A Nymph Without Mercy
VII

She stared at him,relatively certain he would rescind his acquiescence as soon as he had givenit.

“Truly? You will nottry and leave me again?”

He groaned, and hisgrip tightened around his cup filled with the strange liquid. She wondered whyhe did not remove his helmet and drink. The aftertaste was rather pleasant shesupposed, but it was far too bitter for her to consider sipping with vigour.She also did not care for the foam about the top, preferring to allow thebubbles to pop as they wished on her finger instead of seeing how they mightreact when introduced to her stomach.

“Nay, you have myword. While I will not have you for a wife, you shall be my companion.”

Her disappointmentwas immediate. “What does being a companionentail?”

She remembered herinitial horror at discovering the lore surrounding her home, where men chasedin order to bed, perfectly content to disappear once more without thought forthe poor dryad they left behind. To hear her bond-mate suggest such a thing would be devastating.

“I shall protect you,hunt for you, and see you properly clothed. You shall tidy the camp and I shallshow you how to brush my horse. I would buy another but you are not much biggerthan a slip of a girl so you should not be much more of a burden to him.”

She blushed. “I wouldnot know how to ride a horse, Garrick, even if you provided it.”

He nodded, seeminglyexpecting that. He hesitated a moment longer, though she could tell somethingelse was pressing on his mind.

A small part of herwished that it was the bond that made that so clear, and that it was not merelydue to his expressive eyes.

They were beautifulin their own way. Pale as any she had ever seen, yet in different lights theyappeared to take on colours she would not expect. In the soft glow of theforest when she had first seen him they had almost been green, but in the dimlight of the tavern they nearly glowed a vibrant gold.

“I will not imposemyself on you physically, so thatmight bring you some little comfort.”

He said this withoutlooking at her and she wished almost desperately that he would. Despite howmuch the simmering anger frightened her that so often exhibited in them, atleast she felt somewhat more sure when they were visible. No dryon was asdifficult to understand as this man, of that she was convinced.

“Do you mean that youshall not be intimate with me? But that is what shall further our bond themost.” She felt a sudden ache as the realisation of what he actually meantbecame all the more clear. “You do not... wish for me to be a mate. Not a trueone at least. You will allow me to follow after you simply because it is moreconvenient, but you will not help me by sealing our bond.”

He shifted in hischair, almost as if her words made him uncomfortable. “I do not believe thatyou wish to be with me. If any other man was seated before you after having themisfortune of touching you, you would be swearing your fealty and plightingyour troth just as quickly. So nay, I do not want your bond nor for it to besealed. Not when it means so little to you.”

She shrank backquickly, sure that his proclamation could have hurt no more than if he hadpierced her with another arrow. “You are all I have. I am not sure what itmeans to plight a troth, but you must understand, if you allowed me I couldlearn to care for you most deeply. But you seem to replace the very idea offensivein the extreme.” Mairi touched her shoulder absently, the ache there suddenlyflaring to life much like the one in her heart. “Perhaps you enjoy woundingme.”

Garrick groaned andstood sharply. He seemed ready to retort—was she strong enough to hear hisreply?—when the unkind woman who had first approached her reappeared. “Are youtakin’ your leave, m’laird?” Her eyes narrowed as she glanced at Mairi. “Thegirl hasn’t paid for her ale either, nor the room she asked for.”

Mairi blushed. Theman who had seated her at the table had told her not to be concerned about thecost, and his concern over her wellbeing had seemed genuine. He brought her achair closest to the fire the faster to dry her, he had said, and she had beenso grateful for his care.

But now the woman wasglaring at her and Garrick’s eyes were narrowed and she felt foolish and lostand she so very deeply wished to be home.

Except she had nohome, and likely never would again.

Garrick passed asmall metal piece to the woman and she gave a funny little dip before scurryingaway back to the kitchens. “How were you intending to pay for these things? Doyou have a coin purse hidden away in those skirts?”

She sighed. “I do notknow. Harold said that I might replace shelter here if I was willing to pay, and Iwas quite willing to do whatever was necessary. Where does one replace some ofthose metal pieces that made the woman go away? I fear I shall need more ofthose soon if you decide to leave me again.”

It felt terribleindeed to doubt the word of her bond-mate, but he had left her little choice.He might have said she was welcome to stay with him—that she would not awakenone morning to replace him gone—but he did little to inspire her confidence. Soshe would be watchful and careful, and maybe with time he would grow to be thetiniest bit fond of her and be a bit gentler in manner.

And especially inword.

Garrick sighed andlooked at her expectantly, and she rose quickly, hoping that would please him.He strode out of the tavern without glancing behind him, and she hurried tokeep up with his long strides.

“I would allow youone night with a roof over your head but I am behind schedule as it is. Ishould have been in Monavyn by now, and I have a reputation to uphold.”

