“And Kendrix?” he asked, knowing that if anyone suspected Kendrix and Elisabeth of adultery, Rhona would confess.
“He has filled your shoes, exiled that awful bitch Siobhan after Elisabeth caught her blackening your niece’s eye in the kitchen a few mornings ago, he has watched over your clan and kept Elisabeth busy upstairs planning that damn war.”
Swallowing slowly he closed his eyes and his heart sank, “I have to go find Kendrix, I’ll make this right Rhona, I promise.” Turning on his right foot, he made his way out the castle door in time to see Kendrix galloping over the lowered drawbridge.
Crossing the stable he whistled for his horse one more time, still saddled, he swung up on the horse as it trotted out of the stables. Kicking his horse’s flank, he stormed after his irate brother. What had he just done? He had no idea how to fix the mess he had just created by blindly believing Siobhan’s mother so easily. Seeing Kendrix’s hold Elisabeth made him see red, brother or not, seeing another man touching his wife made him want to murder someone. Following his brother’s tracks, he galloped his tired stallion in search of his angry brother.
Behind him, little Isobel had seen her father and uncle storm off on horseback. Climbing up on her pony, she quickly snuck out the open gate as the guards talked about what was going on. No one had seen, or stopped her.
The sun still peeked out from the mountaintops as Broderick gave chase, he needed to catch Kendrix, and he needed to settle this. Lord knew this wasn’t the homecoming he had envisioned for weeks.
Kendrix’s warhorse was fast, and Kendrix was a skilled rider, there were few with his skill. Catching him would be difficult, following the tracks in the snow he raced on until he saw the sliver of his brother on horseback in the far distance.
The cold breeze bit his face once again as he yelled for his brother, the familiar cadence of his horse’s galloping echoed through the empty frozen forest.
“Kendrix, STOP!” He ordered loudly at the top of his lungs, in the distance he saw Kendrix look behind him and pull his horse back.
Broderick rode towards his brother as he watched him dismount his horse and wait with crossed arms and a seething scowl. Kendrix was livid.
Riding up, Broderick slid off his horse, “I came home to find Siobhan’s mother crying over her exiled daughter, accusing you and Elisabeth of grave betrayals, finding my wife in your arms made me think her words had indeed been true. Please tell me she was wrong, and that I am an ass.”
Kendrix’s jaw muscled clenched as he thought over his reply, “Brother, in your heart do you honestly believe that I would bed your wife? That Elisabeth, The fucking Warrior Queen of Scotland would cuckold her husband? So much has changed since you left Broderick, she has done only what you asked and made this castle a happier place!” Shaking his head in disbelief, “I love her, aye, but as my sister! You,” pointing right into Broderick’s chest, “You charged me with her safety and well being, I gave you my vow Brother, my vow! You let the words of some rattle brained mother of a whore make you doubt me, and your loving wife?” Kendrix questioned with contempt.
“What happened in my study, why is there blood everywhere?” Broderick questioned easily, not wanting to flame his younger brother’s temper more.
Kendrix bowed his head, “I was training with her and she lost focus, I delivered a blow to her sword arm in which I had just finished closing up before you so gloriously came upstairs and ripped her heart out.”
“What were you to discussing as I walked in, what does she need to tell me?” He asked carefully, unsure he wanted to hear the answer.
Shaking his head, Kendrix replied, “That I cannae share, that is for your wife to explain, if she ever talks to you again.”
Stepping closer to his brother, Broderick pulled Kendrix in for a hug, and earnestly said, “I am ashamed Brother, I am sorry. I love you, I do not understand why I cannae control my emotions when it comes to her.”
Feeling Kendrix thump his back as he hugged him back, “Ye are a bloody fool sometimes Broderick, that woman has mourned your absence every moment of every day since you’ve been away. Ye need to make it right with her, and then I’ll accept your apology.”
A screamed ripped through the woods, a scream they were both familiar with.
“Isobel!” Broderick growled, both brothers scanning the woods for sign of the small lass.
From the dark shadows of the evening woods, they heard an ominous voice, a voice they both knew and hated. The hair on the back of Broderick’s neck stood up as Kincaid slowly appeared out of the shadows holding Isobel.
