Celtic Maid (Roman Love ~ Pict Desire Series Book 2)

by Amy Jarecki

  She reined Tessie to a stop behind the statue. “Stand for me, lass.” Tessie stood still while Elspeth took inventory of her arrows and snapped the bow over her shoulder. A good three-stone heavier, Elspeth planted her hands on Tessie’s withers and wobbled when she pushed up and tucked her feet onto the seat of the saddle. She gripped the pommel and steadied herself, then released her fingers and slowly stood.

  The platform was so high it came to her waist. She planted both hands on the ledge and took her weight off the horse, swinging a leg up the side. With barely a foot between her and the base of Emperor Hadrian’s statue, she snapped her left hand up and wrapped her arm around the statue’s leg. She pulled herself up and crouched. One of her quivers slipped from her shoulder. Elspeth tried to shrug it back into place. Too late. A quiver slipped past her fingers and crashed to the ground beside Tessie.

  Elspeth leaned over the pedestal and stared at the arrows sprawled across the cobblestones and then scanned the courtyard to see if anyone had noticed. Fortunately, all were watching Titus being pushed toward the pier.

  Greum steered his horse toward the center of the scuttle with Fionn and Seumas flanking him. Elspeth eyed the guards inside the mob. They would be her first target. She still had three quivers of arrows—enough to kill a lot of Romans.

  Right before Greum reached the center, Elspeth fired, striking the lead guard. She snatched another arrow and took out a guard beside Titus. Greum reached out his hand and Titus leapt onto the back of his horse while Greum buried his sword in the shoulder of a legionary. Elspeth fired in rapid succession. Fionn barreled in and nabbed Alerio. Elspeth continued her attack as Romans surrounded Seumas, brandishing their swords.

  A spear sailed through the air and cut through Seumas’s throat. Elspeth gasped. With a roar of anguish, he fell from his horse. A mob of legionaries swarmed around him, and Elspeth pummeled them with arrows as fast as she could load her bow.

  Another spear sailed past her ear. Elspeth’s gaze shot down the pier. A group of soldiers ran directly toward her. She leapt off the pedestal onto Tessie’s back and slammed her heels into the mare’s barrel.

  Ahead, dust billowed behind Greum and Fionn as they galloped for the south gate. She leaned forward in her saddle and pressed Tessie faster. Greum cleared the gate first with Fionn close behind.

  Atop the tower, a legionary shoved against the wheel, lowering the iron portcullis with its sharp points heading for the dirt. She tossed her reins to her teeth, flung her hand back and snatched an arrow. Steading herself on the charging mare, Elspeth eyed her target and let her arrow fly. The legionary fell forward into the cogs of the wheel. The gate stopped, and Elspeth hurled herself flat against Tessie’s mane. The scrape of the iron spikes screeched over the bronze armor on Elspeth’s back as she charged out the gate.

  Horse hooves thundered on the cobblestones from inside the fortress walls. She urged Tessie ahead, demanding the mare run faster than ever before. The horse intuitively sensed the urgency as arrows sailed past from the battlements behind them. Elspeth focused on the path ahead, and the small dust cloud that loomed ever closer. Titus was with Greum. Seumas was lost, but she couldn’t think of that now.

  By the time Greum reached Manas, Elspeth had caught up to them. With no time to talk, they raced for the river and plunged their horses into the raging current. Titus released Greum and dove for Elspeth.

  “This is the last time I save yer sorry arse,” Elspeth said.

  “What kept you so long, Sprite?”

  Tessie started listing with the current, and Elspeth worked her arms to help but was of little use with the armor weighing her down. “Kick, else we won’t make it to shore!” Titus proved a powerful swimmer. He took his weight completely off the horse and helped to propel them forward.

  First to reach the northern bank, Elspeth spun Tessie around. Greum had slowed to help Manas, and Fionn was close behind with Alerio.

  “Keep going,” Titus boomed. “Any soldier adept with a crossbow could hit us.”

  Elspeth spurred Tessie to the shelter of the trees, the others closely behind.

  Riding into a clearing, Elspeth slowed.

  “Pull up,” Greum hollered, riding up beside them. “Where’s Seumas?”

