A Warrior's Perception (13 page)

It was gone; all that was left was the black smoke and charred remains of the children's home. She turned to the sobs coming from within the cottage and hurried to their sides. She hugged and kissed every one of them, promising them everything was going to be fine. Hours passed as she held them and lulled them to sleep. She looked upon them and wondered what to do. Everything was gone. The supplies, the beds, the toys, their clothes and what few books they cherished were all gone. She edged out of the cottage and stared at the remains. What was she going to do?

“
Help 'em,
”
she whispered to the heavens,
“
Help 'em and I shall be in ye debt.
”

Andra stood quietly as she inspected the newly constructed one room shack. She frowned as she decided that it would have to do. It was warm, dry, and would serve the purpose, and for now that was all that mattered. She glanced at the children. Seth, the least one, was playing with a horse that Flaron had carved for him. He was so small and fragile, thank Dagma, they had found all of the children that night.

She smiled as the others giggled and chased Flaron. He had carved more horses and was teasing the children. He purposely dropped one and laughed as the little carving was scooped up by Izza, the bright eyed girl who never spoke.

They each, one by one, received a horse and Flaron was rewarded with hugs and kisses, except from the boys who opted to shake his large hand. Seth reached up to him and Flaron bent and quickly scooped him up into his arms. The boy’s long blonde hair wrapped around Flaron's shoulder as the boy flung his arms around his neck.

Flaron had become very attached to the boy and kept him by his side as much as possible. Andra smiled as Seth whispered in Flaron's ear some great secret that he wanted to share. Flaron laughed and swung him onto his massive shoulders. Her attention was drawn to the hillside by the distinct sound of hooves racing across the valley.

Andra flinched as she made out the red and silver banner that one warrior carried. She huffed and hurried inside the make-do shack to avoid them seeing her. She prayed they would not come inside and if they did, she prayed none of them would recognize her.

Listening intently as she ran her fingers along the bookshelves that Flaron had made, she prayed harder. Trying to draw herself away from what was going on outside, she studied the shelves.

He was rather adept with his hands, and wood seemed to melt to his will. She wondered how they would fit all thirteen children in the room. She studied the floor, hoping it would miraculously extend another ten feet.

A cool breeze ran along her skin and she shivered. The hair on her neck stood stiff as a deep arrogant voice boomed into her conscious.

“
Ell'andra Duncan.
”

Kagan!

She turned, swallowing her pride and choking her fear back down,
“
Aye, milord.
”

“
Seems ye had a bit of a fire.
”

She bit her tongue and smiled,
“
Aye, tis unfortunate but we have managed to come out fine.
”

“
Is this,
”
he asked swinging his massive arm around the room,
“
fine?
”

“
It is dry and warm. It is adequate,
”
she replied firmly.

“
All ye ha'e to do is ask,
”
he started as she turned her face to avoid looking him in the eye,
“
Ask and I will...
”

“
Will what?
”
she snapped.

“
Rebuild the orphanage, replenish the supplies, and,
”
he looked at the bookshelves,
“
bring the bairns scores of books.
”

“
At what price?
”
she asked as she moved to the bookshelves.

He grinned.
Smart lass.

“
That we finish what we begun,
”
he drawled as he stepped closer.
“
Ye will come to McKregan Keep and be my wife.
”

Andra turned and looked him in the eyes.
Grey, beautiful eyes.

Her knees went weak but she held them locked into place as she lashed at him with her words,
“
What kind of price is that? Share ye bed or let the children do without. I am'na a barmaid and will'na barter my body to ye! Name some other price or we are done with this conversation.
”

Andra looked away and hoped he would consider another price. Times were hard and the children often barely had enough to eat. They would go hungry if it was not for Flaron bringing them fresh meat as often as he could. Her heart stopped as she realized that
someday
Flaron might leave and where would that leave the children. Where would it leave her?

Offering to rebuild the orphanage and replace whatever they had lost had seemed like
an
amazing idea. He had told himself to hold fast and keep a distant air where Andra was concerned. After all, there was no better time to woo her to his side then during the rebuilding. He wanted her as badly as he had before and he now had an advantage. Warrior that he was, he was going to use that advantage wisely.

