Warrior's Scold Read online

  “Go back,” Brice yelled, coming at her but pointing towards the buildings. “Go back and dress yourself before I take a whip to you for your indecency.”

  “You should dare, knight, for if you think I would stand and let you get in a swing, you are mad.” Io stood her ground as her escort came at her. When they were toe to toe, she gleaned the reality of just what an opponent he would be.

  She barely came up to mid chest on the man, and she would’ve had to lean far to one side to see around him. A deep breath drew the heady scent of him to her, and she felt a tightening in her stomach that was new and not unwelcome.

  “You will go inside and dress properly.” His voice, like his body, was stiff and hard.

  “What do you know of what is proper for me? These are my clothes, all I own, and I will not be removed of them.” Io felt his eyes pass over her as he stepped back slightly.

  “You’ve no other clothes? No other belongings?” He pointed to the small bag in her hand.

  “I have what I carry. If you like it not, then go. Someone else will come and do what you seem incapable of.”

  His expression grew dark. His hand clamped down on her arm, and then inexplicably loosened until his hold was firm but not crushing. Pulling her along, he headed back towards his group.

  “Something else I will have to correct,” he muttered as they went, though she couldn’t see what concern it was of his, what she owned and didn’t own.

  She watched Brice make a gesture to his men, signaling them to make ready to go and they did without question or hesitation. A servant crossed his path and he called out, “Make the lady’s horse ready.”

  “Horse?” Io and the servant shrieked at the same time. When he turned to look at her, she shrugged loose his hold. “I do not ride.”

  “We have no time to plod along in a carriage, madame, you will ride.”

  Did no one tell this man anything he didn’t want to hear? Well let her be the first. “I do not ride; either horse or carriage. If you wish me to go, I walk. Best you top your beast, or we will get nowhere before it is dark.”

  “You will be mounted, woman,” he snapped at her, only to go red faced when she lifted an eyebrow at him. “You will ride a horse. We have a long distance to travel and a schedule to keep.”

  “Well if you wish to move quick then I will walk at such a pace, but I will not ride.” Io was capable of keeping up with a trotting horse for several miles.

  “What troubles have I been burdened with?” She heard him grumble as he took her by the arm and pulled her towards his group.

  His men mounted as they approached. One man waited, handing Brice the reins of his horse.

  “You?” the man asked Brice in some kind of understood message. The man took her bag from her and passed it off to another who tucked it in his saddle bags. Her quiver she relinquished as well, she could travel light.

  “Dressed like that, yes, me,” Brice said, sending her what he must have thought to be some frightening stare. She’d seen worse.

  All the men chuckled, but before she could grasp the jest, she was grabbed around the waist and lifted off the ground. She screamed and flailed but landed, seated behind Brice, on his big war horse. He gave her no chance to dismount or protest. He dug in his spurs and started them galloping away from the house.

  Io made a wild grab for anything to hold her on the animal. It turned out all there was to grab was the man before her. She wrapped her arms around him and clutched at his tunic with a white knuckled grip.

  “Stop this horse you stupid fucking whore of a man,” she yelled into his back. He didn’t stop, but he did slow from a full gallop to a long lope.

  He turned in the saddle, wrapped his arm around her waist, and dragged her from her perch. She cried out, as for a moment she was sitting in the air beside an animal capable of stomping her to death if she was dropped. He swung her around to sit in front of him. He lowered his head and with a deadly tone spoke in her ear.

  “Soften your tongue, my lady, or I will soften it for you.” With that, he again swung her out into mid air and with a slight twist, reseated her behind him, setting his horse into a full gallop.

  All Io could do is hold on and fume as the long stride of the horse ate up the ground at a terrifying pace. She thought perhaps better to be angry and think on revenge than to have nothing to think on but the dangerous way she traveled.

  Chapter Two

  The sun sank lower in the spring sky, darkness would come quick and the dangers of trying to travel at night meant having to stop and make camp. Xavier slowed his horse even more. The full gallop he’d engaged in for the first miles exhausted the animals and forced everyone to travel at a slower pace. The last hour was made at a gentle walk. But the woman pressed against his back hadn’t loosened her death grip on his shirt, or the few unfortunate hairs on his chest. She wouldn’t sit back and with every movement of the horse, he could feel her firm breasts rubbing against him.

  He hadn’t looked back at her since he replaced her there mid stride, a foolish dangerous thing which terrorized her but also silenced her. For at least the fifth time, he captured the vision from his memory of her standing in that filthy yard dressed in braies, not at all loose fitting. They’d clung to her legs, molded her groin, hips and he was sure her arse. Her shape defined, nothing left to imagine except perhaps the feel of her skin. She also wore a shirt, short and unadorned except for some leather binding which wrapped around and defined her upper assets. But his eyes had been drawn to the shining clasp just below those full, high globes of skin. It held closed what he could only describe as a surcoat, but the sleeves were tight to her arms and it was cut wide in the front. The usually flimsy garment seemed to be made of an oilskin lined with animal hide creating a sturdier article of clothing. Put altogether it gave the woman the look of a formidable warrior. Thinking on it now, Xavier couldn’t say it didn’t suit her. It simply was indecent and not something he wanted to deal with as they traveled across the country.

