“Good morning Wife.”
Smiling brightly, she replied, “Good morning Husband.” Crinkling her nose as raised her glass to him and winked at him. Taking a long drink of water she sat the cup down and started to walk back towards her lover.
Almost instantly the room started to spin. Stumbling she grabbed for the chair as she fell to the ground, in the background of her haze she could hear Broderick screaming her name as her world went black.
***
His greatest nightmare came true before his eyes as he watched Elisabeth crumble to the ground. “Elisabeth!” He shouted, running to her side. He quickly checked her pulse; she was still alive but refused to wake. Shaking her and screaming her name, Elisabeth didn’t respond. Running back to the bed he grabbed a blanket and covered his naked wife as he quickly turned to throw on clothes. Swinging the door wide, his wolfhounds ran into the room, both of them began circling Elisabeth as she lay on the ground unresponsive. Screaming for his brother, Broderick left the door open and returned to her side, pleading with her to live.
Within seconds Broderick heard Kendrix running up the stairs.
“Good God what happened?” Kendrix asked as he rushed into the room to see Elisabeth on the floor.
“She’s been poisoned Kendrix, she took a drink from that pitcher only moments ago. She will not wake up and her pulse is slowing. Go fetch Rhona and Caitriona quickly, I have no clue what she swallowed!”
“Good God,” nodding, Kendrix took off in a sprint down the stairs in search of help for Elisabeth.
Upstairs Broderick held her tightly in his arms and whispered into her ear, “Please don’t leave me Lis, I just found you woman. Ye cannae leave me yet lass, our path doesn’t end here woman. You will come back to me. I love you Elisabeth MacMillan, I will find who did this to you my love. Stay with me Lis, I need you!”
Hearing a commotion coming up the stairs he knew the elderly women were on their way, both skilled with poisons and antidotes. Kendrix must not have had to search far for the women.
First through the door was Rhona, running over to Broderick she dropped to her knees and felt Elisabeth’s head and then placed her ear over her heart. Caitriona scurried in afterward; she picked up the tainted pewter cup and pitcher, smelling them for signs of the cause. “Hemlock, a strong dose at that,” Caitriona stated, sitting down the objects she walked over to Elisabeth and hovered her hand over the lass, as was her way.
Broderick looked at Rhona, “Who had access to this room Rhona? Who would want her or I dead? Either one of us could have taken a drink from that pitcher!”
Shaking her head Rhona began to cry as she knelt next to Elisabeth, “We were in this room together all day, we drank from it earlier, even little Isobel. It had to happen while after we left for the wedding!”
At the door Kendrix had reappeared and added, “It could be anyone Brother, anyone could have slipped away easily during the celebration and entered your room. Your hounds were with you all day, the room was unguarded, and the question isn’t who had access to the room. Nay, the question is, who wants one or both of you dead?”
By the fire Caitriona mixed herbs from her pouches that were strung along her belt into a pot on the fire. Stirring them she added a few more items before pouring the contents into a clean mug. “Once this cools, you’ll want to try to get her to swallow small doses every hour until she awakes. The hemlock is a viscous poison, it will not leave her body easily Laird Broderick.” Caitriona explained as she gathered her things.
Broderick looked at Kendrix and Rhona, “You two, see what you can find out. Tis winter, hemlock would be hard to find unless our supplies or Caitriona’s supplies were stolen.”
The old healer spoke up, “My herbs are under lock my Laird, and only I hold the key to my supplies, nothing looked amiss this morning.”
Nodding at her foresight to protect the valuable and dangerous herbs he dismissed the three so they could investigate the poisoning. Sending the three off to investigate he picked up his bride and carried her back to bed, pleading with her to fight the toxic poison that coursed through her veins.
The next three days were torture.
