Page 65 of Bound to a Warrior
Mercy didn’t wait to find out what had surprised the soldier, she bolted up, assuming Duncan had plans to attack and needed her help. Pain not only shot through her head, but also her right arm and all she could do was reach out, grasping for Duncan before she began to slip back into the fog.
“Mercy! Mercy!”
Duncan’s shouts assaulted her like a blow to the head and she scrunched her eyes against the pounding sound.
Mercy heard the soldier ask, “How badly is she hurt?”
No, she thought, fighting against the fog that attempted to claim her. A soldier would not concern himself with her injures. If not a soldier, then who was he?
“A head wound, and I’m not sure how much damage I have done to her arm.”
“Is the arm broken, and why the hell are you chained to this woman?”
“I don’t think it’s broken, but her head wound needs tending. And I’ll explain about the shackles later.”
Mercy surmised by the concern and ease in which they conversed that they knew each other. Could that mean they were on Duncan’s land? Was this man one of his warriors? If so, that meant they were no longer alone. There was someone there to help them and Mercy squeezed Duncan’s hand as she uttered his name.
“You’re safe, Mercy,” Duncan said. “My brother Trey is here and we’re going to get you home.”
Relief rushed through her and helped dissipate the haziness. Not wanting to suffer through another bout of pain, she slowly worked her eyes open while remaining perfectly still. It took several moments to see clearly, and though she should be more concerned with her condition, she was eager to meet one of the men Duncan called a brother.
Mercy glanced up at the man. She hadn’t expected any resemblance since Duncan had mentioned the men he’d been raised with weren’t truly his brothers. So she wasn’t surprised to see the difference in the two men. Where Duncan was tall and broad, Trey was tall and lean. And where Duncan’s features were strong and rugged, Trey’s were decidedly handsome. And both had long hair that fell past their shoulders, Duncan’s earthy brown in contrast to Trey’s dark auburn.
She also took note of Trey’s eyes, the color hard to describe since they appeared to change color as she gazed at them. Were they blue, or green or of a golden hue? She simply couldn’t be certain, but one thing was for sure; the ever-changing color was his shield. He was a private man who allowed no one to trespass.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Trey,” she said and smiled, though a grimace fast replaced it. She closed her eyes against the pain for only a moment, not wanting to fall back into a stupor. And opened them slowly, realizing that the pain faded more quickly than before.
“It’s my pleasure as well,” Trey said and smiled.
His smile dazzled, though certainly not intentionally. He was simply a handsome man whose smile added to his fine features. She doubted this man ever lacked for female companionship and yet…
Her gaze drifted to Duncan and her heart soared. Here was the handsomest of men, at least to her. His rugged features bore courage, good-nature and compassion and made him a man that every woman would most certainly find a desirable mate.
“I tried to stop your fall—”
Mercy pressed her fingers to his lips. “You got us to safety. I’m only sorry I couldn’t have helped.”
Duncan grinned and once again Mercy’s heart took flight. She loved his half smile. It played with the senses, making you wonder who you truly dealt with, leaving him an enigma to most, though not to her.
“It was no chore to carry a wee bundle like you,” Duncan assured her.
“Then I suggest we tend to this wee bundle and be on our way,” Trey said, “before one of the roving bands of soldiers find us.”
“Duncan, please help me sit up,” Mercy said.
“In a moment,” Duncan said. “First, let me cleanse your wound and give you more time to regain your strength.”
“I’m feeling stronger,” she assured him and as if to demonstrate, she wrapped her fingers tightly around his. Though if she were more honest with herself, it was because she wished to feel his strength ripple along her fingers and up her arm until it finally settled completely over her.
Sure enough, he returned the squeeze that shot a ripple of strength rushing over her, the intensity causing her to shudder.
Duncan quickly asked, “Are you all right?”
“Just wishing this done,” she said.
“It will be done soon,” Duncan assured her.
“And we should reach home by nightfall and then your shackles will be removed and you both shall be free,” Trey said.
