A Warrior's Perception Read online

  The massive handsome laird took the offered cup and drained it to the last bitter drop, thirsty for its cure.

  “Aye!” he proclaimed in his deep baritone. “Peace has been restored to the highlands and her borders are secured. Drink and celebrate our good fortune and return. To my sworn brothers, to victory, and to...our women.”

  “Aye!” answered his men holding their cups into the air.

  As his cup was refilled, he watched Ell'andra sneak through the balcony doors and head up the stairs in the shadows. His thoughts traveled. He wondered if she would think of their encounter in her dreams. Would she envision him as a knight in shining armor, a dark sinister warrior, or a dark swarthy pirate hell bent on stealing her virginity? He smiled as he edged up the steps and followed her footsteps down the hallway. He watched her slip through her bedchamber doors and wondered why there was no lock on it.

  Ell'andra. Ell'andra Duncan of Shinonoble Keep, a beauty hid right before my eyes for all these years.

  He turned and slowly made his way back down the staircase to the awaiting crowd. Perhaps now was as good a time as any to become betrothed. He was well into his twenties and would soon need sons to inherit his titles and lands.

  He raised his large hands as he entered the crowd to quickly put a stop to their tongues. When the laird spoke, all listened and even the proud Duncan bowed to his presence.

  A hush fell across the room as he spoke. “It is with great pleasure that I come to the mighty Shinonoble Keep. My victories ha'e been just and good and my lands are rich with bounty. Now, it is time for me to take a wife. Accordin' to King James, I must take a wife in five years’ time to ensure my estates are entrusted to my lineage, so there will be a great gatherin' at McKregan Keep in four years. Pray thee all, keep yer daughters intact and I shall choose amongst our people. She must be strong, virile, and flawless- the word dripped from his tongue like honey straight from a hive -woman enough to sire my sons and daughters. What be yer answer?”

  “Aye! Aye! Aye!” the crowd shouted and drank from their cups.

  Crimm leaned against the wall in the shadows and smiled at his friend and laird, Kagan. He had witnessed the entire scene in the stables. His smile vanished as he remembered the way Kagan had touched his sister, like a man new to the ways of seduction. He chuckled as his thoughts went to Kagan's swollen knuckles. It served him right!

  Andra Duncan was a handful and Kagan had only tasted a sip from her overflowing cup. He would no doubt drown in her stubborn pride and headstrong willpower. Andra was indeed a strong lass, hell, she could best damn near every man at Shinonoble with her smile alone.

  And Kagan, the powerful warrior laird, was most certainly a man, flesh and bone, and seems, he could not resist her either.

  Chapter 2

  Kagan led the brunette on his arm down the long winding corridor to the room Duncan had prepared for him. The hall was dark with deep shadows along the walls that hid the dust-covered portraits. He had stayed here many a night and not once had he ever seen Andra. He raked his memories of Shinonoble and could not find her anywhere. His trusted friend, Crimm, had never once spoken of her.

  Kagan grinned knowing if he had a sister that looked like Crimm's, he would not have breathed a word about her to another man either. He and Crimm had been friends for a long time, since infancy, and had shared everything. Everything!

  No woman had ever come between them so why would Crimm not make him aware of Ell’andra? Kagan chuckled softly as he envisioned her in a silky see-through gown. Perhaps there are some secrets best left untold.

  The dim-witted woman on his arm snuggled closer to his body as he opened the bedchamber doors. She unlaced her bodice and walked into the room swinging her overly slender hips. Her dress fell to the floor and Kagan frowned at her boyish figure. The woman ran her fingers across his chest and down his abdomen reaching for the knot tied in his kilt. It fell to the floor as she wrapped her fingers around his shaft, gasping at its unequalled size.

  She smiled greedily, “Milord is blessed in all things.”

  Kagan could smell the scotch on her breath as he squeezed her small breast. He rubbed each pink bulb and slapped her thigh. Sex was always the same to him no matter the woman or the extent of his desire. Like needles sticking in his mind he realized that her skin was stark white against his dark complexion, so unlike the bronzed skin of the girl.

