Branded by a Warrior (15 page)

Her hair began to fall from the crown upon her head down across her back in loose curls as she rode him,
her urge bordering on oblivion, leaning down she kissed his mouth as he grabbed her ass and pounded into her, “Mine,” she whispered biting his lip as he buried himself deeply.

One hand on her ass, he buried his other hand deep into her curls as he pulled her closer to her release, taking her mouth he worked his hips as she exploded into climax, throwing her head back she screamed his name as she milked his cock with her core.

Elisabeth had stirred an emotion in him long thought dead as he watched her climax; he had given himself a part of her he had protected viciously for years. He had
entrusted this woman his heart without even telling her, they had claimed each other in a beautiful union that he had never experienced in his life. No other woman had made him feel this way, no other woman made him feel the desire and possession he felt as she rode his rock hard shaft. She had knocked down his walls and marched into his heart, as he watched her have wave after wave of raw pleasure he silently handed this woman the key to his heart. Joining her moments later, he squeezed her sweet as
s
as
he
pulled almost all the way out and thrust back into her warm center time and time again, locking eyes with the dreamy eyed vixen, he whispered, “Mine,” as he thrust one last time into her, filling her womb with his hot seed he released his unfiltered climax, refusing to hold anything back from her.

Catching her in his arms, he brought her down beside him and
brushed away her fallen hair, claiming
her sweet mouth as he slowly pulled out of her and tucked her into his arms, both breathing heavily.

Waking to the sound of people in the bailey below, Elisabeth stretched out in the bed and reached for her betrothed only to find herself alone in bed. Temporarily saddened at his absence, she looked around the room to see he had taken the hounds with him as well, but had left her something.

On his chair, now placed back by the fire
,
she saw his
carefully folded tartan plaid over the chair with a note attached to it. Pulling back the warm covers she walked across the room naked to the waiting plaid and picked up the parchment.

To the queen of my heart,

Please wear my plaid, join me downstairs when you wake.

Yours forever,

B.

Setting aside the note she saw not only had he left the plaid, he had also left a beautiful golden thistle broach for her to secure it over her shoulder as his clans people did. To the left
of the plaid
was the golden dagger he had given her last night, along with a two matching golden cuffs for her arms
, both bearing the MacMillan crest
.

Her heart warmed at his kind gesture, he was a thoughtful man. Smiling, she turned around to get dressed and find her future husband for the day.

Slipping into a warm dress, she had pulled back the window covering to see that a blanket of fresh snow had fallen upon the castle grounds while they slept last night. Securing his tartan over her shoulder and across her breast falling at her hip
,
his colors of
red
and green looked wonderful against the light ivory gown she had chosen. Slipping on her golden cuffs she attached the thistle broach above her heart, and secured the golden dagger at her hip.

Looking in the small mirror she brushed her hair until it crackled and shined. Plaiting her long hair she wound i
t up into a crown upon her hair.

Slipping on tall leather boots that Rhona h
ad made for her
, she
walked over to Broderick’s wardrob
e and opened the doors to find his
beautiful
black
sable fur to throw over her shoulders
.

Taking one last look in the mirror she saw Broderick’s mark all over her, his dagger, his gifts, his tartan, she felt worthy of every piece of it. Smiling to herself she opened the door and floated down the circle stairs through the corridor and keep, smiling and greeting castle help and clans people along her way.

Each person noticed the MacMillan plaid displayed across her chest with pride, many commented as she walked by.

“O
ur colors look fine on you miss
!
”

“Welcome to the clan my lady!
”

Nodding and thanking each as she passed them on her way to find Broderick, an elder warrior opened the main doors for her as she approached, “He’
s outside training with the warriors lass.
”

Straightening her shoulders, she walked out into the fresh snow.

In the bailey the
men were training with swords when
Kendrix saw the castle doors open, and before him Elisabeth appear donned in his brother’s tartan
looking like a formidable queen. B
eside him his brother had his back turned and hadn’t noticed her presence. 