  Elspeth’s gut roiled. She glanced back at Titus and realized none of them had seen their comrade fall. A clammy cold swept across her skin. “He’s fallen. Sliced through the neck with a Roman spear—right after Fionn pulled Alerio onto his horse.”

  Greum glared at Titus as if a storm cloud passed overhead and blocked the sun. Shouts across the river made him blink. “We must ride until the horses can no longer carry us, then we walk.”

  “We should split up,” Titus said.

  Greum eyed him like he could shoot poison-tipped arrows from his eyeballs. “Manas, give yer horse to Alerio and climb up here with me. Fionn, take Alerio up the western route. Elspeth, you and Titus take the center. Manas and I will ride up the eastern seaboard.”

  “What of the mule?” Manas asked.

  “There’s no time to fetch him.”

  Titus wrapped his arm around Elspeth’s waist and turned to Greum. “Good plan. My thanks.”

  “’Tis me sister ye should be thanking. If I could get Seumas back, I’d toss ye back to the Romans in a heartbeat.” Greum helped Manas mount and spurred his horse northeast. “Ride hard and do not stop.”

  Elspeth urged Tessie due north. “I’ll see ye in Dunpelder.”

  Greum’s voice grumbled through the woods. “Ye better keep yer Roman hands off me sister, else I’ll be eating yer liver when I break me fast.”

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  By his nature, Titus preferred to have command of the horse, but though his mind was strong, his body was weak from seven days surviving on bread and water. That combined with his bout with fever had left him sapped of strength like never before. He pushed away his pride and wrapped his arms around Elspeth’s waist.

  His only regret was that her supple body was encased under layers of Roman armor, but he could lose himself in her scent. He closed his eyes and inhaled the soft fragrance of jasmine. He let himself float; sitting astride with Elspeth’s back against his chest, and the rocking movement of the horse beneath, until the horsehair crest of her helmet swiped his face. He reeled back, and he batted it away.

  “What was that for?” she asked.

  “I’d take that helmet off and throw it in the brush if it wouldn’t leave a sign for our pursuers.”

  “Do ye think they’ll ride after us straight away, or must they form a committee first?”

  “They’ll be riding as hard as we are no doubt, but splitting up will cause them some distress. The decanus will be forced to make a decision whether to split up his forces or choose a trail. Either way our chances are better.”

  “Aye, unless they choose to stay together, then one of us will be outnumbered.”

  “True, but the Picts know the lands north of the wall far better than the Romans. I still like the odds. ’Tis easier to cover the tracks of one or two horses as well.”

  The horsehair crest slapped across his face again. “I have a Pictish sword hidden beneath me saddle if we need to stand and fight.”

  “Good.” He reached under her chin and untied the helmet, pulled it off and hurled it deep into the forest.

  “Och. Why did ye do that?”

  “Every time you moved, the damned thing hit me. No one will find it that far off the trail.”

  She looked back. “’Twas a beastly uncomfortable contraption anyway.”

  He tightened his grasp around her waist. “I wish you were not encased in all that armor.”

  “Me as well. ’Tis difficult to breathe with this breastplate squishing me breasts.”

  Titus chuckled. “I shall have to remedy that at my next opportunity.”

  “Ye look thin.”

  “I have not had much to eat since you left.”

  “Aye, and ye were already weak.”


  “Do not worry about me. With my arms around you, I can already feel my strength returning.” He kissed her neck and inhaled the wildflower scent of her hair.

  “We left our clothes with the pack mule, but me cloak and the peasant shirt I’ve been wearing is in the saddlebags. When we stop we’ll dress ye as best we can, else ye’ll die of exposure.”

  “’Tis not bothering me yet, though it was awfully uncomfortable marching through the square in nothing but my subligar. I felt a bit like a gladiator without his armor.” He nuzzled Elspeth’s neck. “Besides, I have you to warm me. That is all I need.”

  “Ye’d better stop talking like that, or else the Romans will catch us rolling in the clover.” Even though she tried to sound serious, her voice was softer than it had been before.

  Titus paid no heed to her and ran his lips along her neck in a flutter of feathery kisses. “Elspeth?” he asked huskily.

  “Aye?”

  “Is there a lookout ahead where we can see who’s following?”