  He would wager that Ell'andra Duncan's nipples were dark from sun exposure. His body quivered with excitement as he envisioned Ell'andra stretched out in the sun, naked on the high rocks of Shinonoble Keep. Her luscious body would writhe and wiggle with strength and passion during heated lovemaking. He could clearly see her sea green eyes darkening from desire and lust. He frowned as he realized what he was doing; he never fantasized about women!

  His excitement stilled as anger filled his eyes. Thoughts of lecherous men gaping at her naked glory crashed through his mind. How the hell was he going to protect her virginity and keep it for himself? How could he stop another from ever touching what he wanted so desperately to be his and his alone? He turned from the woman and walked to the window and stared out across the rocky terrain.

  A slow grin appeared on his hard featured face. He would marry her and no other would dare look upon her with desire on his face. He would crush any who dared! All he had to do was convince her brothers and her father he would return in three years for her hand. Could he wait that long for his passionate female? She would be worth the wait and in the meantime he could quench his lust with other females, other women who now seemed less than adequate but would serve the purpose.

  He would talk to Duncan in the morning to make sure she was kept safe and away from prying eyes. He could have her sent to the Abbey. She would hate it and probably run away, he grinned, and that would not do. She did have brothers and perhaps Crimm was the right man for the job. Crimm Duncan had fought by his side for five long years and was a loyal friend, a skilled warrior, and had the heart of a bear. He was perfect.

  The woman purred at Kagan's back, distraught that his attention was elsewhere. He let her lead him to the bed, barely noticing her hands on his crotch. He smiled wickedly and knew he had found his answer. Yes, Crimm would keep her safe and intact.

  He lay back against the pillows as the woman slid onto his crotch and moaned as she nestled him between her legs. His erection nudged inside of her and she rocked against his hips to push his shaft farther into her body. He closed his eyes and Ell'andra sat on top of his hips, swaying against him, whispering his name. She was a goddess, hot, brazen, and too beautiful to be of this world. His guttural groan echoed in his ears; Ell’andra Duncan McKregan would be a fire filled lover.

  His erection stiffened and exploded into the warmth that enveloped him. His powerful hips slammed into hers and she screamed in delirious passion as she cascaded into the bliss surrounding her. In his mind, Ell'andra rode him hard, fast, and begged him not to ever stop. He could hear her screaming his name as he rolled on top of her and pounded his manhood into her sweet body. Lost in his fantasy, he pounded harder and harder declaring he would come back for her and take her over and over until she screamed in the ears of the gods.

  The scotch he drank fogged his mind as he refused to open his eyes. His mind screamed it was Ell'andra under his drunken body, but his body wanted rounder hips, large bountiful breasts, and a smile that could tear a man's heart out of his chest. He buried himself as deep as the woman's body would allow and held his seed. He jerked out barely in time before his seed splattered across the woman's thighs. He slowly opened his eyes and frowned as he rolled off of her.

  Damn!

  Three years was a long time to wait! He could easily go to her room, take her, and she would be his for as long as he wanted. Her curves, her smile, her sea green eyes would be his and he’d rip out the heart of the first man who dared to touch her. Her flawless legs would wrap around his hips as he slid in and out of her precious core.

  Coming back to
his senses, he turned to the woman. “What say ye 'bout horseflesh?” he asked impatiently suddenly feeling like a mere lad unable to control his manhood.

  The woman sat up and slowly answered as she bent to kiss his midriff, “I know naught of horses, just of love-makin' and cleanin'.”

  “What say ye 'bout ridin'?” he barked at the woman carelessly expecting her to know absolutely nothing.

  “Oh, milord I will ride ye again if ye wish,” she coo-ed as she stretched across his hips and reached for his shaft. “I will guide ye large shaft in and out of any place ye choose.”

  He caught her hands in rank disgust suddenly furious with not only the woman but himself as well, “Na me woman, horses!”

  The woman flinched and her eyes widened in fear. Kagan grunted, knew he should have been ashamed of himself but continued his furious stare as she spoke, “What do ye want me to do with a horse?”

  “Can ye ride?” he asked as he threw her from the bed onto the floor. “Can ye do anything other than what ye are commanded to do?”

