Wed to a Highland Warrior (8 page)
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ightfall wasn’t far off, and with it came a chill. Their travel thus far had proved uneventful, and Trey preferred it to remain that way. He wanted to get Bliss to Albert’s farm and see her settled safely. Once he was sure she was out of harm’s way, he would need to go and scout the area where the king’s troops were gathering. Then, once he had the information he needed, he’d return for Bliss.
He hoped it would take only a few days, but not knowing how long it would take to heal the lad or to gather the necessary information made it difficult to judge. It could possibly be a week or more. And once done with this, they would need to return to see how her friend fared, and only then could they head home.
Another time, all this delay might have irritated him, but not now, not since wedding Bliss.
He almost grinned. He still found it amusing as to how he found himself wed. And that it did not bother him in the least. It wasn’t that he hadn’t planned on marrying. He wanted children and would have eventually found himself a woman to wed. It was that he hadn’t planned on falling in love, didn’t think he ever would or could again. That he was actually even considering the notion brought a smile to his face.
It broadened when he realized that he was feeling that familiar, pleasant tug of falling in love. He hadn’t truly thought it would be possible. He had thought all chances of loving again had died along with Leora.
“You are happy about something,” Bliss said.
He leaned down and gave her lips a quick kiss. “I’m pleased to be here with my wife.”
She laughed. “Pleased to be forced into a marriage, are you?”
“No one forced me; I consented.”
“Without realizing it.”
“It was necessary,” he said.
“Only for the moment, and why did you tell Roan we are wed?”
“I thought I made it clear. You’re my wife, and I protect
my wife.
”
“My people will expect my marriage to last,” she said. “They will assume I knew, in advance, the man who was to be my husband.”
“Perhaps you did.”
Trey felt a catch in her rhythm, as if she missed a step, though righted herself fast enough. Had she known? Was there something she wasn’t telling him and why? Though that answer proved easy, at least now that he had gotten to spend time with Bliss. She would have never wanted him to know what fate had written for them. She would want him to discover it on his own, and he was certainly having a grand time doing so.
“Time will tell,” she said softly.
“Time or fate?” he asked, and, not needing a response, said, “Nightfall is near upon us; we must find a spot to stop.”
It didn’t take long for them to find a place and make camp. With no trace of the king’s soldiers all day, Trey wasn’t concerned that any lurked nearby. He built a campfire, and Bliss placed the blanket close and laid out some food.
He marveled at her confident movements. She knew what she was about and didn’t hesitate. She made choices and didn’t think twice. To her, her path was clear, and she walked it with confidence.
“Tell me more about your knowing,” he said after joining her on the blanket and sharing in the small feast.
She shrugged. “There isn’t much to tell, since I barely understand it myself. I only know it is part of me and always has been. And I follow where it takes me.”
“Don’t you fear that some would claim you a witch?”
“Thus far I have not had that problem, but then, when people are ill and in need, they will reach out to anyone they feel will help them. My healing skills have proven true; therefore, no one speaks a harmful word against me. Besides, I am already considered a pagan, so no doubt I am whispered about.”
“Do you ever wish you didn’t have such skills?”
“When I am overburdened by it at times, the thought has crossed my mind, but to be honest, I don’t know if I could live any other way. It is what I have known all my life. To live differently might be more of a burden, though we all carry some sort of a burden. Tell me of yours.”
He looked at her oddly.
“The woman you continue to love, but lost.”
He wouldn’t deny the truth. “I do still love Leora, I always will.”
“And so you should, but something troubles you about the loss.”
He should have realized that spending time with Bliss would leave open the possibility of her seeing and sensing things about him. He could choose not to discuss certain things with her, and he knew she would respect his choice. Yet she talked openly with him, so shouldn’t he do the same with her?
He thought on it a moment more and felt the old pain begin to surface. Memories could tear at the heart. He supposed that was why he had worked so hard to keep them locked away. He hadn’t wanted to ever feel that horrific pain again.
She reached out and rested her hand over his where it lay on his thigh. “If you prefer not to discuss it . . .”
Though her touch was light, it felt warm and comforting, and, oddly enough, the painful memories began to subside. And he suddenly felt the intense urge to tell her, share the memory in hope of finally laying it to rest.
“Leora and a couple of the women in the village would forage the woods for roots and plants for Etty, our cook. She loved the woods and would often go off on her own though I preferred she didn’t. But she had always insisted there was nothing to worry about. She was on MacAlpin land and safe.”
