A Warrior's Promise (12 page)

Chapter
13

C
harlotte
stared at Bryce's back. They had stopped and made camp a couple of hours ago,
and as soon as they had eaten some of the food Glenna had packed, Bryce had
turned on his side, his back to her, and gone to sleep.

The change in him since he had discovered she was a
woman disturbed her. She missed the easy friendship they had shared and the
conversations. He didn't talk with her freely the way he once had, and she
partly understood why, but she had hoped that he had grown as comfortable with
her as she had with him and perhaps—just perhaps—their friendship would not
change.

It didn't seem that was the way of it, and she felt
a twinge of loss. She draped her arm around Odin, who slept plastered against
her. He had snuck in a crawl to plant himself between her and the campfire.
Bryce had told her to make him move, but she didn't have the heart, he looked
too comfortable. And it was nice to have someone to cuddle against.

She continued staring at Bryce's wide back,
frustrated by the situation and not knowing what to do about it. Her father, no
doubt, would tell her to let it be, let it resolve itself. Unfortunately, she
wasn't very patient.

What bothered her most was that she felt as if she
had lost his friendship. There had been camaraderie between Bryce and the lad
that she had not only greatly favored but had never known. It had been hard to
form a lasting bond with anyone through the years since she and her father never
stayed long in one place. And there had been times they lived in remote areas,
removed from people. She had grown accustomed to it, but now, having met Bryce,
she didn't care to think that he was simply a passing friend. She hoped they
could be . . .

She sighed. What did she truly hope they could be?
That was the question that haunted her whether she wished to acknowledge it or
not. When he had grabbed her and dangled her in front of him, a habit he was
making of that, she had thought he would kiss her. She had been surprised she
had even realized it, not having had much experience when it came to kisses. But
it had been undeniable, she felt it. It was impossible not to, even to someone
as naïve as she. And, Lord, did she want him to kiss her. Regrettably, it never
came, it lingered between them in limbo—waiting.

She blushed, grateful there was no one to see her
cheeks flame red.

“You're mumbling,” Bryce said, startling her.

Why couldn't she rid herself of that trait?

“Did I wake you?”

Bryce turned to face her. “No. I haven't been able
to sleep.”

“Why?”

Charlotte was caught by his blue eyes. Normally
soft in color, they were now the deep blue of a turbulent ocean. And she
couldn't help but think of him that way, rough and tumbling, pounding to the
shore and taking back with it what was in his reach: to protect and shelter.

She realized he hadn't answered. “Does something
trouble you?”

He grunted. “Heavy thoughts.”

“And I add to them.”

“How could you? You're nothing more than a wee one.
You could never be a burden.”

Nor your lover.

Charlotte flopped on her back, shocked by her own
thought. Whatever was wrong with her? How could she even think that? He
certainly didn't find her appealing. She was much too
petite
for him. And he too large for her, and that was that.

Or was it?

“That wasn't a mumble, that was a groan,” he said.
“So what's troubling you?”

“Everything.” She sighed, because it was the truth.
Her life had been turned upside down so fast that she felt as if she had yet to
take a breath. And it had grown more confusing and dangerous since the soldiers
had taken her father.

“It seems that way sometimes, doesn't it?” Bryce
said, turning to face her.

His gentle tone had her rolling on her side to lay
eyes on his strong features. “Lately, it seems that way all the time.”

“It is a difficult time, but it will pass.”

“You sound so sure.”

He grinned. “Working together—your tenacious nature
and my patient one—there can be no doubt of it.”

“Your patient nature?” she asked with a grin of her
own.

“A virtue of mine and one you stretch to the
limits.”

She laughed. “Not purposely.”

“And with no sound reason,” he said with a shake of
his head. “You simply forge ahead and damn the consequences.”

“Confidence.”

“Foolhardiness.”

“Do you think me a fool?” It was more a challenge
than a question.

He didn't answer immediately; he seemed to give it
thought.

“You need time to think about it?” she asked,
slightly offended.

“Time to explain my thoughts,” he said. “You are
different from others, and so it is hard sometimes to understand you. I dare say
it was much easier when you were the lad Charles. He was someone I
understood.”

“Why?”

“That word forever spills from your lips.”

“I'm curious.”

“Another trait to add to tenacious,” he said with a
laugh.

“You avoid answering me.”

“Charles reminded me of myself. I lost my parents
when I was young, and it is a pain that never stops aching. I could relate to
his need to find his da since I never had the opportunity. I wished my parents
had lived so I could rescue them. I would have done anything to save them just
as Charles had been doing.”

“Does it make a difference now? Charles and
Charlotte are one. Do you not feel the same for me?”

“I feel even more need to help you, as you're a
woman,” Bryce said.

“It makes no diff—”

He reached around the campfire and pressed a finger
to her lips. “It makes a difference to me that you are a woman. I was raised to
protect women and those weaker who cannot defend themselves.” He pressed his
finger harder to her lips. “No protests. I cannot change who I am. I protect,
and I will protect you.”

Normally, Charlotte would have argued with him, but
she found herself understanding, and so made no comment. It pleased her that
they had talked, and she had learned more about him. And no doubt he felt the
same, yawning along with her as sleep began to creep over them.

“I will always protect you, Charlotte,” he said on
a yawn once again, and stretched out on his back.

“And I you,” she said, turning on her back.

Bryce was snoring lightly in no time, and though
Charlotte's eyes grew heavy, she fought sleep. She wanted to linger in the feel
of his warm finger pressed so tightly to her lips. She had imagined it a kiss,
so solid and yet so alive.

She yawned, kisses were much too often on her mind,
and with that thought lingering, she slipped into sleep.

