Chapter 7: Saved

Beware of the wolves...

~

I groaned as my mind tried to tell me to wake up when all I wanted to do was go back to sleep. Bright light filtered from the curtains, making it harder to cling to my dreams. Rolling over with a sigh, I let my eyes flicker open. It took me a moment to remember where I was, the strange room confusing my sleepy mind.

The fire was still crackling softly, keeping the room warm, making it a little easier to will myself to get up.

"There's some porridge and water on the table if you'd like some. We leave again soon and we won't be stopping till nightfall."

Jumping in fright, my eyes darted to the figure sitting on the wooden chair by the fire. I blushed, pulling the blankets up higher to hide the swell of my breasts that were revealed in the low cut undergown I wore.

Torian chuckled, "Do not worry, I have respectfully kept my eyes to myself."

His assurance did little to ease my embarrassment.

Sitting up slowly, making sure to keep the blanket with me, I looked around for my clothes only to be annoyed when realising Torian had hung them on a small rack by the fire. His gaze was challenging and I didn't want to be the one to lose. I could either ask him to bring my clothes to me, and save some dignity by asking him to turn his back, or steal some confidence back and grab them myself. He was my husband after all, and even though we hadn't completed whatever clan tradition would allow him to lie with me as a husband lies with his wife, he would eventually see all my body had to offer.

Carefully standing, allowing the blanket to fall to the bed, I ignored the smirk that tugged at my husband's lips. My dress was warm having been by the fire, and I was ever so grateful as I picked it up. Just as I was about to slip it on, Torian stood, making me freeze. His face was creased in anger and I wondered what I had done wrong until I saw where his gaze lingered.

The bruises on my arm that were left from my father's fingers had turned an ugly green and yellow, as if stained by grass. I had almost forgotten about them.

Torian's touch was gentle as he studied them with a frown on his face. He made sure not to press too hard as his thumb brushed over as if trying to wipe the bruises away.

"Do they hurt?" He asked quietly, fiery hazel eyes lifting to meet the calm sea of mine.

I shook my head, unable to find words through the fire his touch had elicited. His fingers were once more like feathers on my skin, so soft and tender as if I was as precious as a crystal glass, as if I'd break just as easily. His gaze dropped back to the fading colours

"Has he hurt you before?"

A difficult question to answer. Corporal punishment was common. Before my mother died, my father wouldn't have dreamed of ever laying a hand on me, after she'd died my punishments had become more physical. Though his hatred of me and need to get rid of my presence hurt far more than any blow he had ever dealt me.

"No more than any other parent." I answered carefully, "But I heal quickly."

His hazel eyes flicked up to mine, "You do?"

"Yes. My father used to say I got that trait from my mother." I jested, even though there was a depth to his question that I didn't understand.

His lips quirked back into his gentle smile. I smiled back, watching as he moved to step behind me. His hands on my hips kept me from twisting to look at him and it wasn't until he crouched that I realised that he was helping me into my dress. I lifted my hair over my shoulder so he could tie up the laces and I was happy that he wasn't as tough as Claude was when tightening them. It felt strangely intimate to have him dress me, making butterflies flutter in my tummy.

"Thank you." I murmured, beginning to tie my hair up so it would fit in the hair net when we began riding again.

Torian's hand stopped my movement, "Keep it down, my wife."

I frowned, turning to ask him why but he beat me to it.

"It carries your scent," he explained leaning in and inhaling, his fingers running through the dark tresses, awakening the other part of me that urged me to lean into him, "Soon you will carry mine as well. You should eat, my wife."

Another flutter of my heart at his soft spoken words.

The smell of breakfast did have my stomach growling and I happily sat down to share my first meal alone with my husband. It was unnerving, the way he watched me as I ate, the way he filled my plate for me like I was a child. Yet there was something primal in the way he cared for me, and it delighted me in a way that told me I should have understood what his actions meant but left me frustrated because I didn't.

While it wasn't the best porridge I had ever eaten, it's lumps a little too chewy and it had gotten cold from being left sitting so long, I ate as if ravenous.

"Our next night will not be spent in such luxury. We will have to camp tonight, I hope that isn't too... abhorrent an idea." Torian said, leaning back in his chair.

His eyes were more brown than green today, making the bright golden flecks stand out brilliantly. I lost myself to the way they almost seemed to swirl like pools of dark water, not hearing a word he had spoken because the only sound I could hear was the voice telling me to lean in closer. I could smell the very essence of him in such close quarters, leaving the taste of the earth on my tongue.

"Máili?"