“Look at who I found trying to find you Laird MacMillan, your lovely little niece, Isobel, isn’t it?” Kincaid sneered as he held Isobel as she squirmed in his arms upon his horse.
“Da!” her innocent plea pierced the darkening night as she began to cry trying to reach out to Kendrix.
“Let her go Kincaid, or I will kill you now!” Kendrix stepped forward, drawing his blade from its sheath. From behind Kincaid, ten more Douglas warriors appeared on horseback, battle ready kilted vile men.
“I’ve been waiting for one of you to make a mistake, you can imagine my delight when little sweet Isobel came trotting through the woods, alone in search of her beloved Uncle and Da, oh a finer present I have never received in me life!” The flame haired Laird smirked as he looked down at Broderick and Kendrix.
Both men had their hands on their blades; Broderick was quickly running through the scenarios in his mind as his brother stared down the vile murderous laird who held Isobel. They were greatly outnumbered, with Kincaid holding Isobel’s life in his sadistic hands; he was unwilling to engage the warriors. Broderick knew that Kincaid would easily kill Isobel to prove a point. He was not willing to gamble with his niece’s life with such a merciless bastard.
Stepping next to his brother, shoulder to shoulder, “What are ye terms?” He spit out. Internally willing Kendrix not to do anything rash, they needed to keep their wits about them.
“You, my fine Laird MacMillan and your brother and niece shall accompany me to my camp; ye will be my bait to bring forth the elusive Warrior Queen of Scotland. I will trade her for your three lives.” He grinned as he ran his hand over Isobel’s hair.
“Take our weapons, and let Isobel ride with her father and you have a deal.” Broderick spat out in disgust, his primary concern was getting Isobel away from a notorious rapist.
Kincaid’s grin broadened into a smile as signaled for his men to dismount and disarm the warriors standing before him, “So easily ye trade your lives for Elisabeth’s, I wonder what she’ll say about that Laird MacMillan.”
Broderick stood perfectly still as Kincaid’s men disarmed him of his weapons, taking with them the sword Elisabeth had given him on their wedding day. He thought of her as he watched them strip his brother of his swords and daggers as well.
Was she okay? Would she ever forgive him? God he had made a muck of his relationship with her once again, beside him his brother tensed under the stress of having his only daughter held as prisoner.
“Easy Kendrix.” He warned quietly as the Douglas warriors secured their hands behind their backs with harsh rope. He could tell Kendrix was struggling to accept the fact that Isobel was now Kincaid’s prisoner, as they all were.
“Get on your horses, I’ll hand the girl over to her father. If either of you try anything I will make you watch her die. Hurry, I have a letter to write to my dear Elisabeth.” Kincaid foretold as sat like a smug ass upon his horse.
The MacMillan brothers swung into their saddles, their reins seized by Douglas men, and brought over to Kincaid. Everything in Broderick’s soul wanted to lung out and murder Kincaid with his bare hands, something easily done, however with Isobel here, he refused to risk her life. He knew that Elisabeth had his vast army at her disposal. She would come. Even if he had broken her heart into a million pieces, The Warrior Queen of Scotland would ride upon Kincaid and his men and bring down cold death upon them.
> She would come for him, she would come for Kendrix, and she would most assuredly come for her beloved niece Isobel. Broderick knew without a shadow of doubt, Kincaid’s fatal error was kidnapping Isobel. He had seen it well before he left, imagining their bond had grown stronger in his absence, Elisabeth loved Isobel dearly. She would make a deal with the devil to save Isobel, and he counted on her wit and military training to save them all. The woman had not earned the title of Warrior Queen of Scotland without having a few tricks up her sleeve; their lives depended on her. He knew his wife was capable and far more intelligent than Kincaid, her rage and vengeance would fuel her.
Broderick watched as Kincaid drew up beside him with Isobel; her eyes red from crying, with his eyes only upon his niece, he watched Kincaid easily lift Isobel into Kendrix’s saddle.
