Page 27 of Highlander’s Evil Side

Chapter Twelve

Beitris

Beitris ran her hands through Fraser’s hair, tugging him closer to her. His hair felt silky soft between her fingers. His tongue was like sweet velvet. She wanted him closer. She wanted to touch him, taste him. Her tongue met his, entwined around him, earning a low groan as her prize with each touch and prod. His mouth opened for her, and she willingly entered him, her curiosity dissipating and turning into need and desire. Pleasure shuddered down her spine and pooled at her core, making her legs part with want and her movements become more bold. Her hands tugged at his hair, her legs moved, trying to get closer to him, to feel him.

This kiss was different than the one she shared with the stranger. It was gentle, not demanding. It was urging rather than taking. It left her wanting and needing more of him, more of Fraser. Her hands slid from his shoulders to his chest, pawing at him, searching for something she didn’t know.

Fraser pulled away from her, his eyes staring back at her glossy and drunk. “Beitris,” he breathed, his voice making her insides heat.

Beitris reached for him, and he pulled her onto his lap, his mouth kissing her neck hungrily, his hands pulling at the strings of her dress. Her head lulled to the side, a gasp escaping her as his teeth grazed against her skin. She held him to her, unable to stop touching him, knowing she should probably stop now before they went any further.

Something rustled in the woods, a stick breaking in the distance. Beitris straightened, her desire replaced by fear as she searched the trees. Her eyes widened on a man, cloaked in dark fabric, his face covered with a crimson rag. She tapped Fraser’s shoulders, pushing him away from her neck.

“Fraser, stop,” she said, fear coating her words.

“What?” Fraser whispered, his hands grabbing hers. “Did I do something ye didn’t care for? Are ye alright?”

Beitris couldn’t speak. Her finger raised, trembling as she pointed to the cloaked man, watching as he stepped out from his hiding place. Four more men, donned in the same dark garments followed him. There was something in the man’s gait, in his very aura, which made Beitris’s hair rise on the back of her neck.

Fraser followed her finger, his eyes widening on the men’s approach. He sprung to his feet and brandished his sword, lowering into a fighting stance.

“Good day,” said the one in the front, his dark eyes glimmering with amusement. “Apologies for interrupting.”

The four men cackled, brandishing their swords. The man with dark eyes, the leader, tilted his head, his gaze remaining on Beitris. Her body shivered as she felt his eyes rove over her, undressing her. She slowly rose, her entire body shaking while she grabbed Fraser, pulling him towards her.

“We need to go,” she whispered.

“What is it that ye want?” Fraser asked, his voice stern and commanding.

The leader scoffed. “Naething much. A wee of yer coin and perhaps a taste of yer lass.”

Beitris whimpered.

“Ye can’t have her,” Fraser said angrily. “She belongs to nae one.”

The leader barked with laughter, followed by his men’s dark chuckles. They glanced at each other menacingly, inching forward while pointing their swords at Fraser.

“Fraser,” Beitris whispered, not knowing what to do.

They were cornered with the water behind them and their horses far away. Even the soldiers were too far to see, to know they were being attacked by brigands. Beitris didn’t know what to do. They were outnumbered five to two. Nae, she thought, they were outnumbered five to one. She didn’t have a blade to use in defense, and even if she did, she hardly knew how to fight, only a few movements her father taught her long ago. Fraser was going to die to protect her. She couldn’t let that happen.

“She belongs to us, now, lad,” said the leader gruffly, swiping his sword angrily.

Beitris looked around, searching for something, anything she could use. She grabbed a rather large rock, tossing it up and catching it repeatedly, feeling the weight of it in her hand.

“Don’t come any closer,” she said, her grasp tightening on her weapon.

The leader chuckled bitterly. “Don’t tease me.”

Fraser lunged forward, striking his sword against the leader’s, who blocked the attack easily. The four other brigands rushed forward, swinging their swords. Beitris threw her rock, hitting the leader in the head. He groaned, his hood falling to his shoulders and displaying a head full of dark, wild strands. Blood dripped from the wound in his head, dripping into his eyes.

“Why ye little!” he shouted. “Get her!”

The four brigands lunged towards them. Beitris grabbed two more rocks, throwing them at the closest brigand, hitting him in his shoulder and his stomach. He groaned while reaching for her, but Beitris was too quick. She jumped into the water, plunging deep into the pool’s depths. Her skirts weighed her down, but she fought, punching her arms forward. She surfaced, gasping for breath. Turning around, her eyes widened on Fraser, blocking an attack from the brigands’ leader while another swung at his back.

“Watch out!” Beitris shrieked, her voice trembling from the frigid water and the fear ripping through her.

Fraser blocked the man’s attack, kicking him backward before striking at another. Beitris looked around, splashing water while she searched the trees for the leader. He disappeared somewhere, but she knew he couldn’t be far. Her body was growing weary as she kicked the water, trying to keep her body afloat. The men behind her grunted and groaned as they fought. One brigand went flying backward when Fraser landed a punch in his face, screaming while grabbing at his nose.