I jumped back. It was the first time he had used my name since we had been wed and the way it rolled so huskily off his tongue was almost enough to distract me once more.

"I don't mind a night in the wilderness." I managed to choke out once what he had said finally penetrated through the fog, "In fact, I rather look forward to sleeping under the stars like I did when I was younger."

He smiled again and it was then I noticed the blanket and pillow by the fire. His eyes followed mine and suddenly he looked sheepish, a red tinge to his cheeks.

"Do your clan's traditions ban you from sleeping in a bed?" I asked, trying to keep my tone light so he knew I was teasing.

It hadn't even occured to me that I'd never noticed him join me, nor had I noticed him get up before I woke.

He barked a laugh and shook his head, "I fear my traditions would be hard to follow if I slept beside you. You're a very beautiful woman, Máili."

It was my turn to blush, heat rushing to my face. Was he insinuating that being close to me made it hard to resist his want to lie with me? That was an almost satisfying thought. But I was no great beauty, no Scots bluebell, and it couldn't possibly be my delightful personality that drew him to me either, I thought sarcastically.

"You do not know me, Lord Torian." I argued, frowning, searching for a reason he would find me hard to resist.

His eyes glinted and a rumbling sound left his chest, "My soul knows yours, wife. You may not be mine in the eyes of my clan but make no mistake that you are mine and I will claim you."

"Claim me?" I asked, shocked by the primal meaning of the word he had used. "That is not a term I understand. I'm not land to be captured and won with a flag stabbed into the ground."

Torian jumped up from the table, his eyes wide and wild. He knocked over his chair in his hurry to back away from me and I was quick to jump to my feet also. I wouldn't let him escape without demanding my answers.

"I have overstepped, forgive my crassness, wife. When you are ready, come downstairs and we will start travelling." He said quickly, grabbing the cloak he had let me borrow yesterday from beside the fire before heading for the door.

I ran after him, grabbing his arm before he could disappear, asking desperately, "What did you mean, Torian?"

His face was angry when his eyes met mine, their colour becoming lighter so that they shone like gold. His voice was even but stern. "It is not polite to grab someone, especially your husband. . . I expect you to be downstairs and I will make sure your own cloak is taken out for you."

Releasing him, I stumbled back as if his cold spoken words were a physical blow. My head dropped and tears stung as they welled up. A heavy sigh left Torian, and for a moment I thought he was going to say something but he never did and when he left, he took all the heat of the room with him.

I wasn't sure how long I stood, playing over the conversation in my head to find some sort of clue to where I had overstepped. My food was left unfinished on the table but with the way my stomach tightened, I didn't feel like finishing breakfast. If it meant I got hungry during our travels then so be it.

With nothing to delay me going downstairs, I had to toughen up. Lifting my head and taking a steadying breath, I headed out of the room. The hallway was dark and I had to hold a hand to the wall to guide me towards the stairs that creaked loudly with my every step. The tavern was mostly empty of its patrons, only a few sat at the tables eating and talking quietly. I couldn't spot the faces of any soldiers that had travelled with us yesterday, nor either of the Lyall's. Deciding that perhaps they were waiting outside, I began to push my way through the maze of tables and benches.

A hand clasped my arm before I could reach the door, pulling me into a hard chest. My nose scrunched at the putrid stench of the bearded man that grinned down at me. All I could think of was the fact I may end up with another set of bruises on my skin.

"You're a pretty little thing. Do you want to show me what's under that dress, there'll be a shiny coin in it for you." The man drawled, his eyes raking over me as his free hand twirled a lock of my hair before bringing it up to his nose to smell.

My heart was almost beating out of my chest and I tried to yank my arm away but his fingers pressed tightly against the bruises that already marked my skin. There had never been many times in my life when I'd been scared, but this was one. Nobody seemed to take much notice of my predicament, or maybe the sight of a young woman being treated so was nothing new to this place.

I found myself alone in my struggle.

"Release me." I demanded shakily, pulling my arm again.

The man chuckled, leaning in closer and I whimpered, squeezing my eyes shut.

"If you wish to keep breathing, Sir, I suggest you release the girl. She is the wife of Lord Torian Lyall, heir to Tigh Na Faol." An unknown voice warned.

Opening my eyes, the glint of a silver blade was pressed against my assailant's neck. I recognised the auburn haired man as one of the guards that had accompanied the Lyall's. Slowly, the man released my arm and stepped away with his hands raised in surrender. His dark and hungry eyes never strayed from me however, not allowing me to find any relief quite yet.

"Forgive me, good sir. A mistake on my part," he grumbled out, stepping away.

