by Mia Pride
Nay! Why was he holding her daughter and… leaving with her? Who held her from behind? She wailed and thrashed out with all her might, determined to get Glennis back from Reaghan.
“Morna, stop! She is safe.” Was that… Brennain? She tried to look over her shoulder to see for certain and found she was staring into his beautiful eyes, but he did not remove his hand from her mouth. She relaxed slightly, knowing that whatever he was doing, he would not hurt her. Still, she had no idea what was happening, and her legs shook as he pushed her toward the door. She dug her bare heels into the dirt, trying to prevent him from taking her further, but instead she found he was tying a cloth tightly around her mouth before throwing her over his back.
She pummeled his back, hard as a rock as it was, and clawed as best as she could with her short nails, but the man showed no sign of discomfort. Where was he taking her? Had she misjudged him, as well? She seemed to have awful judgment when it came to men. She had always known Caleb was a lout, but never did she believe him as bad as he truly was. Then Reaghan had taken Glennis… now Brennain? She prayed wherever he was taking her, she would find Glennis there as well. Brennain swiftly moved into the woods leading through the back of Miathi and she wondered if he was going to feed her to the wolves. He was heading toward the river. Mayhap he was planning on drowning her. Had she upset him that badly that he would kill her? She began to scream again but the linen tied around her mouth proved as effective as his hand, if not better.
Another man approached, and she saw his feet stop beside her. “Go grab her mother,” Brennain ordered, and the man took off in the direction of her home. How many men were there and why did they want her mother? Tears stung her eyes and her throat closed up. She could not make sense of anything.
Soon she heard the roar of the river, saw the water beneath Brennain’s feet as she was forced to look down. She squealed as she felt her body being rotated to a standing position once more and gripped onto Brennain to steady herself while the blood rushed from her head.
“Get in the boat,” he ordered her. She crinkled her brow at him, begging him to tell her what he was doing. His strong hands gripped her shoulders and he forced her to turn away from him, which was welcome since the seriousness in his eyes had made her stomach tighten with knots. Suddenly, she saw a small boat waiting at the edge of the rushing river in front of her. It was tied with a rope to a nearby oak tree and rocked back and forth as white water rushed by. Already on the boat was Nola, who held a sleeping Glennis in her arms.
Betrayal consumed her. Not Nola, too. The hurt must have shone in her blue eyes, for Nola’s dark gaze softened and she patted the seat next to her. “Trust us. All will be well. Trust me as I trusted you.” Nola smiled and gently rocked Glennis as she shifted. No matter what she believed or how confused she felt, there was no way she would not board that boat, not with her daughter already in it. Without hesitation, Morna scrambled into the boat, almost tripping on the edge as her nightdress dragged in the water and the strong current caused the boat to list to the side. Bending over, she steadied herself and felt Brennain’s strong hands grip her hips to help her in. She wished to swat him away but knew she would likely topple over without his assistance.
Finally inside, she sat down on the seat and put her hands out to Nola, who promptly handed Glennis over to her. Her stomach still seized with worry, but her sweet, wee daughter was safe in her arms… for now. There were satchels that appeared to be bursting at the seams with supplies, blankets, cloaks, oars… they were going somewhere for certain. But where? And what about her mother? Brennain leaned over and draped something soft, heavy and warm over her shoulders and she looked down to see his plaid cloak surrounding her and Glennis. She had completely forgotten she was in her nightdress and was thankful he covered her up but wondered how much of her he… and everyone else had seen.
Just then, Reaghan broke through a cluster of trees with her mother in tow, another linen strip wrapped around her mouth. Morna looked at her with concern, but she seemed much calmer than Morna was. Looking down, Morna saw that her mother clutched her satchel, which also looked full and lumpy as if everything Morna owned had been hastily shoved inside.
“I have Elsbeth,” Reaghan whispered to Brennain, who nodded and gently helped her overly-calm mother into the rocking boat. Morna gave her mother a look, but she swore her mother would have smiled back if she was not bound by linen across her mouth.