Unlike her first stay here, she had no nightmares, no movement, nothing. She was dead still for three days. The entire clan had heard of her poisoning, aghast that something would happen to their beloved laird’s new wife, the entire clan searched for an answer. Broderick refused to leave her side; he had considered it entirely his fault she was in this position. It was his responsibility to keep her safe and he failed. Someone wanted to see her dead; even now he wasn’t entirely convinced she was going to make it. There had been no visual improvement in the past three days; she simply lay dead to the world.
Chapter 10
Elisabeth’s eyes fluttered as she woke in the dead of night, nauseated and weak she reached out for her husband. Touching his warm skin she moaned as her stomach rolled in pain; her head began to pound as she turned towards Broderick.
“Broderick?” She whispered, her throat was so dry she barely could speak.
The sound of her sweet voice brought him out of his sleep, feeling her upon his chest he wrapped his arms around her.
“Elisabeth, my God woman, you had me so worried!”
“What happened Broderick, why do I feel like this?”
“You were poisoned, the morning after our wedding you woke up and took a drink from the pitcher. You have been dead to the world for three days,” He explained as he gathered her in his arms and pulled her on top of him and held her tightly.
“Poisoned? Why?”
“Hemlock, Caitriona confirmed the mixture days ago after it happened. Rhona confirmed that you ladies had been drinking out of the pitcher the morning of the wedding with no ill effects. The water had to be tainted while we were away celebrating our wedding, with the hounds at our side and everyone celebrating downstairs, gaining access to our rooms would be easy enough.”
“But you could have drank that water too.”
“Aye, we still haven’t found the person responsible, nor do we know if the intent was for both of us, or one of us,” he explained, slightly ashamed he and Kendrix hadn’t found the person who almost took her life, “How do you feel?” He asked as he rubbed her back.
“Foggy, my head hurts and my belly aches.” She admitted, she remembered long ago her promise to never lie to him, even about any weakness or sickness she may encounter. Omissions were weighted like lies to him.
“To be expected, Caitriona has made you more medicine to counter the hemlock you drank, you should keep taking it until all of your aliments are gone, the poison still lingers in your small body.”
He felt slightly guilty from keeping the truth from her. He and Kendrix were sure that the mixture was made to kill only Elisabeth, the dose wasn’t high enough to kill a man of his size, but a small woman would have easily fallen ill to the concoction. He had intentionally kept that information from her, he knew he should tell her but something inside of him refused to admit someone was trying to kill his wife.
“Broderick?”
“Yes my love?”
“Once I am back on my feet, can I please train with you and your men? I have a feeling this war between us and Kincaid is far from over, I want to be as prepared as possible. I used to train with Duncan and his men daily, that is why I was so skilled. I haven’t trained in well over a month, please Broderick, it would mean the world to me?”
Closing his eyes, he ran his hand up her back and into her silky hair, sighing deeply he knew her point was valid. With the letter Kincaid had written demanding her return, he knew it was only a matter of time before the war would escalate. Kincaid knew she was alive, he knew she was here. How Kincaid knew she was alive was still a mystery, only those behind MacMillan walls had known. The Drummond men that attacked Elisabeth and Kendrix by the creek had all been killed by Elisabeth’s hand, none had escaped to inform their laird. Broderick and Kendrix started to suspect a spy was living
inside their walls; it very well could be the same person who poisoned his wife.
Resigning himself to the fact that he married The Warrior Queen of Scotland, that she had the same need as he did to train and defend those she cared about, he agreed, “Aye Elisabeth, once you are well you can start training with us daily. I’ll let Kendrix and the men know to expect you.” He had no valid reason to deny her request, as much as he wanted to keep her from battle, he knew it was only for his own selfish reasons. He could not, would not and simply did not want her to change at all. She was who she was because of being a warrior. She would go down in history, and he refused to extinguish her bright flame. His beautiful queen was ready to prepare for war.
“Thank you Broderick, I will make you proud.”
“Woman, you make me proud every single day.” He admitted as he heard her yawn in the darkness, daylight was still hours away, “Go back to sleep lass.”