The flaming haired Douglas Laird pointed a finger at the lass and warned, “No problems child, I would hate for ye to see your Da and Uncle die because of you. Ask your Aunt Elisabeth, watching yer family die before your eyes is something no lass should see,” he taunted with a cold evil tone, “Shall we gentleman? So much to do, so much to do!” Laughing, Kincaid kicked his horse and took off, his guards following closely. The Douglas warriors secured Broderick and Kendrix’s horses to their own, and without warning, spurred their horses in chase of their master.
Broderick and Kendrix rode side by side, behind the traveling warriors he heard his younger brother trying to calm Isobel. “Hold on to my belt, cover yer face with my tartan love, we will be okay darling.” Kendrix voice was calm and soothing to the child.
“Aunt Elisabeth will come for us Isobel.” Broderick added, low enough that only they could hear. The men before them ignoring them completely, the thundering of hooves drove out their low voices.
Seeing her bright blue eyes pierce his soul as she asked, “Promise Uncle Broderick?”
“I promise on my honor my love, Aunt Elisabeth will come, she loves you with all her heart Isobel. She will rescue us, she will come my love.” He vowed.
Thundering through the night, the Douglas men took them to a large camp just west of his lands, it took only hours to reach the encampment. The camp had shown signs of lengthy stay; they had been here for weeks, if not longer. Tents lined under the natural protection of a nearby mountain range, smoke rose from the numerous fires throughout camp. Broderick easily estimated Douglas numbers to reach the two hundred or more.
He and Kendrix memorized the entire layout, where weapons were stored, food and cattle as they passed through the camp. The tents of warriors encircled the largest tent of them all; he knew that is where Kincaid made his bed. In the center of the circle two large posts stood, arriving into camp the Douglas men cheered with victory seeing their laird bring home the enemy with so few men.
Isobel shook with fear at the roar of the crowd, so young and innocent it made Broderick’s blood boil to see her so fearful.
Out of the large tent, the door opened and out stepped Siobhan. His eyes narrowed at the sight of the traitor, beside him he heard Kendrix spit as he said her name.
An eerie smile warmed her face as she saw what Kincaid had brought back to camp. Turning her gaze to Kincaid, she awaited him to dismount before walking over to him.
Broderick and Kendrix watched in disgust as Kincaid claimed Siobhan’s mouth in a sickening kiss before he turned back to them and ordered his men, “Tie them to the post, bring the lass to Siobhan, and get me a courier!”
“No!” Kendrix shouted his voice rippled through the frozen forest, refusing to give his daughter over to the vicious bitch.
“I won’t hurt her Kendrix, not unless she gives me trouble, isn’t that right Isobel?” Siobhan cautioned with a wicked grin as she eyed the child upon Kendrix’s lap.
Beside him, Broderick heard Isobel whisper to her father, “Tis okay Da, Aunt Elisabeth will be here soon. She willnae let Siobhan live again if she harms me. I’ll be alright Da, promise.”
Such bravery in his niece made his heart swell with pride as he listened to father and daughter; she was a true MacMillan warrior, even at the tender age of five.
Kendrix whispered back, “Remember what your Aunt has taught you my child, every single thing, make her proud Isobel. She will come for you, and she will be counting on yer bravery my daughter. I love you with all my heart my love, never forget that.”
Clenching his jaw, Broderick tried to contain his rage towards Siobhan and Kincaid for putting his beloved family in his position. He vowed to his fallen parents, to Elisabeth’s fallen family, he would nae let Kincaid live through the night. That bastard’s black heart would be pulled from his chest by his hand.
“Dinnae hurt her Siobhan, Elisabeth has warned you twice, she willnae be so lenient again.” Kendrix decreed, his warning was evident; it was obvious that in his absence at Castle MacMillan his little wife had shown her warrior side.
The brothers watched as Siobhan’s face went white, it was apparent the threat of Elisabeth’s wrath was enough to properly warn the conniving bitch. Swallowing deeply, Siobhan walked forward and pulled Siobhan down roughly, glaring at the men the entire time. After Isobel was removed, several Douglas warriors pulled them down off their horses and jerked them over to the two hefty wooden posts set in the middle of the camp.
