Read Online Bound to a Warrior by Donna Fletcher - Free Book Online

to scoop up the tasty fish stew.
    Dolca poured them cider from a jug and placed a bowl of apples on the table. Duncan didn’t have to askfor more stew, Dolca was quick to replenish his bread trench as soon as it was near empty and she did the same for Mercy.
    â€œYou are more than generous to us,” Duncan said between mouthfuls.
    â€œYou are in need. It would distress me not to offer you help,” Dolca said.
    â€œStill, you place yourself in danger by helping us.”
    Dolca smiled and for a moment she looked much younger than her advanced years. “Not so. True danger for me would be not to help the innocent, but enough of me,” she said with the wave of her hand. “You are both welcome to spend the night if you wish.”
    Mercy immediately turned pleading eyes to Duncan. “What say you?”
    While a solid roof over their heads and good food to fill their bellies tempted, it wasn’t a wise choice. It could give the soldiers time to realize they followed a false trail and retrace their steps, leading them right to Dolca’s door.
    Duncan voiced his concerns regrettably, not wanting to disappointment Mercy, but having no choice. “A brief reprieve would be welcome, but any longer would be unwise.”
    Mercy didn’t object or argue. He didn’t think she would. And while they laced fingers often enough for good reason, he hadn’t expected her to lock her fingers with his.
    It was an innocent response and yet so intimate, forit represented the trust she had in him and he suddenly swelled with immense pleasure, though passion had nothing to do with it. Not that he didn’t think much too often about bedding her, but surprisingly this time his pleasure centered on the comfort of a simple touch, and that he had never experienced with any woman…and he very much liked it.
    â€œAt least rest for a bit and let me tend to your sore feet,” Dolca said, turning to Mercy.
    â€œIs my discomfort that noticeable?” Mercy asked.
    But it was Duncan who spoke. “You should have told me you were in pain.”
    â€œThere was nothing you could have done, and I refuse to allow my sore feet to slow us down.”
    â€œYou are a stubborn one,” he snapped, angry with himself for not noticing.
    â€œStubbornness is sometimes necessary,” she said, though not defensively, but rather matter-of-factly.
    â€œAnd it is necessary, if you two are to survive,” Dolca said. “There is talk that the king searches frantically for someone.”
    â€œWho?” Mercy asked anxiously.
    â€œSome surmise it is the true king,” Dolca said.
    Duncan realized that Mercy had squeezed his hand hard when she had asked who, as if in fear, then her grip relaxed when Dolca answered. Had she expected a different answer?
    â€œThe king is a fool if he believes the Highlanders will not protect their own,” Dolca said. “Old, young, fitor not, Highlanders will protect the true king and see him on the throne.”
    â€œIf the seer’s prediction is true, why has the true king not yet made himself known?” Mercy asked.
    â€œHe is wise to keep his identity secret,” Dolca explained. “He would be in grave danger otherwise. When it is time, he will step forward and lead his people. Until then the present king will do anything to protect his reign, and that includes killing innocent Highlanders.”
    â€œA good reason for us to take our leave sooner rather than later,” Duncan said, knowing no one was safe from the king’s men, not even an old woman.
    â€œDon’t worry about me,” Dolca said with a smile. “I plan on being around to see the rightful king take the throne.”
    It didn’t take long for Dolca to tend Mercy’s blistered feet and Duncan was pleased to see the relief on her face.
    â€œThey feel better already,” Mercy said after slipping on her boots and turning to Duncan. “You best be