Fear gripped Elysia, twisting her stomach. She would not—could not—marry a warrior, a man who spilled endless blood.

She forced herself to respond. “I am grateful for your generous offer, but I do not wish to wed.”

Chieftain Emory’s smile faded. “Did I not make myself clear, Elysia? I owe your sister to keep you safe. I have presented three fine warriors for you to choose from, which fulfills Bliss’s bargain that you be allowed to choose your husband. And so you shall choose one of them. I will give you two weeks’ time to come to know each one, then you will choose one to wed. You may take your leave now.”

His dismissal left no room for further protest. Elysia bobbed her head respectfully and turned to scurry past the three warriors and out of the keep. She took only a few steps before she stopped and pressed her hand to her chest, fearful her heart would burst from it, it beat so rapidly.

She jumped when she felt a hand on her arm and sighed with relief to see Lendra, a servant in the keep and a good friend to Bliss.

The woman kept her voice to a whisper. “You should speak with Saber.”

Elysia felt the fool saying, “I did.”

Lendra shook her head. “He turned you down?”

“He did,” she admitted and felt the hurt all over again.

“I do not understand,” Lendra said, still shaking her head. “Bliss told me how he looked at you and tongues wag about how he protected you against Clyde. It makes no sense.”

“It does not matter. He does not want to marry me,” Elysia said, the thought continuing to sting.

“At least you have three good men to pick from, though I would stay away from Rory. He smiles little and drinks too much. Bram has some pretty bad scars. I know I have seen them. Tavish might be your best choice. He is the more even-tempered of the three.”

“I do not want to marry any warrior,” Elysia said. “They have blood on them more times than not, drink too much, and are not faithful to their women.”

“You are right about that,” Lendra said. “Bram has had his share of women.”

Elysia caught the hurt in the woman’s voice. “You care for Bram.”

“I do, fool that I am. But Bram cares for Bram and no one else.”

“Then why does he claim interest in me?” Elysia asked.

“He loves to win and you are a prize to win.”

Elysia was far too close to tears and she did not want anyone to see her cry. “I need to go. Thank you for your honest words, Lendra.”

“I am here to help any way I can,” Lendra said and gave Elysia’s arm a comforting squeeze before turning and hurrying back inside the keep.

Elysia wanted nothing more than to run home and cry, but she would not let herself. She could not keep giving into tears or her fears. Neither would do her any good, though how she would avoid marrying any of the three warriors worried her.

She pinched her cheeks, knowing she must look pale after learning what Chieftain Emory had planned for her and made her way to the village and the market. At least her problem with Clyde had been solved or she hoped it had. She did not think he would be pleased when he discovered what Chieftain Emory had decided.

Elysia made sure to keep a keen eye out for Saber as she bartered for a few quail eggs, offering her skill with a needle, that was quickly accepted. Relieved she saw no sign of him, she continued on. There was a bone with little meat on it, but adequate for her alone and the bone would make fine needles. She was able to secure it in exchange for tending a cut that was close to turning putrid. There were honey oat cakes that appealed to her grumbling stomach. Unfortunately, they were selling quickly for coin which meant the merchant would not be interested in a barter.

“It is good to see you out and about.”

Elysia turned with a smile to greet Moray. “I could not miss market day.”

“It is one day that brings everyone out and about,” he said with a nervous chuckle.

Moray was the clan arrow maker and a skilled one at that. He was quiet and humble, and her sister Annis once suggested that Elysia should consider marrying him. Though tall, his height did not overpower her, and he was slim. He had good features and kept himself presentable. He did possess attributes she preferred in a husband and she wondered if she should give the idea thought. Moray certainly would be a preferable choice to the three warriors.

Moray cleared his throat before saying, “I wanted to let you know that if you need anything, any help of any kind since you are alone now, you only need ask me.”

Tags: Donna Fletcher Highland Intrigue Trilogy Erotic
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