Kendrix pushed back from his chair and raised his brows at the redheaded woman across from him, “Well dear Sister, shall we see to your challenge?”
Looking up from the maps, she smiled, “Aye, but don’t cry when I win Brother, I dinnae like to lose.”
“Neither do I, neither do I.” He smirked as they walked to the center of the vast study and drew their swords; he knew he had to ease into the conversation with his brother’s wife.
The two took their positions and Kendrix lunged forward and slashed a mighty blow that Elisabeth blocked with considerable effort, he saw her grin and counter his blow with a flurry of menacing blows.
Circling each other, he knew the only way to get her to realize her condition was to ask a series of questions and make her figure it out herself. He noticed similar changes in Elisabeth that he had seen in his wife when she became with child, he was positive that Elisabeth was indeed carrying Broderick’s child, and she just hadn’t realized it yet. He was concerned with her drilling with his men every morning; he did not want her to lose the babe. Their drills were brutal and physically demanding, a woman carrying a child could easily be harmed with such vigorous activity.
While countering and lunging, Kendrix led into his questioning, “I’ve noticed a change in our style these past weeks Elisabeth, much different than when you first started, have you been feeling okay?”
“I haven’t been sleeping well with Broderick gone, these days of training and sleepless nights are taxing me considerably, I’ve told you this countless times.” She answered, still focused on him.
Circling together, they each held their weapons out waiting for the other to advance, “Nay lass, I mentioned your style has changed, not your energy level.”
“Explain.” She asked quietly, followed by a barrage of blade swings.
Easily defending himself against Elisabeth, he chuckled, “Jesu Elisabeth, you sounded just like Broderick,” countering her attack he knew there he couldn’t skirt the issue forever, “ye tear up at the slightest mention of my brother, ye have lost weight, and haven’t had an appetite in weeks, ye are sick worse in the mornings and are tired all day. Think about it lass, just think.”
Rolling her eyes, she lunged toward Kendrix again, “I miss him Kendrix!”
“Aye ye do, I dinnae doubt that for one moment Sister, however, I think there is something else at the root of your change.” He could tell she was growing upset with the conversation; her blows were growing stronger as he matched each one.
“What, oh wise Kendrix do you think ye could possibly know that I dinnae?”
“I think you my dear Sister are carrying my brother’s heir.” Countering her attack he swung his blade down hard just as she froze with his last word, unable to stop his sword he landed a blow across her right arm.
Her scream pierced the air; the sound of her blade clattering on the stone floor as it fell to the ground resonated in the large room. Kendrix’s eyes grew wide as blood began to soak Elisabeth’s gown. Dropping his blade the moment he saw the damage he reaped upon her sword arm. In two steps he was beside her, he gripped her wounded arm and squeezed to stop the blood flow, “I am so sorry Elisabeth, I am so sorry.” He looked down into her eyes, still wide with shock she had not moved, had not spoke one word, she just stood in place, “Elisabeth, say something please?”
“How did I not know?” Her voice but a whisper, tears began to run down her ivory face as she closed her eyes and placed her left hand over her womb, “How had I not put the signs together? Jesu it all makes sense now. How did I not suspect?”
“Elisabeth, I promise we can talk about this later, but right now, I need to close your wound.” Gripping her arm, warm blood continued to flow between his fingers splattering upon the floor, “Sit down in the chair, I’ll grab supplies.” He ordered, walking her slowly over to the fireplace chair. She sat down slowly in the chair before the hearth, pale white and silent.
Grabbing water and cloth, along with a needle and thread he ran back over to Elisabeth, who had ripped the sleeve of her gown off to reveal a nasty gash that ran down her bicep of her sword arm.
“Jesus Elisabeth, Broderick will kill me when he sees what I did to you.” Kneeling before her he took a long thin cloth and tied it above the wound to slow the bleeding while he worked. Next he dunked a fresh cloth in the water and rang it out and slowly cleaned her arm.