Reaghan jumped into the boat with ease and planted himself behind Nola and Brennain untied the rope and hopped in next with the grace of a feral feline, placing himself behind Morna. She had hoped he meant to remove her tie, but instead, the men picked up the oars and started paddling down the river, where she knew it would eventually meet the sea.
Turning around, she gave him a scathing look but was surprised when he smiled widely back at her, his white teeth flashing wickedly as he gave her a wink. The man was stealing her away, or gods knew what, and seemed most smug about it. She gave him her best death stare before looking at Nola and Reaghan, hoping one of them would give her some reassuring words of comfort. But everyone was silent. She watched as they passed trees and rolling hills, while the sun began to appear behind her on the eastern horizon. The sky turned a glorious shade of pink and birds began to merrily chirp their welcome songs to a new day, but all Morna knew was that, with every pull of the oars, with every lurch of the boat, they were heading closer to the sea.
* * * *
He hated to do that to her, but he had to keep her mouth bound until they were out of shouting distance. He had not gone through all of that just so she could holler at him and alert any guards. She fought hard and he was proud of how strong she was. He had just kidnapped a lass and though he should feel ashamed and riddled with guilt, he could only smile. He did not care one wit because he knew she wanted to be with him but never would have agreed to leave. This was the only way and she would see that in time. Though the look she gave him had been scathing, he smiled like a blasted fool.
Once he knew they were far enough away and he felt the current leading them out of the firth and closer to the sea, Brennain put the oars down and sat beside her on the bench. She stayed completely stiff as she held Glennis in her arms and intentionally looked away from him, instead focusing on the natural landscape as they passed.
Reaching behind her, he untied the linen around her mouth. “I am sorry. It was necessary. I never meant to frighten you.” He touched her shoulder and she retreated.
“You stole me away from my own bed,” she seethed.
“Aye, I did. I had to.”
Without warning, her hand came up and cracked him across the face, causing him to fall back off his seat. “You are a selfish bastard! Why would you do this? Have you any idea how distressed I was when I saw him,” she pointed at Reaghan accusingly, and the man had the good sense to cringe. “Taking my daughter away from her home and out the door? I have never in my life been more frightened!” She choked back a sob and gripped Glennis tightly against her chest.
“I am sorry, sweet Morna. That was never my intention.” Brennain sat back down and stroked her cheek with his knuckles, wiping away a stray tear and hoping she could hear the sincerity in his voice, see it in his eyes. He was a fool for her and would do anything for her, including stealing her away from her bastard husband and if that made him a bastard, as well, so be it. He would earn her trust back, but he had had one chance to get her away from that man, and he took it. He would not be sorry for that. He was, however, sorry he had frightened her.
“Why?” She hiccupped and looked at her mother, whose linen had just been removed by Reaghan before he sat next to Nola for a moment to rest. “You took all of us… why?”
“What was I supposed to do, Morna? We belong together. You belong with me, not that whoreson Mac Kenzie. He was using you to punish me.”
“And now you have used me to punish him!” she wailed, and her cheeks flushed that same way he had seen them earlier when she was angry at Caleb.
/>
“Nay. This is not my way of punishing him, mo chroí. This is my way of saving you, of making sure Glennis is safe and that he cannot use her against you. You know as well as I do that the moment I left, he would have abandoned you once more, and you also know he could use his connection as Glennis’s father against you for years. Now, you never have to worry about him again. You will all be safe.”
She swallowed hard and looked at her mother. Brennain looked at Elsbeth as well and saw that she bit back a smile. He found it strange but decided not to question it. At least one of them did not seem to despise him.
“You are taking us to Ráth Mór, then?” He nodded and scooted closer to her. “And then what?” she whispered.
“Then you will be my wife.” Was that not obvious?
Her eyes widened, and she flushed once more, but again it appeared to be out of anger and not flattery. “You did not think to even ask me? Have I nay say in any of this? Mayhap if you had asked me to come with you, I would have.”