One by one Broderick’s
warriors stopped and directed their eyes to the front of the ca
stle.
Seeing
his well-trained war
riors divert their attention, Broderick
followed their eyes to the front of the castle and saw her.

Standing at the top of the castle stairs his redheaded future queen stood cloaked in his sable fur, draped in his personal tartan she looked like a royal queen,
his
royal queen. He watched as she slowly walked down the stairs with her eyes upon him the entire time, sheathing his broadsword he walked away from his men directly towards his beautiful betrothed.

Ignoring his clan of warriors behind him, he met her halfway and eyed her from toe to crown with an approving gaze, “You look stunning lass, I think you’ve enchanted my entire army
, and most assuredly their L
aird,” bending down he kissed her in front of every person present in the courtyard. Entwining fingers with her, he smiled and turned to face his men, “Clan MacMillan, I take great plea
sure
announcing Elisabeth has agreed to become my wife!”

His announcement was met with deafening applause and cheering, people came out of the huts and shops lining the courtyard to join in welcoming their new queen.
Blushing,
she waved to the people and warriors surrounding them in the light snowfall, and looked adoringly into his eyes.

“Elisabeth!” Isobel ran from the stables directly across the courtyard to the couple with her arms outstretched, smi
ling at the announcement.

Letting go of Broderick’s hand, she knelt down and opened her arms wide for the oncoming child, wrapping her arms around the wee lass she picked up five year old Isobel with ease and hugged her as Broderick and the clan watched.

“You will be my Aunt?” she asked as she squeezed Elisabeth tightly.

Nodding and setting the lass back on her feet, “Aye, Isobel. Uncle Broderick is keeping me after all,” smiling at the child and then back to the da
rk warrior standing by her side,
she saw him kick up a smile.

The next
week had
flown
by for Elisabeth, she had
stepped in and took up the rei
ns in the castle and saw to duties typically reserved for the laird’s wife with ease.
Day after day brought her work and new faces, she was overjoyed for both. She had never been a woman to sit down and watch others do, she wanted to help with everything. Once Broderick gave his approval for her to leave the room at her will, she was in the kitchens in the morning
,
and helping clean the castle throughout the day. The tedious work kept her mind busy, and allowed her to make friends with so many warm people.
With the snow falling constantly, the castle prepared for the long winter ahead.
She took up the duties that were to become hers quickly, she longed for a job within the clan. She wanted to earn her keep.

Elisabeth’s ni
ghts were filled with making love to her betrothed
, he had taught her so much in the past week.
The two of them fought to keep their hands off each other when in public, however the moment they closed their door, they never quit.
Each morning
she would wake to Broderick sliding into her. Waking up in the morning was fast becoming her favorite time of day.

Her shoulder was healing well; it pained her very little anymore
unless she lifted heavy objects
. The linens had been discarded days ago. Her scar was long and still very red as it ran from her shoulder between her breasts. Each night as Broderick undressed her he would place kisses down it, assuring her it didn’t mar her beauty.
In fact, she was quite sure he loved all of her scars; he worshipped her body with his tender touch.

She
had brought up the conversation of starting to train with his warriors on several occasions this week, feeling her arm was
finally
well enough t
o do light work with a sword. Broderick
had shot down each attempt by making love to her
and getting her to forget
; she had easily caught on to his tactics. Biding her time she pushed aside the continual dismissal, for now.

Not everything had been going her way as she settled into her new home. Although some of the women
were welcoming and wa
rm,
Siobhan and her cronies were a different matter all together. Over the week it was apparent that Siobhan wasn’t taking the news of the laird’s engagement to
her
well.

She had caught Siobhan talking with
Broderick several times; she had watched them from a distance where she wasn’t seen. Siobhan wasn’t giving up on the handsome warrior easily; Elisabeth could tell she was pleading with
Broderick
, trying to tempt him with her overly exposed body.
Siobhan would find someway to isolate Broderick away
, begging for another chance, pleading with him to uphold their original betrothal for the sake of their clan.

