She tried to roll out of the way of the horses but wasn’t fast enough. The powerful, black horse reared up near her and a string of oaths flew from the rider’s mouth as he fought to control the animal.
Instinct had Tavia squeezing her eyes shut tightly against a death she hoped would be quick and painless. They sprung open when she was suddenly hoisted off the ground and slammed to her feet. Pain shot through her as she gazed into the darkest blue eyes she had ever seen before she collapsed in a faint, falling against the large man.
* * *
Tavia woke with a start an icy cold racing through her to find snow being rubbed over her face.
“What is the matter with you, woman? You need to move fast when you see horses bearing down on you, especially when you are nothing more than a wee bit of a thing. Have you no sense?”
Tavia stared at him, shocked to find herself in his arms and seeing his features up close. He possessed more than fine features. He was a handsome man that could easily capture a woman’s breath and heart all in one look, but not so Tavia. His deep, angry voice and his dark blue eyes filled with even more anger was enough to heighten her fear of him.
He dropped her down on her feet, though held on to her arm, and she bit back against the pain that gripped her leg.
“Stay out of the way,” he ordered and released her arm.
As soon as he did, her leg gave out from the pain, and she went down but never hit the ground. His arm was swift to coil around her waist, keeping her from collapsing.
“You’ve gone and hurt yourself,” he accused.
That he faulted her fired her ire and without thought, she said, “You ride without care.”
He placed his face close to hers. “Watch your tongue with me, woman, or suffer for it.”
She silently admonished herself. What was she thinking speaking to him like that? She could jeopardize the marriage… unless he wasn’t her husband.
“Was the woman hurt, Lord Bhric?” a man asked, walking up to them.
Good Lord, he was her husband. Her legs grew weak, and she thought for sure she would collapse. He must have felt it too, his grip tightening on her.
“She is a weak one. We will get her to the village and let her people tend her,” Bhric said. “Hand her up to me, Sven.”
The man he called Sven was tall but did not reach Bhric’s height or his width. He was slimmer and leaner. He had good features and long blond hair with several braids in it. He took hold of her arm as Lord Bhric released her and mounted his horse, then he scooped Tavia up and placed her in front of Lord Bhric.
“I hope your wife is a lot stronger than this helpless one,” Sven said with a grin and a nod at Tavia.
“May the gods help me if I am straddled with such a weak one,” Bhric said and Tavia’s stomach roiled.
Sven kept his grin as he offered reassurance. “Your mother would not do that to you. Surely, she has chosen a strong woman for you.”
Tavia held her tongue, not knowing what to say, though more afraid to say anything. He had not yet met her and already she could tell he would not be pleased with her. Hadn’t her da been truthful with his mum? Had he convinced the woman that she was a good match for her son? And why hadn’t the woman come and met Tavia herself before agreeing to any marriage?
“I will bring you to the keep and let Chieftain Newlin decide what to do with you,” Bhric said, surprisingly caught up in the softness of her blue eyes that appeared far too caring and her lovely face that certainly captured a man’s eye. However, she was far too petite for him. He preferred tall women, strong in body and mind. Someone who would fight beside him if necessary. Someone with strength and courage.
Tavia kept her hood covering as much of her face as possible when they entered the village, fearful someone would call out her name. Though from what she did spy, everyone seemed too shocked by Lord Bhric and his sizeable men to do anything but stare, many with their mouths agape.
Lord Bhric lowered her gently to the ground once they stopped in front of the keep and when he saw she tilted some once on her feet, he hurried to dismount and take hold of her arm.
“You hurt yourself,” he said. “You need your healer.”
Her da emerged from the keep just then and smiled broadly. “Lord Bhric, I have been looking forward to your arrival, and how wonderful that you have already met Tavia, your wife.”
CHAPTER 2
Bhric stared down at the woman who barely reached his chin. What had his mother done marrying him to a woman that a good wind would blow away and who had not the sense to move out of the way of approaching horses and who injured easily? The wee woman was far too weak to be his wife.
“Why did you not tell me who you were?” he demanded, though the reason was obvious. She was too frightened to admit it. How would he ever deal with a wife who frightened so easily? He shook his head, not caring to hear her excuse and looked to Chieftain Newlin. “She suffered an injury of her own doing. Have your healer tend it.”
Newlin hurried down the three stairs to his daughter.