Amber rolled her eyes. Kolten pulled her chair closer to him.
“You’re not my boss, Kolten.”
He moved her even closer. “I’m not playing with you, lass. You do not want to make me mad.”
Keith pulled out Leanna’s chair. She sat and thanked him.
The Lord sat and started to talk with Masias. The food was served and they all began to eat. Amber scooted her chair away from Kolten.
The Lord smiled at her and kept watching her. Leanna could tell Kolten was growing angrier by the moment. How dare he continue to stare when it was made known that Jewel was not for the taking? According to his expression, if he hadn’t been Lord Darnley, Kolten would have smashed in his skull by now.
When the meal was over, they all walked out into the courtyard. One of the guards motioned to Kolten, so he walked over and began to talk with him.
The Lord approached Amber and Leanna. “Tis a lovely evening. Would you like to go for a ride in my carriage?”
Leanna smiled at the Lord. “It’s most gracious of you, but I’m afraid after stuffing myself with so much food, I can not go. The bumpy ride would make me ill.”
He laughed. “How about you, Jewel?”
Masias stepped forward. “Now, Lord Darnley, you do not want to make Kolten angry. I’ve plenty chambermaids at your discretion. My friend, she is in his heart. Though they fight as children, he still has deep feelings for her.”
The Lord, looking a bit surprised by Masias’s being so forward, appeared to understand. But he loved to play games, and a devilish light came to his eye. “I was hoping these two lovely ladies would be my companions this glorious evening.”
Masias moved closer to the girls. “Would you like some wine, Your Highness?” He called for the maids and they brought out goblets filled with sweet wine. The maids were required to always be within earshot so they could accommodate whoever needed their services.
Chapter Five
Gunner had been hiding in the shadows listening to the Lord. He didn’t like the snotty brute of a man. More than anything, he didn’t like the Lord flirting with Amber. Kolten would surely kill any man who messed with her.
Gunner stepped out and motioned for Amber to follow him. “We haven’t been properly introduced. I’m Gunner.” He kissed her hand. “I would like to be of some assistance to you. I’ve noticed that Kolten drives you crazy with anger.”
Amber smiled. “He’s the most pig-headed man I’ve ever seen.”
Gunner had always loved her spunk. On more then one occasion he’d encouraged young Jewel to create havoc on the unsuspecting Kolten. He thoroughly enjoyed watching them fight.
“Well, I know you don’t know our language. Would you like to learn some words to make him mad?”
Amber grinned. “I would love to.”
He looked around to make sure no one was watching. Leanna walked up, and Amber performed the introductions.
“Amber, the Lord is looking for you.”
Amber turned back to Gunner. “Hang on, Leanna, Gunner was about to teach me how to cuss out Kolten in that language he speaks when he’s mad.”
Gunner made sure no one was around. He looked from side to side. He couldn’t chance Keith or worse Kolten being around him. “Tell him fa-near dhomh a-chaoidh.”
Amber repeated the words softly. “What does that mean?”
Gunner gave her a big smile. “It’s the words that were meant for him. You’re meant to say those to him. Just do it.”
He heard Masias’ voice. “I must go now.”
He ran around the wall and disappeared. He laughed to himself and followed the girls as they walked with Masias toward Kolten and Keith. No one could see him. He loved making himself invisible and watching people. He controlled his laughter. Oh, Kolten was going to be shocked.
* * * *
Lord Darnley smiled at the girls. “Well, lasses, I didn’t know where you went, and the night became dark without your beautiful smiles to light it up.”
Amber wanted to gag, while Leanna thought he was romantic. Keith and Kolten both cleared their throats at the same time.
The Lord turned to Amber. “How about that ride? The hills are so perfect at night.”
Kolten stepped closer. “She does not want to go for a ride. It’s past her bedtime and she should be returning to her chambers. Besides, sir, surely it’s not safe out there for two women and a Lord.”
“I’m hardly a child, Kolten, and I must say, I’m not the least bit tired.”