Trey slipped his hand from beneath hers and laced their fingers together. He felt the need to hold on to her. “One day, two of the women came screaming back to the village that a marauding band of warriors had attacked them, felled the other women, and was headed our way.”
He stopped a moment, the day suddenly vivid in his mind and the pain rising up to choke him. He cleared his throat and continued. “Reeve and I and several warriors rode out immediately, while Duncan and Bryce remained behind to defend the keep in case it was an attack. I spotted Leora on the ground; blood covered her garments and splattered across her face. I knew she was dead and was just about to reach her when the marauding band emerged from the surrounding woods. We fought, but they were too many. We had to pull back and return to the keep. It was hours before the battle ended, many of the marauders dead, while others ran off.”
He turned to stare at the flames and to find the strength to continue. He had never discussed this part with anyone though it had haunted him all this time.
“Once it was over, Reeve, my brothers, and several of our warriors rode with me so that I could get Leora’s body and give her a proper burial. When we got there, her body was gone.” He swallowed hard. “We found animal tracks and parts of her bloody garments, but we could not find her body.”
He turned silent and continued to stare at the flames. “Her death was bad enough, but not being able to bury her?” He shook his head. “I should never have left her. I should have protected her even in death.”
Bliss squeezed his hand. “You did what you could.”
He shook his head again. “Nay, I should have done more or died trying.”
“She would not have wanted that.”
He turned angry eyes on her. “The other women survived, and each one of them told me how she screamed my name, screamed for me to help her.”
“I’m sorry for your pain, but it is imperative that you let it go.”
“How?” he asked, though to his ears he sounded as if he begged.
“Open your heart. Let it heal and forgive yourself for something fate has decreed.”
“Fate plays foolish games,” he said angrily.
“At times necessary ones, though more often than not, we do not learn that until later.”
“What happened to Leora was not necessary.”
“Someday you may think otherwise,” she said.
“Never,” he spat. “Fate is cruel, and I will never forgive her for this.”
“Be careful; you may regret those words,” she warned softly.
“I regret not having been there for the woman I love, but that will never happen again,” he said adamantly, not wanting to discuss it any longer. “Time to sleep. We start early tomorrow. And we sleep beside each other to stay warm.”
Trey was glad Bliss didn’t object. He needed to wrap himself around her tonight and keep her snug in his embrace. He wanted to crush her up against him, feel the heat of her body mingle with his, feel every breath she took and know she was safe in his arms.
B
liss lay content, pressed against Trey. She understood his need to keep her close and her own need to be close to him. She had felt his pain as strongly as if it had been her own. She had seen through his eyes the whole horrid scene and had felt the swell of guilt that rose to strangle his heart and turn it away from love.
As much as she wished to heal his pain, she knew she couldn’t. He was the only one capable of healing his hurt, and, until he understood that, he would suffer.
“You sleep?” he whispered near her ear.
“Nay, not yet.”
“Neither do I.”
She caressed his hand where it lay over her waist. “Yesterday is gone, Trey, look to tomorrow, for each new day we have is a blessing.”
He turned her so quickly that her head spun, and she had no time to clear it, for his lips came down on hers and claimed a kiss that sent shivers racing clear to her toes. The warrior was in this kiss, his strength, his courage, and his determination. And she knew then and there that he was determined to love her.
And that would take the most courageous warrior, for he would have to let go of his guilt and fear and learn to love again.
His hand drifted down over her backside, while his kiss trailed down along her neck, and he nudged her up against him, his leg wrapping around hers to draw her even closer.
Pressed against him so tightly, she could not help but feel his desire, or perhaps he intended it so. Perhaps he wished her to know he wanted her and waited to see if she felt the same.
And, of course, she did. She had found her passion for him sparking when they simply held hands or when he smiled at her; and certainly when he kissed her, desire soared like a roaring fire within her. But at the moment his need for her had come right after they had spoken of Leora, his old love. If she surrendered to Trey now, it would be to help him erase the memory of Leora.
His kisses and touches continued, and it was difficult not to surrender to them. She ached to reach out and explore him as he did her, but if she did, it would seal their fate. They would make love, and she did not want her first time with him to be in the shadows of his old love.
She caught his face in her hands and brought her lips to his in a tender kiss.
He shook his head. “I know what that kiss means.”
