Bound to a Warrior (26 page)

D
awn was near on the horizon and with it Mercy knew she'd be leaving Pict land and once again vulnerable to attack and capture. But it made no difference to her; her only concern was saving Duncan.

Bliss's friend Roan, the one who had saved her from her father, had information that Duncan was in danger, though he believed it a ruse to draw her out. Not trusting the source, he had urged her not to go.

She understood his concern and thought the same herself, but she couldn't take the chance. What if Duncan truly was in danger and she didn't go to help him? She couldn't live with the thought.

Bliss hadn't argued with her even though Roan had begged her to. She simply had nodded and explained that Mercy had to do what was right for her. She and Bliss had hugged long and hard before Mercy departed. And Bliss had warned her that all was not what it seemed and that the truth would be the only thing that truly freed her. Then she had told her they would see each other again.
And that when the time was right they would not part, but actually be like true sisters.

That pleased Mercy though she wondered how that could be when Bliss lived with the Picts and she would be with Duncan. But Mercy hadn't questioned it; she had simply bid her good-bye after one last hug and had set out to save Duncan.

Mercy knew she took a chance and placed not only her life in danger but that of her unborn babe. Unfortunately she knew no other way. Whether a ruse or not, she needed to know that Duncan was safe.

Dawn hit the horizon as she stepped away from Pict territory and she proceeded with cautious steps and alert ears. If it was a trap, then her father would certainly pick an area where he would feel he could easily contain her. And so she tried to avoid such areas.

Somehow she sensed that Duncan was on his way to her, and if they could meet and avoid her father and his soldiers, then they could return home and be safe.

Home.

She truly had a home with Duncan and his family, and now she had a sister in Bliss and would be a sister to three brothers. She was thrilled with the prospect, and though fate still held her in its hand, she believed all would go well. It had to. Love had to prove the victor in all of this.

She walked until the sun was high in the sky, and while she was cautious, she couldn't help but feel as if she was being followed. At least she was drawing closer
and closer to Duncan's land, which made rescue that much more possible.

Feeling a bit nauseous she stopped to munch on some food that Bliss had packed for her. Leaning against a large boulder she rested, though only for a moment.

“I knew you wouldn't be able to resist warning him.”

While she was annoyed at being caught by her father, she refused to show defeat. “What makes you think it isn't a trap I set for you?”

Her father laughed as he stepped from behind the cover of bushes.

Mercy noted that only two soldiers followed him and while she was sure more lingered nearby, there were only two present. She had bested two before, perhaps she could do it again.

“Really, Daughter, do you think I don't scout ahead?”

“Do you think me foolish enough to come alone?”

The soldiers cast wary glances around.

“Stop it, you fools,” her father ordered, “she but tries to frighten you.”

“Do I?” she asked, her deep voice dripping with such coldness that it made the soldiers shiver.

“Enough, Mercy,” her father ordered.

She laughed. “You mean you finally surrender?”

“Chain her,” her father commanded.

“Take one step toward her and I'll kill you.”

Mercy grinned at the sound of the familiar voice, though didn't turn around to face Duncan. “I told you I wasn't alone.”

“One man,” her father laughed.

“No, Father,” she said, “one
gallant
warrior.”

She heard Duncan walk up behind her and waited as he took his place beside her.

“You're late,” she teased.

“And you're early, though pleased I am to see you,” Duncan said.

“And I you,” she said, though wished to say so much more, but it would have to wait. First they had to extract themselves from this dilemma.

“Finally,” her father said with a satisfied grin. “I have you both where I want you.”

Just as he finished, Mercy felt the tip of a sword to her back and Duncan motioned with a nod that he felt the same. He reached out his hand to her and she grasped hold of it. His long fingers wrapped tightly around her small ones and gave a squeeze as if letting her know all would be well. And she believed it so, for as long as they were together, she had no doubt they would survive.

“Shackle them,” her father commanded, and the soldiers behind them had them in chains in no time.

“Now,” her father, said stepping forward. “You'll—”

“Step back or I'll kill you,” Duncan warned.

Her father laughed. “You are a fool.”

“You're the fool,” Duncan said. “If you think that
I won't seek revenge for making the woman I love suffer.”

“Need I remind you that you are in no position to dictate to me,” her father said.

“Need I remind you that there is no way in hell I'm going to let you hurt Mercy ever again?”

“I have no intentions of hurting my daughter,” her father said. “It is you who will suffer until she gives me what I want and then you both will meet death together.”

Duncan swept Mercy into his arms, and though it looked as if he kissed her, he actually whispered in her mouth.

“Grab your dagger; we run for it.”

They parted and she smiled. “I'm ready.”

With that, Mercy and Duncan moved so swiftly that chaos ensued. They both had daggers in their hands before the soldiers could reach them.

“Grab them, you fools,” her father shouted, but Mercy and Duncan wounded the two soldiers that charged them, which caused the other soldiers to approach more cautiously.