Andra gritted her teeth and turned back to face him, he stood inches from her.
“
Ye will gi'e these children what they need, ye will rebuild the orphanage and send supplies e'ery month. Ye will'na let their bellies become empty.
”

“
It will be done,
”
he muttered as she stared into his eyes. She was breathtaking in her present state of mind, demanding and breathtaking.

“
If ye want me, ye must allow me to stay here, to see to the bairns as they settle in to their new home,
”
she demanded,
“
Or ye can take 'em all with us right now to McKregan Keep.
”

“
And what would ye ha'e me do with 'em?
”
he asked.

“
Raise 'em as ye own,
”
she returned.
“
Or at least find suitable mothers and fathers. If ye can’na find anyone to raise 'em, ye raise 'em as McKregans!
”

He grabbed her arms and glared at the woman who stood fearlessly and warrior-like glaring back at him. She dared to defy him still and spoke with conviction and pride. The clang of steel echoed in his mind and his heart somersaulted in utter delight. She was fearless, bold, demanding, brazen, breathtaking and
flawless.

“
I canna gi'e 'em my name, the title belongs only to my sons and daughters, my flesh and blood,
”
he growled,
“
I will find someone suitable to replace ye presence if that is what ye require.
”

“
I donna want a replacement. I want lovin', carin' people who will adopt and cherish these children, who will raise 'em as their own!
”
she hissed as he crushed her to his body.

“
Ye will come or I will throw ye o'er my shoulder and tie ye to my horse!
”
he threatened.

“
Lea'e at once, we ha'e nothin' else to discuss!
”
she screamed as he caressed her arms and pushed her against the wall.

“
You will come!
”
he insisted,
“
I will'na be denied of what was promised to me.
”

“
If you want me, succumb to my wishes or I will'na do as ye wish!
”
she returned, her voice faltering as he cupped her face in his hand.

“
For a kiss, I will rebuild the orphanage,
”
he paused as she melted to his body,
“
And I will send supplies in the morn.
”

“
Today ye shall have ye kiss and tomorrow we will debate this further,
”
she whispered as her hands reached for his shoulders.

Her words were heavy and soft as they were spoken leaving Kagan’s mind in puddles. Kagan caught her mouth and slipped his tongue into her still parted lips. He savagely explored and tasted. Dwelling deep and long inside of her mouth, pushing his control to the brink of madness, and punishing himself he dared not let go.

His hands roamed her jaw line, her neck, her shoulders, and arms. He pushed himself against her glorious body and groaned as she ran her hands through his hair. Never had a woman been this successful at seducing his body. Never had a woman been able to turn his thoughts into mush.

She kissed him in return just as savagely as he did her. She wanted the kiss to last forever. She wanted to feel his tongue against her flesh and wanted his hands to claim every inch of her body. Her skin burned under his touch and delightful tremors of pleasure ran throughout her body as he explored her.

The smell of horseflesh and spice laced with scotch drugged her senses. She grabbed his hips and cried for him to hold her closer. Her brain screamed to make him stop and begged her willpower to push him away. Her hands, with a mind of their own, caught his large forearms and held them against her waist. She caressed his long beautiful fingers as they latched onto her waist.

Kagan was caught in her passion. He reeled in pleasure just from knowing how badly she wanted him. He let her capture his hands and groaned as her fingers danced on his skin. He held her lips as she arched against him and clung to his shoulders.

At that moment he knew he would give her the sun, he would buy her the moon, and he would even pluck the stars from the heavens for her. He could die in her arms and be no closer to Valhalla than if he were already there.

She moaned as he cupped her breast, the sound a dull ache in his heart. Her head fell back against the wall exposing her neck. He eagerly sucked and kissed its glowing beauty. His growl of excitement shattered what little resolve she still obtained. Her hands flew to his, crushing them against her breasts and hungrily took his lips.

He pulled from her mouth and said,
“
Come with me, to my side, to my bed. Let me please ye beyond ye wildest fantasies.
”