Broderick and Kendrix did not fight as they were each tied to a pole, hands behind their backs, facing Kincaid’s tent across the snow-trampled field. Side by side they stood tall, weaponless and menacing as they waited for their queen.
Soon enough Kincaid had wrote his missive to Elisabeth and sent it out with his fastest messenger bound for Castle MacMillan.
Night had fallen, and the MacMillan brothers were left alone in the center of the camp while the Douglas warriors warmed themselves by fires, or sought the comfort of their pallets in tents. Kincaid had taken to his tent along with Siobhan. Alone together, the brothers spoke in low tones, devising plans to ensure their safety as well as Isobel’s. They knew right were Isobel was, she was in a small tent with lady servants, hidden from them and the bone chilling wind, they were sure she was safe for the time being while they awaited Elisabeth.
“Kendrix, I must tell you a secret about Elisabeth, something only King Richard, I and Elisabeth know.” Broderick spoke in a soft tone, not to draw attention of any of the passing Douglas men who patrolled the area. Watching Kendrix turn his attention off the tent where his daughter was housed, he locked eyes with him and continued, “Elisabeth is the hidden heir to the King of England, should he fall, she is next in line for the crown.” Close enough together, Broderick was able to make out Kendrix’s face in the dark, his brother started to laugh quietly.
“You laugh? I tell you I married the heir to the Crown, and you laugh? Elisabeth must be protected at all costs when she arrives with my army, she must survive!” Completely confused at Kendrix’s reaction, he watched his brother in astonishment. Had Kendrix gone insane?
Shaking his head and focusing on Broderick, “I laugh because we should have known Brother, of course she was born to be a queen, the woman radiates royalty. Kincaid has given Elisabeth exactly what she needed; he has played into her hand perfectly.”
“Explain Kendrix, now!” His quiet voice rumbled.
Adjusting his feet and back against the rough pole, Kendrix cleared his throat and cast a watchful gaze across the empty camp before locking eyes with Broderick, “Understand this Brother, this is something your wife should be telling you, not me. Had you welcomed her properly, I imagine she would have told you this herself. I agree she shall be protected at all costs, but for an entirely different reason than being King Richard’s only surviving heir. Did you stop to wonder why Elisabeth lost focus tonight and became injured? Did you wonder why she was sobbing in my arms? Today, moments before you arrived in the study, she realized she would not be able to ride with us to seek vengeance upon Kincaid. Grief consumed her, which is why I comforted her, now think Brother, what would cause your queen to not ride by yer side?�
� He asked quietly, watching Broderick’s face change.
Closing his eyes, Broderick’s reply was but a whisper. “She’s with child.”
“Aye, I had noticed subtle changes in her throughout the past weeks while you’ve been gone, changes I once saw in my own wife when she carried Isobel. I questioned Elisabeth during training upstairs in your study and she froze like a statue, causing me to land my blow upon her sword arm. She hadn’t yet realized she is still thin and assumed her ailments were due to missing you. I knew we would ride south upon your return; she needed to come to grips with her motherhood before we set out to seek vengeance. I dinnae know when you would return, and I did not want her injuring herself during drills, the only way to stop her was to have her realize. She cried for her family, for the loss of avenging them with her own hands,” pausing he waited until Broderick looked back at him, “I say he played into her hands in truth, he gave her the only excuse viable to wage her war and be present, he took the only family she has left. She will come Broderick; she would ride through hell for you, even after how you treated her. She would make a deal with the devil himself for Isobel. She willnae let Kincaid take us from her, even with your child in her belly, your wife will come.”
“Jesu Kendrix, why didn’t you tell me before this? My wife is with child, and very well riding here with hundreds of warriors to save us! How bad did you injure her sword arm?”
“Dinnae get angry with me for not telling you sooner, it wasn’t my news to share earlier Brother, she’ll probably be furious for me telling you! Her arm is nothing compared to the damage you waged on her heart! You left her in my care Broderick, I did my job and watched over her, I love her like a sister; I would give my life for her. In the past weeks she has impressed the entire clan, castle, warriors and myself with her intelligence, compassion and Jesus, the woman is a military genius!”
Branded By a Warrior Page 25