Read Online Branded By a Warrior by Sunny Andrews - Free Book Online Page A

what had transpired in the years after he and Dun can almost started a war, had Broderick married? How old was he now? Did he have children? She had so many questions, never one to skirt issues; she began to ask the slew of questions jumbling about in her head.
    “Is this your room?” S he asked admiring hi s weapon above the roaring fire.
    “Aye. ” H e answered, not even bothering to open hi s eyes. He sat relaxed beside her, his head leaned back and his hands resting on the large wooden arms of the chair. He looked every bit the part of l aird, dressed in his kilt , glorious unruly dark hair that reached his neck , and muscles that rippled with his every move.
    Reaching down she lifted a pewter cup and drank the cool water, sighing with pleasure she quenched her ravenous thirst and then asked, “Where have you been sleep ing if I have been in yer bed Broderick?” P art of her already knowing the answer, yet she wanted to see what he said, she was curious to see if he lied to her.
    In her dreams she had vision s of a dark haired man with vibrant green eyes. She could remember his voice through the fog; even his smell had become familiar to her. His presence had beckoned her out of the murky distance and into the light. Now, with him sitting beside her, tucked under his personal tartan plaid, she knew it was Broderick who had been her savior these past days. The smell of his plaid was familiar to her; the smooth velvety tone of his voice was of the man who saved her from her demons.
    Watching his every move, she saw him lazily roll his head to look at her, locking eyes with her; it made something inside her churn with desire.
    “By your side every night lass, I dinnae take my vows to protect you lightly . ” His unapologetic response made her smirk, with any other man she would have ran him through for taking such liberties with her. No man made decisions for her, yet she understood his mind.
    “ You comforted me when the darkness came, I can remember your voice, your smell . ”
    “Nightmares have gripped you nightly Elisabeth, I could not bear to see you tortured night after night . I apologize if having me beside you offends your sensibilities, but it was the only way I could get you to stop screaming . ”
    Biting her lip she close d her eyes as she said the last words, “I can never repay you for saving my life, I am forever in your debt Broderick . ”
    “Consider us even Elisabeth, I have always felt indebted to you for stopping the escalating tensions between your brother and I t hat day at the waterfall. I owe you my life . ”
    Slowly opening her eyes she looked across the small table that sat between them and saw him rake a hand through his dark hair. Sitting in his linen shirt and kilt, h e looked tormented by the past, just as Duncan had been. She could tell from his voice he held onto to guilt for far too long.
    Reaching across the table she ten tatively touched his forearm , resting her hand upon his muscular arm , “Let the past be Broderick, Duncan forgave you. Why you two never fully recovered your friendship is beside me, but he truly missed you. He sent me to you; you were his last hope for me . He loved yo u like the brother he never had, and he trusted you enough in his final moments with my life. ”
    “I’ll not fail you Elisabeth or him again , vengeance and justice will be yours . I will protect you with my life Elisabeth Drummond . ”
    Feeling overwhelming emotions brewing ye t again she changed the subject, looking down at her beautiful chemise and bandaged shoulder, “ Who changed me?” S he asked, growing embarrassed at the very th ought of him seeing her naked. She inwardly cursed as she felt the blu sh crept across her face as she watched him.
    “Rhona and I , you w ere covered in blood and soaked . We had to access your wound so we could treat it properly. ”
    Rolling her eyes with embarrassment, she figured why not go ahead and ask him all the other questions that were