Page 44 of Bound to a Warrior
“What of the soldiers? Won’t they see the smoke, smell the fish?”
“I believe we’re far enough away. And that they are still busy waiting for us to cross that field.”
“We fared well against them,” she said with a nod and popped more meat into her mouth. “You cook a delicious fish.”
“It helps that you’re starving or you might think differently.”
Mercy laughed and held out her hand. “Starving or not, it’s the tastiest fish I’ve ever eaten.”
Duncan slapped his hand to his chest. “You’ve won my heart, lass, you have.”
A tingle raced through her at the thought that she could even have a chance at winning his heart.
Foolish.
She wished her mother would stop creeping into her mind. She had heard it enough through the years and didn’t want to hear another word or warning. She wanted simply to spend what time she had left with Duncan and learn for herself, judge for herself and experience for herself.
“More?” she asked, her cupped hand held out to him, and her request not only for the fish.
“All yours,” he said plucking another fat helping of meat off the fish and into her hand.
“All mine,” she whispered, her gaze on Duncan and not the fish.
“Do you feel rested enough to travel?” he asked.
“More than enough,” she answered with a nod. “And I suppose we should be on our way.”
“The further we travel into Pict territory, the less likely the soldiers will follow.”
“How long before we enter their land?”
“Half day’s journey,” he said.
She finished eating, thinking that no doubt the Picts would have sufficient tools to free them of the chain. Once again she wondered, what then? But there was no time and certainly no sense to dwell, only time to act.
When the last of the fish was eaten, Mercy went to the stream, Duncan following without protest, and refreshed herself. This time her reflection didn’t shock her. Duncan had cleaned not only her wound but the grime from her face. She turned to where he knelt beside her.
“Thanks to you I didn’t frighten myself when I looked upon my reflection.”
He grabbed hold of her chin. “Your reflection could never frighten. You’re too beautiful.”
And with that he kissed her. She hadn’t expected it, though she certainly welcomed it. He took his time and was ever so gentle that she simply melted against him and allowed him to steal her senses.
She cared for nothing at that moment except the kiss and the way his arm slipped around her, ran up her back and down again while all the time he continued to kiss her. She was lost and didn’t care. She wanted only to enjoy this moment with him, this kiss, and so she did. Every weave and tangle of their tongues sent tingles down to her toes and his lips were so very firm and confident, tempting her, urging her to respond that she did so without thought or reason.
They could barely breathe when he finally and reluctantly ended it, resting his forehead against hers.
“One day,” he said breathless. “One day.”
He didn’t have to say more, she knew what he meant, felt what he meant and agreed. One day they would satisfy the passion that continued to grow between them. It was inevitable.
“We better go,” he said and turned to douse the campfire with dirt. “We may come upon a croft or perhaps a field yet harvested as we travel and get to enjoy another hardy meal.”
“Nothing will ever taste as delicious as the fish you cooked for me,” she said as they bent down, gathered and folded the blanket into the sack.
“I will always be there for you. I will keep you well fed and see you safe, of that you have my word.”
He sounded as if he recited a vow and the thought warmed her heart. It was so very nice to know someone cared enough to watch over her. Her mother and father may have professed to do the same, but it was for selfish reasons. Duncan did it for…