  “Nay, they are terrifyin' beasts!” She whimpered as he towered over her. “Tis na any fault of mine mi’ lord. I do as I was taught.”

  Kagan's head pounded as he reached for the woman and her dress. He opened the door and pointed out into the hall, “Lea'e me!”

  “Was I na to yer likin'? Did ye na ride me in passion?” She pouted as she took her dress and tried to caress his strong arm.

  He directed her sternly to the door. “I took what I need of ye. Now out with ye, go find another man to spend yer night with.” His icy statement sent cold chills down her spine.

  The woman walked out into the hall in her naked state and proudly smiled at the maids scurrying by. At least she had lain with the laird and she fully intended to tell the tale to anyone who would listen. Of course, she would have to stretch the truth just a bit in the telling.

  Kagan tied the kilt back into place and stalked out of the chambers intent on curing his ill mood. His strides took him to the now empty dark ballroom. He glided up the stairs three steps at a time, making a quick dart for her room, Ell'andra's room. His female! His woman!

  Standing before the horse engraved door with his hand on the doorknob, his heart began beating wildly in his chest. He turned the knob and entered, slowly adjusting his eyes to the darkness. With the hammering of his heart in his ears and the alcohol coursing through his blood veins, he swayed when the scent of her filled his nostrils.

  He drank in his surroundings. Her father had spared nothing in this room. Every wall, every piece of finely carved, embroidered furniture, every candlestick was etched with horses. The walls were magnificent, painted by hand. Scenes of wild horses leapt from every inch of the walls, bright, vivid, and lifelike. The bear clawed tub was also engraved and lined in gold at the rim. Kagan edged toward the canopy bed as the first rays of light spilled over the horizon. His manhood ached at the sight that lay before him.

  She was naked, with a soft grin on her lips, and she was curled up against a large gold satin pillow. Her face glowed with vitality, her skin was liquid gold, her hair caressed her body like honey-dipped fingers, and her nipples were perfect in their darkened peaks. He yearned to caress her full round hips and kiss the small dip at her belly button. His shaft pleaded with him to take her, to plunge inside of her curves and drown in her passion.

  She stretched and turned lazily onto her back, exposing every savory inch of her body to Kagan's hungry eyes. She was perfect, a goddess roaming the highlands intoxicating him beyond reality. She threatened his sanity as she moved her hand and rested it upon her breast. Her soft sigh urged Kagan to bend to one knee at her bedside.

  He watched her face as she slept, suddenly realizing how much she and Crimm favored. They both had that glorious mousy brown hair streaked with gold, a strong jaw line, and their eyes were the same shape. Almond shaped sea green eyes. The eyes of a lover!

  She was breathtaking. He stood, groaned, and frowned. Crimm would have to stay at Shinonoble for he could never look upon his friend again without seeing Ell'andra. She was priceless, perfect, and deserved to be courted and betrothed as a lady. He simply could not corrupt her before taking her hand in marriage. He pulled away and headed for the door in haste; fearful he would pounce on his sleeping beauty and break his pledge to himself. He grabbed the knob and decided that locks and bolts would have to be put to use here and bars on the windows was also a damn good idea.

  Fear not my Ell’andra, soon you will be mine!

  No man could ever be allowed to touch her, no man save Kagan himself! His lips gave way to his roguish smile as he took one last look at Ell'andra, she would his wife in due time and he looked forward to that precious day, but for now he had a kingdom to rule and protect. He would claim her in his bed when the time was right and in a few short hours, he would make sure that the Duncans would safeguard her until then.

  Andra wilted into the tub as Grace, her maid, poured the hot water down her bare back and over her head. For the first time in many years she felt carefree and a hint of adrenaline was coursing through her veins. She had dreamed about Laird McKregan and his fiery kiss. Her heart pounded as she closed her eyes and envisioned him cupping her face as he tilted her chin up to meet his lips.

  Never mind the fact that she had always thought that there was something missing in her life, never mind that she had been raised by men, and never mind that she had an empty hole in her heart where her mother should have been. She had found her knight, her hero, and she was determined to keep his kiss in her mind. Of course that was not hard to do with his face seared into her memory and the tingle in her loins that turned hot when she thought about him.

