Loved By a Warrior Read Free

bold lines made up his fine features. And no doubt many a woman thought him handsome, and rightfully so. He had dark, piercing eyes that just about matched his long, dark hair. Thick braids entwined with the wool stripes the color of his plaid, red and black, hung at the sides of his angular face. His lean body wore his black shirt and plaid well, and he had wrapped an additional plaid around himself for warmth, draping one end over his shoulder.
    He was lean in body though not by any means lacking in strength. That had been obvious from the way he had so easily handled the thieves. Add to that an unwavering confidence, and that made him a man who stood out amongst men and one much sought after by women, though not her.
    She couldn’t allow herself to think of him in any terms other than her rescuer. She had been lucky that he had happened her way and had unknowingly provided her with an escape and a good one at that. Surely, her father would believe her dead, her bride price stolen, and he, as well as she, would be free at last. And sadly, she wondered if he would be relieved.
    Enough dwelling; she needed to remain focused on the present situation, and so she asked, “You know where you will take me?”
    Reeve nodded. “That I do.”
    â€œIs it far?”
    â€œFour or five days’ journey at most.”
    â€œFar removed from people?” she asked.
    Reeve stopped abruptly, and she halted, cautiously avoiding him.
    â€œIt is a clan—” He held up his hand when she opened her mouth to protest. “I will finish.”
    She bit at her bottom lip to stop from speaking and folded her arms across her chest.
    â€œThis clan will take you in. There are a few empty cottages on the outskirts of the village. You can have your pick. You can make friends or not, the choice is yours. But at least you will have some modicum of protection.”
    Tara almost objected, worried that the men might seek her out. Word would spread soon enough though, about whom she was, and then no man would dare even talk with her. And Reeve was right. She did need some degree of protection. While she was self-sufficient to a point, it would be unwise to think she could survive entirely on her own.
    â€œThese are good people. You will do well there,” he said, and turned to continue their journey.
    She trudged behind him, his strong footfalls clearing a good path for her through several inches of snow that had fallen since yesterday. She tugged her cloak more closely around her, the cold air biting the flesh. And she glanced with worry at the sky. Sure enough, a heavy cloud covering had moved in swiftly, and she had no doubt it promised additional snow.
    â€œWe need to find shelter,” Reeve said.
    â€œMore snow,” she said.
    He nodded. “Finding shelter is essential. There’s an abandoned croft a few miles to the west.”
    â€œWill it take us out of our way?”
    â€œNot much,” he said, and switched direction.
    Tara followed, pulling up the hood of her cloak and keeping pace with Reeve. Traveling behind him, she couldn’t help but admire his tireless strides or the ease in which he vaulted over fallen and decaying trees. The good-sized boulders proved no hindrance to him as well. She, however, skirted around them before he could offer her help.
    The sky grew darker, and it took from midmorning, when he had come upon her, until midafternoon for them to reach the croft. Snow started just as they spotted the empty cottage in the distance.
    â€œAre you hungry?” he asked.
    â€œYes,” she answered, feeling quite ravenous, having not eaten since early morning.
    â€œI’ll hunt after getting a fire going.”
    Before they reached the cottage, the wind increased along with the falling snow, and Tara feared a substantial snowstorm. If so, they could be trapped alone for days.
    The wind stung the flesh, and Tara kept her hood pulled down to protect her face though it