Donna Fletcher Short Story Collection by Donna Fletcher Read Free Book Online

expression made her ask, “You
are unfamiliar with the landscape?”
    “I know it well enough,” he snapped and
pushed her to sit on a stump. “Stay put.”
    She studied him again as he continued to
determine his surroundings. He was a remarkably handsome man, his
strong features captivating the eyes and senses, not to mention is
blue eyes, the color and brilliance of the deepest blue sapphires.
Even the slight crook of his slim nose didn’t detract from his
superior features. A warrior with such good looks, strength and
determination certainly would not have trouble finding a willing
woman.
    That thought had Honora getting right to the
point. “Why do you need me?”
    Sudden sounds of scurrying animals startled
him and before Honora knew what was happening he scooped her up,
tossed her over his shoulder once again and started running.
    The realization that he had not forced
himself upon her when they had stopped had her wondering if he
indeed had captured her for a different reason then she had first
thought. And perhaps it was one not quite so terrifying,
though...
    The thought sent a frightening chill through
her. What if he intended to sell her? It did happen. Raiders came
on shore scooping up men, women and children and sailing off with
them to sell in faraway lands, never to be seen again.
    The thought of never seeing Cavan again,
never having his arms around her, never kissing him, never making
love with him tore at her heart. She would not want to live without
him. They were one and they could never survive separated. And then
there were her children. The thought of never seeing them grow into
fine men and women nearly shattered her heart.
    No matter what it took, she would stay strong
and do all she could to get away and return home. And she would
start now.
    Honora began pummeling his muscled back and
kicking frantically. He yelled for her to stop, but she wouldn’t.
The more she struggled to free herself, the more difficult it was
for him to keep hold of her, and as soon as he released her, she’d
run. She continued her assault, though her hands throbbed from
hitting hard muscle.
    He must have had enough, for he dumped her on
the ground. She scrambled to her feet, all set to run. She wasn’t
fast enough, his hand reached out and grabbed her arm, but she
refused to surrender. She tightened her hand into a fist and as he
took hold of one arm she swung with the other.
    His arm instinctively flew up, his elbow
catching her arm with such force that it sent her fist flying into
her jaw.
    She knocked herself out, collapsing in his
arms.
    ~~~
    “I’m going to kill him,” Cavan said.
    Ronan nodded. “I’ll help you.”
    “Good, for I want him to suffer, worse than
we did at the hands of the Barbarians, before he dies.” Cavan
rarely recalled his year of captivity any longer, Honora had made
that possible. She occupied his mind so much that there was barely
room for anything else.
    He thought about last night and how excited
and frantic their lovemaking. Most time they didn’t rush. They
lingered in the beauty of making love. But last night there had
been urgency to their coupling. He didn’t want to admit it, but it
had seemed almost as if—
    He shook his head, refusing to give the
maddening thought credence. It was crazy to think that somehow they
had sensed this separation and had striven to connect as deeply as
possible for fear—
    With a sharp shake of his head he refused to
believe that they would never see each other again. He would never
allow that. He would search until the end of time to find Honora.
He loved her beyond all reason. Even he had yet to fully grasp the
extent of his love for her and her for him.
    “Honora is a wise woman,” Ronan said. “She
will do what she must to survive.”
    “That’s what I fear,” Cavan said.
    The snow started falling just as they reached
the designated spot. Cavan ordered his men to remain mounted while
he and Ronan dismounted and with careful steps