Branded by a Warrior (26 page)

Clearing his throat,
“I assume you know the universal
stop
and
go
signals, both basic and usually used by all,” motioning with his right fist each of the signs. His voice softened as he talked to
her.

Standing before Broderick,
“Aye,” she agreed, repeating each signal
flawlessly, as they were universal
. Smiling at her husband she asked, “Would you like to ask a question, or have me share something?”

Without hesitation he questioned, “You told me that you won a bet with your father allowing you to choose your husband, what was the bet?”

Smiling to herself, she knew this evening would be entertaining to say the least. Broderick obviously had a barrage of questions, happy to be finally having these conversations she replied, “My parents tried for years to get me to marry
a man of their choosing
, after training with Duncan I grew increasing irritated with the idea of marrying. I challenged
my father to an archery contest, if he could produce any man or woman who could out shoot me I’d allow him to pick my husband, if I won, he would allow me to marry at my own will,” smirking at Broderick as she watched him take in the scene in his head, “I have never been beat
en
,
ever
.”

“That sounds like a challenge my love,” crossing his arms he watched his beautiful wife before him. Trying to focus on the duty at hand he got back to business, “My men and I use an assortment of calls when riding or hunting, or getting ready to lay siege. The owl is to announce your position to other MacMillan warriors in the woods,” quietly he mimicked the owl call he and his men used frequently. “The next is the distress signal, something goes wrong or there is danger or you are in need of help, we use the fox call,” again, he mimicked the majestic fox call before her as she watched and soaked it all in. “Lastly is our
attack signal, the call we make to unleash hell upon our enemies, the wolf, our men all knows these calls by heart, I want you to master ev
eryone of them Elisabeth, for me
.
”

“Anything for you Broderick
,”
she eased into her questions, she didn’t want to start
too
strong with him, “How old were you when Siobhan broke your betrothal and married someone else?”

“Fifte
en, our contract was signed when
we were wee babes. I was never nice to
her
as we grew up, eventually once I understood what a betrothal really meant
I grew to hate the idea of having my wife chosen for me. When she ran off and got married I thanked the stars for saving me
,” Broderick replied with no emotion, it was clear he felt nothing for the beautiful woman he was once destined to marry.

Stepping closer again, Broderick’s voice lowered as he spoke to her, “When ordering the warriors, you will need to know directional signals to give them Elisabeth. Lets say you want to order twenty men to flank back behind the enemy, you would signal li
ke this,” motioning his fist with distinct
hand
motions.

Elisabeth watched Broderick’s motions like a hawk, she intended to master each move, each call, and she would not fail.
Elizabeth repeat
ed
the movement
s flawlessly
before him.

“Who was the first man you kissed?”
he asked, his eyes focused on only her.
Still practicing the signals, Elisabeth looked up to catch her husband’s eye as a blush crept across her
face. Standing up straight she brushed a falling curl out of her face and bit her lip as she looked up into her husband’s handsome face.
How was she to answer that question?

“His name wife?” stepping closer again, he placed his hand around her hip and slowly pulled her body up into his rock hard chest.

Exhaling slowly she felt her body melting into him, “A dashing young laird
who
mistook me for someone else in the dark of night at the border festival
many moons ago,” she whispered. S
he knew the
re was no hiding the truth now, a secret that she had never shared wit
h anyone was about to come out.

Tipping up her chin, Broderick kissed her forehead, “I doubt any man could mistake y
ou angel, you are one of a kind
.
”

Running her hands up his arms she continued
, “
He thought I was someone else and kissed me senseless
, damn near took my virginit
y thinking I was someone else. The very next day he
tried to declare war on my brother
and I had to turn over my sword to Duncan to stop him.”
Looking back up at him, she waited
for him to make the connection, to remember that night.

Cocking his head to the side he pulled away so he could see her face clearly, his brows were furrowed,
“It
couldn’t have been.
” He paused. “
It was you
?” he asked, his voice
but a
whisper
. Elisabeth could see him mentally scanning through his memories of that night.

Nodding she explained, “I was eighteen, it was my first festival and I had
come
across Kincaid and Fiona plotting against you and Duncan. Night had set and I had gotten turned around in camp, I saw your flag first and ran t
o
tell you what I had overheard.
When I entered your
darkened
tent, you assumed I was Fiona and kissed me senseless before I could even speak
.
”

“I remember. T
hat kiss we shared ignited a fire inside of me. A fire I thought was set by Fiona, not Duncan’s little sister,” wrapping his arms back around her he kissed her forehead, “You never said anything Elisabeth, why? I almost had you on your back, nearly naked that night!”