  He directed his horse from the road into a small glen. His men followed and dismounted. Ian came forward and grabbed the girl from the back of his mount. She was slow to let go when pulled down. Xavier bit the inside of his cheek to keep from yelling as those hairs in her grip tried to go with her.

  He saw relief pass across her face as she touched the ground, then her eyes went wide and she dropped hard to her seat. Her legs shaking visibly as she sat in the high grass. Ian grabbed for her, but she jerked her arm from his grasp.

  “Leave me be you fool,” she said, glaring at everyone in turn. She drew up her knees and wrapped her arms around them.

  Xavier shrugged and nodded at the men who returned the shrug and moved off to set up camp and care for the animals. Dismounting, Xavier pulled his own packs and saddle off and dropped them next to her.

  “Take those over to the fire. You have burdened my horse. I am going to be a while caring for him.”

  She tipped her head back to look up at him. Her pale blue eyes sparkled in the fading evening light. “You carry your things. I didn’t ask to be placed on the beast. I didn’t burden anyone or thing by choice, and I will not be doing your bidding just because you have a falsely high opinion of yourself.”

  “You know not what you will be and not be doing, madame.” Xavier left her sitting on the ground with his belongs. She could share in the work, or she’d not share in the comforts.

  * * * * *

  Io watched the odious man walk away. Carry his things indeed. She’d be happy if she could carry herself. Her legs and arms, even her hands, hurt and shook. She took a deep soothing breath, resting her head on her drawn up knees. Anger hadn’t sustained her as the hours passed and the miles of road were ground up beneath her.

  She hoped, when they began to slow, she’d be able to slip down, but until a few moments ago, he hadn’t slowed enough. She wouldn’t be getting back on the animal. Even her stomach ached now.

  “Come.” Gentle hands slipped under her
arms, lifting her to her feet. They held her until she was steady on her feet. “You should not be so dismissive of his commands.”

  She turned to see the man pick up Brice’s saddle and packs. He jerked his head in the direction of a stand of trees and preceded her in that direction. Io followed on shaking legs to a clearing. The men had started a fire and moved several large logs to create a place to either sit or recline in obvious comfort. Their saddles and belongings were placed about to be ready for both sleep and a quick departure come morning. Three of them, including the one who carried Brice’s things, were already eating. They waved her over and she went.

  “You do not spend much time in the saddle, my lady?” The red haired one spoke, grinning as food crumbs fell from between gaps in his teeth.

  “Io.” She took a seat on the end of the log furthest from the group. “I spend no time at all in a saddle.”

  The men shared looks then the red haired man spoke again. “You do not ride, my lady?”

  Io took a deep breath, sighing heavy before leaning forward to rest her elbows on her knees and her head in her hands. “If I say this again, will you be able to comprehend it? I do not ride, and I do not care for your limiting titles. My name is Io. I. O.” She turned her head to look at them with a disapproving look— one she often used on children. There were some words between them then the one who seemed to be the youngest in the group spoke up.

  “Like the woman who Zeus turned into a...”

  “Exactly like the woman turned into a cow for denying another adulterous man the pleasure of her company.” Io sighed again and turned her face away. Why was that the only part of the myth anyone remembered?

  “She also gave birth to a god who conquered the people of the pyramids, led the hero against the Gorgon and became the favored goddess of several ancient peoples.” She twisted around at the sound of Brice’s voice. So fast she almost slipped from the log.

  “And yet all anyone remembers is she was turned into a cow,” Io griped as she watched him step into the circle of light created by the fire.

  “Perhaps because it was the last time a fitting punishment was delivered to a presumptuous female.” He moved easily as he found his packs and removed a wrapped package.

  “Yes, that must be it,” Io hissed under her breath. He heard because he glared at her a moment before unwrapping his food supplies.

  “Where is my bag?” Io sought out the man who took it from her and the man who stuffed it in his own packs.

  “Seth has it in with his belongs,” Brice told her.

  “I want my things.” Io stood and headed for the still unclaimed saddles and packs. Her things would be in one of those.

  “We do not go through each other’s things. You can wait for Seth. He will be here soon, my lady.” Brice’s hand on her arm forced her back to the log then down.

  Io jerked free. “Do not manhandle me.”

  His only response was a grunt. He took a seat next to her, and she wondered if he sat so close to see if he’d force her to move. She didn’t. Io put her chin in her hands and rested her elbows on her knees. From where she sat she could see the three men as they ate and whispered back and forth, occasionally glancing her way and smiling, and she could see Brice. He set his food on a cloth he neatly spread out over his lap. He seemed to be making a decision, maybe what to eat first. The small amount he had before him was more food than Io had seen in a fortnight.

  The last two men joined the group and Io was thankful for the distraction. She stood and approached Seth. “I will have back my belongings,” she said in a not unkind voice. The man looked around her seeking permission from Brice. Io stepped into his path, blocking the silent communications. “My things are mine. I do not need anyone’s consent to have them. Give them to me.”

  “Get her things before she becomes hysterical,” Brice said dryly.

