A/N: Hello everyone. So I was able to finish up this chapter and upload it. I hope you guys enjoy it and I shall start the next one.

Chapter 37: A Lover's Threat

When the morning meal was over, now Christine had to figure out what to do with the rest of the day. Midday meal won't be for several hours which gave Christine time to do whatever she wants. As she headed back to the tent, she could see Rhona talking to Janet Lamont, Ewen 'Hunter' Lamont's wife. Stopping, she noticed Janet wasn't enjoying the conversation between her and Rhona. At one point, they both looked Christine; Rhona of course giving her a mean look before walking away. Shaking her head, Janet walked over to Christine.

"Is everything alright?" She asked Janet.

"No Rhona just…" Janet sighed. "…she may think she has power, but in fairness, she doesn't. She may have been Erik's lover, but she is not his wife."

"Have been?"

"Erik has not touched Rhona since you came back in his life, except for that one moment when he returned to camp." Janet answered.

"I'm sure that is just…coincidence."

"Is it now?" Janet raised her eyebrows. "Is it coincidence that he danced with you and not then?"

"Well…" She couldn't explain it.

"It's not coincidence, Christine. And despite your circumstances and Tor's disapproval, we all approve on the idea of you two together."

"You do?" Christine asked, making Janet nod.

"Of course. We not all hate the English unlike Erik. If you weren't the princess, we'd all try and convince you to stay here."

"Really?" Janet nodded. "That means a lot hearing that."

"Well it's the truth." Hearing her name being called, she turned to see Ewen calling her. "Husband calls."

"Give my wishes to him."

"I will." Janet smiled. "I'll see you at midday meal." She said before turning and walking over to her husband. Taking a deep breath, Christine couldn't believe Janet said that they wanted Christine to stay here. A life in Scotland…a life in Scotland with Erik. She hadn't really thought about living in Scotland. England was always her home and all she really knew was London. She had travelled through England, but spent most of her life in London. Maybe a life in Scotland wouldn't be so bad. However, her father would never approve it.

As the day wore on, Christine steered clear of Rhona. She had learned that Erik went on an assignment and would gone for a couple of days or however long it takes him. That would explain why she hadn't seen Malcolm or Seten all day so far. Knowing now Erik was away, she wondered if this was Tor's way of keeping Erik away from her. However, she knew Erik was basically the best man they had so sending him would bring victory. She wondered what the assignment was hoped that it didn't involve killing any of her countryman.

"Look what have you done!" The sound of an angry voice yelling brought Christine back to Earth. Glancing in front of her, she saw a large pile of clothing on the ground in front of her and a bowl that was knocked off a table, it's content spilling all over the clothes. "I just washed all of those!" Looking up at the screaming woman, she realized it was Rhona.

"Oh my god, I am so sorry." She apologized, kneeling down to help pick up the clothes.

"Get away!" Rhona tried pushing Christine away. "I don't need your help."

"Let me at least rewash the clothes for you."

"I told you, I don't need your help nor do I want your help." She glared at Christine. "Go back to England where you belong, we don't want you here."

"I don't know what I have done to you for you to treat me like this."

"I think you do know what you've done."

"If this is about Erik, I have done nothing."

"Nothing? That dance wasn't nothing." She had a point. "I don't know what you're trying to do, but I suggest you stop it now. Erik is mine." Christine was silent. "You may have driven him from my bed, but that will change when he sends you back." She knew what Rhona was saying. The moment Christine leaves, Rhona would be back in Erik's bed. The thought of Erik and Rhona made Christine feel sick, but she kept her composure.

"You may think Erik is yours but he isn't." Now it was Christine's turn and she wasn't going to hold back. "And he certainly wasn't yours that night in my bed." Though they didn't make love, Rhona didn't need to know that. Just giving her the thought of Erik in Christine's bed was enough. However, Christine wasn't expecting a hard slap across her cheek.

"Bha thu a 'ghalla." Holding her cheek, Christine tried to keep the tears from coming. "Stay the bloodily hell away from Erik." Her threat was clear and Christine could only nod. Standing up, she looked down at Rhona. Deciding not to say another word, Christine just walked away. Heading towards the tent, Christine hoped no one would notice the red mark now on her cheek. Arriving at the tent, she closed the flaps and collapsed onto the bed. Tears ran down her cheek and she didn't care. For the first time since she was here, she wanted to leave. She wanted to go back to England and leave all of this behind. She didn't want to admit Rhona was right; Erik would never be hers. The war for his heart was one she could not win.

Clearly, Rhona and Christine will never be friends. ANyone wonder what Erik's reaction will be if finds out about this?

Reviews are welcome