Love Me Forever by Donna Fletcher Page B

with a firm voice he told her, “You will listen to
me well, for you do not wish to see my wrath.”
    Her eyes rounded with an ounce of fear, and
she paid heed to his words.
    “From this moment on you will do as I say
without question. You will not move in or from that bed without my
permission. You will do nothing for yourself without my permission.
You will eat what I tell you to eat; you will sleep when I tell you
to sleep. Is that understood?”
    Brianna felt the need to defend her actions,
foolish as they were. “I only meant to—”
    “—be foolish,” he finished for her.
    “Aye, that I was,” she whispered and turned
her glance from him, shamed at her own foolishness.
    He cursed himself. He had not meant to
discuss this with her until he had calmed down, but he was enraged
more at himself than her, for he should have never left her alone.
He should have realized she would have attempted such a foolish
feat. She was too damn stubborn, not determined , but
stubborn.
    He did not, however, wish to make her feel
worse, though he did intend that she obey him, as angry as that may
make her. He sat beside her on the bed and wiped again at the fresh
tears that fell slowly down her cheeks.
    “The bruise on your back and leg is far from
healed. Until it heals significantly, you will not move around on
your own.”
    “Is that an order?”
    “Must I make it so or will you realize the
wisdom of my way?”
    He did not speak harshly, though his voice
was firm, and if she gave it thought she would realize that he was
being wise in telling her to remain abed until strong enough to
stand, while she was being stubbornly foolish in wanting to stand
when she felt herself ready.
    “I will do as you say—for now.”
    “You give me your word on this?”
    “Aye, my word,” she agreed without
hesitation. She had trouble keeping her eyes open. The more
comfortable and warm she became, the more tired she felt. Her
ordeal had robbed much of her strength, and her body ached for a
restful slumber.
    “Sleep,” he said softly and with
concern.
    “I am tired.”
    Her eyes drifted closed and his hand reached
out and stroked her cheek. He was with her and she was safe. She
need not worry; he would look after her, ease her pain, keep her
warm, and protect her from harm. This she knew and did not
doubt.
    He would be there for her always.
    Why?
    She spoke, thinking she was in a dream. “Why
are you so good to me?”
    Her question startled him, and her next
question startled him even more.
    “Why do you care for me?”

Chapter Seven
    Why do you care for me?
    The question echoed through his mind as he
prepared the rabbit stew, and he thought of many answers to the
simple question, though one answer haunted him.
    He cared for her because he cared ,
actually cared for her as a man would for a woman. The thought
troubled him. He had not allowed himself to care for any woman. His
life had been one of constant battle. He had learned to fight at a
young age, his clan expecting it of him. He had known he would
follow in his father’s footsteps one day, and he would be no less
the great warrior than his father had been. His father had often
told him that he, his son, would surpass him in strength and
courage.
    He had worked hard and women were of little
importance to him except to satisfy a need. He had no time to give
women, no time to care for them. He had a responsibility to clan
and family, and he had taken it seriously.
    Until this last battle.
    The battle had forced him to seek solitude
and reconsider his own beliefs. His thoughts had tormented him, and
he wanted nothing more than to be alone with his own agonies.
    Then he found Brianna.
    He could not say what it was about her that
made him want to care for her and protect her. He only knew that he
needed to, he had to, he wanted to. She seemed as alone and lonely
as he did, and he felt he found in her a kindred spirit.
    She relied on his tenderness, his gentle
touch, and she sought the