Highlander's Rebellious Love (7 page)

Was that what the Dark Dragon was doing right now... devouring her sister? The thought turned her livid.

“That will not happen—I will not let it,” she stated with such resolve that it actually brought a smile of relief to McFarden’s face. “Now I must speak with my men.”

McFarden nodded and followed along with her.

~~~

Patience was not surprised to see that her warriors were not happy with the news that she would wed Hunter McLaud. She made it clear that she would continue to lead them and that Hunter would hold no authority over them. That seemed to mollify them and their heads began to nod in agreement when she explained that uniting the clans would give the Clan Macinnes a stronger foothold in the north.

She finished with, “I will have more to say once we leave McLaud land.”

Her warriors exchanged glances, knowing there was more to tell them, though not at the moment.

She walked amongst her warriors, having a word with each one, reassuring them and encouraging them and each one letting her know that she had their full allegiance. After that was done, she walked off to find a private spot. She needed time alone, time to think and sort through things, time to plan, and mostly time to pray that this whole ordeal would prove beneficial in finding her sister.

The land around here stretched on endlessly and was dotted with more large rocks than trees. A narrow stream cut a path several feet passed the village and that was where she wandered off to. The clear water gurgled along the rocky bottom and Patience stooped down to scoop up a handful and drink, then she found a small cropping of rocks to sit down by and rest her back against.

She dropped her head back for a moment and closed her eyes, though not for long and when she opened them, she was struck by how the brilliant blue sky reminded her of the color of Hunter’s eyes. With a sigh, she turned her gaze on the stream. She had been impetus when she was young, but learned to curb it when she realized it was not a good trait when it came to settling skirmishes. She wondered now if she had been too impetus in agreeing to marry Hunter. If she had given herself time to think on the situation, could she have arrived at a better solution? But time was not on her side, especially not for Heather.

Prayer was her only recourse at the moment, and she was glad for it. If she did not have that, she would feel as if she failed her sister completely. Heather would not lose hope. She would know that she and Emma would be coming for her, that they would not abandon her.

It seemed like years since Heather had been captured, but it had been only months, and that was too long. She desperately missed her sisters and longed to be reunited with them, though nothing would be as it once was. Life had changed for all three of them.

Rarely, did Patience cry. She preferred action to sobbing, so the tears that threatened her were quickly dispersed. She had no time to surrender to such nonsense. But try as she might, she could not stop a single tear from lurking in the corner of her eye.

Annoyed at letting it creep past her defenses, she brushed it away harshly.

“Sometimes tears help.”

Patience jumped startled to see Hunter walk around from behind her. She had trained herself to always be alert to her surroundings and to always pay attention to sounds, so it disturbed her not to have heard his approach.

“Go away,” she demanded, shooing him with her hand.

“You are upset and I daresay exhausted,” he said and dropped down to sit beside her, his shoulder nudging against hers.

Patience glanced over at his shoulder, ready to order him to move away and be gone when she realized how nice it would be to drop her head upon it and rest, if only for a short time. Instead, she rested her head back on the rock.

She tried chasing him away once again. “Go away.”

Ignoring her demand, he said, “Come back to my mother’s cottage and rest before we are wed tonight.”

That brought her head up fast and she glared at him, waiting for him to explain.

“The cleric completed his task sooner than expected and has just arrived home. He is going to rest for a few hours, and then he will marry us. Today, Patience Macinnes, you become my wife.”

Chapter Seven

A cloud of haze hung heavy in the stale air, dogs dug for scrapes of rotting food in the smelly rushes, and the tables where covered with the remnants of a meal yet to be cleaned away. Patience could not believe this was where she had gotten wed, but glancing down at her left hand and the gold band that circled her finger proved it was all too true.

Hunter took her hand in his and tapped her ring, and then the one he wore. “They belonged to my parents. My mother wished us to have them. She loved my da and he loved her. Though he had a mean streak, it was never directed at her. He treated her good, never raised a hand to her, and always protected her. She hopes that by us wearing the rings we will find the love they shared.”

“Thoughtful of her,” Patience said and realized that the gold bands represented so much more. This had not been just a handfasting that could be dismissed easily. With the cleric performing the ceremony, it meant their vows bound them solidly together for as long as they lived. Sudden realization of what she had done struck her, and her legs turned weak.

Without thinking, she grabbed Hunter’s arm and felt solid muscle, thick and strong.

Hunter’s arm coiled around her waist and he eased her to rest against him. He leaned his face down close to hers and whispered, “One breathe at a time,
mo chridhe
.”

Patience had not realized that she had been holding her breathe, and she was quick to do as he said and take one breathe at a time.

“I would like to believe it is this stinking hovel we were married in that upset you so much that it stole your breathe and not that we are husband and wife,” he said, giving her waist a gentle squeeze.

“A bit of both,” she confessed with a labored whisper.

He smiled. “You do speak your mind.”