The smell of blood was pungent. Elisabeth sat in the chair, a million things raced through her head as she stared into the crackling fire. Her head was reeling; she wasn’t sure how much she could take. She needed Broderick home, she wanted his comfort, and she wanted his arms and his voice to be the one that soothed her. Oh, she had no ill will towards Kendrix, he had been a godsend these past weeks, but damn she wanted her husband home. Beside her Kendrix kept apologizing for the cut upon her arm. She turned her head and waited until he looked at her. “It was my mistake Kendrix, not yours, ye know that.” She countered in honesty, she had lost her focus and forgot to block Kendrix’s blow. There was no way he would know his question would cause her to freeze in the midst of an attack.
Before her, she saw Kendrix shake his head as he finished cleaning her arm of blood; the smell was making her stomach roll. Yet another sign of the life growing within her, blood had never bothered her before.
“I should have never been questioning you while we were practicing, that is my error Elisabeth.” Kendrix sighed deeply, tossing the red cloth into the water, leaning to pick up the needle and thread.
Watching Kendrix, she cocked her eye as she sat back in the chair and prepared to have her wound closed, “How did you know Kendrix?” She saw him look up as he finished threading the needle, “Sew as you talk Brother.”
Sighing, he stood up and positioned himself beside her so he could work, getting to it, he started to close the wound he caused, “I had a wife, I had seen the signs before when Gwyneth carried Isobel. Broderick charged me with your safety Elisabeth, I’ve kept close eye on you. I know you very well, I certainly know how you preform during drills, and I noticed subtle changes at first as you drilled with the warriors. Then, began looking for the other signs I suspected would follow. Ye are still svelte, so ye cannae be too far along, the sickness in the morning was a dead giveaway.”
“Does anyone else know?” Asking, she wondered if she was the last one to know. She felt like a fool, how had Broderick’s brother noticed and she, the one who carried the babe hadn’t even figured it out. The dizziness and nausea all made sense to her now, everything did. It all fit.
Ignoring the pain of the sharp needle working in and out of her skin she bit her lip as she thought over what she would do.
“I would imagine Old Rhona has suspected as well, that tea of hers you like so much is a known favorite for breeding women, she was obviously more patient that I and didn’t spoil it for you.” The worry in his voice was evident.
Hissing as Kendrix’s needle hurt more than she anticipated, she took a deep breath and rubbed her face with her left hand, “I was beginning to wonder if I was the last to know.” She groaned.
“Almost done lass, hang on.” He muttered as he focused on the last half of the wound, “and nae, I believe you would have figured it out with time on your own, but I feared too much for your safety during drills. One wrong blow to your midsection could cause you to lose your child, I could not live with myself if I dinnae speak up. Tis best you realized before Broderick returns.”
“He’ll make me stay behind, you knew that.” Her emotions getting the better of her once again, tears spilled out of her eyes, not due to the pain in her arm, but in her heart. Her worst fears were becoming realized before her eyes, she was with child; the heir to MacMillan lands, and her vow to avenge her family would fall to Broderick and Kendrix.
“Aye, Duncan and your father would have too, ye know that. Ye are my sister now Elisabeth. As your brother, I would vehemently forbid it as well, your husband will most assuredly forbid you to see warfa
re with his child in your womb, he would die first, we all would before seeing you fight while with child.”
Looking over at Broderick’s brother, she had felt such a rush of emotions consuming her, she was with child, she was loved and protected my family once again, and the heartbreaking realization she would not be able to kill Kincaid with her own hands had her sobbing once again, “I do not want anyone to die for me ever again,” she managed to say in between sobbing.
Cutting the thread as he finished, he began to wrap fresh linen over her wound as he let her cry, he knew women enough to know sometimes they just needed to purge their emotions; his wife and mother use to be just like that. He had no words to help her at this moment. She needed to accept the situation as it was and come to terms with it. He knew it would be bittersweet for her, and a tad heartbreaking. Warriors were bound to their vows, they were sacred to them, and it could not be easy on her.
Chapter 17
Grinning at the welcoming sight of his castle, he was home. His trek north had taken longer than expected; the weather had increasing gotten worse as he and his men left Inverness. Plagued by a few issues that slow them down, he and his men had made the brutal journey without losing any men to the cold, or an attack.