He grew angrier at her words and said something in his language. Keith smiled at his comments. “Well, why don’t we all retire for the night.”
Amber stepped in front of Kolten. “You make me angry, Kolten, and if you don’t stop treating me like a child, I’ll...”
“What are you going to do, lass?”
She thought of Gunner. The Lord stepped closer to her. “Would you like that ride?”
Amber put her hands on her hips and spoke out loud to herself. “What were those words he told me?”
She kept trying to remember. “Oh, yeah, well, how about this? fa-near dhomh a-chaoidh! “
Kolten stood there in shock. Keith lunged toward her. “Jewel, don’t do it.”
Amber moved away and quickly said it again. “Kolten, fa-near dhomh a-chaoidh.” Nobody moved. Amber stood still, proud of herself, smiling at him. He was even speechless. It was about time Kolten knew he could not get away with talking to her and treating her like he did. Yes, she had told him.
Masias was the first to speak. “Dear Jewel, where did you hear them words?”
Amber pointed to where Gunner had been standing. “He told me that it’s what I should say to him. He said it would shut Kolten up and, ha ha, it did.”
Kolten finally spoke, “You do not know what you did, do you?”
“I told you off.”
Kolten shook his head from side to side, and in almost a whisper spoke directly to her. “Who told you to say that?”
Amber’s gut began to cringe. What had she done? “What did I say?”
Kolten bit his lower lip. “You just cursed us both.”
Amber, now extremely worried, turned to Masias. She knew he would be honest. “What did I say?”
Masias sighed. “You just declared your love for him and announced to the world of your engagement.”
“Well, that’s not what I meant. He—”
Kolten raised his hand to quiet her. “If we’re not wed by the next full moon, we will be cursed.”
Amber nervously laughed. “That’s crazy.”
Kolten shook his head again. “No, lass, ‘tis the truth. We must now marry.”
Keith walked up to Kolten. “Well, looks like you’re getting married.”
“Not this way.”
Leanna cleared her throat. “The guy told her to say it.”
“Who is this 'guy' you lasses speak of?”
Leanna closed her eyes, as if trying to remember. “Oh, he called Amber over near the wall. His name was Gunner.”
Kolten shouted into the darkness. Amber saw the sincerity in their faces, realized it was true, and ran out the door, toward her chambers.
Reaching them, Amber fell on the bed and cried. She wanted to go home. She wanted to sleep in her old bed, wear her old clothes, even eat peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. She didn’t want to be here, and she didn’t want to see Kolten again. She had thought she’d finally told him off, had the upper hand. Instead, she had to marry the brute. Nothing could be worse.
The next morning, the Lord and his men left. Amber lay in bed for several days. Leanna kept checking on her, but finally, Leanna had enough. She walked in and sat on the bed “I’m sorry we came here, this is my fault. I shouldn’t have agreed to go with Keith.”
Amber turned to face the wall.
“Amber, we can’t go back. We have to make the best of what we have.”
Amber sat up. “I have to marry that guy. You want me to be happy that I’m engaged to the world’s bigges
t toll?”
Leanna shook her head in confusion. “What is a toll? You mean troll?”
“No, Leanna, I mean toll. It means asshole.”
The doors opened and Bess walked in. “Amber, we need to talk, dear.”
She sat on the bed. “I know that none of this makes sense to you. I’m sorry that you are hurt. Jewel, that is your real name, not Amber. You and Kolten grew up together. He saved you when your parents were killed. " She paused, then went on.
"This is more difficult then I thought. You were killed and you died in Kolten’s arms. After your death, he put a curse on himself. Keith went ahead in time to find you and bring you home to save his brother. No matter how hardheaded that man may seem, in his heart he loves you more then his own life.”
Amber wiped her teary eyes. “Bess, that’s crazy.”
Bess grabbed her hand. “Come with me, dear.”
* * * *
All three women walked down the hall to a closed door. She tapped on it and they all walked inside. Gunner was sitting at a table with a crystal ball in front of him.
