Highlander's Rebellious Love (17 page)

She was growing attached to Hunter and she was not sure if that was wise or foolish.

Patience took one last look at her wound, stretching her shirt out to have a good look and saw that blood had run down over her breast. She would find a stream to camp by tonight and give herself a good washing and replace the bloody shirt with a clean one.

A smile tugged at her lips as she heard her sister Emma in her head.
Keep your wounds clean and yourself as well.
Her father had assured her that Emma was happy in her marriage to Rogan, but she wanted to see for herself. And she would upon her return home.

She joined her men and they took off on their mission, taking the wounded McLaud warrior with them.

~~~

Patience and her warriors watched from the bushes as ghost warriors saw to leaving every last one of Greer’s warriors incapable of going after anyone. Some suffered wounds while others were trussed up like sheep ready for roasting.

Why had they struck now and not when Hunter had almost been killed? Had they not been around? If not, where had they gone off to? Could the Dark Dragon’s home not be far from here? She hated not having answers, especially when it came to her sister Heather.

She watched as the ghost warriors finished their chore. A sudden thought came to her and she did not stop to think about her actions. Why should she? Since the ghost warriors were so good at not being detected, it meant they kept themselves aware of their surroundings, which meant they had to know that she and her warriors where there this very minute.

She had nothing to lose; she stepped out from behind the bushes and trees and walked right into the middle of the camp. Her warriors followed, lining up behind her after two dumped the wounded warrior they had brought with them near his comrades.

The ghost warriors had turned still upon seeing them, though made no move to leave.

“I have a message for the Dark Dragon,” Patience called out her voice full of strength. “Tell him I want to meet with him before I leave his land and to bring my sister with him. If he does not, I will hunt him down and cut out his black heart and feed it to the wolves.”

None said a word.

She backed away with her men and disappeared into the woods, knowing the ghost warriors would not follow. If they had wanted to attack, they would have by now. And she had a nagging feeling she knew why the ghost warriors had suddenly appeared and solved their problem.

It did not take long for her and her men to reach the rest of her troop. Once she spotted them she urged her horse forward until she reached Hunter and Ewan riding alongside Una.

She eased her horse in front of the trio, forcing them to draw to a halt and looked from Hunter to Ewan. “I will speak with you both now.”

They had all ridden for some time, so she ordered Edward to stop a few feet ahead for a rest while she turned and stopped at a small clearing and dismounted before her husband could help her.

Ewan dismounted, his expression serious, while Hunter grinned at her, his arms folded across his chest.

Without a word having yet been exchanged, she had an answer to her question. She marched over to her husband and jabbed him in the chest. “You advised Ewan of my plan and,” —she turned and pointed at Ewan— “you supplied that information to whoever it is that connects you to the Dark Dragon.”

“And Hunter was wise to do so,” Ewan said. “You heard yourself that the Dark Dragon wants no blood spilled on his land.”

Patience walked over to Ewan. “I do not care what the Dark Dragon wants and if he does not pay heed to my demand I will do exactly as promised... cut out his black heart and feed it to the wolves.”

“You gave that message to the ghost warriors?” Ewan asked as if he could not believe her words.

“He meets with me, with my sister in tow, or so help me God I will see him dead,” Patience confirmed.

“As I informed your husband, the Dark Dragon does not take well to threats,” Ewan said, shaking his head.

Patience turned to her husband. “So you did speak to Ewan of my plans.”

“He was right to do so,” Ewan said. “There is no telling what the Dark Dragon would do if you had spilled blood. He wants no war.”

“Then tell him to return my sister or it is a war he will get.”

“Do not speak such nonsense,” Ewan warned. “Your father would not be so foolish as to claim war against the Dark Dragon. I would think that he is already in negotiations to have this matter settled.”

“The only way this matter can be settled is to have my sister returned home,” Patience argued. “And there is no negotiating. The evil bastard releases my sister or he dies.”

Ewan stuck his face close to hers. “Demands will get you nowhere and could harm your sister. Curb your anger and pay heed to your name, for you need to learn patience.” He turned saying, “I hope I can undo the damage you have done.”

Hunter grabbed her arm as she went to follow Ewan. “Think of your sister and let it be.”

She glared at him, angry, though with whom she was not certain. She yanked her arm away from him and went to her horse, taking the reins. She turned heated eyes on him. “I thought I could trust you.”

“And I thought you would listen to reason and not place yourself in harm’s way when not necessary. It is not always wise to take everything upon yourself when there are easier solutions to a problem.”

“So I should discuss it with you and have my husband approve my decision?”

“Your husband may provide insight to situations that could prove useful. You have made it explicitly clear that in the end the decision is yours. I would, however, advise that a wise leader does all she can before resorting to war, for though there is a victor, it comes with a heavy price.”

“So I leave my sister in the hands of a monster?”

Hunter walked over to her, his horse trailing behind him. “Until it is prudent to do otherwise.” He brushed a stray strand of hair off her face, tucking it behind her ear. She was a beautiful woman even when her temper flared. “I am sure that your sister harbors no doubt that you will come for her. And if she has only an ounce of your courage and strength, she will survive until then. Threats will not help her, patient action will.”

She considered his words. Heather had always reminded her that patience was a skill she had yet to conquer, and one that was necessary if she was to lead the clan.

“You threatened?” she said curious to know what he had done.

“I advised that I protect what is mine just as the Dark Dragon does his.”

“I do not need protecting,” she reminded, though thought that she would not mind his arms around her or to rest her head on his chest and listen to the steady beating of his heart.

“Perhaps, but allow me to be a proper husband now and again,” he said with a smile.

“Duty,” she said not able to keep disappointment out of her voice that he did what he did out of duty and nothing more. “Aye, we have a duty to each other now that we are husband and wife.”

“Duty has nothing to do with it,” he said, taking her in his arms. “It is a good husband I want to be to you and a good husband protects his wife, sees that no harm comes to her, even if she is a skilled warrior.”

How did he always manage to bring a smile to her face? “You are a good husband,” she confirmed.

“I am forgiven for going to Ewan and telling him of your plan?” He tugged her closer.

It amazed her that she enjoyed being in his arms. More and more it was feeling as if she had come home when his arms wrapped around her. Her temper even lessened when he held her, and she found herself wanting to linger in his embrace.

Instead, she stepped away. “Do not do it again.”

“Then promise me you will at least hear me out and consider my suggestions.”

“Is that an or else I hear?”

“Aye, it is or otherwise you will drive me insane with worry and you will be stuck with a madman for a husband.”

She laughed and realized how easily he brought laughter to her lips. “I would not want that.”

He pressed a hand to his chest. “I am relieved to hear you say that.”

“My word is final,” she reminded.

“Of course,” he agreed, stepping up beside her as they walked with their horses in tow to join the others.

He sounded as if he meant it, but she wondered if he actually did.