“You do?” she asked with a gentle smile.
“Aye, it means we go no further.”
“Do you understand why?”
“Leora stands in the way.”
“Come to me when she is gone, and I will not deny you.”
“Promise?”
“You have my word,” Bliss said.
“That is good, for I will hold you to it, but for now I will hold you beside me while we sleep.”
“I would like that,” she said, and snuggled against him, resting her head on his chest.
“You feel good in my arms.”
“I like being here.”
“We make a good pair; perhaps fate knows what she is doing.”
“Are you telling me that you are changing your mind about fate?”
“Let’s say I’m considering it and will give it time,” he said.
“It is a start,” she said on a yawn.
“Sleep, a busy time lies ahead for us.”
He fell asleep before she did and though she could feel sleep creeping around the edges, it failed to lay claim to her. Her mind was much too busy with fleeting images, and, try as she might, she could not make sense of them.
The blond woman refused to leave her mind. She lingered there in pain and longing, calling out to Trey. She seemed unable to find any peace.
Somehow, Bliss would need to find a way to help them lay their love to rest.
T
hey reached the farm by late afternoon the next day without incident. Albert and his wife rushed out of their sizeable cottage to greet them. It was age or worry or perhaps a mixture of both that wore on Teresa’s face. Tears spilled from sad, wrinkled eyes, and when she took hold of Bliss’s hand, Bliss caught a glimpse of the woman she had once been: jolly, weightier, and far fewer wrinkles. Teresa clung tightly to Bliss, repeatedly thanking her for coming to the aid of her ill son.
Albert was stoic though his eyes glistened with unshed tears. Gray generously peppered his brown hair, and deep wrinkles lined his lean face.
Trey and Bliss were ushered inside, and though they were offered drink and food, it was obvious the couple hoped Bliss would see to their son first.
And she did.
“Time for that later, I would like to see Philip now,” Bliss said.
The relief on the couple’s faces was obvious, and Teresa hurried to draw back a curtain that separated the two-room cottage. Bliss and Trey followed, and Albert trailed behind them. Once in the room, Trey stepped to the side. He did not want to interfere with Bliss’s healing. He simply wanted to make sure she remained protected.
He tucked himself into the corner of the small room, giving the parents and Bliss their privacy.
The lad lay in a bed far too big for his meager size. He looked asleep though lifeless, and thus appeared laid out in a deathly repose. Teresa ran her hand lovingly over her son’s forehead. He was a cute little lad, with brown hair and a round, pale, angelic face. Trey’s heart went out to the woman. He could not imagine the pain of seeing your only child lying there as if in death.
“He was playing, fell and hit his head, got a good gash he did to the back of his head, but I cleaned it up and it seemed fine—” Teresa stopped, her voice breaking. She cleared it, and continued. “Then, a few hours later, he collapsed in a dead faint and hasn’t woken since.”
Bliss placed a gentle hand on the woman’s arm. “Let me see what I can do.”
Teresa scurried out of her way and into the arms of her husband, who held her tight.
Trey could see that they were attempting to draw strength from each other . . . and hope. He wondered if Bliss would be able to help or if it was too late. He kept to the corner shadows, not wanting to disturb his wife yet wanting to be there if needed. How he could help he didn’t know, he just knew he had to be there for her.
Bliss looked like an angel, her blond hair falling softly around her face as she hovered over the lad before sitting beside him on the bed. She gently took his small hand in hers and shut her eyes. She sat there, not moving, and after several moments, Trey began to worry. She was as still as the lad, and he suddenly feared for her.
He recalled how she had gotten stuck in a vision, and he had pulled her out. Did she need him to do the same now? He waited since she was not in distress, but if she didn’t emerge soon, he would place a firm hand on her shoulder or take her in his arms if necessary.
He was relieved when her eyes opened, and she laid the lad’s hand down at his side. But when she stood, she wobbled, and he didn’t hesitate—he was at her side in an instant, wrapping his arm around her and drawing her against him.
“Are you all right?” he whispered.
“I need a hot brew,” she said with a shiver.
Trey helped her into the other room, Teresa hurrying out before them and Albert following behind. Trey helped her to a chair at the table and drew another chair close so that he could sit beside her. He took her hand and when he felt it cold, he worried.
It didn’t take long for Teresa to brew a hot drink for Bliss, and as she placed it in front of her, she said, “Please tell me of my son.”
