the wooden cross.

  Analise slumped from the blow, dazed and clutching her cheek. Then, she felt Armand grasping her wrists. Before she could gather her senses, Armand tugged her wrists over her head. He tied her wrists to the cross above her head.

  Then he stood back. He was sweating and heaving from the effort he'd used and his dark eyes were wild and angry. Analise knew that Armand had been pushed over the edge of whatever had held him back all those years. He was angry and afraid. He was cornered.