  Grace stooped to scrub the girl's thick hair as she leaned back. Grace scowled at the girl’s beautiful back as she lathered her hair with the vanilla scented soap. The morning sun splashed through the window and created little rainbows bouncing off of the bubbles into the water around Andra's soft curves. Grace despised the innocent girl for her beauty and well-endowed breast.

  “Grace?” she turned to look at the maid.

  “Milady?” Grace choked.

  “What is it like to lay with a man?” she asked.

  Grace smiled and sat on the edge of the tub, “Men are men...they only want to lay 'tween yer legs and ram their shaft into yer womanhood. Tooping is forever on their minds. They take what they want and then lea'e ye in pain.” Grace's words were stated rather abruptly, hoping it would terrify the lovely girl.

  Andra frowned, “Pain? But last night I kissed a man and his hands felt so good on my body, I thought I was in Valhalla.”

  “Aye, a man can make ye fall at his feet and do things to yer body that will make ye cry out in pleasure, but in the end, his pleasure will hurt ye,” she whispered to the innocent lass.

  “And what was the burnin' feeling 'tween my legs that made me what to ... to. I wrapped my leg around his hip and I wanted him inside of me.” Andra whispered so no other ears could hear.

  Andra gulped hard. Such sinful thoughts were taking over her mind.

  Grace laughed softly and patted her hand, “That is a woman's downfall, she wants him, but once he enters ye the pain will begin. Last night I bedded a man, a warrior, he entered and at first it was good, it felt wonderful, but men are men, he pounded into me and the pain was most unbearable. His shaft was so big that it nearly ripped me in half. After he was done he sent me away. Oh, he promised he would take me again and again ‘til his shaft fit neatly 'tween my legs.”

  She paused as Andra's wide eyes believed her every word, “And then the laird came to me this morn and woke me to his need. He pushed hard inside of me, beggin' me to take e'ery inch of him; he e'en screamed my name as he slapped my bottom and shoved himself as far as he could into my loins. I cried out in pain, beggin' him to stop, but he swore he could'na, that he wanted to be inside of me. He said I was his and I would do as I was told or he would beat me ‘til I agreed with him.”

  And
ra gasped as Grace reached into the water and touched her breasts, “These are much too big, and na man will want to waste his time tryin' to unlace yer gowns.” She pulled away and smiled, “Just try to keep 'em covered as best ye can.”

  Grace heaved up another bucket and poured it over the girls head as her wicked smile curled upon her lips, “All men want to bed a woman and inflict their pain on them, but ye should ‘na worry cause ye are much too fat and ugly. Men like their women tall and slender. Yer hips are too wide and ye took after yer poor ma in stature. Tis a blessin' ye will'na ha'e to endure a man's pain.”

  Andra's gut twisted, “But the man in the stable was so handsome and strong, and it felt so good when he kissed me,” she raised her hand to her lips, “he kissed me with his tongue.”

  “Who was the man or do ye know?” Grace asked as she pulled Andra's hair up and into the cloth, wrapping it around her head.

  “Laird McKregan,” Andra stated in a whisper.

  Grace's face paled, “Oh, milady, ye must be mistaken, he is the man I lay with last e'e and this morn.”

  Andra stiffened recalling the lion laced onto his chest and her heart shattered. He had almost had his way with her and then went to Grace. He must surely be a beast without a conscious or she was just a fool. She frowned and figured that it was probably the latter. She had always known that she was different and foolish. Her father had often scorned her for daydreaming about places that could not exist and about people who would love her unconditionally.

  “Perhaps I was ...mistaken.”

  Andra stood as Grace wrapped her small body into a linen wrap. Andra grimaced as Grace dried her back. Grace rubbed harder across the bruises wanting Andra to cry out. Andra gritted her teeth and turned to face the woman who had bedded Laird McKregan.

  “I can manage the rest on my own,” she stated.

  “Those bruises, they be sore? Did the man do that to ye after ye fell for his touch?”

  Grace smiled as she turned to leave. “Tis a man’s way lass.”