Bliss wrapped her hands around the heated tankard and shivered. “There is nothing to tell at the moment. I must spend more time with him, then I will know more.”
“Can you save him?” Albert asked with a catch in his throat.
Trey could see she was reluctant to answer, and he wished he could help. The only way he could do that was . . . he took hold of her hand. He wanted her to know he was there for her.
Her fingers threaded with his tighter than he had ever felt them do before. She was looking for extra strength, and he gave it to her with the slight squeeze to her hand.
“I’m not sure, but I would like to try,” Bliss said.
“Yes. Yes, please try,” Teresa begged.
“We are grateful for any help you can give Philip,” added Albert.
Bliss nodded and took several sips of the brew before saying, “I need a moment of fresh air, and then I would like to start the healing process.”
Trey didn’t give anyone a chance to object or delay Bliss’s request. He stood, not letting go of her hand, and said, “I will go with you.”
He saw that she was relieved by his action, but before they walked out the door, Bliss turned to the parents, and said, “Please talk with your son while I’m gone and tell him that the woman with the blond hair is here to help him.”
They looked perplexed but nodded vigorously.
“What’s wrong?” Trey asked when they were a few feet from the cottage.
“Philip is trapped. I do not know where.” She shook her head. “My grandmum talked about the sleeping dead and how difficult it was for them to escape it.”
“You are not in danger helping the lad, are you?”
“I do not know. I have never had the opportunity or misfortune to run across this before.”
He wanted to take her and leave, and if it were anyone other than a child, he would have done so, whether she protested or not. But he could no more leave that child than she could. His only recourse was to protect her.
“What can I do?”
She smiled. “Thank you. I was hoping you would ask.”
“You could have asked for my help.”
“I did when I grasped hold of your hand.”
Trey nodded. “I will remember that, now what can I do?”
“I need you to remain near my side, and after I close my eyes and begin to work, if I grow at all agitated, you must grab hold of me and call me back.”
“I’ll demand you come back,” he said empathically.
“Will you now?” She smiled sweetly.
“You’ll not escape me that easily,
wife.
”
She pressed her cheek to his, and whispered, “I hope not.”
He grinned and gave her a quick kiss. He enjoyed the banter and play of falling in love. A give-and-take, a push and pull, a catch of the heart, and, damn, but wasn’t he glad to be sharing it with someone once again.
They hurried back into the cottage, and Trey did as Bliss had instructed. He kept an eye on her as she sat beside Philip, holding his hand, though she had begun with her usual ritual of placing her cupped hands over her mouth, then rubbing them together before laying her hands on the person, in this case holding Philip’s hand.
He had no intentions of leaving her side until this was done one way or the other. The problem, however, was that the information on the king’s troops could not wait indefinitely. If the lad’s healing was prolonged, Trey might have to make a choice, and there truly was no choice to make. He had given his word to help the true king, and he could not renege on it, not when it meant the lives of so many.
He hoped it would not come to that, for it would be difficult to leave Bliss even though he knew she would urge him to go. She would understand that his duty to the true king came first and she would tell him not to worry. But he would worry all the same, leaving her on her own.
He pushed the troubling thought from his mind. Until the time came, he would not waste thoughts on it. Bliss needed him now, and he would be here for her while he could.
Supper was a silent affair that evening. It appeared no progress had been made with Philip, and so all were somber. Bliss looked exhausted, yawning much too often during the meal. So when all was done, Trey suggested they retire and get up early so that Bliss could resume her healing.
No one objected, and Albert and Teresa retired into their son’s room, having fashioned a sleeping pallet on the floor so that they could remain near him. Trey and Bliss got to share Philip’s narrow bed, but that was all right with Trey. It meant they could sleep snuggled together.
Bliss turned to rest in his arms when he joined her in bed, and her head went to rest on his chest. He could feel that something troubled her, and so he waited, his hands gently massaging her back.
“I don’t know if I can save him,” she whispered.
“It’s in fate’s hands,” he said, hoping it would help.
She sighed. “That’s what I’m afraid of.”
Trey comforted her throughout the night, her sleep fitful, and when she woke, she went immediately to Philip’s side. It continued like that for several days, and Trey began to worry about her, and his need to find out about the troops.
It was settled for him when Albert returned from a neighboring farm the next day, having gone to return a tool he had borrowed for too long, and when he arrived home his face was pale as freshly fallen snow.