The next morning Broderick woke first, slowly detangling himself from his wife’s embrace he slipped out of bed and dressed for the day. Taking the hounds outside for their morning run he visited the kitchen first to inform Rhona that Elisabeth had awoken last night, and to check on her this morning. He knew Old Rhona loved Elisabeth like her own child; the old hen was beside herself with worry.
Walking outside in the brisk winter morning, Kendrix and his warriors were running through their morning drills with precision. Letting his hounds run, he watched his younger brother order the skilled warriors. Joining the men, he walked up to Kendrix who stood at the front of the bailey ordering his men. “She awoke last night, still a little sick from the poison, but she is out of danger now,” Broderick explained as they watched the men.
“I am happy to hear that Brother, would you care to explain the scowl on your face if your lovely wife has finally awoken?” Kendrix grinned as he asked, then shouted out to the men for the next drill.
Running his hands through his long hair he turned to look at his younger brother, “She has asked permission to come train with us, she knows the war isn’t over. I haven’t even told her about Kincaid’s missive or the fact that we believe the poison was intended for only her, yet, she has an urge to prepare for war.”
“We knew it would only be a matter of time Brother, she is the warrior queen,” smiling at Broderick, Kendrix slapped his brother on the shoulder and continued, “Would you like to address the men now before she appears?”
Nodding, it was a perfect time to address his warriors while she still lay upstairs safely in bed. Whistling loudly, the warriors stopped practicing and turned their attention to the MacMillan brothers who stood at the front, gathering closer the warriors sheathed their swords and awaited their Laird.
“MacMillan warriors, I fear a war brews silently behind our backs. Laird Kincaid’s threat lingers, we know it is only a matter of time before the threat becomes real. You are all aware of Elisabeth’s poisoning, this morning she finally broke free from the effects of the poison, she will recover.”
The men before him cheered at the news of their beloved queen’s recovery, holding up his hand to silence them, Broderick continued, “She has asked to train with you, our warrior queen knows all too well the battle ahead of us. You are to treat her with the same respect you always do, she is skilled and deadly, but just like us, in need of daily training to hone her skills. I expect your full cooperation; if anyone isn’t comfortable fighting next to my wife, feel free to leave now. I will not stand for anyone disrespecting her.” Looking amongst the crowd, not one warrior moved. They were well aware of her reputation, and well aware of how she had saved Kendrix’s life in the woods. None of them were ashamed to train or fight next to such a skilled warrior, even if she was a woman. Standing before his warriors he gave one final order, “If Kendrix or I are ever unable to lead you, Elisabeth is next in command. Am I clear?” His voice commanded across the bailey.
A resounding “Aye!” was shouted by all present; their laird’s command was law.
Kendrix leaned over to his brother and asked quietly, “Are ye going to tell Elisabeth of her promotion in the army?”
Chuckling, he shook his head, “Not yet Kendrix, otherwise she’d be out here within the hour training with poison still coursing through her veins, I’ll tell her…eventually.”
Staying with the men, Broderick drilled with the warriors for hours, due to Elisabeth’s illness, he had not left his room in days. Eventually once the warriors were done, he returned to the keep to check on his wife. Entering the warm castle with his hounds following closely behind him as he bounded up the stairs arriving at his door, swinging it open slowly.
Conn and Isla lumbered through the doorway and ran directly to their mistress who sat before the fireplace brushing her hair.
He watched from the doorway as she turned to look at him, her skin looked healthy and flush once more, her sweet voice was a welcome sound.
“Hello Husband, I feel much better this morning. Rhona made me eat until my belly was full, I had a wonderful bath and feel like a new woman.”
Crossing the room he walked up to the chair and leaned down to kiss her sweet mouth, “Hello Wife,” he whispered between kisses as he picked her up and then sat back down, placing her in his lap. Running his hand through her shiny hair he spoke softly, “I spoke with Kendrix and the warriors this morning, you are welcome to join training when you feel you are ready.”
Popping up from his chest, she smiled brightly at him, “Thank you Broderick, I will go down with you tomorrow morning.” Kissing him softly she whispered against his mouth, “but right now, I need you.”