  Her shoulders sagged. “I didn’t expect such a sober question with me insides aflutter. But then, I suppose there’s still a threat from that hostile mob of Romans behind us.” A sigh whistled through her lips. “There’s a sandstone crag in Rothbury Forest, but we’ll not reach it before dark.”

  “Can Tessie make it up the cliff?”

  “Aye, the deer have cut a rugged path.”

  “That is where we shall camp.”

  “’Tis good the clouds have stayed at bay. We need light from the moon to pick our way.”

  “Elspeth?”

  “Aye?”

  “I love you.”

  ****

  Tessie huffed heavily under the strain of carrying two adults as she climbed the steep sandstone slope. About half way up, Elspeth turned to Titus. “She cannot go any further.”

  Titus nodded. “Very well, let’s lead her to the top. It’s not far.”

  Elspeth agreed and together they climbed to the summit, leading the mare. Once they hobbled the horse’s legs and removed her bridle, Elspeth breathed a sigh of relief. With luck, they’d be able to rest.

  Titus stood at the sandstone ledge and scanned for movement. He pointed south. “The Romans have stopped. Can you see the glow from a campfire? They are only about a mile behind us.”

  Elspeth stepped beside him. “I suppose they cannot follow our tracks in the dark.”

  “True, ’tis smart of them to stop. They would lose the trail in these dense woods, and then spend half the morning backtracking.” He grasped Elspeth’s shoulders. “We have two choices. Ride all night and hope we can outrun them, or stand and fight.”

  Elspeth looked toward her mare, nibbling at the grass. “We will not be riding. Tessie can go no further without rest. Can ye tell how many there are?”

  “In this light it is impossible, but I would venture ten.”

  A lump formed in her throat. “I’ve only three arrows.”

  “Then we shall need to set traps. Do you have a length of rope?”

  “Nay, only me reins, and—and the six feet or so of cloth that’s binding me breasts.”

  “Good. We shall make use of it all plus the thin cord from your satchel.”

  Elspeth led him to her satchel and tack. She bent down and pulled out the linen peasant shirt and held it up. “This should fit ye.”

  Titus gave her a questioning grin, his teeth flashing white in the moonlight. “My thanks.” He slipped it over his head. Though tight in the chest, it would help him keep warm. She stepped back, looked from head to toe and frowned. “Ye look a might awkward with yer loin cloth sticking out beneath.”

  Titus glanced down. The shirt was no tunic, and it had been made for a smaller man.

  “I think me Roman tunic will be too small for ye, but these woolen breeches will fit. They fall right off when I loosen the rope. Anyway, I only wore them because Greum said me legs looked too womanly.”

  Titus twisted a lock of her hair around his finger. “Greum was right.”

  Elspeth pulled off her armor and then lifted her tunic and untied the rope. Just as she said, the trousers dropped to her ankles. She stepped out and handed them to Titus.

  He held them up. “Are you sure you don’t need these? ’Tis cool tonight.”

  “I’ll be right under me cloak.” She glanced down at his muscular legs and drew in a ragged breath. “If ye do not put them on, I’m likely to ravish ye.”

  Titus grinned and spread his arms wide. “Be my guest.”

  She folded her arms tight across her chest, trying to suppress the flutter of desire that coursed through her. “Not until we’ve set the trap. Then we eat, and then…”

  He chuckled with a deep rumble. “Your dimples make my heart beat a wicked rhythm.”

  Her knees turned to liquid mush. “I ken that look in yer eye—put the trousers on afore I wallop ye.”

  She watched Titus pull up the woolen breeches. They fit quite snugly, but better than running through the wild in his subligar. He tied the cord and turned full circle. “How do they look?”

  She gasped. “Like they’re fused to your skin.”

  He pulled her into his arms. “I have missed you more than you could possibly know.” His entire body trembled against her. “For a moment, I feared all was lost.”

  Elspeth raised her chin. He tightened his embrace and inclined his head, fanning his eyes with long dark lashes. Slowly, he covered her mouth, spreading her lips with his tongue. Elspeth quavered at not only the urgency, but the pure passion in the force of his kiss. Titus didn’t hurt her, but there was no question that he claimed her.