T
hey
were up and on their way at daybreak, the early-morning mist fading as the
bright sun claimed the land. It had been too long since Bryce had taken note of
a beautiful day. He had been much too busy to take even a moment to think of
anything else but his missions.

Why, now, did the loveliness of the morning strike
him? He had to admit it was because of Charlotte. Her chatting started with the
sunrise, only stopping when she spotted something that caught her attention.
She'd run to unearth what had caught her eye, Odin right alongside her, then
return to his side to either announce it was nothing or show him a plant and
explain its properties to him.

She was trying hard to find any signs her da was
leaving along the way, and he empathized with her frustration when something
turned out to be nothing. But he admired her tenaciousness. No matter the
disappointment, she didn't give up; she persevered.

“St. Bride's plant,” she said, joining him once
again.

“Roots and all?”

“Once the roots dry, they can be used to make a
tasty drink.”

“More of your da's knowledge?” he asked with
interest.

“Just a small part of my da's vast knowledge.”

“I have never known a man who pursued knowledge as
his life's purpose,” Bryce said.

“It seems odd to me that more don't.”

“I truly look forward to speaking with your da. I
think there is much I can learn from him.”

She stopped abruptly and stared wide-eyed at him;
so did Odin. “Truly? You believe you could learn from him?”

“Why not? He is a learned man.”

She shook her head and started walking again. “Most
men think my da a fool. He carries no weapons, and yet he possesses the
mightiest weapon of all . . . intelligence. I am pleased that you feel
as you do. My da will enjoy talking with a man who seeks to learn.”

Odin ran up ahead, then stopped suddenly. The two
were quick to halt their steps and cast anxious glances around. In seconds, Odin
relaxed his stance and scampered back to them.

Charlotte hunched down and hugged the dog, who
planted lavish kisses on her. “Good work, Odin. Good work.”

A twinge of jealousy struck Bryce, and he grew
annoyed with himself. Whatever was the matter with him?

You want to lavish kisses on
her.

He spewed a bevy of silent oaths. This was
ridiculous. Whenever he had wanted to kiss a woman, he did just that. If he
wanted to kiss Charlotte so badly, why didn't he just do it? What was stopping
him?

He wished he knew. He wished he understood what
made her different from other women he had kissed. And the thought that he
believed her different disturbed him even more. Could it be that there was
something special about her?

They continued their journey much as before,
Charlotte hurrying off to investigate with Odin at her side, only to return to
him delighted with found discoveries or disappointed there had been none. All
along knowing she searched for clues that would lead her to her da.

The sun was still bright in the sky when they
stopped near a stream to rest and satisfy their hunger. Odin no soon as gobbled
down the fish that Bryce had caught, his catch more than adequate for the trio,
when he was stretched out and was sound asleep.

Bryce and Charlotte continued enjoying their
fare.

“We have been lucky so far, but I fear we may head
in the wrong direction,” Charlotte said, concerned.

“Perhaps it is not luck, but instinct that keeps us
on the right course,” Bryce said. “Your father could very well be relying on
your instinct in finding him. Wasn't his message,
She knew
the way to him
? Could your da having been talking about
instinct?”

“It's possible, but I don't think that's what he
meant.”

Odin's head popped up, followed by his body, and he
ran in front of Charlotte and Bryce, planting himself in a protective stance and
growling.

Bryce was to his feet in seconds, his sword drawn.
Charlotte grabbed her bow and readied it.

A young couple with a child no more than four years
emerged out of the bushes. The trio looked exhausted and half-starved. The
little lad clung to his father's leg, his eyes wide with fear as he looked on
Odin.

Odin, sensing they were no threat, sat.

The father stepped forward. “We caught a whiff of
your food and wondered if there was any to spare.”

Charlotte put her bow aside and waved them forward.
“There is plenty. Come join us.”

Bryce sheathed his sword and welcomed them. “Yes,
do come join us. We have more than enough.”

The trio hurried over, the lad keeping his distance
from Odin. They were soon gobbling down the fish as fast as Odin had done,
though it was the lad the da and mum fed first before taking any for
themselves.

“I'm sorry,” the father said. “I have lost my
manners. It has been days since we have eaten.” He wiped his hand on his
dirt-covered garments and extended it to Bryce. “I am Ian, this is my wife
Brigit and our son Thane.”

Bryce admired the strong set of his handshake. Even
though weakened, he demonstrated strength. “I am Bryce and this is
. . .” He hesitated, not sure how exactly to introduce Charlotte.

She decided for him. “I'm Charles, and this big dog
is Odin, friendlier than he looks.”

The little lad giggled.

Odin, hearing his name and the giggles, positioned
himself next to Charlotte though he extended his paw to the lad.

The lad shook it and giggled again. When he
finished eating almost a whole fish, the lad took to playing with Odin. It was a
game of fetch and catch with a stick that they both seemed to enjoy.

“It is good to hear him laugh again and have fun,”
Brigit said, tearful.

“We lost our farm,” Ian said with a resigned
painfulness. “The soldiers kept taking and taking until there was not enough to
feed my family. And then we heard the soldiers were taking men old and young
from their homes to serve the king.”

“We had no choice but to leave,” Brigit said as if
in way of an apology.

Ian shook his head. “We still can't understand what
brought so many soldiers to our area. I believed we were too remote for them to
have any interest in us.”

Charlotte was quick to ask. “Did the soldiers pass
your way with any prisoners?”

“No,” Ian said. “We never saw any prisoners. I
wondered if perhaps the king made use of the remote area to grow his troops
without the true king finding out.”

“That's where we go now,” Brigit said. “To find
safety with the true king's followers.”

“We both are followers, and Bryce knows where you
can go to be safe,” Charlotte said.

Bryce liked that Charlotte didn't hesitate to offer
them help, especially with her instincts about people being so keen.