Pulling her chemise over her head he ran his hands up over her bare skin, “Your wish is my command.”
Pulling his shirt off she pushed him into the chair and straddled him, moaning as he entered her he buried his hands in her soft hair and savored her touch. He needed the intimacy with her, he need her love, her touch. She had become his world, without her he’d be lost.
Screaming his name as he pounded into her, he swung her so she was facing away from him; still inside her he wrapped his hands around her trim waist and watched her bob up and down upon him.
Looking over her shoulder, she purred, “Do you like what you see my lord?”
Flexing into her deep he caused her to moan his name as he replied, “Aye my queen.”
Chapter 11
Broderick awoke the next morning to find his wife missing from their bed, aggravated at finding her and his dogs missing, he swung out of bed in search of her. Dressing and arming himself with his weapons for the day, he opened his door and crossed the hall to her solar.
Throwing the door wide he saw his stunning wife dressed in a modified gown, her MacMillan plaid draped over her chest with his great black sable fur chained across her shoulders. Her weapons attached to her hip, she plaited her hair with her back to the door.
Crossing his arms and leaning against the door, his dogs spotted him and ran over to his side, “Good morning wife, I think you forgot to wake me.”
Spinning around she smiled as she crossed the room and wound her arms around his neck and pulled him down towards her, “Good morning husband, I was coming back to get you momentarily. I would never forget you my love.” Kissing her greedily he pulled her close around her waist and brought her body up against his as his tongue dipped into her warm mouth.
Sitting her back on her feet, “Lets run to the kitchens and get some food before we go outside, usually Rhona has something waiting for me,” smiling at his wife, laced up in her new leather braces. The two linked hands and went down to the kitchens, and eventually out into the bailey where they found Kendrix and his men starting to gather for their morning drills.
Broderick watched as Elisabeth kept up with the men with graceful ease; she focused on her drills with lethal precision. The cold and snow did not slow her at all, her sword arm was affected little by her wound from her family’s massacre.
Throughout the morning Broderick removed himself
from her side, keeping his trained eye on her form, her movement and most importantly, her safety.
Kendrix took the warriors through hours of drills and hand-to-hand maneuvers, all things Elisabeth was familiar and comfortable with. Broderick had yet to see any weakness in anything she did. Her form was perfect, where she lacked in male strength she made up for in quickness and unique blows to weaken her larger opponents. All who watched were impressed with her demeanor and talent; she was truly a warrior. Her reputation was well founded.
All who entered the bailey this morning had taken time to watch the laird’s wife train with the warriors. Bakers and blacksmiths, launders and women alike watched in delight as Elisabeth worked flawlessly with the kilted warriors.
By the stables Broderick noticed his blonde niece watching Elisabeth all morning. Isobel carried the wooden sword he had given her for her fifth birthday; he had made it himself, Broderick watched as Isobel emulated Elisabeth’s movements. Abandoning his post next to Kendrix, he walked over to his beautiful little niece and knelt down beside her, “Good morrow my little sword fighter, are you watching your Aunt Elisabeth?” He asked as she continued to watch Elisabeth in the bailey.
Stopping to catch her breath, she looked over at her Uncle, “Aye Uncle Broderick, I want to be just like her when I grow up. She’s amazing!” Her face glowing with youthful excitement.
Nodding and looking back over to his wife, “Aye, she is amazing isn’t she? You should ask your pretty Aunt to teach you to shoot bow lass, she’s spectacular, and a sword like hers will take you time to grow into. However, a bow you could learn now my love.”
Gasping with excitement, “Do you think she’d teach me Uncle Broderick? Oh I would love that! Where would I find a bow for me? I’m far too little still.”
“I’ll make ye one lass, but first we’ll have to ask your Da, agreed?” He asked as he stood back up and ruffled her shiny long hair. Nodding, she picked her wooden sword back up and looked over at her Aunt, once again swinging and mimicking Elisabeth.
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