Elysia did not know what to say. She doubted the warriors would find Annis. She had been intent on learning skills most men possessed, tracking being one of them, and she would easily avoid the warriors. Though, she had no intention of letting Chieftain Emory know that.
However, there was one thing she wanted made known. “I do not wish to wed just yet.”
“Nonsense,” Chieftain Emory said with a dismissive wave of his hand. “It is past time for you to wed. And I have had several men express their interest in having you as a wife. Your kind and gentle nature, not to mention your healing skills and your exceptional talent with a needle are most appealing.”
Elysia spoke up quickly. “I am no healer, sir. I can manage minor ills, but no more than that.”
Once again he dismissed her protest. “Nonsense. You have worked by your sister’s side enough to tend the ill and deliver bairns. You will make a fine healer for the clan and you will have a good husband who will look after you.”
She did not want to anger the chieftain and make her situation worse, so she spoke cautiously. “I do not mean to be ungrateful, sir, but Bliss’s bargain allows for Annis and me to choose our own husbands.”
Chieftain Emory beamed with delight. “And so, you shall, Elysia.” He raised his hand, and casting his glance over her head, he waved someone forward.
Elysia turned and, not one, but three warriors stood and approached the dais. Each one of them towered over her and all were broad-chested. One had good features, the other two fair features. One was missing one of his earlobes, another had a scar that ran through his beard, and another had deep lines between his eyes, a sign that he scowled far too much.
“You can choose a husband from these three fine warriors; Bram, Tavish, and Rory,” Chieftain Emory said, nodding from his left to his right.
That made Bram the one with the missing earlobe, Tavish the one with the scar, leaving Rory the scowling warrior.
“You are a kind and obedient woman so there will be no reason for any of them to raise a hand to you. Your healing skill will be of great help to any of them after battle and in turn you will have a warrior husband to see you kept safe,” Chieftain Emory announced with a smile, pleased with his offering.
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.