“Nay, you would not have, and you know it. This was the only way. You should be thanking me. I am offering you a better life.”
Her nostrils flared, and he thought he heard her growl. “Oh really? Another husband forced upon me? You think that is better for me? Can nay man simply ask me to marry him without forcing my hand or being forced to take my hand?”
“Stop yer whining, child,” Elsbeth chided. “’Tis about time this man earned your hand. Last time he left without ye. This time, he made certain not to make the same mistake.” Her mother nodded in approval and crossed her arms over her chest.
“Mother!” Morna warned. “How can you be so happy?”
Elsbeth snorted. “If I do not have to lay eyes on that arse Caleb ever again, I do not care if this man takes me to the moon! Brennain is right. Caleb would have used Glennis against you all your life. Now, you are free. And we have nay reason to stay in Miathi, lass. ‘Tis not as if we have any other family or an abundance of company.”
Brennain prayed that her words would calm Morna down but based on the way she kept her body turned away from him and her gaze down at the rushing water below, he doubted it. It was going to be a long journey if she refused to speak to him, but he would wait as long as necessary. He had waited this long. He could wait a little longer.
Though he had to admit that the sight of her in her nightdress and the feel of her breasts pressed against his back as he carried her over his shoulder, her plump arse hovering near his face made him feel slightly impatient to earn her affections back so he could finally feel her against him.
Deciding he would get nowhere with her for now, he stood up, went to the back bench, and picked up his oar once more as Reaghan did the same. His companion had stayed blessedly silent during the exchange and whether or not the man agreed with his actions, he had kept it to himself and helped as promised. Even Nola seemed to understand what needed to be done. Mayhap it was from her time with Caleb at the camp. She knew what a swine he was.
Time passed slowly as they navigated down the river, the only sounds were the water streaming past them and an occasional coo from Glennis who had awoken once the sun had fully risen. Morna did all she could to ignore him, but once they reached the shore of Ériu in just a few hours, she would have no choice but to deal with him.
If she chose not to marry him, he would still have to see her and Glennis every day. That thought had not even crossed his mind until just this moment and his heart sank. He had been so certain she would see how much he risked to be with her. Aye, he stole her away, something he never thought to do in all his life, but he would never have done so if he thought for one moment she would not prefer to be with him. He still did not believe that. He would give her space for now, but the moment they were back on Ériu’s soil, he would make certain she forgave him, felt how strongly he cared for her… and Glennis. She was not just some conquest for him. She was it. The one. The only one. And by the time they reached Ráth Mór, he expected her to know it.
* * * *
Words escaped her. So many emotions raced through her mind and she was having a hard time managing them as their small boat rocked back and forth on the water for hours. Her mother was silent and Morna was glad of it. She needed to speak to her and ask why the woman had been smiling the entire time. Elsbeth hated Brennain and now he had kidnapped them. What about this was acceptable or amusing to her mother?
He had been right about one thing: if he had asked her to leave with him, she likely would have said nay. It had nothing to do with not wanting to be with him and everything to do with stealing Glennis away. Caleb was, in fact, the lassie’s father. They had just stolen her away in the dead of the night. Would he follow? She knew he cared naught for the lass or for the fact that Morna was gone, but he had a strong sense of pride that spilled over into an abundance of ignorance. He clearly did not like the connection Morna and Brennain shared, and he was willing to do what was needed to keep them apart. It was all a game to Caleb. Still, if he chose to go after them, he had a right to do so and he could take Glennis away. They were only in greater trouble.
Glennis continued to look over Morna’s shoulder, muttering nonsense in Brennain’s direction and she had to admit that his laughter and returned gibberish warmed her heart. He was quite good with wee ones. But Glennis needed to stop calling him papa. He would simply shake his head and remind the lass that he was not her papa, but the way he looked at Morna when he said it sent a shiver through her body, as if he was silently adding the words, “Not yet,” to his meaning.
