Read Online Kara Griffin - The Pith Trilogy by Warrior's Pledge - Free Book Online
Authors: Warrior's Pledge
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on, not looking back at the place she so hated.
The night’s dark cloak shadowed the trees and no animals sounded in the woods. They reached the woods and had made good distance. Her voice echoed amongst the trees when she asked, “Bleeth, will ye be missed? Edwena will be sure to note your absence. Have you thought of an excuse?”
“I don’t plan to return, my lady.”
“Where will ye go?”
“With you,” was all he said.
They rode in silence for a while and toward morning they stopped beside a small brook to drink and eat. She could never have gotten away without Bleeth’s help. If she had an older brother, she imagined he’d be like him. She felt guilty asking so much of him, but he insisted her mother made him promise to protect her.
They continued the trek and as she traveled along, she wondered what Sara would say when she arrived. Remembering what Sara had told her the morning following her marriage made Julianna smile. Sara had preened like a cat that licked up all the cream. She wouldn’t tell her exactly what happened during the marriage act, but she let it be known that she would adore it. Julianna doubted that. Sara had found a good man, why couldn’t she?
Those thoughts scattered when she recalled the warrior. What she wouldn’t do to see him again. Even seeing him from afar would be enough. But the warrior was long gone, back to the Highlands. Though she’d searched for him the next morning after Sara’s wedding, she hadn’t found him. Many had already departed and she believed he had as well.
Their encounter was so brief and his kisses so intense; she barely remembered what they’d said. She couldn’t even recall his name. It had been so long since the encounter, but she would never forget the way he touched her. The warrior was too big, if ever he wanted to, he could kill her with one blow. But he hadn’t harmed her then. Nay, he wasn’t the sort to hurt a woman. Why she thought that, she wasn’t certain.
“Lady, watch where you’re going,” Bleeth said.
Absently riding and absorbed by her thoughts, she had veered from the path. After righting the horse, she thought about the king. She couldn’t allow him to discover her secret. If he found out, lord knew what would happen then. The stories she’d heard of his ruthlessness were enough to keep her from Londontown. He’d been cruel to his own family members. What would he do if he found out who she was? Though Julianna’s greatest wish was to marry and have a family of her own, she couldn’t risk it.
The Highlands were a great distance from Londontown and surely neither the king nor her father could find her there. She and Sara had often stayed up late disturbing the girls in their dormitory whispering about that land. Sara would tell her fascinating stories and unbelievable tales of their warriors and romantic notions. Thanks to her father’s pressure, she was now on her way.
Something came over her and sensing danger, she signaled to Bleeth. They peered into the darkness. How could someone be following so soon? But someone had to be there, she didn’t get her feeling if there wasn’t. Kicking Chestnut’s flanks caused the horse to raise her forelegs. Julianna tried to warn the others, but it was too late. Several horsemen came through the trees and rode in their direction. Chestnut got spooked and shot off. She held on for dear life for fear if she fell, she’d be at their mercy. Horses trailed behind her, but Chestnut was fast. She’d reached a good distance and directed her mare to stop next to high brush. Encased within a soft ewe, she stood quietly and waited.
Sounds of cracking leaves in the distance told her they were close. Let them pass, she silently prayed. Chestnut was agitated and so Julianna pinched her nostrils so she wouldn’t make any noise. With her other hand, she held her dagger.
“Where did she go?” she heard a man say.
“Who knows? Keep looking.”
“The Lord will be angry if we return
The night’s dark cloak shadowed the trees and no animals sounded in the woods. They reached the woods and had made good distance. Her voice echoed amongst the trees when she asked, “Bleeth, will ye be missed? Edwena will be sure to note your absence. Have you thought of an excuse?”
“I don’t plan to return, my lady.”
“Where will ye go?”
“With you,” was all he said.
They rode in silence for a while and toward morning they stopped beside a small brook to drink and eat. She could never have gotten away without Bleeth’s help. If she had an older brother, she imagined he’d be like him. She felt guilty asking so much of him, but he insisted her mother made him promise to protect her.
They continued the trek and as she traveled along, she wondered what Sara would say when she arrived. Remembering what Sara had told her the morning following her marriage made Julianna smile. Sara had preened like a cat that licked up all the cream. She wouldn’t tell her exactly what happened during the marriage act, but she let it be known that she would adore it. Julianna doubted that. Sara had found a good man, why couldn’t she?
Those thoughts scattered when she recalled the warrior. What she wouldn’t do to see him again. Even seeing him from afar would be enough. But the warrior was long gone, back to the Highlands. Though she’d searched for him the next morning after Sara’s wedding, she hadn’t found him. Many had already departed and she believed he had as well.
Their encounter was so brief and his kisses so intense; she barely remembered what they’d said. She couldn’t even recall his name. It had been so long since the encounter, but she would never forget the way he touched her. The warrior was too big, if ever he wanted to, he could kill her with one blow. But he hadn’t harmed her then. Nay, he wasn’t the sort to hurt a woman. Why she thought that, she wasn’t certain.
“Lady, watch where you’re going,” Bleeth said.
Absently riding and absorbed by her thoughts, she had veered from the path. After righting the horse, she thought about the king. She couldn’t allow him to discover her secret. If he found out, lord knew what would happen then. The stories she’d heard of his ruthlessness were enough to keep her from Londontown. He’d been cruel to his own family members. What would he do if he found out who she was? Though Julianna’s greatest wish was to marry and have a family of her own, she couldn’t risk it.
The Highlands were a great distance from Londontown and surely neither the king nor her father could find her there. She and Sara had often stayed up late disturbing the girls in their dormitory whispering about that land. Sara would tell her fascinating stories and unbelievable tales of their warriors and romantic notions. Thanks to her father’s pressure, she was now on her way.
Something came over her and sensing danger, she signaled to Bleeth. They peered into the darkness. How could someone be following so soon? But someone had to be there, she didn’t get her feeling if there wasn’t. Kicking Chestnut’s flanks caused the horse to raise her forelegs. Julianna tried to warn the others, but it was too late. Several horsemen came through the trees and rode in their direction. Chestnut got spooked and shot off. She held on for dear life for fear if she fell, she’d be at their mercy. Horses trailed behind her, but Chestnut was fast. She’d reached a good distance and directed her mare to stop next to high brush. Encased within a soft ewe, she stood quietly and waited.
Sounds of cracking leaves in the distance told her they were close. Let them pass, she silently prayed. Chestnut was agitated and so Julianna pinched her nostrils so she wouldn’t make any noise. With her other hand, she held her dagger.
“Where did she go?” she heard a man say.
“Who knows? Keep looking.”
“The Lord will be angry if we return
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