Kahleena MacCarthy ~ To Meet a Highlander (11 page)

             
Tsarina knew she should have taken that and felt like one of the luckiest women in the world – and married him. But, he pulled it out of her again, she wanted more. Still she couldn’t believe, the way these old Scots were, and that she’d asked him to get on his knees. She didn’t think one of them would ever do something so submissive. She didn't wish for weakness from him, just something that showed he would love her. She wanted love. Not duty.

             
She would have killed if any of the men she’d known had said anything half as romantic to her. Hell, half? Shit, make that one-tenth as romantic.

             
Over the last year, Tsarina had learned that the Highland Warrior was not a fantasy made up by creative authors. These men actually existed a long time ago. The time she was currently in. They protected their women, made sure their hands stayed soft, made sure they were fed, had clothing and were as safe as possible from other men.

             
Of course, like in the current time she’d left behind a year ago, it was also based on station. Some people ate better, fought better, and had softer hands.

             
Some things you couldn’t escape no matter the year or country you lived in.

             
Tsarina looked over from the water she’d been staring at for what must have been hours. There sat Tor beside her. “Checking up on me?” She asked innocently.

             
“Ye know that any one of the three terrors would have me bullocks if any harm came to ye.” Tor smiled with amusement. He knew how it irritated her to be watched. “Ye ken I'm fairly attached to them.”

             
Tsarina laughed, knowing he spoke of Niall, Argus and Zarik. Although which he feared most, she wasn’t certain. He fully believed that Argus had magic. Niall could banish or torture him. And there was no telling what Zarik would do to him. That thought made her visibly cringe. “Who are you going to try to hide from?”

             
“Hide?” Tor looked horrified. “I’ll no be hiding. I’ll lose me bullocks first. Hide.” Tsarina watched him shake his head in disgust. “Would ye be having me wear a dress too?”

             
Tsarina laughed, the sparkle in his eyes giving away his attempt to tease her. It also made her think of her brother. To Trystan, Tor already wore a skirt.

             
“Ye know, lass. If ye’ll not be wanting to be marrying Zarik, it is time to take a husband. Ye’ve been at Dunakin for a time. It’s time to have someone besides the auld men looking out for yer well-being.”

             
“What? Are they wanting me gone?” Tsarina felt a small bit of happiness ripped from her. But another part felt hopefull. “Will they let me go back to my home?”

             
“Nay, lass. I’ve said it all wrong. What I mean is, if ye dunnae want to marry Zarik, I’ll marry ye. I won’t have the title he does, but I’d care well for ye. Ye’d never be without. But, I’d never be Laird of the MacKinnon.”

             
Tsarina looked at him with surprise.

             
“Ye might learn to love me. Maybe. Eventually.” Tor looked hopeful.

             
“Oh, Tor, Zarik would likely kill you if he knew you asked me to marry you. I just have to wait for him to come around.”

             
“And be lonely? Miserable? Have the other lasses gossiping behind yer back? Say ye’ll marry me. Ye’d need not even live in the keep any longer if ye had a mind not to. We could have a cottage a bit away from it. I could still do my duty and ye’d be away from the looks and talk. Not being the eldest son, at times, does have it's advantages.”

             
Tsarina had to smile. Tor was a handsome man. Almost as big as Zarik and likely almost as strong. She had no doubt that he’d be capable of caring for her.

             
“Just tell me ye’ll think about it. I’ll wait as long as ye need.”

             
Tsarina smiled and nodded as she allowed him to help her up and escort her back to the keep, knowing that in those past few moments, she'd gained more respect for Tor than she thought possible. He was willing to risk Zarik's wrath for her.

****

              Zarik pushed away from the long table and went off to search for Tsarina. Perhaps he could try once more to convince her to marry him. He’d not be getting on his knees any time soon though. Was he really going to have to bring himself to begging in order to fix a wrong he'd caused her?

             
When he rounded the keep he saw her laughing, walking arm in arm with Tor.

             
The first thought Zarik had was to run Tor through with his sword. He shook the thought out of his mind, removing his hand from the hilt of his favorite sword. Tor was simply walking her back to the keep. He was keeping her safe, as he and his father had ordered all the MacKinnon men to do.

             
He turned and stomped back into the keep and straight up to his room. Maybe a few drinks in front of a warm fire would clear his head. If he wasn't careful, he'd become as into his cups as mush as Drostan.

****

              After safely seeing Tsarina to her room, Tor went to find his father.

             
“Da, I’ve been looking for ye.” Tor looked over to see Argus by the fire in his father’s room. “Why are ye in yer chamber so early and why in the Saints is Argus in here?”

             
“We were discussing matters. I assume ye have an important one to have bothered me here.” Niall phrased it as a statement, but there was a questioning raise of his brow to let Tor know he would determine if it was indeed worthy of the disruption. “Could it not wait until the morrow?”

             
“Nay, I need to do this now. Zarik’s had months to wed Tsarina and he’s not done so. In that time, she’s been relying on ye, of no relation to her, and other men of the keep for her care and to provide necessities to her. For protection as well. While Zarik's done nothing short of make a joke of her.” Tor waited for the nod from his father before taking a deep breath and continuing. “I’d ask that ye allow me to wed her.” Tor heard Argus gasp, but continued anyway. “I’d be good to her. I could provide well for her. Though I’d never be Laird, she’d be a member of our family and well protected by the entire clan. Everyone would be duty bound to keep her safe. Just as they would if she were with Zarik.”

