Mist Warrior (34 page)
Finally, Gavin released her and moved next to Branan. They hovered right behind the couple, like two guardian angels.
“
What did ye say to her afore we left Thistlewood?
”
Branan whispered.
Gavin's jaw tightened.
“
I told her again, if she changed her mind, you and I would support any decision she might make.
”
“
I doona wish her to do this.
”
“
Neither do I. But Courcy has fulfilled his part of the betrothal contract. If Catriona decides not to go through with this, Courcy has the money to petition the bishop's court. She might find herself without a dowry and even I may lose a substantial amount of Reigny holdings.
“
And Catriona will not risk that.
”
Gavin nodded firmly.
They stopped on the steps of the chapel in the bailey. Branan stood strong as the priest performed the ceremo
ny, but he felt short of breath
–as if someone stood on his chest. He wanted to scream for this to stop. He wanted to draw his claymore, grab Catriona and pull her out by force.
But he remained mute and unmoving.
At the end of the ceremony, the priest commanded Courcy to kiss the bride. Branan's vision spotted red as Courcy brushed his lips over Catriona's. Branan clearly recalled the fire a kiss from Catriona could ignite in a man. Only ironclad willpower kept him in his place.
After mass inside the chapel, the wedding party entered the castle for the feast and revel. Branan knew he would not be able to eat
,
but wondered if he could drink himself into oblivion with Courcy's fine wine.
His gaze returned to Catriona, her jaw remained clenched and her face appeared pallid. During some point, she had
used one of her hair ribbons and
returned the cross he had given her to her throat. She had not spoken a word except to state the vows and voice her assent to the marriage. Branan grew more concerned over her.
Afternoon aged to evening as the revel commenced. The gates of the castle remained open
,
to allow the revelers to come and go as they pleased. Torches lit the bailey and the guests feasted and danced. Courcy and Catriona accepted the congratulations of well-wishers. Courcy seemed no longer overbearing
,
but neither did he seem to notice that Catriona appeared close to collapse.
Branan's jaw tightened
,
but no longer could he protect her. It was her husband's duty to mind her welfare and Branan had no say in the matter.
His shoulders bowing, he knew he could remain no longer. He had to leave and try to salvage what was left of his heart. Moving with a purpose toward the couple, he bowed then dropped to one knee before Catriona.
“
Lass,
”
he said taking her hand in his.
“
I must beg yer leave on this evensong. Know I wish ye happiness and prosperity in the future.
”
She blanched then smiled, squeezing his hand firmly.
Catriona leaned forward.
“
Thank you, Branan,
”
she whispered into his ear.
“
Know my heart will always be yours.
”
A sharp pain cut through hi
s chest, and he quickly rose. Branan
kissed
Catriona’s
cheek and for a moment
, he
remained frozen, inhaling the sweet scent of her hair. He tried to commit every detail to memory, her gentle beauty, her wonderful scent, and the feel of her hand in his.
“
Be well, my sweet,
”
he whispered then quickly walked away. Motioning to the others, he waited impatiently at the door as those from Thistlewood bid their goodbye to her.
The last was Gavin. Branan's throat tightened as her brother swept
Catriona
into a strong embrace that lifted her from her feet. She clung to him and Branan feared she would burst into a storm of tears. Gavin released her and also kissed her cheek. He joined Branan and the other men, all quickly moving into the bailey.
The sun had set, leaving a faint orange glow in the western horizon. The sky turned a deep velvet blue with only the brightest stars visible. The pressure in Branan's chest grew worse as he mounted his horse and they rode through the gates.
They descended from the high motte that was the castle's foundation and rode across a flat field, before traveling up a rise and turning on the trail which would take them back to Thistlewood. Branan paused on the rise, looking back at Brackenburgh. The glow of the torches was visible for miles
. T
he keep
,
built for war
,
now looked warm and inviting with its gates open and people constantly passing through. But Branan knew it was because he had left the one who meant most to him behind its walls.