~~~

They stopped not far from a stream that evening and while a fine meal of fresh caught fish cooked over the campfires, Patience took herself off to clean herself up. She thought Hunter might follow, but he was in deep conversation with his mum, though it appeared more that he was attempting to soothe her. This ordeal had to be difficult for her with her eldest son wanting his youngest brother dead. She and her sisters might argue at times, but they loved one another and always came to one another’s defense. Never would they harm one another.

She continued on to the stream glad to have a brief reprieve from everyone. She missed the times she could slip away, be on her own, and think of nothing but the quiet of the moment. She found a small secluded spot by the stream and placed her small bundle tucked under her arm on the ground behind her after kneeling at the water’s edge.

With dusk not far off, she could not linger as she wished to, so she was quick to gather the piece of soap she kept with her when she traveled. It was scented with wild rose petals that Heather collected and dried, then added to the soap mixture. She loved the scent of it while Emma loved the heather-scented soap their sister made.

Thoughts of her sisters tugged at her heart and she wanted badly to be reunited with them again, hopefully soon. She shook her head, not wanting to linger in sorrow and placed the soap on the grassy bank, unwrapped the towel that held her clean shirt, and placed it on her lap. She then got busy lathering her hands with the soap and scrubbed her face until she felt it shine clean. After dabbing it dry with the towel, she gave a look at her wound. It was nothing more than a scratch, though the amount of blood that had caked along her breast and around her nipple would make one think differently.

“Can I help?”

Patience jumped startled by her husband’s sudden appearance. “You have to stop treading so lightly when you approach me.”

“Habit,” he said and walked over to kneel beside her. His brow knitted and he leaned closer to her and sniffed. “Your scent entices.”

She did not know what to say, so she held up the piece of soap.

He took a sniff. “How lucky am I to have a wife whose scent is so alluring. I may never let you leave our bed.”

“You would have to chain me,” she teased.

“Do not tempt me, for I could show you what pleasure chains can bring.”

She shook her head, though the image his words evoked sent a tingle through her. “Be gone with you while I wash.”

“Why? We are husband and wife. It is now permissible for me to see you naked,” he said as if it required an explanation.

“And I you,” she said without thinking.

“Aye,” he said, stood and began to discard his garments.

She held her hand up. “It is not necessary to prove your point.”

“But it is necessary that you are comfortable seeing me naked. Besides, I could use a washing myself, though I do not think I want to smell like roses.” He laughed as he stripped naked.

She knelt there speechless as he stood a moment in front of her, his manhood not far from her face. He was an impressive size and he was only slightly aroused. How big would he be when he was completely hard? She might find out if she kept staring at it, since it was beginning to expand.

She turned her head away and she waited, expecting him to make a teasing remark. She was surprised when she heard splashing and turned around to see him in the stream up to his knees, splashing the cold water all over himself.

A smile surfaced and she could not chase it away no matter how hard she tried. Her husband had a magnificence body and a manhood that no doubt would bring her endless pleasure. At that thought, her smile faded.

He had left the choice to her when they would make love and while she could not deny the passion that flared in her for her husband, this was not the time or place to be thinking of such things. Heather still needed to be rescued and Hunter’s life was still in danger, not to mention they were on the Dark Dragon’s land.

She turned her attention away from him and did her best to clean off the blood without removing her shirt.

Sprinkles of water flew across her face and had her looking up to see Hunter dripping wet in front of her.

“Undress and join me, the blood will wash off much easier in the stream.” He stood waiting as if she had already agreed.

She stared at him, rivulets of water running slowly down his body, hugging and licking his flesh as if it refused to let go. She envied the water clinging possessively to his naked body and marveled over the man standing before her. He was magnificent like an ancient mythical god who had just risen from the depths of the sea.

His presence suddenly overpowered her and she turned away from him and with an abruptness she did not mean said, “No!”

He hunched down in front of her and took her chin gently between his fingers to turn her head to look at him. “You are a warrior of immense skill, when are you going to allow yourself to simply be a woman?”

Chapter Sixteen

Hunter did not give her a chance to respond. He knew if he did not give her a little push, she could slip away from him as she had done too often since they had become husband and wife. He only had her plaid, shirt, and boots to contend with and with his experience in divesting women of their clothing, he would have her naked in no time.

Her hand grabbed his wrist when he slipped off the strip of plaid that ran over her shoulder. It fell to her waist while she kept a tight grip on his wrist. He waited a moment before laying a gentle hand on hers.

“I made a promise to you and I am a man of my word. Nothing will happen between us unless you want it to.” He smiled and raised his hand to stroke her cheek. “You are not a warrior at this moment. You are a woman... let yourself be one.”