             
Niall’s mouth had dropped slightly open and he stared at Argus and then back at Tor.

             
Tor was pretty certain he hadn’t turned into a selkie, but with the way they looked him, he was questioning his appearance. Perhaps he’d turned into some kind of monster or grown four heads.

             
“Well? Stop looking at me like that. I’m serious. The both of ye ken it's well past time for this.”

             
Clearing his throat, Argus was first to find his voice. “I thought ye were never going to marry. That ye’d be happy in battle, not with a woman to answer to.”

             
“”Tis true. I’d had no mind to marry, content with battle and whores. But I’ve gotten to know Tsarina just as the rest of ye have. She’s beautiful inside and out. It’s not oft ye find it. She’s not hateful or mean and she cares not of gossip. I think I’d be happy to be answering to her each day.” Tor smiled, knowing he had spoken the truth. He’d love to wake up to her each morning. If his brother was so daft, so be it. He’d take on his brother’s obligation to Tsarina. Happily.

             
“Did ye ask the lass?” Niall asked, evidently convinced with his sincerity.

             
“I did. Though ye ken the choice isn't truly hers to make.”

             
“And she said?” Argus coaxed.

             
“Well, that’s just the thing of it. She didn’t exactly say aye, but she dinnae say nay either.”

             
Niall, looked amused. “Well, what did the lass say?”

             
“She said that Zarik would kill me. Or something to that form.”

             
“And ye don’t fear that he’ll do just that?” Argus interrupted them again.

             
“With your permission,” Tor looked at Niall. “He wouldnae be able to. With the chief’s word, it’s all I need to wed her. I don’t even need her permission,” Tor eyed the hard looks he got from both Niall and Argus, “though I’d seek it, no doubt. I’d not take her against her will. Zarik isn't interested in her anyway. He's made it clear.”

             
“He doesnae not want her either, Tor. Ye ken he's stubborn. To him, a lass will bring weakness and compromise.” Argus spoke quietly.

             
He watched as the two men walked over to a far corner and whispered. Try as he would to hear, they were doing a good job of keeping him unaware of whatever they were talking about. Tor shook his head. Sometimes those two gossiped as much as auld women.

             
When they walked back over, Argus was first to speak again. “Ye’d be willing to take the wrath of Zarik on yer own head?”

             
Tor nodded.

             
“Ye’d be willing to risk the fate of the clan? Argus has predicted those two be together for over a decade.” Niall’s look was worried.

             
“Aye, I would. Mayhap, as it's been said magic isn't always accurate, Argus was shown the wrong brother. She may belong with me. Ye see? I’d not see her unhappy and the two are no closer to being wed than ye and I are. She needs to be happy. She needs a home that is hers with a man who provides well for her. If Zarik will not see to it, I will.”

             
“Verra well. If she refuses to marry Zarik, it is time for the lass to wed someone, else we cause issues with other women of the clan not marrying as they ought.”

             
“Thanks, Da…”

             
Tor was cut off by a wave of Niall’s hand. “Ye’ll get her permission, Tor. Or it’ll not be. I’d also hear it from her lips. As confirmation. Goodnight.”

             
Tor mumbled a thank you and walked out of his father’s chamber. Would he be able to get her to say yes?

****

              Tsarina tossed and turned all night. Tor wouldn’t be bad. He was handsome and strong and well respected. Zarik just wanted to bend her to his will. Tor seemed caring. He didn’t seem to fear it making him weak.

             
But how would that affect the brothers? They’d likely end up hating each other over her and it may lead to them both hating her. Then she’d be married to man that hated her. Tsarina never thought he’d be cruel to her, even if he did find it in himself to eventually hate her for coming between he and his brother. What if she caused further issue within the clan?

             
By the time the sun came up, she was already dressed and getting ready to head downstairs for breakfast.

             
Tsarina gasped as she ran right into someone. Someone that felt like a wall. Looking up, she saw Tor looking down with a smile on his face.

             
“Good morn, lass. Did ye finally decide to roll out of bed?”

             
“What? The sun barely came up.” Tsarina looked confused. Had she been over sleeping for all these months? They must truly all think her beyond lazy, especially with the lack of work she was allowed to do in the keep.

             
Tor laughed. She’d not heard him do so too often and he had a wonderful laugh. It was contagious and soon she was laughing with him. “Tsarina, I was just teasing you. Did you sleep well?”

             
“No, not much sleep this past night.” She told him honestly.

             
“Well, mayhap we can fix whatever is troubling ye today.” Tor nodded as though he was convinced they could as he escorted her down the stairs and to the high table to eat.

             
Once there, he booted Drostan out of his seat, as she usually sat between him and Zarik. Now, she would be placed between Tor and Zarik. For this meal, in any case.

             
As she ate, she found that both Zarik and Tor were trying to assist her and to aid in filling her trencher. The meal passed, far too slowly in Tsarina’s mind, and she was relieved when she could depart without being rude.

             
“I think I’m going back to the loch today. It doesn’t seem as chilly as yesterday and I rather enjoyed the fresh air.” Tsarina went to rise and both Zarik and Tor jumped to pull out her chair. Luckily the serving boy behind her made it to the chair before either of them could battle it out.

             
“I’ll take ye, lass.” Tor said with a smile, quickly taking her arm and placing it through his.

             
Tsarina noticed both Niall and Argus cringe and shrink back, as if waiting for something bad to happen.