A Warrior's Perception

by Stevens, Spring

  Kagan's hand trembled as he drew his sword and met hers, “I fear nothin'. Especially a woman whose legs could carry a man to the gates of Valhalla and whose breast could quench a beast from hell.”

  Andra smiled in delight as she swung and turned to dodge his advance. She laughed as he swirled around and met her sword inches from his chest. Her eyes beamed brighter than the sun as she retreated and advanced again. He met her attack and laughed as he sent her sprawling backwards. She effortlessly caught her balance and advanced again.

  Her laughter filled the bailey as he groaned under her barrage of slices. She dared not graze his beautiful skin as she twirled the sword before his chest. She stepped back and bowed as he frowned.

  “How am I supposed to fight a woman who could bring a god to his knees with her kisses? How do I calm my hand when my body wants to taste the succulent fruit of ye breast?” Kagan words were heated and his need was growing faster by the second. “Ye play an unfair game Ell'andra Duncan.” He tried to raise his sword to confront her while she listened, but found his arm heavy and burdened with undue weariness.

  She laughed and bowed again, revealing the cleavage that threatened to show more to his feverish gaze, “Ye must be prepared to cage all that desire if ye wish to best me in this sport. Trust me Kagan, I am a master at sword play.”

  “Ye a master at bestin' my temper! Off with ye and take that blasted sword from my sight!” Kagan would have simply given it to her if she had asked, but he knew she would not ask. And after all, it suited her and fit in her small hand like a tailored glove.

  “Then I can place it on my mantle with my other sword?” Andra teased Kagan as she inspected the familiar designs. “Next to the one that bears ye crest? Just like the one that Dagma's statue holds in the gardens.”

  Kagan frowned as he thought of his mother's gift. She had given him that sword on his eighth birthday, making him swear his allegiance to Dagma and to the warrior's way of life. He had carried it on his side ever since. It had become part of him and every time he swung it against an enemy, his oath to his mother rejoiced in his victory. He had never lost a battle with that sword and his hip missed its presence, his heart missed it even more.

  Tom spoke as Andra waltzed away, “Ne'er ha'e I seen a woman of her quality.”

  “Women are women, born to breed successors and heirs. She is na different,” Kagan replied harshly as he watched Andra's hips sway up the steps. “I let her get her way so she will call me to her bed.”

  Tom sighed, “Tell me milord, is she as wild in bed as she is with a sword?”

  Kagan tried to force a grin to his lips, but found he was casting Tom a wary eye, “Such is a secret meant only for me!”

  Tom laughed as he rubbed his crotch, “I think I would love to ha'e a romp with her. She sets fire to my shaft.”

  Kagan hand wrapped around his sword hilt and he growled at Tom, “If ye e'en think 'bout her again, I will rip ye head from ye body!”

  Kagan turned and pounded the ground with his heavy boots. His head suddenly pounded and the veins in his temples threatened to rip from his flesh. His muscled neck twisted in pain as he entered the keep. He groaned as some unseen force tried to break free from his body for the ten thousandth time in his life.

  Tom laughed heartily as the sun set beyond the horizon. His satisfied smile twisted his melting face and his beard edged into his chin as if time were going backwards. His sandy locks turned black and his eyes shimmered with fire and ice.

  He turned to the sunset and vanished in a cloud of black smoke. Lightning flashed across the clear sky as the smoke cleared. His laughter echoed across the highlands as Kagan retreated to his dark room. No longer in the form of Tom, Dagma clearly understood why he loved Fae. Only she could have been responsible for bringing Ell’andra into the world of man!

  The longer Kagan lay in his bed, the more his neck and back ached. He had not realized how taxed his body had been until his bout with Andra. His curse pounded in his head. He was no weakling. His body was strong and his mind was even stronger. It had been a long four months and he had slept little. His pain and weariness was surely a symptom of sleep deprivation.

  He looked to the secret door and sat up. Andra could relax his body, but she would stir his desire. Could he bare her touch tonight? Could he refrain from taking her? He grinned knowing he could not leave without touching her.

