Free A Warrior's Perception by Spring Stevens Page B

stated with ragged breath, “ The priest said that her body disappeared that later that same day''. ”
    “ Laird McKregan? Kagan McKregan? ” she whispered.
    “ Nay, was ‘na Kagan, it was by his father's side that I fought. Laird Kain McKregan, ” he replied.
    “ Ye were a warrior? ” she asked in awe as she studied the scars on his arms and legs.
    “ Aye, ” he answered as he stretched out onto his back, “ but it was long ago and the past is sometimes best left where it lies. Can'na live for tomorrow if yesterday holds ye heart. ”
    “ Ye speak kind wise words, unlike the warriors I ha'e known, ” she replied, “ Do ye say what ye think I want to hear or do ye speak the truth? ”
    “ Ha'e na reason to lie to ye lass, ” he grinned, “ I am much too old to try to court ye. ”
    Andra frowned and narrowed her eyes, “ Good thing ye be so old and I respect my elders or I would ha'e to wallop ye. ”
    Flaron's laughter rang out across the hillside, “ And where is the man that lea'es ye in a place such as this? ”
    “ There is na man, ” she stated unable to understand his humor.
    “ Nay. I am sure that all men fall at ye feet, ” he sat up and took her hand, “ Tell me who has captured ye heart and won ye love. ”
    Andra turned her head and peered at the tree line in the distance, “ Men donna fall at my feet less I conquer ‘em in battle. ”
    He sighed, “ Is love na a battle of the hearts? ”
    “ I would'na know, na man has e'er been interested in me enough to pull on the strings attached to my heart, ” she replied as thoughts of Laird Kagan crept into her mind.              
    “ Ah, I see, ye be afraid to let a man get close enough to melt ye pride, ” he paused, “ But one day, a man will thrill ye beyond reason and ye hard cold shell will melt revealin' all that soft delicate woman underneath. ”
    Andra stood and crossed her arms in defiance, “ I am'na soft and delicate and I ha'e na desire to be with any man. Men are bastards that only take what they want. ”
    He stood and went to her side. He took her soft hand in his calloused palm and lifted it to his nose. He breathed deeply and ran her knuckles across his jaw. Sadness filled his eyes as she flinched under his touch. Her scent was glorious and her hand held a fire that longed to be released much like his Keyra's had.
    “ I smell a woman caged inside ye mind, trapped and full of fear of the unknown, fear of love and fear of her own harnessed desires, ” he whispered softly, “ I smell the woman who longs to be released from her prison. ”
    Andra jerked her hand away, “ Ye be mistaken. I desire nothin' and fear nothin'. My back is strong enough to carry me through life on my own, I donna need nor do I want a man. ”
    “ If I were fifteen years younger, I would attempt to prove ye wrong, ” he commented, “ Alas, I can only offer ye my protection and friendship. ”
    “ I donna need to be protected! I take offense to ye belittlement of me, ” she tried to look sincere but her soft smile crept onto her lips, “ but I will accept ye offer of friendship. For now. ”
    Flaron smiled and threw his head back in laughter, “ I donna know what has caused ye to come out here in this dreadful place, but whate'er ye reason, I am grateful for ha'eing the honor to meet ye. ”
    Andra choked down her memories of Pierre and let Flaron put her hand in the crook of his arm. They walked toward the abbey as Andra shuddered under his warmth. He was a gentle, kind man and Andra prayed he would not prove her impression wrong. She stiffened and must have squeezed Flaron's arm a bit too hard. He stopped and turned to face her. Her hurt angry look saddened him and tore at his heart.
    “ Someone has hurt ye, ha'e they lass? ” he asked.
    “ Aye, ” she whispered unsure why she had answered.
    “ I will'na hurt ye. I promise ye I will'na. ”
    “ I know, I can feel ye speak the truth, ” she replied as the empty spot in