Page 47 of Bound to a Warrior
Able smiled. “She’s many things, and she has a good healing touch.”
“Her cottage is a bit off course for you,” Eleanor explained. “But it may be worth it.”
Mercy and Duncan thanked the couple and left with their sack full and directions to Bliss’s cottage.
When they were a distance away from the croft Mercy turned to Duncan. “There is no reason to add further delay to reaching your home. We need not visit this healer.”
Duncan stopped walking, forcing Mercy to do the same. His fingers went to the wound at her head and she winced when he probed the area.
“It looks as if it’s turned an angry red, so there is no question to it,” Duncan said. “We go to the healer.”
“Able never claimed her to be a healer. He said she had a healing touch.”
“It matters not how she heals you,” Duncan said and brushed his lips across hers. “As long as she heals you.”
Chapter 15
Rain clouds thwarted the setting sun as Duncan and Mercy approached Bliss’s cottage. Duncan stopped a few feet from it and glanced around. It was exceptionally quiet, but then that was more likely due to the land. This area had always been more serene than anyplace he had ever been. Though the cottage was a bit larger than the usual, it had familiar characteristics. And somehow he knew it welcomed.
He had no doubt they were being watched and had been since entering Pict territory. In a way it lent comfort, for the king’s soldiers would be quickly noticed and not last long here.
“Something troubles you?” Mercy asked.
He smiled and with the urge stronger than ever to kiss her, he did and then said, “The only thing that troubles me is that I want to kiss you all the time. Your sweet, warm taste is addictive.” He kissed her again, needing to confirm it for himself. “I will never tire of the taste of you.”
“Then savor all you want,” she invited.
He wrapped his arm around her and drew her up against him, their bodies coming together in a perfect fit. “Be careful what you offer.”
“I offer it freely,” she said with bitter sadness that disturbed him.
He wanted to tell her that his offers came with conditions and promises, but now was not the time. There was much that had to be done, the chain coming off being one; and then it would be time to talk, and much needed to be said.
“Welcome.”
Duncan and Mercy turned at the sound of the melodic voice that called to them and both their eyes spread wide. The woman standing a few feet from the cottage was stunning. Her beauty actually captured their breath and left them speechless.
While her garments were those of a peasant woman, plain brown wool skirt and soft yellow blouse, her features were those of royalty. Her long blond hair varied in shades of shimmering gold and cascaded softly around her face and down over her shoulders, ending just past her breasts. She stood a good seven inches over five feet and was of slender build, but it was her face that caught and kept the attention.
Surely, she was of heavenly descent for only angels could be that beautiful.
“Come,” she waved to them. “The rain will start any moment now and bring with it an autumn chill.”
As if the sky heard, fat raindrops suddenly began to fall and Duncan, taking firm hold of Mercy’s hand, ran with her to the cottage.
The woman closed the heavy door behind them and motioned them to the large fireplace. “Go warm yourself while I get you hot cider.”
Duncan and Mercy eagerly accepted her hospitality and sat on the floor in front of the roaring flames and let the heat soak through them.
“You are Bliss?” Duncan asked as she handed him a tankard of cider.
“I am and you must be Duncan,” she said and then turned, handing Mercy a tankard. “And you must be Mercy.”
Duncan furrowed his brow, wondering how she could possibly know who they were. She quickly satisfied his curiosity.
“News travels fast in these parts, especially when it concerns the king’s soldiers chasing after a man and woman shackled together. Though none were sure you would come our way.”
“We had no choice,” Duncan explained.