He walked into the room and, with a flick of his hand, summoned Trey to follow. Trey was reluctant to leave Bliss, but Teresa had assured him that she would watch over her.
“What’s wrong?” Trey asked when he and Albert stepped outside.
“A large troop of king’s soldiers passed by Thomas’s farm and wiped him clean of what little livestock he had and what food he had stored for the winter. And”—Albert stopped a moment as if he couldn’t believe what he was about to say—“They took Thomas, leaving Mary on her own with their two young daughters. They told him he was to serve the king and that other troops will be arriving soon.”
“I need to see where they camp for myself,” Trey said.
“Too dangerous,” Albert said, shaking his head.
“But necessary.”
Bliss and Teresa came out of the cottage and walked over to them.
“You need to leave, don’t you?” Bliss asked.
Trey nodded, feeling torn with leaving her behind.
“I must go with you,” Bliss said.
“No,” Trey said with a finality that had all eyes turning wide. “You have Philip to see to.”
Bliss turned to Teresa and took her hand. “I have done all I can for your son, I can do no more. The rest is up to him.”
“I feared you would say that,” the woman said, with tears gathering in her eyes.
“Nay, do not fear, keep hope strong and do not give up,” Bliss said. “I will return in a few days’ time and see how he does.”
“Promise?” Teresa asked, grabbing Bliss’s hand.
“Aye, I promise.” She gave the woman a hug, and Teresa had a difficult time letting Bliss go, but she finally did. She turned to Trey. “I will get my things, and we can be on our way.”
Trey took hold of her arm and walked a short distance away from the couple. “You’re not going with me. It’s too dangerous.”
“It’s too dangerous for me to stay. And we have no time to argue. We must leave now.”
“Why?”
Bliss didn’t answer, and she hurried over to Albert. “Hide some of your food and what livestock you can. The soldiers head this way, and if they don’t find something, they will destroy your place.”
Albert paled once again. “I cannot leave my wife and ill son.”
“No, you cannot,” Bliss said. “That is why we must make it appear that you are too ill to join the troops.”
“What do I do?” Albert asked.
Trey, with Teresa’s help, worked to hide some of the animals and food, while Bliss worked on Albert. She rubbed ash under his eyes until the area appeared gray and sunken. And she pricked his neck and arms with pine needles to make it appear that he had a rash.
“Make certain you cough more than talk with them and stumble once or twice. They may not even take any of your food or animals for fear all is contagious.”
“How can we ever thank the both of you?” Teresa asked.
“Stay strong,” Trey said. “The true king will soon rule.”
Trey and Bliss were off in a rush, having a good portion of open land to cover before they could reach the protection of the woods. They remained cautious as they traveled, keeping alert and keeping their pace quick.
Hours later, when they were finally in the bosom of the woods, they stopped to rest.
“We need to scout the area where the king’s troops are gathered and see for ourselves how many await his order,” Trey said.
“You can see for yourself, but you will learn more from the two we meet.”
“What have you seen?”
Bliss shook her head. “It is what I sense though I can tell you no more.”
Little by little, Trey understood Bliss’s abilities and at times how frustrating it must be for her, not completely understanding them. But at this moment he was grateful for whatever information she could provide.
He was about to ask if they would meet the two soon, but realized that when she sensed or saw nothing more, there was no point in questioning her. She’d have no answer.
“Do you know exactly where the king’s troops gather?” she asked.
“From what information Roan and Albert supplied, I can only surmise their location, and if I am right, then the king has made a foolish move.”
“I was thinking the same,” she said. “This terrain is not hospitable, and have you seen that snow is already heavy on the mountains?”
Trey nodded and looked out over the landscape, Glen Affric rising in the distance and snow covering more than the peaks. “Aye, I have. Winter will strike hard this year.”
“Making it difficult for the king’s troops to maneuver,” Bliss said.
“A king who does not even know his own kingdom is ill prepared,” Trey said.
“Then surely King Kenneth will fail.”
“Do you see that?” Trey asked anxiously.
Bliss turned her head away for a moment, and Trey wondered what she didn’t want him to see, for to him she wore her thoughts in her eyes and her expressions. He took gentle hold of her chin and turned her to look at him.
“What’s wrong?” he asked, and the answer came to him before he could respond. “I forever ask if you sense or see things. I expect too much of you.”
“Most do.”
That angered him, for he didn’t want to do what others did to her . . . want . . . more than give.