“I speak the truth.”

“I can ask for no more.”

“See that you do not,” she warned, though her tone was tender.

“I will take only what you wish to give and I believe you are a
very
giving person.”

A smile tickled at the corners of her mouth. “Working your charm on me will not get you the results you desire.”

“But it has... it brought color back to your cheeks and a smile to your face.”

She did feel much better and she let her smile grow as she said, “Thank you.”

“Never do you need to thank me,
mo chridhe
, I am your husband and it is—”

“Your duty,” she said, wondering why it should disappoint her. After all, they did not love each other. They barely knew each other.

He stroked her chin and corrected, “My privilege.”

“Married but minutes and already he seduces you with his lying words,” Rona said with angry belligerence as she approached them. “You will regret the day you agreed to marry him. He will promise you everything and give you nothing and take his pleasure where he will. He ruts like an animal and cares not who he harms.”

“How would you know he ruts like an animal?” Patience asked, raising her brow and a smile.

Rona’s anger mounted, flushing her cheeks bright red, and she stumbled over her words. “He is th-the talk of th-the women in the village.”

“So I married a man that
every
woman in your village desires.” Patience nodded. “That would make me believe that for so many women to want him, his rutting must be exceptional.”

Rona looked ready to spew fire from her mouth, and she raised her hand to shake a finger at Patience. “Mark my words, you will be sorry.”

Patience took a quick step toward her and Rona stumbled. Patience grabbed her arm to stop her from falling, then whispered close for only her to hear. “Does your husband know you desire his brother?”

Rona gasped and the heat in her face drained away, leaving her ghastly pale. “I will see you suffer for speaking so sinfully to me.”

“And how will you do that?” Patience challenged.

Confidence along with color returned to Rona’s face as fast as it had vanished, and it was with a smug smile that she said, “I will see that you are made a slave of the Dark Dragon just like your sister.”

Patience did not hesitate. She let her fist fly and knocked the woman out cold with one punch to her jaw.

Hunter jumped in front of Patience as Greer came charging at her. “I will kill you before I let you lay a hand on my wife.”

“She laid a hand on mine,” Greer screamed with such rage that the veins in his neck bulged near to exploding.

“Do you truly want to know why?” Hunter challenged.

Patience wondered over the unspoken message between the two. And she wondered if Greer actually believed that Hunter had coupled with his wife. From the way Greer growled and muttered beneath his breath, it seemed like a logic conclusion, but from Rona’s angry reaction and insulting words, Patience did not believe it to be so. She also could not believe that Greer, nor anyone else had bothered to come to the aid of the unconscious woman. She laid there like a discarded sack no one wished to touch.

Greer shook a beefy fist at Hunter. “It is done; you are wed. Leave at first light, and I promise you that you will never lay claim to McLaud land.”

“McFarden,” Hunter called out and the man who had stood witness to their union stepped forward. “Take my wife and mother and wait outside for me.”

Patience was about to step around her husband and tell him that she was not going anywhere. Then she thought better of it. She did not want him interfering with her and her sisters. So, she would not interfere with him and his brothers... unless they left her no choice.

Hunter was glad his wife respected his stance and went without a word with McFarden. As soon as the doors to the Great Hall closed behind them, he looked from Greer to Rab, and said, “Hear me well, brothers, you both will rue the day I return.”

Rab shuddered, but Greer let out a hardy laugh.

Hunter’s blue eyes darkened and his brow narrowed as he glared at each man. “You have my word on it.”

Greer’s laughter died instantly. “And you, the fool that you are, have just given me what I need to start a war that will give the McLauds more power than anyone thought possible.”

Hunter’s smile was slight and so ominous that Greer drew back away from him. “Be careful, Greer, you were never wise enough to see what was right in front of you.”

“What is that supposed to mean?” Greer demanded.

“Time to take my leave,” Hunter said and turned and walked to the door, though called out, “Until next time, Greer, when I finally make you pay for what you did.”

A loud, vicious string of oaths followed Hunter out the door and he hurried down the keep steps to the three people waiting for him.

Patience stepped toward him. “I do not think we should remain here another moment. If we leave now we can make it to the McFarden village before it retires for the night.”

“I thought the same myself,” Hunter said.

“I will go alert my warriors,” Patience said.

Hunter nodded and turned to his mother. “Come, mum, we will gather our belongings and be on our way.”

Una went to her son’s side and he wrapped his arm around her. “Do not worry, all will be well.”

Patience and McFarden hurried to where the Macinnes warriors were camped. She spoke with Edward, instructing him to have the men ready to leave upon her return.

“Where do you go?” Edward asked.

Patience did not object to Edward questioning her. It was, after all, by her instructions that he did. She had made it clear that she was to know where her warriors were at all times when on a mission, and they were to know the same of her. It was a way to make sure that all remained protected.

So, she did not hesitate to answer him. “I intend to speak to Rona McLaud. She may know something about Heather’s whereabouts.”

“I could go with you,” Edward said, stepping forward.

“No, it is best I go alone. If I do not return shortly, then come look for me.” With that she took off for the keep, determined to get answers from the angry woman.