Time after time, Broderick would remove her hands off of him and walk away; his dismissals were cold and consistent. She had yet to bring it up with Broderick, she saw no need since he handled the situation with cold rejection.
She trusted Broderick entirely, if had wanted that woman he would have married her years ago.
It appeared that Broderick saw through Siobhan’s attempts with ease, his words were strong and concise. Each time she witnessed her husband give Siobhan a blistering let down, she smiled, the woman was a thorn in her side.

Siobhan went out of her way to snub
her
every
chance she got; in fact, Elisabeth
had yet to actually meet the woman. Every time she attempted to approach the black haired beauty, Siobhan would turn up her nose and promptly walk in the other direction.
Refusing to let such a bitter woman ruin her mood, Elisabeth simply held her composure and smiled knowing Siobhan was scared of her on some level.  

This past week
Rhona had given
her advice on how to deal with such a jealous tart,
all of it made her laugh. Rhona’s humor livened her mood during the day while inside the castle,
her extensive tours of the entire castle
kept Elisabeth busy and away from Siobhan. Rhona took her all over, from
the towers and battlements, cellars and
dungeon. Elisabeth quick learned the castle was far larger than she ever
knew;
it had been built into the castle.
There were caves and secret tunnels, hidden cellars and caches of extra dry goods in the event th
ey were robbed or ran out. The c
astle was
awe-inspiring;
she had never seen such ingenuity used in such an ancient castle.

Over the week
Elisabeth had memorized the entire layo
ut, and
started to remember an impressive amount of names, she was fast enjoying learning her new people. Isobel never left her side, from the moment Elisabeth appeared in the keep
in the morning
until the moment she went to bed, Isobel flourished in the company of Elisabeth.

She had reassured Kendrix that little Isobel was a welcome addition to her day,
for she truly enjoyed the joy the little girl brought back into her life. Her innocent questions and silly humor, and her sweet giggle made Elisabeth smile throughout her entire day.
It was apparent to Elisabeth that Isobel needed a mother figure in her life, she easily stepped in and started teaching the wee lass things a young lady should know.

Elisabeth and Broderick had not settled on a date to get married, neither
was
in a rush, and the castle was so busy with activity that it was hard to even see to their normal chores and duties.
She knew they wouldn’t be able to live in sin forever; the elders would want them married before spring.

Waking up a bit too late, Elisabeth was saddened to see Broderick had already left their room for the morning.
Taking her time she dressed for the day and
walked
down into the keep
in search of Old Rhona
and her lovely
tarts.
Elisabeth noticed the absence of Isobel who normally met
her at the bottom of the stairs each morning.
Scanning the keep she frowned as she worried about the little blonde girl.

Wearing Broderick’s sable fur around her,
she started walking to the kitchens when she
saw Isobel
slumped against the castle door
crying.

Worried, she quickly crossed the keep,
“What is wrong lass?” kneeling beside her she moved Isobel’s hands away from her face.

Sniffling
, “I think I left my mother’s necklace by the c
reek, I cannot find it anywhere
, I was there with Da the other day
.
”

Rubbing Isobel’s back she hugged her and stood up, holding out a hand
she asked, “Lets go find your D
a, maybe he’ll let us ride outside of t
he castle to the creek my swee
t
.
”

Smiling up at Elisabeth, Isobel
took her hand and they head out into the courtyard in search of Kendrix.
The snow had fallen overnight, covering the castle grounds in glittering snow and ice, the sun attempted to peek through the thick clouds as they walked to the stables.
The warriors had just finished their drills, the sound of the blacksmith’s hammer rung out as they walked past him. The bailey was alive with activity this fine morning, searching for Broderick and Kendrix; Elisabeth scanned the large bailey and found neither brother.