Fury had her fisting the blue dress she had pulled from her satchel and slipped over her head a few hours ago. She wanted to be with Brennain… but not like this. He gave her no choice in the matter and she felt as if she would cry if she even tried to talk, so she stayed silent and continued to look at the glinting water below as the sun’s rays bounced off the surface and caused it to shimmer like a thousand fireflies. It was beautiful, yet frightening when it was all she could see in every direction. How did men cross these waters so frequently and not die? They did die often enough and that was the thought that continuously ate at her stomach.
Across from her, Reaghan continued his rhythmic rowing in sync with Brennain’s and Nola had fallen asleep across the bench. This time she was wearing a green dress and Reaghan’s cloak. Morna stared at the lass as she breathed deeply and twitched now and then in her sleep, scrunching her face as if tormented even in her dreams. Someone had allowed her to bathe and now that she was cleaned up and clothed appropriately, Morna admitted she was a very bonny lass. Her red air glowed orange when the sun shone through it. Reaghan looked down at the lass now and then to make sure she was well, but he showed no more interest than a man protecting a woman in need.
True to Brennain’s word, land started to show on the horizon and Morna stretched her muscles. She was already cramping up from sitting on the hard wooden bench for hours, yet she was surprised the shore of Ériu was really so close to Alba. It truly had not taken much effort to cross and on this calm spring day, the waters had not been too treacherous.
“Land!” Reaghan whooped and made Nola awaken with a start, thrashing as if being attacked. “Sweet Ériu is just ahead!” Nola sat up straight and wiped some saliva from her chin and Morna smiled at her warmly. If only she had been able to sleep. She had not slept more than maybe an hour last night before Brennain came in and gagged her… arse that he was.
Her arms ached from holding Glennis for so long. She would not dare let her daughter, who loved to pull herself up to a stand on anything, out of her grip. As the land came into view, she saw rolling hills in the distance. The boat came ashore and Brennain and Reaghan hopped out to drag it inland so it would not drift away, then promptly helped the women out and onto the gravelly sand. It was black and shimmered like small gemstones in the light of day, but she was glad her mother had packed her slippers for her before they left, otherwise she feared these small jagged rocks would tear her feet up.
/> Handing Glennis’s wriggling body to her mother, Morna stretched her back, rotated her arms in circles, then rubbed her backside to try to get some blood flowing.
“Need help with that?” Brennain whispered in her ear from behind. His warm breath fanned over her neck and gooseflesh spread over her body.
“Not from you, since you are the reason my bum hurts so much,” she said with a scowl. She heard him chuckle behind her. Clearly, the man was not at all ashamed of having abducted her.
“We will stretch our legs, relieve ourselves, eat a quick meal, then continue on. We have three days of travel before we reach Ráth Mór. Our horses are stabled at a tuath nearby and we shall borrow a cart.”
“You mean you will not steal it?” Morna accused. “You seem to prefer stealing things.”
“Nay, just my woman,” he winked, and turned back toward Reaghan. She flushed and looked at her mother, who chuckled behind her. He had called her his woman. As much as she wished that was so, he had a long way to go to prove he deserved her after what he had done.
Looking at her mother, Morna took a deep breath and stepped closer. “Why do you look so happy about all this, Ma?”
Her mother swiped a hand through the air dismissively. “Because I never have to see Caleb’s face ever again. Because ye are now free of him and he cannot use Glennis against ye anymore. And because I have decided I rather like Brennain Mac Greine, after all.”
Morna tilted her head and widened her eyes. “You said his name finally.”
“Aye. He has earned it.”
“By kidnapping us?” Was she hearing her mother correctly? Had Elsbeth hit her head at some point during their journey?
“Aye, mo leanbh. Do ye not see? I had to force Caleb to wed with ye and the man fled. I was a fool to believe it was the right thing to do. But this man here,” her mother pointed at Brennain as he was bent over tying the boat to a post with rope, and Morna could not help but stare at his perfect backside. “He knows what he wants and is not afraid to take it. This is a man willing to do anything to have ye, lass. He will not be fleeing in the middle of the night. Nay, I guarantee ye that.”