~~~

“Hunter.”

The soft, familiar voice had Hunter turning with a smile. “Saundra.”

The beautiful, though delicate woman stepped out of the shadows beside Una’s cottage with tears in her eyes. “You must do me a favor. You must take Beast with you. You cannot deny me this, Hunter. You know what will happen if you leave him without you to come to his defense. Greer will kill him and my heart breaks enough as it is. I would die, knowing I failed to save my best friend. And perhaps you can find him a more fitting name than the one Greer bestowed on him.” Saundra turned to the shadows behind her. “Come, Beast.”

A good-sized, black dog stepped out of the shadows to stand at her side. She bent down to hug the animal and he licked her face. “I love you, Beast, but now you must go with Hunter. He will always protect you.” She looked up at Hunter, tears streaming down her pale cheeks.

Hunter wanted to reach out and insist she come with him, but he knew that was not possible. She would not go with him, for she knew her departure could start a war. Instead, he did the only thing he could for her.

“Come here, Beast, you are going with me,” he ordered.

Beast looked to Saundra and she threw her arms around his neck, hugged him tight, kissed his head, and commanded, “Go, and stay with Hunter.”

The dog went to Hunter’s side and when the animal turned to look to his master, she was gone, a soft, sobbing thank you drifting through the night air.

Hunter looked down at the animal, who whined softly for the person who loved him as much as he loved her. “I will see that you are returned to her, but for now you must stay with me.”

The dog seemed to understand and he followed Hunter into the cottage.

~~~

Patience could not recall the last time she apologized to someone. It was something she barely did, since she rarely had reason to do so. She was not, however, averse to apologizing on those rare occasions if it served a higher purpose. This was one of those uncommon occasions.