Mist Warrior (6 page)
She stared at him, now certain he was truly a ghost. She examined his face, shadowed with a day’s
growth of beard, his strong jaw
line, his high cheekbones and his elegant dark eyebrows. His eyes…sea-green in color…suddenly she knew
. I
t could be no other man.
“
Branan?
”
she whispered, waiting for her ghostly sav
ior to vanish into the mist that
had created him. Tears pushed forward and trickled down her cheeks. She stumbled on her injured ankle and threw herself into his arms, sobbing.
He caught her easily and his embrace tightened.
“
Sweet Catriona,
”
he whispered, his voice a rich baritone.
A body that
felt as if it was made of granite and steel engulfed her. She reveled in the strength of his arms, the warmth of his breath against her skin, the dampness of his long black hair
,
which had escaped its leather tie,
and
the rough stubble of his cheek against hers. He was powerfully real.
She dropped the stick and clung to him.
“
You came back,
”
she said, trying to choke
down
her sobs and failing.
Branan’s embrace did not ease.
“
I feared ye dead,
”
he whispered, a soft brogue accenting his speech.
“
When I saw the manor house…
”
His voice broke and his grip tightened.
“
We…
we must find Gavin. I know not
—
”
“
He is with me, Catriona. He fetched me from my home in Scotland.
”
She stared up at him, absolutely stunned, her muddled mind trying to wrap around his words.
“
We were searching for ye when we heard the men shouting. Gavin is doubling around behind the curs. How many are there?
”
“
”
He sucked in a deep breath.
“
Are ye hurt?
”
Quivering in terror, she realized her ankle continued to throb.
“
I took a bad fall in the ditch. I don’t think my ankle’s broken, just strained.
”
“
Sweet Jesu,
”
he whispered, his lips brushing her ear. He surprised her with a soft chuckle.
“
I ken yer speech be as gentle and maidenly as always.
”
A hot blush colored her cheeks
,
but she grinned up at him.
“
And you expected no less.
”
He laughed, a wonderfully deep sound, his smile sinfully bright.
Her humor faded, a painful memory replacing it.
“
So how long before you vanish into the night again?
”
His jaw tightened and his sea-green eyes clouded
, as
turbulent
as a storm
.
“
Catriona, I—”
“
Hey now,
”
a voice called.
Branan stiffened and turned
,
but then smiled.
“
Gavin.
”
Catriona reluctantly released Branan to embrace her brother. The giant man beside her continued to possess her attention. His armor failed to hide his broad shoulders and the powerful size of his chest. All semblance of the youthling she had known was gone. His face had matured with exquisitely handsome planes, pronounced cheekbones
,
and a straight nose. His lips were full and well-shaped, his jaw strong and proud. She noted his tanne>
his eyes hadn’t changed at all,
s
till a beautiful sea-green color that sometimes shifted with the light.
She glimpsed a reflection of deep grief within them,
y
et he smiled at her
,
and for a moment his eyes sparked with an old fire that always took her breath away.
“
I slew two of the sods,
”
Gavin said and glanced around.
“
But it seems you had more fun than I did.
”
“
Here,
”
Branan said, removing his huge woolen cloak.
“
You’re half frozen
,
Catriona.
”
Gently he placed the thick wool over her shoulders and wrapped it tightly around her.
Catriona staggered, her exhaustion catching her unexpectedly.
“
Branan,
she’s well-nigh unto dropping,
”
Gavin said, refusing to release her.
“
The lass said she thought there were five. If ye killed a pair
,
then we have them all.
”
“
Wait,
”
Catriona said.
“
Is one a huntsman or forester?
”
Branan scowled, gazing at the bodies.
“
I doona think so, lass. Gavin?
”
“
Serjants
,
by the look of those I killed.
Catriona shook her head.
“
Then one escaped. I was not sure of the count
,
remember.
”
“
Medoubts
—
”
Branan began.
“
Branan,
”
she said wearily.
“
They never fell more than an hour or two behind me
,
although I tried everything father taught me. You know how well I u
nderstand these woods,
yet they stayed on my trail like hounds.
”
“
Aye,
”
Gavin said tightly.
“
There must be a forester.
”
“
Mayhap they simply
—
”
“
Branan, you lack-wit, you know my sister’s talent, do not deny it simply because she is female.
”
“
Aye,
”
Branan said
,
giving her a wink.
“
Mayhap the forester escaped. I’d wager he willna pursue
,
but return to Strickland for reinforcements.
”
“
Aye, brother,
”
Gavin said nodding.
“
Where should we go?
”
Catriona did not want to speak
,
she knew it was their only answer. She gazed up at Branan, her heart breaking.
“
Perhaps we should seek shelter at the home of…my betrothed.
”
Branan’s jaw tightened but he held her gaze.
“
’Tis a good idea, lass. I need to speak with him.
”
He fell silent, his eyes staring into her soul.
Catriona swallowed hard. He did not object to her betrothal. Only now did she realize her heart had clung to a tiny shred of hope
,
but it suddenly vanished
,
along with the rest of her foolish childhood fantasies.
“
Catriona?
”
Gavin asked.
“
Can you ride?
”
“
Not alone.
”
“
Let me take her,
”
Branan said.
To her shock, Gavin released her and Branan lifted her into his arms. She squeezed her eyes shut and settled her head against his shoulder, vowing she would not cry
,
but tears leaked down her face no matter her effort
.
Branan and Gavin had come home, alive and well. She was no longer alone.
Brackenburgh
As they rode,
Branan wrapped his plaid around them both and held Catriona close. His excuse was to keep her warm
,
but a part of him savored the wonderful
feel
of her body against his. In the ten years Branan had been gone, Catriona had blossomed into a beautiful young woman. She only reached the middle of his chest and when Branan
si
had
embraced her
,
he’d
felt as if he could
have
wrap
ped
himself around her twice.
Although petite, Catriona was strong and lithe. As a child she had mastered the bow and constantly hunted in the forest. Her father
had
ignored her unladylike behavior, secretly pleased with her skill. Now
,
she was strong
,
yet
the feel of her
feminine
curves ignited Branan’s blood
. Her face
was
no longer childlike in shape
,
but her angelic blue eyes were just as beautiful as he remembered. Her smile still dazzled him and her skin remained unblemished.