  She was sitting in the window when Kagan walked to her side. The moon light showered her with kisses as she turned to face him. A crimson sheet laced with silver stripes was wrapped around her body. A body he knew was naked. A body covered in his colors, McKregan colors. Her eyes met his and a spark of anger flew from hers and pierced his.

  “Four moons ha'e passed!”

  “I need ye,” he stated slowly as her grass green eyes watched him sit down on the bed.

  “Four moons,” she repeated.

  “My back aches woman, come and make it go away,” he pleaded as he bowed his head in pain, “E'ery muscle in my body is taxed.”

  “Serves ye right after ye ne'er e'en sent word back whether ye were dead or alive!” She stood and crossed the room to her bed. She tapped her foot on the stone floor in front of Kagan. “Four moons, I waited for ye, wondered if ye were alive.”

  Kagan reached out and took her hands from her hips and kissed her fingers, “I had'na the time to send word. The battle was long and heavily weighed upon our shoulders. We ate little and slept less. Make the ache go away.”

  Andra slid her hands up his arms to his shoulders as his hands pulled her closer. She rubbed his shoulders and neck until he looked up with a grin on his face. He tugged at the sheet and she caught it before it fell.

  “Are ye naked Andra?” He tugged again and the sheet fell from her fingers.

  Her body burned his eyes with its beauty. She glowed as his fingers trailed up her bare legs and caressed the skin on her stomach. He leaned forward and kissed her belly button, letting his tongue linger to taste her sweetness. Ecstasy. His shaft hardened as she moved forward and straddled his lap. Her hands ran through his hair and pulled his head back.

  She leaned forward and whispered, “Four moons, Kagan Arkanine McKregan, I ha'e waited for ye to come home.”

  He smiled as she used his full name and ran his hands up her back molding her chest to his. His lips kissed her chin, her throat, her shoulder, and the indention between the cleavage that was pressed to his chest. She pulled his head up to meet her gaze. She lost the urge to fight and argue as she met his fiery eyes. He wanted her. He was near exhaustion and he still wanted her.

  She pushed him back and leaned up onto his chest as he spoke, “Touch me Andra, please woman of mine touch me.”

  She sat up, not knowing what to do. She had expected Kagan to come ruling the roost and commanding her to do his will. She had not envisioned him being so relaxed and carefree. Her hands slid up his chest with a mind of their own as she settled on his kilt covered crotch.

  “Let me feel the fire that rules ye fingertips,” he whispered as her face paled.

  She slapped his chest and pinched his muscled abdomen trying to get his anger stirred. He grabbed her hands and rubbed her knuckles softly. He brought them to his lips and traced her lifelines with his tongue. She tasted of honey and vanilla. He groaned as she wiggled against his shaft.

  “Why donna ye fight back?” She asked bitterly as she wondered what had happened to cause her hard warrior to turn into a soft lover.

  His smile radiated in his light gray eyes, “As long as ye be touchin' me, painful or na, my body welcomes it.” He propped himself up onto her pillows so he could see her magnificent breasts.

  “Why donna ye go to ye lover. She would welcome ye into her arms and na doubt she has longed for ye shaft to penetrate her body,” Andra pouted as he ran his fingers up her arm. “She is as beautiful as the morn's sun and her red lips can please ye like na other.”

  Kagan smiled again, “If I wanted to bed another woman, I would'na
be here with ye.”

  “That makes na sense Kagan. Yer exhaustion has taxed ye brain! Why come to me knowin' I will'na allow ye to pleasure ye shaft when ye could shove it in her?”

  Kagan raised up on his elbow and stared into her face as if she were a goddess, “Cause Andra, I ha'e missed our little debates and I ha'e missed ye soft hands and ye tender lips.”

  Andra twisted her body and put her back to his face as she remounted him. She smiled. She wrapped her fingers around his erection, moving his kilt out of the way. She leaned down and kissed the tip of his shaft and laughed as she heard Kagan gasp.

  “Do ye want me milord?”

  “Aye,” he whispered as he grabbed her hips.

  “Then tell me how many lovers ye ha'e.” She stroked his shaft as she took him in her mouth.

  “None!” His voice cracked as she sucked and licked his silky head.

