She joined him by the fire and before he could hand her a tender piece of meat, she said, “You gave Burnell instructions on how to get to the MacAlpin keep?”
He hadn’t yet. Though leave it to her to know that was his intention. He could never walk away and leave these farmers without help.
“I intended to do that later as well as reassure them that we will do what we can to locate their families and see them safe, though some may have already taken refuge in the MacAlpin village.”
“Two of the men cannot travel for a couple of days, and even then, they will need carriers to transport them. I do not think it is wise to linger here, but we have no choice.”
“Burnell and I have already talked about posting guards.”
Bliss yawned and rested her head on Trey’s shoulder. “After I finish helping these men, I must return to see Philip.”
“I need to return home as soon as possible,” Trey said.
She lifted her head. “You learned what you needed to know?”
“Aye, and my brothers need to know as soon as possible.”
“Then go now,” she insisted.
“No,” he said firmly. “I will not leave you. My brothers will at least learn from Roan of the troop buildup and prepare for attack. It is just that I cannot be away much longer.”
“Then once we reach my cottage, you must go.”
It made sense that he should do just that, but the thought of leaving her wrenched at his heart, and he didn’t know if he would be able to walk away from her. But he had a duty, and that duty came before anything else, of which she reminded him.
“You are duty-bound to the true king. You must not forget it.”
“I am, but I am also duty-bound to my wife”—he held up his hand to stop her retort—“I will honor both . . . and hear no more about it from you.”
She smiled. “You really must learn to choose your words more wisely.”
Trey grinned. “And you must learn to be
obedient.
”
Bliss’s warm breath whispered across his ear as she said, “As you wish, I will be obedient, especially in bed, though I much prefer to be . . .
wild.
”
“Forget obedient,” Trey said, and took her in his arms and kissed her.
B
liss wished that they weren’t sitting in the middle of a camp of injured farmers, or perhaps it was good they were. Trey’s kiss tingled her senseless and had her wishing for more, a good reason to end it since it could go no further. So she did, and quickly, though with much reluctance.
She could feel the desire that sizzled between them; it heated her skin and made her wet all at the same time. She ached to make wild love with Trey, and if they were alone, she had no doubt that they would. How one simple kiss could stir such crazy passion surprised her and made her curious as to the depths of desire that would be ignited if they hadn’t stopped.
It also continued to surprise her that, in such a short time, they had grown more and more attracted and attached to each other, but it shouldn’t have. Her grandmum had told her how her mum had fallen in love with her da as soon as she laid eyes on him. Grandmum had detailed how Bliss’s mum had burst into the cottage one day and announced she had just met the man who would be her husband though he had yet to speak with her. If her mum had fallen in love that fast, couldn’t she? But her mum had chosen her husband, whereas fate had chosen Bliss’s.
“I wish we were alone,” Trey whispered with a kiss to her temple.
She had no intentions of denying the obvious. “As do I.”
They both grew silent, their thoughts the same. They wondered when this torture would end and they would finally make love.
No further words were exchanged. They simply stretched out on the blanket that Trey had laid on the ground by the fire. He tucked his cloak around them once she was snuggled against him, and they both reluctantly, and with some difficulty, went to sleep.
Bliss woke a bit disoriented. She was cold and it was dark and Trey . . . was gone.
She sat up abruptly and saw that everyone still slept and then recalled Trey telling her that Burnell and he had discussed posting guards. He had probably volunteered for the late-night post, not trusting the wounded to remain as alert as he would.
For a minute, she thought to go to him, but that wouldn’t be fair. Her presence would only interfere with his duty, and she had already interfered enough. She wished she could see the future more clearly for herself, but it was a senseless wish, and she knew it. She would only be shown what she was meant to see . . . no more.
She sighed as she stretched out on the blanket, and, in no time, she drifted off to sleep.
“
Help me! Please help me!
”
Bliss heard the pitiful plea but could not see who made it, the mist too thick. “Where are you?” she called out.
“
Not far. You must help me, I beg you. I never meant it to be this way.
”
“
Keep talking so that I can find you,
”
Bliss said.
“
You must hurry, please.
”
“
I’ll find you. I promise I’ll find you,
”
Bliss said.
Suddenly the woman was there and she grabbed hold of Bliss.
“
You can’t have him. I won’t let you. He’s mine. He belongs to me.
”
The blond woman grabbed hold of Bliss, her fingers digging into her arm, and, try as she might, she couldn’t break free.
“
Let go of me,” Bliss demanded.