The sun had yet to set; his heart grew warm as he thought of his lovely wife that was on the other side of the tall stone walls. God he missed her, he was counting the moments until he held her in his arms once again. He had promised himself he’d never be separated from her like this again, he just couldn’t do it. From now on, his wife went with him no matter where he went.
The tower guards saw his arrival, calling for the drawbridge to be lowered, Broderick hailed to his guards as he trotted over the wooden drawn bridge and straight for the stable.
He knew most likely she would be in the castle getting ready to sup with his family, dismounting off his tired stallion he pulled off his leather gloves and ran a hand through his hair as he turned the corner and came face to face with Siobhan’s mother.
“Oh thank the Lord ye are home my Laird, such chaos here, such pain and betrayal has occurred in your absence!” The elderly woman cried as she grabbed onto his arm.
Worry lanced through him, “Explain Annemarie, now!” His voice commanded attention as he stared down at the woman.
“Ye wife and Brother, they exiled my daughter! They exiled Siobhan, your betrothed in the middle of this winter they did!” She hissed, brushing off tears from her wrinkled face. She looked from side to side to see if anyone was approaching them, wiping her tears as she huffed.
Furrowing his brows he looked around for any of his trusted men, however, the elder woman had cornered him quite alone, “She stopped being my betrothed when she married another man Annemarie, you would do well to remember that, and that I have a wife now.”
Pulling on his sleeve she continued, “They’ve been lording over this castle as if it was theirs my Laird, your wife is forcing wee babes and women to learn the bow! Worse, they are betraying you, they lock themselves in your private study every waking moment they have, my Siobhan saw what was happening and accused them and they exiled her so she couldn’t tell you!”
He refused to believe it, Kendrix and Elisabeth would never betray him, and it was against their character. “I would watch ye tongue Annemarie. You are talking of my Wife and Brother woman.” His voice clipped and dangerous as he searched the old woman’s tired eyes.
“They publicly humiliated Siobhan days ago when they exiled her into that barren frozen forest, my girl could be long dead, and they sit in your tower in each other’s company, why do you think they are not here to greet you? Think I lie? Check yourself!” She pointed to the north tower to prove her point, smoke steadily climbing out of the chimneystack from his study.
“It is clear to all who watch them that they are lovers!” She spat.
Pushing her aside he stalked towards the castle, ignoring all, his heart told him not to believe it, his head wanted proof, his inner demons fought as he ran up the stairs and flew through the front door and took a right towards the corridor that led to his study.
The gate to the tower was unlocked, opening it silently so he could make his way up the tower in silence; he slowly walked up the stone stairs listening for their voices, hearing his brother’s first.
“There is a reason for everything Elisabeth, ye have to believe that lass.” Kendrix’s voice was soothing and velvet, it immediately prickled Broderick’s senses. Why was his brother consoling her?
“What do I tell him?” Elisabeth asked, from the tone of her voice he knew she had been crying, slowly walking closer he peeked into the study to see his brother holding Elisabeth in his arms before the fire, his back was to him and her head was buried in his chest as she sobbed.
“The truth.” Kendrix replied.
Stepping into the room, Broderick stood tall and asked with an icy chill, “The truth, interesting. I wonder if either of you know the meaning of loyalty or truth.”
Before him he saw Kendrix turn around, removing his hands from Elisabeth the moment he spoke.
“Brother, this is not what it looks like, on my honor!” Kendrix rebuffed as Elisabeth stood before the fire merely starring at him. She was thin, her eyes red and swollen.
Locking eyes with his wife, Broderick watched as she started to run towards him with her arms outstretched.
Putting his hand up to stop her, “Do not touch me woman, give me back the key to this room and leave!” He demanded, extending his hand for the key. Broderick saw her stop dead still, her jaw dropped as he starred at her.
“Broderick?” She asked, fresh tears fell down her face; her voice sounded like her heart was shattering.