“
Laddie,
”
Duguald said, moving his horse next to his. Gavin flanked him on the other side.
“
Are ye well? Ye appear rather gray.
”
Branan shook his head, forcing his gaze back to the trail. He sighed and winced as the pain in his c cpai">
“
I've faced many difficult trials in my life
,
but none so great as this.
”
Duguald scowled.
“
I dinna think
—
”
“
Duguald, ye told me not to lose my heart
,
but again I dinna listen.
”
He paused, locking his uncle in his gaze.
“
I love her.
”
Branan
turned his mount and kicked it into a trot.
Duguald and Gavin made no move to catch up and he rode about two paces ahead of them, slowing to a walk. He heard them talking quietly
,
but could not understand their words.
They approached the tree-line and Branan could not resist one last look back. He shouldn't, he told himself,
it would only cause more pain, b
ut he couldn't stop himself.
As he stared at a huge keep, he wondered
if his heart would ever heal. Branan
had been so daft not to realize the aching desire within him was not simply lust, but a much more powerful emotion growing within him. He had ignored it
,
because he t
hat that part of him was dead, b
ut now he realized the truth too late. Would he ever be able to love again? Would he ever find a woman he could love as much as Catriona?
Branan
muttered a bitter curse, ready to turn away, for he knew the answer to that question was nay. The flicker of a torch caught his eye. He blinked and focused his vision. This torch was not coming from the castle
,
but moving toward it over the dark land. Late arriving guests? Then he saw more torches
,
at least half a dozen.
Branan
scowled and jerked his horse to a stop. The animal snorted in protest, lifting its hooves off the ground slightly.
He
ignored the beast. More torches joined the first group.
“
What is it
,
Branan? Gavin asked, as he and Duguald pulled to a stop beside him.
Branan pointed.
“
What the devil?
”
Duguald muttered.
The amount of torches increased and a shiver of warning crawled down Branan's spine. This was larger than any wedding celebration party Branan had ever seen and moving much too quickly. A low rumbling sound reached him, the sound of heavy horse.
“
Branan?
”
Gavin asked.
“
Do my eyes deceive me or is that a battle standard?
”
Branan squinted, the growing darkness making it difficult to see. But he finally spotted the standard in the midst of the column. He couldn't see the heraldry
,
but didn't have to.
“
Strickland,
”
he growled.
“
Courcy said Strickland grew more suspicious of him,
”
Duguald said.
“
Either that or he wants more money,
”
Gavin added.
Branan's gaze locked on the open gates and his heart jumped to his throat.
“
Nothing stands betwixt them and most of the guards were drunk when we left. They will storm the bailey without warning.
”
Duguald cursed.
“
Simon!
”
Branan snapped, drawing his claymore.
“
Ride to Thistlewood and bring the mercenaries. Make haste, man!
”
Simon galloped off and Branan hauled his horse around.
“
Branan,
”
Gavin said.
“
We are ill equipped for battle.
”
“
So is Brackenburgh, I willna leave Catriona unguarded.
”
H
e touched his spurs to his mount. The animal reared and screamed its challenge. Branan charged toward Brackenburgh with the others behind him.
****
Catriona tried to grab her courage
,
but terror and sorrow raged within her. She knew today would be difficult
,
but she never imagined saying goodbye to Branan would tear her heart to shreds. She had tried not to look at him
,
because when she did
, she saw
her own pain reflected and magnified in his expression.
The hour grew late and most of the revelers were beyond sotted. Richard guided her away from the crowd.
“
Mayhap now would be a good time to retire,
”
he said.
“
I have no stomach for a bedding ceremony.
”
He tugged gently on her arm
,
but Catriona's feet seemed as if they had suddenly grown roots into the ground.
A slight frown furrowed his brow.
“
Come, lady, before someone sees us and insists on the ceremony.
”