Mist Warrior (15 page)

“
You did what was right, Branan, he was going to hit me.
”

Branan scowled, desperately trying to remember
,
but his rage had fogged everything.
“
I
doona think he actually raised
—
”

“
Branan
,
I remember watching you and Gavin in the lists. One thing my father taught you early on was that if the sword is in motion, before you think to block, then it's already too late. Your block has to be there first.
”

“
Aye,
”
he replied, his thoughts scrambling.
“
A warrior needs tae act instinctively.
”

“
The signs were there
,
but they were subtle, your training as a knight...
your instincts…
prompted you to act and I thank God you did.
”
She pulled his hand up and cradled his palm against her cheek.

He choked and hauled her into his arms.
“
I canna stop shaking, Catriona,
”
he whispered, his lips brushing her hair.
“
For an instant, the thought ye'd s
hare the same fate as my
—
”
H
is voice cracked and he drew in a ragged breath.
“
Since the day she died
,
I had ne'er felt fear like that...until today.
”

“
Branan, I am so sorry.
”

“
Nay, 'twas not yer fault.
”
He paused and blew out his breath
, weighing his words
.
“
Catriona, I want ye to break the betrothal.
”

She blinked at him, stunned.
“
Branan, you know I can't. Father
—
”

“
Yer father dinna realize what kind of man Courcy is. I know, if he was here, he would not wish ye to be in danger.
”

****

Catriona couldn't help the shiver of dread that skittered up h
er spine. She understood hi
s worry. Richard would have struck her if Branan had not intervened. She didn't know why
,
but Richard felt Catriona's only purpose was to lure men with her feminine wiles and any thought of intelligence was only imagination on the part of men.

Branan released her
,
but then took her hands in his.
“
Catriona, listen to me. This marriage may put ye in danger. If ye decide ye dinna want this, I will support ye. I know Gavin will go to the church and request the betrothal be ended.
”

A bitter pang swept through her. If she did not marry Richard, she could remain with her family. And perhaps...just perhaps...Branan might see something more within her.

But the memory of Brandon's shadow disappearing into the depths of night returned. He had vanished for ten years. Her heart twisted
. De
spite her pain, her f
ingers lightly caressed his chee
k and moved to his hair. If he did not regain his legacy
,
he would return to Scotland. Her father had betrothed her to Richard for a reason, her future would be secured with a man who would not abandon her in the dead of night.

Branan closed his eyes and shivered, moving instinctively closer to her hand.

“
Branan, I cannot.
”

His eyes flew open and he gaped at her.
“
What?
”

Her heart nearly shattered at the surprise and worry in his expressive eyes.
“
Branan
,
we know now why my father arranged the betrothal. To guarantee your alliance with Richard.
”

His jaw tightened slightrettened sly.
“
He wouldna done this if he ken the kind of man Courcy is. He would ne'er want to see ye hurt.
”

“
I think he had an idea of Richard's temper, Branan, and I do not think Papa did this out of ignorance. Mayhap he thought me strong enough to endure
,
or intelligent enough not to be harmed.
”

“
Catriona
—
”

“
Branan
,
listen to me. You need this alliance to have any hope of defeating Strickland.
”

“
Nay, I canna do this at the price of yer safety.
”

Her heart melted with his words.
“
Don't you understand? I know you must do this. For two years
,
I saw a lad struggle with his pain. Every time I looked at him, I saw him trying to find himself, trying to discover who he was. Even now I feel the hurt within you
, t
he wound on your heart that will not heal no matter what you do.
”

“
Catriona, please, I canna sacrifice ye...
.
”

“
You are not doing this-I am. Without Richard's alliance
,
your cause will fail. Until you find justice you will never find relief from the pain within you. I would give anything to stop your hurt and if my marriage will bring you one step closer to accomplishing this, then I will gladly do it.
”
She did not speak the fact that she firmly believed if Branan succeeded at this, he would find the courage to remain instead of disappearing without a trace.

His eyes widened and he cupped her che
e
k in his hand.
“
Ye
…
ye do this for me?
”

“
Aye, Branan and with a glad heart.
n>
”

He squeezed his eyes shut and rested his forehead against hers. Catriona felt the power of him wrap around her, his strength and his sorrow. She savored the scent of him, of sandalwood, leather and sweet wood-smoke.

Slowly he lifted his head.
“
Thank ye, Catriona, yer words mean much to me. I need the men and finances
,
but surely there is another way.
”

She grinned at him.
“
I must admit that I am open to suggestions.
”

He smiled, his face brightening and his fingers toying with a wisp of hair on her cheek. Then his gaze locked on hers. She shivered with the intensity of his stare. Slowly
,
he lowered his head and brushed his lips over hers.

Catriona nearly melted under the softest caress she had ever received from him, the feel of his lips against hers. His mouth slowly eased onto hers and he traced her lips with his tongue. The world spun around her with the heady pleasure rioting within her. She returned his kiss, a tiny voice in her thoughts warned her to stop
,
but she couldn't.

Branan's kiss became more demanding, he pulled her closer, his body pressed firmly against hers. But too quickly he ended the kiss.

“
I shouldna ha' done that.
”
But even as he spoke his eyes blazed with a feral spark, a fire of hope burning bright within him. The intensity of it stole her breath. Since she had met him on that terrible day, she had seen the fire only on rare occasions. He had been so badly hurt by his past, lost and confused. Sometimes she feared the fire permanently snuffed
,
but here it was again, burning so brightly it quickened her pulse and tingled her skin.

“
I did not mind,
”
she said, blushing furiously.
“
Not in the least.
”

A low chuckle rumbled through him.

Thistlewood

Days passed and Branan grew to know the people of Thistlewood. Many were refugees from Strickland's persecution. They hbre"ad been burned out of their homes, lost loved ones and children to the Warden's heavy hand.

Every evening Branan and his small but growing clan gathered around the large campfire and ate their meals as a group, spinning yarns and telling jests. A few members fancied themselves bards and recited poetry or sang songs. Most of it was terrible
,
but Jaime, one of Branan's men, had a fine tenor and enjoyed pleasing the ladies with his Scottish war songs and ballads. A few others showed promise as storytellers.

One night
,
Branan sat before the fire with his bowl. Catriona, as was her habit, sat next to him. Branan smiled and as he did every evening he loosened the brooch that held his plaid over his shoulder and uncoiled its length. He wrapped it around Catriona's shoulders. She leaned against him with a soft, pleasant sigh.

As they ate, many called for a story or song.

“
My lord,
”
a voice said
,
and it took a moment for Branan to realize it was directed at him.
“
Pray pardon, but we have not yet to hear tale from ye.
”

Branan grinned at the man who appeared as ancient as Methuselah. He had brought his two daughters to help work wool and cook meals
,
but he was too frail to do much labor. Yet he busied himself, many times managing the children as they picked up debris the workers left behind.

“
I fear I canna please ye, Master Gordon,
”
Branan said.
“
I hav'no talent for spinnin' yarns.
”

Gordon sighed softly.
“
It matters not your ability to story-speak, Laird MacTavish, but we wish to know about ye and yer past.
”
He paused, fidgeting uncomfortably.
“
I mean no disrespect
,
but we know little except for rumors and tales. We'd like to learn what is true from ye.
”

Branan nodded, arching an eyebrow in appreciation. If he was to truly lead these people, they should at least know a bit about him. Who knew what sort of rumors abounded about his life?