Without realising, I stepped closer to my saviour, fear still keeping me captive. The auburn haired man placed a gentle hand on my back, his body turned protectively towards me.

"Make sure it is a mistake you do not make again. You are lucky it was me that caught you, my Lord would have had your head." He growled out, making the other practically scamper away.

Finally able to relax, tension left me in a heavy breath. I almost slumped to the side of the man who had saved me from a fate I didn't really want to think about.

"Thank you..." I murmured, looking up.

"Jasper." The man offered, smiling, "At your service, M'lady. Lord Torian should not have left you unaccompanied in a place like this, I am surprised he did not know this."

Suddenly I felt uncomfortable, unable to meet the shining green eyes of the friendly Jasper.

"Ah." He chuckled, making me look at him again, "A lovers' quarrel already?"

I blushed, stumbling over my words which only made Jasper more amused, "Do not fret, M'lady, he's not one to hold a grudge."

All I could do was nod and let him lead me outside. Torian frowned when he saw me, taking quick steps to my side.

"Is everything alright?" He asked Jasper.

"The little lady just got a bit of a fright, but she's quite well."

For some reason, I was glad Jasper had lied...or rather omitted the truth. Torian's eyes flicked over me as if looking for some sort of injury that wasn't to be found. He nodded, satisfied and handed me my red cloak and matching riding gloves. It was the finest and warmest one I owned, with a fur lined hood and a chain of gold that held it together. I wrapped it around my gladly, knowing it would keep me much warmer than Torian's cloak had the day before.

I should have thanked him for getting them out for me but I held resentment for the harsh way he had treated me. If my silence was the only way I could show my anger without him throwing his rank at me, then I would refuse to give him my words till he showed me he would respect them. Unlike most women, I refused to be seen as less than.

Breò-chlach was lead to me and I quickly mounted, my mood now completely soured. He must have sensed it because he stomped and danced around beneath me, shaking his head and snorting. Tightening my grip on the reins, I hushed him gently until he calmed down and it was then I noticed everyone was already on the move. I'd all but been left behind with Jasper who waited a few feet away on a quiet white mare. I guessed he'd been charged with being my guard for the day and I was alright with that.

Once again I fell to the back of the party, left out of conversation and barely noticed. A few times, I almost reached out to talk with Jasper but I could think of nothing interesting to say that would hold conversation for more than a few seconds.

I sighed, hunching in on myself. Breò-chlach was getting twitchy again, biting the bit between his teeth and throwing his head. I patted his neck, hushing him gently before humming the English tune I had learned from Claude, Greensleeves. After a few more testy moments, he calmed down but it left me wondering what was wrong, he was never so jumpy with me. Perhaps it was the amount of people he was around, he was after all more used to our solo rides through the woods of my old home.

I had the feeling that today's journey would drag and having a grumpy horse would only make it that much harder. A cold gust of wind had me shivering and drawing my cloak tighter around me.

"The weather will warm up soon. Spring and summer may not be quite as warm as you're used to but it'll be a welcome break from the snow." Jasper said, riding closer to me.

I smiled, glad that he'd taken the initiative for me, even if it was a topic as simple as the weather.

"I like the snow, but I'll be glad when the sun returns for the whole day." I replied.

Jasper nodded, looking at his surroundings, checking behind us like the dutiful guard he was. Snow drops lined the road, proving Jasper's words to be true.

"Do you live at the house with the Lyall's?" I queried, not wanting to fall back into lonely silence.

He shook his head and my heart fell, I'd been hoping I'd know at least one other at the house, someone who seemed to be friendly.

"I live in a cottage not too far from the main house. I work the land when I'm not needed as a warrior but don't worry, I'm sure you will see me around. We're a tight knit community." He winked, lifting my spirits.

He'd called himself a warrior which I found a little odd. I was sure a warrior was something from times of old but perhaps it was simply a colloquialism for the word soldier.

"Are things that much different from where I am from?"

Jasper laughed and suddenly I could feel the gaze of Torian on me. My eyes met his for a moment before I lifted my head with purpose and looked back at Jasper.

"It may take you a little time to get used to, but I'm sure you'll settle in just fine. We stick a little more closely to ways that have been lost to most, I'm sure you have guessed that already. Have faith in the Gods, M'lady, they wouldn't lead you astray." Jasper comforted me.

I baulked. He knew of my belief in the old Celtic Gods and had spoken as if they were his Gods too. It cleared a little of the mystery up and I wondered if that was why we had not gotten married in a church, if it was just all for show for the court like Torian had suggested.

Jasper was right, maybe I just needed to have a little faith.