Pushing away from him, she furrowed her brow and crossed her arms, “Do you have any idea the presence you command Broderick? You were Laird MacMillan, devilishly handsome and
the greatest
warrior around, I was under your spell!
I was young, and in shock.
I had
never
let a
nother man get that close to me
ever before. Your touch, your kiss, it melted my heart, it made me feel things I never knew existed,” a tear rolled down her cheek as she continued, “What should I have said? Oh excuse me Broderick, I am not Fiona,
I’m Duncan’s little sister and
I came here to tell you she was
plotting your death.
Thanks for the
near ravishing
but
I really must be going now!”

Leaving the center of the room she walked over by the fire to sit down in the chair, the hounds were fast asleep beside the fire.

Behind her Broderick thought over the events of that night, shooting a hand through this hair he admitted, “
Those stolen moments with you in my tent forever changed my heart Elis
abeth, I had no idea it was you, if I did, you would have been my wife that very next day!
”

Looking over her shoulder at him
as
he continued.

“I had
never
felt my soul pull towards someone like it did when we kissed. Yes, I thought it was Fiona, t’was the
only
reason I fought so hard for her. When she jilted Duncan and I
, my heart was shattered.
I didn’t know until now
,
that it was
you
who touch
ed my heart all those years ago
. Why didn’t you tell me before now?
”

Looking back at the fire she whispered, “It do
esn’t change the past Broderick
.
”

Walking across the floor he strode over to her and knelt beside her, gathering her hands he kissed the knuckles on both of her hands, “Nae, but it gives my heart peace knowing I had fou
nd you five years ago.
That what my heart felt all those years ago was meant for you, now that wicked whore Fiona. It is no wonder when I brought you home after finding you in the forest how I instantly felt pulled to your side. It was because my heart had
already known what my mind din
nae
.
”

Burying her head in his neck she admitted,
“At the waterfall, when Duncan
and
you refused to listen to me
,
I was running
out of options to stop you from killing each other. I wanted to tell you so badly,
I wanted to bring your
pompous ass down to your knees, but I refrained. I knew if Duncan found out how close you were to bedding me that night he would have killed you. Instead, I
promised my brother my swo
rd for a year if he walked away
.
”

Tilting up her chin, “You s
aved my life that day Elisabeth
.
”

Batting away his hand, “I did it for my brother, not y
ou Broderick
.
”

Smiling at his emotional wife, he brushed one of her dark red locks behind her ear and offered, “Admit it wife, I claimed a piece of your heart that night, otherwise you wo
uld have seen Duncan lay me low
.
”

“
Aye, a piece of it. Now you have claimed my entire heart. W
hy did you bring me up
here Broderick
? Why are you teaching me signals as if I would be giving commands?” she scanned his eyes as he knelt before her.

His dark hair carelessly falling to his shoulders
, he ran his hand through his locks as
h
e told her the ultimate truth, “If myself or Kendrix is unable to command our army, you are next in command
.
If he or I die, are away, or any reason we cannot command our warriors, you will be responsible
for my army and my people
.
”

“Why would you do that Broderick?” she asked as she sat back into the chair, the information had floored her. Looking at the brooding giant kneeling before her, she searched his face.

Standing up, Broderick pulled Elisabeth up from the chair, looking into her eyes he slowly removed all of their weapons and sat them beside the table one by one as he explained, “I trust you Elisabeth, even though my actions on occasion do not reflect that. You are
an amazing woman, and warrior.
I trust you to have the best interest of our people at heart. I trust you to co
mmand my warriors in my absence
.
”

Still standing,
he had pulled all their swords and knives from their belts and laid them beside the table. Scooping her up into his arms he
sat down in the chair she had just occupied. Nestling her on his lap he wrapped his arms around
his slim wife pulling her closer
, “I’m sorry I accused you of corresponding with Kincaid, my emotions got the better of me lass, in my heart I know you would never do that.
I promise that I will do better
.
”

Leaning her head onto his chest she snuggled closer to her warm husband and soaked in the heat emanating off the fire, “Where did you get that letter Broderick? How does he know about my training this morning? How does he know I’m close with Isobel? He knew so much, it was as if he’s been here.
There has to be a enemy in our midst
.
”

Rubbing her back his voice was low as he replied, “Siobhan gave me the letter as I walked in, she said a messenger arrived from the Douglas clan.
The letter is very troubling to me Elisabeth, not only did he threaten you, he also threatened my niece. He obviously has a spy, thinking back I wonder if this sp
y has been here the entire time
.
”

Lifting up her head, she looked up into his eyes, “It is her Broderick, I
just know it
,
and Siobhan
is the connection
.
”

“Aye, don’t think I’m fooled by her Elisabeth. I’ve had her watched since your poisoning,” he admitted.

“You’ve had he
r
watched?”

“Aye, I’ve been laird for over ten years Elisabeth. There is a reason why my clan thrives, why we have stayed at the pinnacle of power in the Highlands, I see all. It’ll be a cold day in hell when something gets past me again my love; I protect my clan and those I love with every fiber of my being. I’m constantly vigilant. The poison in the pitcher the night of our wedding was intended for only you, the dosage of poison wouldn’t have kil
led me
.
”