Their hesitation gave Duncan and Mercy the time they needed to run and they did. They took off through the woods like arrows being shot from a bow.

“Don't stop,” Duncan warned.

And Mercy didn't. She kept pace with him, ducking out of the way of branches, jumping over fallen logs and not slowing down even to look back and see if the soldiers were gaining on them.

They traveled at such speed that when they broke through the trees and saw they approached the edge of a cliff, they didn't have time to stop. They went straight over.

The two soldiers halted just in time, though it was the one who lagged behind who prevented the other from going over the edge by grabbing his shirt and yanking him back.

The two stared over the edge and watched the couple plunge into the raging river below.

 

Duncan instantly wrapped his arms around Mercy as they plummeted down to the river. She, in turn, tucked her head against his chest, though not before telling him…

“I carry your child.”

“Now you tell me,” he yelled and did all he could to wrap himself around her and protect her and his child from the fall.

They hit the water and plunged down, and Duncan immediately went to wrap his arm around Mercy to help her swim to the surface. To his surprise she pushed his hand away and began swimming to the top, and he joined her. With them both working together, they surfaced in no time. And together they made it to the bank of the river not far away.

“Our child?” Duncan asked when finally they stood on the bank, his hand splaying across Mercy's stomach.

“Aye, our child,” she said and shivered.

“We need to get you home and warm in bed,” Duncan said.

“How I wish, but we are too far—”

Duncan shook his head. “Do you really think my brothers would let me come entirely alone?”

Mercy looked around. “But there is no one here.”

“There will be soon enough. My men watched from a distance and they will see what has happened and come for us.”

And they did, and with dry clothes, blankets and horses.

They made it home by nightfall and retired to their bedchamber shortly after their arrival, after informing everyone that they were fine. They cared naught about the shackles. Tomorrow was soon enough to be rid of them. Tonight they simply wanted to be together, to hold each other, touch each other, love each other.

With hot cider heating their innards and their naked bodies keeping them warm, they snuggled together beneath the blankets. Though it wasn't long before simple touches turned desirous and passion claimed them.

It was a gentle mating, soft and considerate for all Mercy had been through, though when he slipped into her, she took over the pace and they were soon lost in a frantic joining that had them exploding with an intensity and had them both calling out each other's names.

They laughed afterward and cuddled close.

“I can't believe I'm to be a father,” Duncan said, his hand resting gently on her stomach.

“You didn't tell anyone,” Mercy said.

“I wanted to savor the news,” Duncan explained. “I'll tell them all tomorrow.

“You feel well?” he asked and then shook his head. “You must. You have survived another plunge off a cliff.” He kissed her. “You know how to swim.”

“After I healed, I practiced every day.”

His hand drifted to the scar on her shoulder and his fingers brushed over it ever so lightly. “I am sorry you suffered.”

“It wasn't your fault,” she assured him. “My father is to blame. He wanted to know about the symbol my mother traced on my hand.”

Duncan released Mercy and plopped flat on his back. Her chained wrist followed his and came to rest across his chest. She turned with it and slipped her leg over his.

“What's wrong?” she asked propping her elbow beside his shoulder and resting the side of her head in her hand.

“I need to tell you something.”

“This will upset me?” she asked, her eyes widening.

“No. Well, I hope not,” he admitted.

“Then tell me and be done with it.”

“That piece of hide your mother showed you belonged to the true king of Scotland and the symbol she traced on your hand is a secret code, only the true king can decipher.

“How do you know this and how did my mother ever come by it?” Mercy asked, confused.

“I don't know how your mother came by the piece since it has long been stored in a chest in the solar,” he said. “My brothers and I assume that someone from here stole it and gave it to your mother.”

“Why?”

Duncan shrugged. “We don't know, though if we can find out who stole it, we can find out why it was given to your mother.”

“This piece of hide is important?”

“It holds the proof of his birth. It is what makes him the rightful king.”

“Then he can no longer claim the throne?” she asked, worried.

“He will take the throne, he knows how, so do not worry.”

“How do you know so much about the true king?” she asked.

“That's what I need to tell you,” he said. “You know the first part of the myth?”

Mercy nodded and recited it. “Four warriors ride together and then divide, among them the true king hides.”

“My brothers and I are the four warriors,” Duncan said.

Mercy stared at him for a moment, shook her head, opened her mouth to speak, closed it and then shook her head again. Finally she said, “That makes one of you the true king of Scotland.”

Duncan nodded. “And I cannot reveal his identity.”
He took her hand in his. “So I need to know if you will marry me knowing that I may or may not be king.”

Mercy leaned down and kissed him. “I love you, Duncan, and I would be proud to be your wife, king or not.” With a smile she raised the shackles that bound them. “Chained or not, I am bound to you, but it is love that binds us and forever will.”