He led her to anotherbuilding, this one filled with bits of what appeared to be dried grass andsmelled strongly of something she could not readily identify—that was until afew large horse heads popped out from behind short wooden doors. A young boyran in and Garrick barked at him to see his horse saddled and readied before hetook her arm and pulled her back into the afternoon air.

His touch was softerthan she had expected, yet firm all the same as with the rest of his demeanourit demanded her respect and acquiescence. If only he would realise that she hadno desire to do anything but please him so his blustering and arguments werenot necessary.

But it was with aheavy heart that she began to think that perhaps what would please him most washer absence, and she was not certain that was something she could so readilyprovide—not when she needed him so.

“You misunderstandme, Mairi. I do not enjoy woundingyou as you so egregiously suggest. However, we seem incapable of communicatingproperly so I wonder if we should not give up the venture entirely.” she wasalmost surprised how his voice could sound so angry—and almost, hurt?—directlycontrasting the tenderness of his touch.

Mairi shook her headvehemently. “We should do the opposite! With more practice I am sure we shallbegin to learn enough about one another that we can say what we mean and it becorrectly heard.”

He released her armwith yet another sigh—this one sounding heavy and sad—before he took a stepback from her. “I am going to return to the tavern and see about purchasingsome provisions for the road; you must be hungry. Can I trust you to wait hereand remain out of trouble?”

She nearly protested,already suspicious that he would attempt to escape without her. But surely hewould not leave without his horse and she was closer to its nest than he wouldbe, so she nodded her consent. “I shall do my best.”

He grunted andstalked off, but Harold’s kindly suggestion came to mind. “Garrick, wait!Harold said to mention his name and they would give me a sweetie! Is that food?I do not know, but if it is, do you think my stomach should like one?” Sheglanced down at it thoughtfully. Garrick seemed to know much better than sheabout what it would like or dislike—he was much better at understanding itsgrumbles, so she hoped he would interpret it appropriately for her.

Even with thedistance between them she saw him roll his eyes with a huff, and wondered ifshe should be offended by it as he disappeared through the doorway.

Their conversation bythe fire had done much to dry her dress, and she tugged at it ruefully wishingthe creases would dissipate. She felt horribly guilty for not removing it beforeher dip in the stream. Perhaps she should have even taken it off before herdrink so the sleeves would not have been soiled.

But no matter how sheplucked and smoothed the silk it did not cooperate and she gave up with a sigh.

Before Garrick had returnedthe boy arrived, his head hung low as he offered her the bits of leatherdangling from the horse’s mouth. “Here ye are, m’lady.”

She stared at him,making no move to take the proffered item.

Eventually he glancedup at her, a blush settled on his cheeks. “He’s been a good horse, this one. Hewon’t give you no trouble.”

Mairi wanted tobelieve him but still found the creature terribly intimidating. It was tallerthan most of the other beasts she had encountered, and she was certain he couldcrush her with his giant hooves if that was his desire.

Yet he only blinkedat her placidly from dark, nearly black eyes, no ill intent present withinthem.

So with a hesitanthand she grasped the leather strips, careful not to tug at its mouth as thatseemed like it should annoy the animal.

Suddenly he openedhis mouth and repositioned a piece of metal pressing inside, and Mairi gasped.Would that not hurt the poor creature?

She almost began theprocess of removing the strange device but thought better of it quickly. Surelythe boy Garrick had entrusted with caring for his horse should know if amistake had been made. But when she went to ask him, she caught him looking ather, a nervous yet resolved expression on his face.

“Are ye in need ofhelp, m’lady?”

He could not havebeen a fully grown man, of that she was certain, although he was no childeither. He was taller than she but did not even compare to her bond-mate’sformidable height, and she could tell from his manner and appearance that hewould make a pleasing mate one day—a husband,if she was to begin to understand this new world.

“I only be askin’because the laird does not seem very kind, and a gentle lady such as you shouldhave someone to look after you proper. It’s not my place to meddle, I knowthat, but if it was me sister who needed help I’d want someone to take notice.”

She smiled at him asbest she could, even when her heart ached briefly. If this young man couldrecognise the need for gentility with her, then surely with a bit more time andcoaxing, her bond-mate could see it too.

At least, shesincerely hoped for as much.

“She will not berequiring any assistance that you canoffer, boy, so I suggest you run along before I throttle you for yourimpudence.”

The boy in questionblanched, but remained where he was—though Mairi saw a slight twitch in hishands that belied his confidence. “M’laird, I meant no offence to ye. I wasworried, that’s all.”

Garrick grunted androughly grabbed the leather from her hands, his horse giving a disgruntled jerkof his head in response. Mairi half expected him to give the animal abludgeoning for the action, but he merely patted its neck soothingly beforeproducing a carrot from some unknown pocket.

Her bond-materemained silent so she felt it prudent to be the one to form a reply. “I canassure you, I am precisely where I ought to be, but I thank you for yourconcern. You shall make a fine mate in future.”