  “I do not suffer hysterics you conceited ass.” Io took her belongings from the slack jawed Seth then moved to sit opposite from where she’d been sitting.

  “I think you do not suffer anything as of yet, but I am sure this will change in time.” Brice never looked up. He continued to prepare his meal, breaking the cheese, bread and hard meats into two equal portions.

  Io watched him a moment then was distracted when something hit her in the calf. She looked down seeing nothing other than a few rocks. Looking up, she made eye contact with the red haired man who was frowning and shaking his head at her. She returned his frown. When she straightened, it was to find Brice standing before her holding out a folded cloth. It contained at least half the meal he prepared for himself.

  “No.” Io pushed his hand away. She didn’t want to smell the food, not when she hadn’t eaten in three days.

  “Eat. It has been a long day, and it will be again tomorrow.” Brice jiggled the offering right under her nose.

  Her stomach rumbled, but she wouldn’t start thinking such a bountiful offering wouldn’t come at a steep cost.

  “I said no.” She sighed when he didn’t move away. “Would it help, no thank you?”

  “You should eat, my lady. You look half starved.” The youngest cowered back when the other five men turned to glare at him.

  “Only half?” Io let loose a sharp short laugh. “I do not want your food, leave me.”

  “The food is good, my lady. Keeser in the village made the meats. He is the very best.” The man who’d lifted her on and off the horse spoke up.

  Brice continued to hold the food a breath away, and Io’s fingers twitched with desire to snatch the feast. Instead, she slapped his hand away and stood, shoving past him until she stood at the edge of the circle of light.

  “You will eat, my lady.” Brice headed towards her.

  “If I need to, I will, but it will not be from your hand.” Io stepped back into the darkness.

  “If you need to? You are nothing but a bag of bones. You need to eat and you will not be so stubborn as to refuse what I offer you in good faith.”

  Everyone watched the exchange now. She’d little choice but to establish how it would be for the duration she stayed with these men.

  “If I eat, I will do so only of what I acquire. I am not stupid as to be fooled into becoming indebted of you or reliant on anyone for anything. There is no such thing as ‘good faith’.”

  “But, my lady, you look as if you starve.” The young one sounded pained.

  “And so I do and have for a long while. But it is far less a suffering to remain hungry then to know a meal and have to grow hungry again.” She turned and headed towards the sound of running water. “And the next of you fucking shits to address me as ‘my lady’ will get kicked in the sack.”

  At the edge of the river Io stripped out of the surcoat and set it and her things to the side before kneeling down to splash water on her face. The smell of the food was still in her nostrils and her stomach rumbled. Cupping her hands, she scooped a drink from the cool water and put it to her lips. A hand at the back of her neck forced her down so it took all her strength to hold herself from the deep water.

  “I should turn your face against the current and let the water drown out that vile tongue,” Brice snarled at her as he kneeled next to her, holding her just a hair’s breadth above the rushing waters. “But I believe it will take more than a rinsing to cleanse that palette, and I have no lye on me now. But if you do not hold your odious tongue, I will travel however far I need to find the strongest soap, and I will use the whole of it on your mouth.” He pulled her back, letting her fall on the rocky bank before standing. “Get back to the fire and eat, now.”

  “Go straight to hell,” Io raged, scrambling to her feet.

  Whatever she expected him to say or do, it wasn’t anything like what he did or said. She had no time to react as he grabbed her by the arm and dragged her to a boulder upon which he took a seat and yanked her face down across his hard thighs.

  She tried to twist around, to hit him but he captured both her hands and locked them at the
wrist in just one of his. His free hand then landed a hard blow to her arse and then another and another. She kicked and twisted, letting out a loud frustrated and pained scream, but he didn’t stop. In fact, it seemed his strikes became harder and faster until the pain became unbearable.

  “That is more effective done on bare skin.” Io’s head shot up to see all the other men standing there doing nothing.

  “I know,” Brice said and then began to deliver his blows lower.

  “Stop him,” Io screeched.

  He made the backs of her thighs burn and throb as much as her seat did. And those men just stood there. It was up to her to free herself. Looking at his left leg, she tried to pick a place where her teeth might draw blood.

  “She is going to bite,” one of them said as she was about to.

  The warning gave her away and she was shoved even further over his lap so all she could have reached with her only weapon was his lower leg which was protected by his thick boots. Her kicking legs were stilled when he trapped them between both of his. He never missed a swing and now he was hitting her in some beastly patterns where his hand struck from the roundest part of her backside all the way down to just above her knees and back up again.

  “Want a strip of leather?” someone said.

  “Next time,” Brice said. He didn’t even sound winded.

  Io was winded. She was winded and tiring and her throat was dry from all the screaming. And still he continued to raise her to levels of pain she didn’t know existed as he focused his blows on the spot where her arse turned into thigh.

  Tears, the first she’d shed in a decade, pooled and spilled over, her breath caught on a sob she tried to restrain. She gave into the pain and his assault, going limp. His hand landed a dozen more times. She was jerked to her feet, her unsteady legs tripped her backwards. If not for his hand, she would’ve landed in the river and been swept downstream. Her hand came up to cover her mouth trying to muffle the sobs, but he caught it in his and jerked it down.