From behind her, Kendrix took a step towards him and warned, “Broderick, watch how you talk to her, she has done nothing wrong!”
“You dare tell me how to talk to my wife when I find her in your arms?”
Stepping around Elisabeth in seconds, Kendrix toed right up to him, so close their noses almost touched, “What are you accusing me of Brother?” Kendrix’s voice rumbled with anger.
***
Elisabeth watched as the two brothers chested up to each other as they both yelled at the same time. Her body could take no more of this; her heart and soul were being crushed with every word Broderick yelled.
Screaming at the top of her lungs she pushed her way between them and looked at Kendrix, “Let him believe what he wants Kendrix!” Turning to her husband whom she had missed so much, she scanned his angry face hoping for a sign the man she loved was still in there. Wiping a tear off her cheek she reached down and ripped the leather cord that held the key to the room off her neck in one sickening snap, tossing it at his feet.
She had never known it was possible to love and hate someone until this moment. She didn’t have one thing to say to him, how dare he, how dare he accuse her and Kendrix of such horrible deeds. Feeling her stomach roll she moved like lightning between the angry warrior brothers and regally kept her composure as she ran down the stairs out of the north tower.
Holding herself together she crossed the keep and headed straight to her solar, she needed peace, she needed silence and she needed to pray. Lord help her, what had just happened? Reaching the stairs to her tower, she ran as quickly as she could for her solar, opening and shutting the door behind her she threw the lock and sagged against the wooden door.
Covering her mouth with her hand to silence her horrid sobs, she slid down the door until she crumpled on the floor, crying alone in her room as her heart broke.
***
In the north tower, the MacMillan brother’s were just getting started. As soon as Elisabeth left, Kendrix threw a punch to Broderick’s right eye, “You fucking bastard, how dare you accuse me of bedding your wife! You know what Broderick, you don’t deserve her!”
Stumbling back at the significant blow, Broderick gritted his teeth, refusing to fight back. His heart felt like it was going to explode out of his chest as
he watched Kendrix pick up his bloody sword off the stone floor and storm out of the study, leaving Broderick completely alone.
“Fuck!” He screamed as he kicked the leather chair across the room. Running his hands through his wind stricken hair he looked down and noticed the pool of blood where the chair had once stood. Next to it he saw the washbasin filled with bright red water, remembering seeing blood on Kendrix blade he looked over to the center of the room and saw an even bigger pool of bright red blood.
“What the hell happened?” He growled, walking around the room he saw maps laid out everywhere, details of the battle plans on every surface of his room. The mighty bed he installed before his departure sat, it looked like it hadn’t been used in ages.
Damn he needed answers, what the fuck happened while he was gone?
Storming out of the room he ran down the stairs in search of his brother, never in his life had Kendrix raised his fist to him in anger. Kendrix was his most loyal confidant, for Kendrix to strike him, in his heart he had the sinking suspicion he had just ruined his marriage by believing Siobhan’s mother. He very likely also just destroyed his bond with his brother as well.
At the bottom of the staircase Broderick ran into Old Rhona carrying a tray of tea. The look his loyal servant gave him a look that stopped him in his tracks. “What on earth have you done Broderick Ian MacMillan? I have never seen Kendrix so upset in all my years! What happened to your eye?” She scolded him just like his mother would.
“Where is he Rhona?” He questioned, softening as he saw how upset she was.
“He marched out to the stables moments ago, just a rattling on about ye! Whatever ye did young man, ye better fix it now! I will not have ye two boys fighting!”
Crossing his arms he decided to get a few answers out of the way, with a woman he trusted completely, “How has Elisabeth been?”
Rhona’s face immediately softened, “Oh the lass has been a Godsend I tell you, she’s taken up running the castle like yer mother use to. She’s even started teaching the younglings the bow, and soon enough some of the mothers asked be taught as well, ah, she’s a gracious thing. Sun up to sun down she’s been working without break, she’s lost weight and hasn’t been sleeping well, I can tell ye that. Kendrix and I warned her you would not be happy to see her withering away.”
Branded By a Warrior Page 24