The colour rose oncemore in his cheeks and he ducked his head, but seemed to believe her for hescurried back toward the stables.

“You seem to have avery fine knack for convincing men to offer you clemency. Pray tell, am Imerely your latest victim? Who was this Harold you mentioned?”

She opened her mouthto tell him, quite indignantly, that she would greatly appreciate if he wouldcease portraying her as a seducer of all men’s affections, but before she coulddo so he had leapt upon the horse and reached down and snatched her into hislap.

Mairi had never feltthis way before.

She felt unsteadybeing so high off the ground while on an animal,used to the sure and stable nature of the trees that she had once calledhome. She had also not been positioned so upon a man—not since she was aseedling and still fit upon her adar’s lapas he told her stories of the old days.

But this feltentirely different.

Her bond-mate was alarge man, and incredibly strong, that much was clear. He seemed to prod thehorse into motion simply with the use of his thigh muscles, and she cried outwhen the beast leapt forward in response to its master’s demand. Garrick’s armshad tightened around her and even with his faceplate drawn she could feel thewarmth of his breath as she clutched at his neck and tried to bury her faceinto the unforgiving metal of his armour.

“Well? Have you noanswer?”

She took a shudderingbreath, peeking down at the ground below. In truth they were not going so very fast, yet she found that the fasterthey went the smoother and less bumpy the experience. “He was an ancient Ihappened upon on the road. He told me that the tavern might allow me to staythe night.”

Garrick laughed andit sent a jolt of awareness through her heart.

That was the sound shewished to hear from him, not his huffs of annoyance and barks of angry words.

But she still wasleft with the distinct impression that he was laughing at her, not because she had been witty.

“An ancient? Do youmean to say he was elderly?”

She shrugged, notreplaceing there to be much difference between the two terms. “His hair was whiteand he had many creases upon his face. But he was gracious and did not like tosee me cold.”

Mairi glanced up at Garrickand through the slats of his helm she could see the furrowed brow that bespokehis scowl.

Would he always be soquick to temper?

He was quiet for amoment and she dared not fill the silence with her own foolish chatter. Perhapsif she waited long enough he would speak of why he frowned so—without being terse with her.

“Do you truly thinkme so cruel? You accused me earlier of wishing you harm, but that is not in theleast true. I only have the benefit of knowing that by remaining with me, I shall continue to wound you, whether itis my intention or not.”

Mairi’s mind recoiledat his bluntness, and it amazed her that he could seem so sure of himself as he stated such drivel.

“Have you had a matebefore?”

He barked out alaugh, not at all the pleasant sound from earlier but one harsh and full ofdisdain. “Nay, I have not had the pleasure of a wife, nor of a girl who claimsto be bound to me. Would that have made it better or worse for you?”

Her grip on his necktightened. “I should not like to think I was stealing away another woman’s mateand the idea of you having gone through the pain of losing one by death isgrievous to me.”

Garrick made noreply, and she wondered if that was an improvement from his usually bitingretorts. She pressed on, “But I think maybe your ideas of mating are differentthan mine. If you could allow yourself to feel for me then you would realisethat eventually wounding me will be like wounding yourself—I do not know ofmany who would replace such an action pleasurable. I shall wish to please youbecause it will bring me joy to do so, not because of a compulsion led by oursealing.”

He shook his head,mumbling words that were curt and short though she could not make out theirmeaning.

Perhaps that was forthe best.

“I shall win, youknow. No matter how long you reject me, reject this, I shall keep pestering. My adar says that I can be quite merciless when something is importantto me.”

Garrick hummed. “Ofthat I can believe. If you can prove merciless in anything, it seems onlyfitting that a little nymph like you would choose pleasing her supposedhusband.”

She glanced up athim, replaceing his helm to be troublesome as it obscured so much of him from herview. A brief memory of his true face flashed before her eyes, and sheremembered he was not very fair to look upon. But even being able to see hiseyes would be an improvement so she lifted the visor to reveal them to hergaze.

His scowl returned,and she supposed it was due to the fact that she had not asked permission, butshe found that she did not care. The longer she spent with this man the moreshe believed him incapable of knowing what was best for him. He blustered andgrowled and said he did not want her—did not want a wife—but she knew, deep within her soul, that this could not be thecase.

So she touched thecorner of his eye with her forefinger, revelling in the sensation that trickledthrough the bond and simply from the sensation of touching. His eyes widened but his hands were too full supportingher weight to do much to hinder her actions, and she pressed her advantage. “Ishall sleep now, I think, and you shall be given opportunity to ponder mywords. We can be happy, you and I, if only you would let us replace it. Together.”

Even though the metalof his armour was harsh and she was unused to moving at such a fast pace uponsuch a tall beast, she felt a peace she had never known as his arms tightenedaround her. And the exhaustion, both physical and especially that within herheart, pulled her into slumber.