  He arched as she came down hard and covered him with the warmth of her mouth. He knew he was lost and helpless as she continued to make love to his shaft.

  “Andra!” He bellowed, “Let me ha'e ye!”

  She ignored his plea and tugged harder and faster until she heard him groaning and his hands moved to her backside. He caressed her as she went to her knees and sucked harder.

  He arched and pled, “Stop! I can'na hold...”

  Andra felt the pulse in his shaft as she raised and gripped him in both of her hands. She watched as his seed erupted and flowed down her fingers. Kagan's groan jarred her soul as she turned to face him. His face was amazing. His pleasure was etched across his brow and his lips were flushed. His eyes were dark and threatened her sanity. He groaned again and rolled her to her back.

  Andra stared up into his suddenly taunt face and wondered why he seemed angry now. Had she not pleased him? His lips thinned as he sat up and flipped his kilt down to hide his used shaft. He turned to Andra and wished he knew what to say.

  “Donna look at me like that!” Her order was crisp as she sat up and scooted to the edge of the bed. Her heart stiffened as she continued, “I had ne'er done that 'fore, so get o'er it if I did it wrong.”

  He grabbed her thigh and pulled her to face him. Andra pulled back as he leaned to her stomach and kissed her. He pushed her back and settled his face onto her breasts. He sucked greedily as she caught his head in her hands, “Remember ye oath!”

  Kagan looked into her eyes and roared, “To hell with my oath!”

  He held her down as he kissed her ribs and moved to her stomach. She pushed at his hands as he slid farther down. His tongue scorched her skin as she fought with his hands.

  She stopped in bewilderment and watched as he slid his tongue across the mound of hair between her legs, “What do ye think ye be doin'?”

  Kagan grinned as he lowered his head and pushed her legs apart. He sank down and cupped her butt in his hands as she spoke again, “If ye do this ye will be breakin' ye oath and ye will be mine to command.”

  His mischievous roguish grin appeared, “Still ye tongue woman. This is mine!”

  His words were no sooner spoken than his tongue invaded her warmth and she fell back in bliss. She arched under him, driving him farther inside. She grabbed his hair and held onto the man who ruthlessly was showering her body with intense pleasure.

  She froze in panic as his fingers trailed along the inside of her thigh and stroked the place where his mouth had been. Before she could protest, his fingers claimed her and she arched again. She wilted under his fire and accepted his touch. He pleasured her until her body trembled and shook with release. He kissed her from curly mound to quivering chin as she slowly descended the stairway of bliss. His hands roamed her body and caught her breasts. They peaked under his tongue and she moaned as he grated his teeth across her nipple.

  Flawless!

  Kagan eased himself beside of her, grinning as he ran his fingers down her arm, “Do ye want more?” Her breathing eased as he reached for her curly mound. She grabbed his hand and sat up.

  “Nay!”

  He frowned knowing she had enjoyed every second of his touch and it irritated him to no end thinking she did not want it again. Her eyes hardened as she turned to face him.

  “Ye broke ye oath!” Her teeth flashed as she roared, “And for what? What pleasure did ye get from makin' my body ignore my thoughts?”

  Kagan gritted his teeth but replied, “And what pleasure did ye get when I released my seed into ye hand?”

  Neither answered but both knew it was a power play. She had controlled his body and relished every second of it as he had hers.

  Control.

  Conquer.

  Demand.

  Kagan sat up and turned her face to his, “I will'na lie ta ye. I want ye like I ha'e ne'er wanted another.”

  “Ye ha'e...ye...made me.” Her words faded and were lost as she stared into his eyes. She wanted him too. She wanted more of him.

  “Ell'andra, all ye ha'e to do is trust me,” he whispered as he kissed her lips.

  “Kagan...I...”

  She looked away afraid he would see the truth in her eyes. A truth that burned into her heart. She loved him and wanted him to take her. She wanted to be his wife, to bear his children, to love him until the end of time. She wanted him to claim what was already his. She wanted her warrior to ignore her pleas and take what she wanted to give him.

  “Go to sleep Kagan. We will forget what has transpired here and ye oath will still stand,” she whispered hoarsely.