  The fire smoldering in Elspeth’s belly during their ride burst into raging flames. He combed his fingers through her hair and cradled her head against his muscular chest. “We must never be apart. Never again.”

  She choked back a tear. “Please make it true. I could scarcely breathe for fear of losing you.”

  He brushed his lips across her forehead—a gentle gesture for a hardened warrior. “Let us make quick work of setting our traps. Then I will hold you in my arms until dawn.”

  She didn’t want to release him, but she could not forget the enemy camped less than a mile away. She stepped back and reached under her tunic to unwrap her bindings. “Do ye think we’ll have enough length?”

  He pulled the cord from her satchel and stretched it taut. “We shall make it work.”

  She held up the cloth. “Let’s away. I’ll not have those bastards tracking us to Dunpelder.”

  He chuckled and grasped her hand. “You never fail to make me smile. Come.”

  Together they found a narrow spot in the path and rigged a line across it.

  Elspeth tugged on the cord. “Will it work?”

  “With the bend in the trail, they’ll not see it until ’tis too late.”

  “But it will only ensnare one.”

  Titus held up a pair of fingers. “Mayhap two.”

  Elspeth’s gut clenched. “I do not like the odds.”

  He grasped her shoulders and looked into her eye. “Trust me. Besides, we’re not finished yet.” He took her hand. “This way.”

  She followed Titus up the crag to the ledge overlooking the path and picked up a heavy stone. “I’ll set up a row of boulders along the ridge—I want you up here. Fire your arrows then push the rocks off. Even if they do not hit anyone, the noise will spook the horses.”

  “Aye, and if I do hit someone, all the better.”

  “Agreed.” Titus chuckled. “I’ll hide on the far side of the bend. Once you start the attack, they will head toward the slope, and I’ll be ready to fight them.”

  “We’ve two swords. I can cover yer back.”

  “I do not want you challenging Roman soldiers. They are well trained and deadly.”

  She stomped her foot. “I’ll not sit by and watch them kill ye.” Elspeth pinched his ribs. “Look at ye, ye’re half starved. ’Tis a miracle ye can even stand.”

  “I’m fi
t—do not worry. I can take on twice their numbers.”

  She arched her brow. “Can ye now?”

  He smoothed his hand over his flat belly. “Do you have anything to eat?”

  Elspeth led him to her satchel and pulled out sweet oats and some of the remaining dried meat Pia had packed. Looking at it reminded her of Seumas, and Pia’s words. Bring my husband back to me. The matron would probably never forgive her—or Titus. She held out the meat.

  He tore it with his teeth and chewed like a ravenous dog. He studied her intently. “Is something amiss?”

  “Aye. Just thinking about Seumas. His wife manages the stronghold. I do not want to see her face when she learns he’s dead.”

  Titus’s Adam’s apple bobbed with his swallow. “’Tis a terrible thing, war and death. Romans live by the sword, hanging little value on human life. I see how much more Picts cherish it.”

  “It should be cherished.”

  Titus cupped her cheek with his palm and drew her face close to his. “You are right, my love. Every day, every moment should be appreciated as if it might be your last.”

  He pulled Elspeth into his arms and she ran her hand along his shoulder. His skin felt as warm as the sun radiating off a stone wall on a midsummer’s day. “How can ye be so toasty?”

  “Being close to you sets a fire in my soul.”

  Her entire body tingled. “How do ye always ken the perfect words to make me melt in yer arms?”

  Titus answered her with a kiss. With boneless limbs, she melted into his embrace. Lifting her with ease, he carried her to the saddle blanket and set her atop as if she were as delicate as a rose. “My very being thirsts for you.”

  “I’ve no idea what I would have done if I’d lost you.” She couldn’t think of it. She had her man in her arms and would never let him go. “Make love to me, Titus.”

  Chuckling, he made quick work of removing his ill-fitting clothes. “Now you.”

  Slowly she pulled the tunic over her thighs. He grasped the hem and tugged it all the way off. “I want you too badly to wait.”

  His urgency set her loins afire. Elspeth reached for his hands and drew him atop her. His mouth met hers with frantic desire, probing as if he’d been lost, finally discovering home. Titus had been right. Her frantic desire spiked into ravenous need. She opened her legs and angled his cock along her womanhood.