A Warrior's Perception Read Online Free Page B

Andra stated in a whisper.
    Grace's face paled, “ Oh, milady, ye must be mistaken, he is the man I lay with last e'e and this morn. ”
    Andra stiffened recalling the lion laced onto his chest and her heart shattered. He had almost had his way with her and then went to Grace. He must surely be a beast without a conscious or she was just a fool. She frowned and figured that it was probably the latter. She had always known that she was different and foolish. Her father had often scorned her for daydreaming about places that could not exist and about people who would love her unconditionally. 
    “ Perhaps I was ...mistaken. ”
    Andra stood as Grace wrapped her small body into a linen wrap. Andra grimaced as Grace dried her back. Grace rubbed harder across the bruises wanting Andra to cry out. Andra gritted her teeth and turned to face the woman who had bedded Laird McKregan.
    “ I can manage the rest on my own, ” she stated.
    “ Those bruises, they be sore? Did the man do that to ye after ye fell for his touch? ”
    Grace smiled as she turned to leave. “ Tis a man’s way lass. ”
    “ Aye, he did, ” Andra admitted slowly.
    Men are beasts! 
    Andra softly banged her head against the door trying not to cry in self-pity. Why did she feel as if something was missing from her life? The strain in her heart and soul told her she was a part of something bigger but as hard as she looked she had never found it. And now when she thought she had found a knight and a man that created odd sensations in her chest and loins, she finds out that he is no different from any other.
    A man will always be just a man and he thinks with the shaft between his legs!
    She tried to recall Crimm's words from one of her lessons. And with some degree of sanity, she did after using the curse words that she had heard from the guards.
    “ Beauty lies on the skin, brawn lies in the muscle, courage lies in the heart, but the most important thing to one’s self is what lies in the soul. That is what no one can take from ye or destroy if ye cultivate it and let it grow throughout your life. It is entirely up to ye to decide if ye want to be wicked and mean or strong and carin'. Ye actions define who ye are, so be ye woman or be ye mouse? Be ye a wretched creature or be ye strong and bold. ”
    “ I will be strong and bold! ” she whispered, “ Matters na that I am na beauty, matters na that men are beasts, I am woman and I am strong! ”
    Andra pulled herself up and quickly dressed herself. She held her head high as she left her room and made her way down the stairs to the balcony off from the ballroom. She smiled as the sun kissed her cheeks. Instantly she was at peace but her heart ached for something she didn’t know how to explain.
    Aching and longing for some magical manifestation she let her mind drift back in time. Once when she was but a little girl she had believed in fairies, unicorns, and mythical legends. But that had been long ago when her mother had been alive.
    A tear slid down her cheek as she tried to remember her mother’s face and couldn’t. The one memory she retained of her mother was only words. Words she cherished and wanted to believe with all of her heart and soul.
    “ Fear not little one. You are a princess and one day you will rule the world where I come from. You will fly through the rainbows and your destiny will come roaring his love to you. ”
    She had the strangest accent and the most delicate voice. With a deep sigh Andra forced herself to the here and now. The only female that she had for company was either one of Aran’s lovers or the spiteful Grace. Even Crimm had bedded the heathen woman. Andra’s shoulders shook with defiance.
    How dare that woman treat me in such a manner!
    Sitting on the ledge and clearing her mind of Grace's words, she took a long deep breath. Voices drew her mind to the gardens. She looked slightly to the left and saw her father's back and Crimm's side. In front of them, Laird