  Kagan dropped his hand and fell back onto the bed. She was insufferable! He had blatantly broken the oath and she had effortlessly replaced its shattered pieces. He stared at the ceiling as she curled up beside of him. He tried to summon his strength and concentrated on the battle ahead, but she moved closer and his hand went around her shoulders like it was the natural thing to do.

  “Let me hold ye tonight,” he whispered as he pulled her closer. “Let me sleep with ye by my side as if we were already wed.”

  She did not refuse and willingly laid her cheek on his chest. His arm circled her waist and caressed her hip as she traced the scar above his breast, above the crest of McKregan.

  “I missed ye warrior. I missed ye terribly and I prayed ye would return unscathed.”

  Kagan turned to face her and kissed her forehead. He hugged her to him and smiled, “I ha'e missed ye too and while I did sleep little, my dreams were filled with ye.”

  “Where is Crimm? Is he well? And where has Darten gone?”

  Kagan frowned as he rubbed her back, “They stand in Fendenbriar and await my return.”

  Andra stiffened and she glared up at him, “Ye be goin' back?”

  “Aye, I must lead an army from Geldamar to Fendenbriar or all will be lost,” he whispered as he kissed her lips, “I will be gone for se'eral more moons.”

  Andra clutched his arm, “Donna lea'e me again!” The words came before she could stop them.

  He smiled softly and swore, “I will come back.”

  “Swear to me ye will'na die!” She ordered him as she took his face in her hands, “Swear it Laird McKregan!”

  “If I swear it, will ye release me from my oath?” Kagan watched her carefully as she considered his request.

  “I will.”

  “Then I swear I will return,” he whispered.

  “Kiss me like the brave strong warrior ye are. Kiss me like I am yers to claim.”

  Kagan's heart jumped and his chest pounded. His hands trembled as he tried to read her thoughts. The lion roared as he claimed the lips of his woman and devoured her heart.

  Chapter 18

  Thunder rolled as Andra mounted the warhorse and pivoted to turn to the mighty gates of McKregan Keep. She had had enough. Kagan had been gone far too long and still no news had come. Her worries were mounting and she would not rest until she knew what had transpired in Fendenbriar.

  She looked to the sky and pulled her cloak tightly about her shoulders and slid the hood over her head. She caressed the sword that dang
led at her side and prayed no one would see past her disguise. She was covered in black trousers, a black shirt, and she wore buck skin gloves to hide her soft hands. A black scarf hid her face from the bridge of her nose to her neckline.

  Lightning flashed and the gates were lit up as if it were day. From the second floor of the keep, Haley watched as Andra galloped from the keep. She smiled and a small giggle escaped her lips. Andra's disguise was nearly perfect, except for the swell of large breasts against her shirt. She turned, snuffed out the candle, and climbed into her bed wishing Andra the best of luck.

  The night's ride was hellish, to say the least. The farther she rode, the harder it rained. The faster she went, the louder the thunder grew in her ears. She urged the horse onward as he tried to break away from the storm and find shelter in the hillside. Andra whispered and petted his neck and he went against his judgment to satisfy his ardent rider.

  Andra cursed under her breath as coin sized hail rained down on top of her head. Her steed snorted and reared under the onslaught, but kept going. They rode like two messengers from hell for what seemed to be half of the night. Her shoulders ached as she pulled him to a stop and hit the ground with both feet. She guided the addled horse into a small cave to let the storm pass. She looked to the sky and shivered as the black clouds lit up and purged the earth with waterfalls of ice.

  No matter, she would rest for now and begin anew in the early light of the morning.

  Andra's teeth chattered as she pulled the blanket tighter about her frame. She had awoken to see the highlands covered in a thick blanket of brilliant snow. It was too early for such weather, but here it was. She thanked Fae that she had been smart enough to put a blanket over the warhorse’s back and one in the saddle bag as well. A single line of smoke rose from over the hill as the pair struggled to emerge from the cave.

  The snow was deep, at least a foot, and the horse was not taking too kind to the bitter chill at his feet. Andra urged him onward to the line of smoke and prayed it belonged to a friendly face or at least one that would allow her to get warm.