As soon as Amber saw Gunner, she pointed her finger at him. “You tricked me.”
Gunner smiled. “I’m truly sorry, lass, but I had to.”
Amber sat down.
“I’m going to show you your past, dear. Please keep an open mind.” He spoke some words into the ball, and Amber and Leanna leaned closer for a better look.
Amber saw herself with Kolten over the years growing up. She saw the fight and when she was hit with the arrow. She saw Kolten pull her into his arms and wail to the gods. She then saw him put himself into a slumber. She watched all the different scenes of her life, and then sat back. “I remember.”
Bess softly touched Amber’s hand. “We shouldn’t have tampered with what should happen naturally, but you looked so sad and miserable. I wanted you to remember him. I wanted you to remember the nights you cried on my bosom because he broke your heart. I wanted you to remember the tears, the years of laughter, but most of all, your love for him.”
Amber wiped the tears from her eyes. “But it wasn’t till I died that he truly found out he cared.”
She looked at Leanna. “I remember my life here. I remember the tree out in the woods. I remember carving on it. I still remember what I wrote. Kolten a luaidh.”
Leanna softly smiled at the look on her friend’s face. “What does that mean, Amber?”
Amber looked up with tears in her eyes. “Kolten, my love.”
* * * *
They returned to their rooms and changed, did their hair and walked down to the dining area for dinner. The men were sitting at the table, talking when they walked in Masias stood and motioned for them to sit down. Kolten didn’t look at either of the two, just continued eating.
Keith smiled. “ So nice of you ladies to join us.”
They sat down. Leanna placed her napkin in her lap. “Well, Amber is feeling much better now.”
Kolten got up. He didn’t want to deal with her right now. She looked different tonight. Her dress fit snugly, showing off her lovely firm breasts. He could smell her hair when she walked past him. He didn’t want to see the disappointment in her eyes. “I’m going to check with the knights to make sure everything is secure.”
He walked out. Amber played with her food, but hardly ate.
After dinner, the girls followed Keith into the gardens. Both girls held his arms as they strolled around.
Keith sat them down in the garden on a bench, then turned to Amber. “I remember being in the sixteenth century. Bess got Gunner to show me what happened. I was also informed you were told of the past.”
Amber looked at Keith. “I’m so sorry I didn’t believe you. Keith, I remember it all. I remember following you two into the swamps. I remember you, or I should say, Kolten, always saving me from my own mistakes. I remember when you two fought in the war and when you came home near death. I remember it all.”
“Yes, Jewel, or Amber. I don’t know what to call you. All those things you remember are true. After your death, Kolten nearly died from loss. He barricaded himself in his quarters, not allowing us in. I didn’t know how to reach him; his guilt and pain was too deep. Then I saw what he had done. I had to save my brother and that meant finding you.”
Amber didn’t speak; she just looked into the darkness.
Keith pointed to the lands. “Well what do you think of my world, Leanna?”
She smiled. “I love it here.”
He heard a sound, and then covered the girl’s mouths. “Shh.”
He grabbed his sword and walked toward the noise. Leanna and Amber backed up in fear.
Out of the bushes jumped three men. They attacked Keith, knocking him to the ground. They began to kick him over and over, making sure he could not rise.
Leanna took off running as fast as she could. She was out of breath by the time she reached Kolten.
He jumped up. “What is wrong with you, lass?”
Leanna stood there not able to breathe. She pointed toward the waterfalls. “Keith.”
He looked at her oddly. “What is wrong with you?”
She let out a deep breath. “They’re attacking Keith.”
Kolten took off running. As he ran, he couldn’t help but wonder how they had been allowed to get into the castle grounds. Where had the guards been? His anger turned to rage as he approached his brother.
Keith was fighting two of them. The other one had Amber backed up into a corner. Amber grabbed a rock and hit him upside the head. Kolten tore through the bushes just as the foe fell to the ground. The two warriors saw Kolten and left Keith to attack the new threat. Leanna saw blood running down his side.