But the woman didn’t, she kept tight hold of her, and no amount of struggling freed Bliss. But it didn’t stop her from trying. She fought and continued to fight to break free.
F
armers usually rose with the sun. With so much work to be done before nightfall, one had to rise with the break of dawn to have enough time to complete all the daily chores. So Burnell relieved Trey just as the sun came up.
Trey was glad to see him. It wasn’t that he was tired though he yawned repeatedly; he knew there was no time to sleep. He intended to hunt again for game so that the men could eat and grow strong. He approached the campsite and immediately saw Bliss in distress. She looked to be struggling, as if fighting someone in her sleep. He hurried to her side, grabbed her, and gave her a shake before he took her into his arms, held her tight, and demanded that she come back to him.
“Come back to me, Bliss. Do you hear me? Come back to me
now,
” he said adamantly.
It took two more good shakes before her eyes fluttered open. They widened even further as Trey spoke to her.
“Damn, but you frightened me. I thought I wouldn’t get you back.”
“I was stuck,” she said breathlessly.
“I do not like the thought of your being stuck someplace where I cannot reach you.”
“Neither do I.” She slipped her arms tightly around his waist.
Damn, how did he protect her from her dreams?
“You cannot,” she said.
He hadn’t spoken aloud, which could only mean . . .
“Sometimes the words in your head sound as clear as the words from your lips,” she explained.
“This will take getting used to,” he admitted.
“For us both since I don’t wish to intrude on your thoughts.”
“But I wish to intrude on your dreams. I don’t like seeing you struggle in your sleep, knowing that you are stuck in a dream and that I cannot possibly reach you.”
“You do reach me, and that is what matters.”
“Tell me of this dream that haunts you and attempts to imprison you.”
She shook her head. “I don’t wish to recall it right now.”
It wasn’t lost on Trey that this was the second time she had refused to share her dream with him. He was beginning to wonder if she didn’t
want
to share it and if her reluctance had anything to do with him.
She was upset, so he would not insist though eventually they would have to discuss it. He needed to know about that dream and why it upset her so and why she had such a difficult time escaping it.
B
liss unwrapped herself from Trey though she would have preferred to remain in his arms, at least a little while longer. The warmth, comfort, and contentment she felt when he embraced her always overwhelmed her. It was as if she had come home, found the place she was meant to be, though it wasn’t a place . . . it was a person.
Her husband.
Was this part of falling in love? Finding peace and solace with your mate?
“Are you all right?” Trey asked.
Concern was heavy in his voice, and his hands remained on her waist, as if he had no intention of letting go until he was certain she was well. She loved that he cared and worried over her and that he would always see her safe . . . another wonderful part of falling in love.
Bliss smiled. “I am fine, and it is time for me to see how the injured are doing.”
“And I must go hunt.”
Her smile suddenly faded, and she grabbed his arm, squeezing it. “We must leave no later than tomorrow morning.”
“Do you see more troops headed this way?”
She shook her head. “A band of mercenaries.”
“To join with the king’s troops?”
She nodded, then shook her head. “Yes and no . . . I’m not sure. But I don’t want to take the chance of placing these injured men in more danger.”
“Agreed,” he said. “I’ll tell Burnell we must make ready for early departure on the morrow. Do what you can to prepare the injured.”
He gave her a quick kiss and took off. It dawned on her how often he kissed her that way, as if it was the most natural thing for him to do, as if he was her true husband. She had no time to linger on the thought, too much to do, but she could not help but think how lovely it was to have a loving husband.
The sun that had risen bright and bold was later devoured by heavy clouds and crisper air. Bliss intended to tell Trey that another fire was necessary to help keep the men warm. She wasn’t surprised when he built one without her having said a word. They thought much alike, or perhaps he was more attuned to her thoughts than either of them realized.
The day wore on, with Bliss busy attempting to heal the more serious injuries enough so that they would not worsen with travel. She knew her zealous efforts would leave her tired, but with a bit of rest, she would feel refreshed soon enough.
Bliss barely had time to exchange even a few words with Trey throughout the day though he sent a smile her way often enough.
By nightfall, all in the camp were exhausted, and after the food was eagerly eaten, the men drifted off to sleep, all except Trey. He had the first watch.
Bliss lay next to the fire, her cloak and blanket wrapped tightly around her. She missed Trey’s warmth, his solid embrace, and his hard chest, which so often pillowed her head. She had grown accustomed to sleeping beside him, snuggled in his arms. And she could not imagine ever sleeping alone again.
