Page 25 of Ella’s Desire

Ella slid from her horse and put her hand on her hip as he approached, acting as though she’d been waiting quite a while for his arrival, rather than having just gotten down from her horse herself.

“You had a head start.” He leapt from his steed with an athleticism that appealed to her. “And don’t act as though you’ve been waiting for me when I was right behind you.” He chuckled. “You cannot fool me.”

A stick cracked in the woods surrounding them. The charge of warning prickling over her skin told her it was not the cabin’s new occupant returning home. Or if it was, his intentions were not good.

Bronson stepped closer to Ella, his proximity brazen, and lifted his mouth in a sensual half smile. He was oblivious to the threat nearby. “My sweet Ella, I commend you on your speed that won you the race.” He cupped her face in his hands and gazed down at her as though he meant to kiss her.

Before she could protest, he spoke as his mouth brushed against hers. “Get behind me.”

“There is someone in the woods,” she surmised.

“Nay.” He nibbled the area just below her neck, close to her ear. “There are several someones in the woods.”

9

Ella peered over Calville’s shoulder to the forest behind him where several figures moved in the shadows.

“Several someones…behind you?” She tilted her head slightly, as though in pleasure. In actuality, she was looking for how far the axe was from where they stood. Only several feet. It would require a short leap to grab it.

Calville’s mouth grazed along her neck. A small sound came from the back of her throat unbidden. “Stay behind me, my dove. Run for the cottage and bolt the door while I hold them off. I’ll keep you safe.”

The shadows in the forest began to move, creeping closer.

“You prefer your sword then?” Ella fingers itched to curl around the solid wooden handle jutting up from the chopping stump.

“Aye.” He put his fist on the hilt of his sword. “Ready?”

Before she could answer, a battle cry shrilled from the woods. Calville pulled his sword free with a metallic hiss and gently pushed her in the direction of the cottage, which was also in the direction of the axe. She gripped the handle in both hands and swung upward, freeing it. The weapon was no battle axe, the weight being more top heavy than balanced, and the head far too small. But it was better than trying to protect herself with the small dagger tucked in her belt.

The first man fell upon Calville. The earl parried, taking his time as he feinted right, then left. Finally, he drove the sword beneath the armpit where the gambeson was less armored.

Calville stood as the man fell in front of him and watched him. Was he waiting to ensure the man had died?

Footsteps sounded behind Ella. She turned on her heel as she lifted her axe. A reiver gave her a leering smile and made a lunge for her. She swung her weapon and caught the man in the side. He cried out and grabbed for her. Ella jerked at the handle to free the blade. It pulled away from the man’s body with a sucking sound and blood gushed from his wound. Behind her came the ringing clash of blades and the grunt of someone being struck.

An arrow shot from the trees and hit the ground where Calville’s foot had been braced moments before. Ella trained her eyes on the forest, waiting for movement.

A branch shifted. There. Exactly what she’d been anticipating. In one smooth motion, she drew her dagger from her belt and threw the blade at the archer. A solid thud told her she’d hit her mark.

She glanced back to Calville and found him with three men upon him. He parried and blocked, his movements precise, but slow. If he continued thus, he’d be dead in minutes. She hefted her axe into her hands and ran to his side.

“Lady Ella.” He started at her appearance. A reiver took advantage of his distraction and sliced his left forearm. Crimson blood blossomed against his white sleeve. Regardless of the injury, Calville put himself between her and the men. “Please. Get in the cottage.”

Three more men rushed from the forest and joined the fight, fresh and ready to kill.

She ignored Calville’s request and focused instead on the reiver trying to get a rope around her. He hadn’t seen the axe until it was too late, until it was slamming down on his shoulder. He howled in agony and the rope slipped from his fingers.

Another took his place, but Ella wrenched her axe from one man and planted it into the gut of another.

“Flee,” the reiver with the rope cried, clearly the leader. “They’re no’ worth it”

“Take your dead and injured,” Ella called after them. “We don’t want them here. You’ll stay unharmed as you get them.”

Several of the braver reivers grabbed their fallen brethren, three of whom groaned with pain while another four remained silent.

Calville watched them leave before turning to Ella, his green eyes wide in his pale face.

Alarm took hold of Ella. “Are you injured?” Her gaze frantically scoured his body, but aside from the nick on his forearm, she saw nothing else.