She ran to him. “Keith, you’re bleeding.”
He stood up, grabbing his sword off the ground. “It will disappear, lass.”
She watched as his cut healed up right in front of her eyes. “My God, how did that happen?”
He touched her face. “I’ll tell you some other time.” The other man got up and began to fight with Keith again. Keith kicked the man, knocking him to the ground. The two men fought viciously, swords clanging against each other. Metal clashing against metal was the only sound you could hear. In the end strength prevailed. Leanna turned away as Keith’s sword went into the man’s flesh.
Amber hit one of the other two men that were fighting with Kolten. Kolten grabbed her by the waist.
“You’re going to get yourself killed. How many times have I told you to keep out of our fights?”
Amber pushed him away and grabbed his sword from his hand, holding it up to his throat.
“I’ve always been able to beat you with the swords.”
“Little lass, you’re messing with fire. Put that sword down and go to your chambers.”
Amber shoved him backwards and he backed into the garden wall. “I’m not a little girl, and you best watch what you say to me. I’ll cut your throat and blame these thieves for it.”
“My betrothed has guts.”
Amber kept holding the sword to him. “I’m not marrying you. You’re not worthy of my hand in marriage. If I remember right, you’re what the girls call a male whore.”
Keith walked up as the guards carried the thieves away. “Such language for a young lady.”
Kolten continued to stare at Amber. “I haven’t been with anyone since...”
Amber mimicked her name. “Sasha! The ugliest woman I’ve ever laid eyes on. She was nasty and nothing but a galla.” Bitch.
“You’re jealous.”
Amber shoved him again. “I’m not jealous. Why would I be jealous?”
Kolten took the sword away from her and shoved her against the garden wall.
Leanna stepped closer, intending to help, but Keith grabbed her. “Come with me. He won’t hurt her.” They quietly walked off.
Kolten held the sword to her neck. ‘I told you not to mess with me.”
“You don’t frighten me.”
She could feel
his breath on her neck, the hardness of his body standing near her. She was on fire.
“I wasn’t trying to scare you, lass. Why must you fight me all the time?”
Her ample breasts rose and fell in her green, tight-fitting dress. “Are you going to use that on me or what?”
He gave her a sly smile. “Do you want me to?”
She knew this time he wasn’t talking about his sword. “Let me go, Kolten, and let me go now.”
She ached for him, fought the urge to just grab him and wrap her legs around him.
“What do you think about, lass?”
She moved as far against the wall as she could. Sweat dripped from his hair. The moonlight gleamed on his broad chest and his eyes burned with desire. She was wet from the mere thought of him inside her. “I want to go now.”
He lowered the sword.
She stood up taller. “Don’t you ever do that to me again.”
Kolten raised it against her stomach. “I’ll do as I wish, lass. I can read your every thought, and your every desire drives me insane.”
She let out a deep sigh. “I’ve got to go.”
He stepped back, releasing her. She ran through the garden, back to her chambers.
Once inside, she splashed cold water on her face and down the front of her dress to her breasts. She heard the door open as she undid her hair, letting it fall to her waist. “Leanna, that man is so damned—.”
She felt arms go around her waist.
“I’m so what?” Kolten purred, his mouth close to her ear.
He pulled her closer to him, his lips brushing the sensitive skin of her neck as his hand reached up and pulled her hair back. She relaxed, instinctively turning toward him. Taking advantage of her lowered guard, he kissed her lips, slipping his tongue in slowly. She tried to fight him, but as his tongue started dancing with hers, she lost all control.
Suddenly, he let her go, stepping back. “If you’re to come to me, it will be of your own free will. You know where my bed is.” With that, he turned and walked out.
After he left, she sat on the edge of the bed. Damn that man for doing this to her. Her heart beat so fast, she could barely breathe. His hot breath on her neck, his rock-solid body against hers...She was going to go to his room. She didn’t care about anything else.
The Willing Warrior Page 5