Free Branded by a Warrior by Andrea Thorne Page A

face.
    Waking up with her lying on his chest made him feel at peace. For years he dismissed women after being jaded by Fiona, his trust in women was nonexistent for years, with the exception o f Old Rhona his old nursemaid.
    He thought over Rhona and Caitriona’s strange words of destiny , lying with her in his warm bed, he wondered if the old hens were right. He had felt like he was fighting destiny anytime he walked away from her. The pull to her side was overpowering to him. There was something overly alluring to him about her being able to wield a bow and a broadsword with deadly precision. Her intelligence added to her overall enchanting package, she was his personal siren. He almost wished she were vile; it would be easier to push her out of his mind if he didn’t like her. His head and heart were fighting, something he was unfamiliar with. Growing irritated with himself, he detangling himself out from under her small frame. Slipping out of his bed he quietly walked over to his wardrobe . Pulling out a clean shirt he adjusted his kilt and pulled out a fresh tartan and secured it over his shoulder. Grabbing his dirk he walked over to the mantle and lifted his broadsword down, securing it in his leather holster. Running his hands through his hair he silen tly signaled for his hounds, he had yet to look back at his bed.
    Conn and Isla were close behind him as he turned to walk out the door, when he heard her velvet voice behind him.
    “Broderick?”
    Standing before his door, he turned to see her sitting on the edge of his bed . Clearly in pain and too weak, she clenched her jaw as her body screamed in agony.
    Walking over to the bed, he swung her bare feet back into bed , “Elisabeth, you know you are not ready to walk yet. This will take time. You were almost cleaved in two lass ,” tucking her bare legs back under the warm s heets he saw her close her eyes as she leaned back.
    Rubbing her face with her small hands, she groaned, “How long must I stay in this room?”
    “Until you can walk confidently on your own again. It will take time Elisabeth. Meet the MacMillan clan as a strong health y woman, not a knock-kneed fawn, ” he countered, “i t is a miracle you are alive Elisabeth, you will get there. I’ll have Rhona come up and bring you a bath. You will like her, she’s been with my family before I wa s born, old and interfering bat. She will be most pleased to finally talk to you , she and my brother are the only ones who know your true identity, and you are safe with her .” He said with a humorous smile. “ P lease do not think of this as prison, yo u are a welcome guest here lass, when you are well you can have the freedom to go wherever your heart takes you . ”
    Bowing her head, “I am sorry Broderick, I meant no disrespect. I owe you far more than I ever can repay . ”
    “I’ ll return later today, rest easy Elisabeth, you will recover . ”
     

Chapter 4
     
    Ten days later Elisabeth was able to walk with ease again, granted, she hid her pain from Broderick the best she could. There was no denying her wound caused her great strife. She slowly was able to get out of bed and walk around the room with no help at the end of ten days. Her wound pained her when she tried lifting her left arm to high, deep breathing still made her chest ache.
    He r ten days consisted of sleeping, eating and visiting with Old Rhona during the mornings and afternoons. The healer, Caitriona , had visited dai ly to change her bandages as she rattled on about destiny and fate . Broderick had been accurate, she liked Old Rhona immensely, and the elderly woman was enjoyable entertainment. They had talked each day about her slain family, about her childhood and how she had come to learn the sword and bow from her brother.
    Rhona helped her through the grieving process more than she could have imagined, the wise elder had soft words for her when she cried, and a warm embrace that held her like a grandmother during her