Savage Marriage

Chapter Three

Night had fallen, and the smell of roasting meat filled the night air. They had traveled so far that they were half way there by the time the sun had set. The party moved fast wanting to escape the angry locals. Kincaid didn't want the party to be responsible for the deaths of heroic farmers trying to free their princess from the savages. Kincaid sat by his lonesome and looked among his men. His eyes followed a path to Joanna. She sat alone shivering on the outskirts of the fire and men. She had tried to run off, so Barclay had tied her hands and feet. Kincaid just watched her. He stared at her black hair and pale blue eyes.

"Barclay!" Kincaid called.

The warrior jogged over.

"Retrieve Joanna for me," Kincaid said nodding to the woman.

Barclay walked over to her. Kincaid watched Barclay pull a knife out and Joanna flinch. He watched Joanna relax as he began to cut the ropes on her feet and hands. Barclay grabbed her upper arm and dragged her to her feet. He led her towards Kincaid. She didn't look happy when she realized where she was being led to. She formed a scowl on her face when Barclay stopped her in front of Kincaid. Kincaid smiled up at her from his spot on the ground.

"That will be all Barclay," Kincaid said dismissing his commander. The burly man left the two.

Joanna just stared at Kincaid. He patted the ground next to him, "I won't bite." He gave a cheeky smile. She didn't budge. "I can always have Barclay tie you up again an make you sit with me," he added. She rolled her eyes and sat. She brought her knees to her chest trying to block out the cold. Suddenly an arm snaked around her waist. She felt herself being pulled towards the warmth of Kincaid's body. She felt her side touch his. She looked over and saw him smirking at her. She suddenly felt the fur of his cloak covering her back. She glared at him.

"You looked cold," he said innocently a smirk playing at his lips.

She tried to move away, but he held tight to her. She felt uncomfortable with his arm around her waist. She tried to distract herself by focusing on keeping herself warm or looking at the flames. Joanna just wanted to be left alone, and this man was keen on doing the opposite of her wishes. She suddenly felt hot breath on her neck. She then felt a warm kiss find a place on her cheek and neck. She tore her gaze to Kincaid who looked satisfied with himself.

"I'd be careful, Chieftain," she growled.

"And what shall happen if I'm not? I'd rather like to find out, wouldn't you?" he asked.

Kincaid leaned in and kissed the corner of her mouth. She pushed him away and wiped the corner of her mouth. He just chuckled. "You may want to get use to that because when it comes time to consummate our marriage you will face far more than just a simple kiss," he smirked. Joanna's cheeks turned red and she clenched her fists. Joanna had completely let that fact of the marriage slip her mind, and Kincaid was enjoying every second of making her uncomfortable. Joanna stood up and began to go back to the tree she was sitting at before. Suddenly Kincaid jumped up and grabbed her wrist. She glared at him.

"Now, now, my sweet wife, don't leave your husband in the cold," he said pulling her towards him.

He wrapped his arms around her waist pressing her fragile body to his rock hard one.

"We are not married yet, you heathen!" she hissed. He smirked.

"Don't talk like that or I will be forced to punish you," he suggested.

He moved his hand down a bit towards her ass. She took a sharp intake of breath. She clenched her fists against his chest trying to push him away. He chuckled. "Only playing, love," he said. Kincaid suddenly buried his face into the side of her hair. He growled in her ear. She groaned in annoyance and fear and shoved him off. Joanna stormed towards the tree where her cloak lay on the ground as a pallet. Joanna could hear the Chieftain's laughter as she stalked away. She sat down on her cloak not caring that she was cold. All she wanted was to be away from that horrid scoundrel.

Kincaid laughed as she walked off and sat on her cloak. He turned around and headed towards his horse. Off his saddle he pulled a blanket to sleep with. He spread it out onto the ground and stretched out next to the fire. He glanced over at Joanna who was slowly laying down. "I still don't understand how you agreed with the old man to marry his arrogant daughter," Barclay said laying his furs out to lay on. Kincaid chuckled. "She's only arrogant when she's angry. She will get used to things," Kincaid said putting his hands behind his head. He took one last glance at Joanna. She was curled up into a ball trying to keep warm. He laid back and closed his eyes letting sleep take him.

~

Joanna listened as the men became quiet and the laughing died down. She didn't stir wanting to give the impression she was long gone into slumber. She watched carefully as Barclay gave into sleep and began to snore. She kept a close eye on Kincaid as his eyes slowly closed and shut not to open till morning. A breeze picked up and Joanna shivered. How she wished she wore something warmer. She rubbed her arms for warmth and press her knees to her chest trying to block out the cold. She shivered more, and her teeth began to chatter. She squeezed her eyes shut and focused on the heat she was trying to create.

Joanna stayed in that position for sometime trying to fall asleep. The sudden feel of fur almost made her jump. Her eyes popped open as she watched a pair of hands lay a fur cloak over her body. She remained completely still as the figure walked away. Joanna saw that it was in fact Sir Kincaid who had bestowed this act of kindness upon her. It surprised her that he would do something like this. She watched as he laid back down on the furs next to the dying fire.

She wrapped the fur cloak around her more feeling her frozen limbs become warm again. She suddenly felt exhausted. She hadn't eaten, and she had been traveling for several hours. Her eyes closed, and she fell into a deep deep sleep without even knowing it.

~

Kincaid rose with the sun. He could smell the crisp morning air and the last wisps of smoke from the dead fire. As the sun rose higher the men began to wake more and more. It wasn't long before they were all packed and ready to leave. Kincaid stared over at Joanna who had not moved since they had all woken. Barclay came to his side.

"What are you looking at?" he asked.

Kincaid nodded his head towards Joanna. Barclay looked over and saw her motionless wrapped up in Kincaid's fur cloak. "She hasn't stirred since this morning," Kincaid informed. Barclay suddenly began to laugh. He looked at the man. His friend was laughing and slapping his shoulder. "What's so funny?" Kincaid chuckled. Barclay straightened up.

"Last night I put the sleeping herb in the water pouch. I thought she would try to run last night, so I gave her an extra dosage," Barclay said.

Kincaid looked to Joanna who snuggled more into his fur cloak. He suddenly realized what this meant. He smirked and chuckled. He shook his head as he patted Barclay's shoulder. "You can be a genius sometimes," Kincaid laughed.