He had in a short time become necessary to her, and though the thought caused a moment of fear, it also brought pleasure. To think that he would keep her warm, love her, and grow old with her filled her with joy.
But would he? Or was this a momentary episode created by fate. But for what purpose?
It had been much easier to accept fate’s ways when she was alone, but not so now that there was Trey. She would miss him terribly if they were to part.
She shook her head, not wanting even to imagine the possibility. The hurt would be . . .
How had Trey ever survived losing the woman he loved? Just the thought of Trey’s parting wrenched at her heart. She had felt a mere moment of his horrific pain when he had told her about Leora’s death. And while her pain ceased with the telling of the tale, his had not.
It continued to linger with him, along with memories, some good and some unbearable.
She would be asked on occasion to help heal the bereaved, and sadly, she always had to refuse. Her grandmum had taught her that only time and the love of family and friends could help them.
Bliss stood taking the blanket with her and went to where Trey sat just on the outskirts of the campsite.
“Your steps are so light I barely hear them,” Trey said, as she approached.
She plopped down beside him, threw the blanket around them, and cuddled close. “My intentions were not to surprise you but to seek warmth.”
His arm went around her waist and drew her closer. “Truth be told, I wouldn’t mind some myself.”
She slipped her arms around his waist and rested her head to his shoulder. “Then you don’t mind if I stay here with you?”
“I’m glad you’re here, though I must keep alert to my post.”
“I did not come to seduce you,” she said with a soft laugh.
“You can seduce me any other time you would like to,” he encouraged with a squeeze to her side.
She laughed again. “I’ve had no experience at seduction and wouldn’t know where to start.”
“You seduce me every time you look at me.”
She lifted her head from his chest and stared at him bewildered. “I do?”
“Aye, you do. Your eyes need only settle on me, and I’m thinking things that . . . distract me.”
She chuckled. “Such power. What will I do with it?”
“Nothing at the moment, though feel free any other time,” he said. “Right now I’d prefer we sit quiet so that I can listen for unwanted company.”
Bliss understood, for passion was beginning to stir within her, the knowledge that she had the power to excite him so easily excited her; but he was right—now was not the time.
She rested her head to his shoulder once again, and he tucked the blanket more firmly around them. The night had turned cold, but she was snug in his warmth. She listened along with him to the silence. Nothing seemed to stir tonight; the forest was at peace. And so was she.
It wasn’t long before her eyes drifted closed, and she fell asleep.
Bliss woke with a start and sat up abruptly.
Trey jolted up beside her. “What’s wrong?”
It took a moment for her to realize that they were in front of the campfire. Last she remembered . . . she cocked her head and stared at him.
“I carried you here after Burnell took over guard duty.”
She had slept soundly and without dreams, unusual for her, but a sudden sensing had woken her. “We must get the men ready to leave at first light.”
“What’s wrong?” Trey asked, standing along with her.
“If we wait too long to leave, our paths will cross. If we leave as light breaks on the land, we have no chance of crossing paths.”
Trey nodded and went to work rousing the men. Once told their sunrise departure was necessary to avoid confrontation with mercenaries, the men got busy. Carriers had been fashioned the day before for two men who were too seriously injured to walk.
When the glow of the rising sun was seen on the horizon, the group departed. Bliss led the way, knowing that certain areas had to be avoided. It was a strenuous morning for all. The men, though weakened by their plight, remained determined by the chance to see their loved ones again.
It was late afternoon when they came to the area where it was necessary for Bliss and Trey to part ways from the group of farmers.
Burnell stepped forward. “We are grateful and in your debt for all you have done.”
“Arrive at my home safely, and your debt is paid,” Trey said with a smile and a firm handshake.
Bliss shook her head. “It is too long a trip not only for those more seriously wounded, but the others who begin to heal. You will need to stop and rest at least two days, and I know the perfect place where you will find help. You will stop and rest with my people . . . the Picts.”
Burnell turned a doubtful glance to Trey.
“I have met the Picts. They are good people and will welcome you.”
“Aye, they will,” Bliss said, and reached for Burnell’s hand, turning it palm up. “Sentinels guard our land. When one approaches, you tell him you have a message from Bliss, their healer. He will hold out his hand and you will draw this symbol on it with your thumb.” Bliss drew a cross and pressed her thumb in the center. “He will then help you.”
Burnell nodded and once again thanked them, as did the others who filed past them as the small band of farmers continued on.
When the last one had disappeared from sight, Bliss turned to Trey ready to continue their journey to see how Philip fared.