A/N: Hello everyone. I'll make this short because I'm supposed to be resting. So I hope you guys enjoy the chapter.

Chapter 21: A Barbarian's Past

Realizing what he was doing, his hand fell from her cheek and he stepped back from her. He tried to ignore the throbbing and how much he wanted her; but being close to her, seeing her like this made it very hard not to take her right here and now. Taking a few more steps back, it gave him a chance to control his desire.

"I'm sorry." He quickly apologized, not the apology that he intended on saying. "I didn't know wh-" He cleared his throat. He didn't know what overcame him. He turned around to let her pick up her dress and quickly attempt to put it back on. However, it was a dress that required an extra pair of hands to put on. Glancing behind him to see her struggle with her dress, her turned around and walked behind her, helping her. She was surprised that he knew what to do.

"T-Thank you." When he was finished, he stepped back. Turning around, she looked up at him. He could see a hint of fear in her eyes.

"I didn't mean to scare you." He did scare her, he should. He was the most feared man on England and Scotland, she had every reason to be scared of him. And she heard about the rebels taking English women and raping them. "I am many things, but I would never force myself onto a woman." She knew he was speaking the truth; he wasn't everything that the stories made her believe.

"I-I-I know…" Though she shouldn't trust him, she did. Glancing down at herself, she quickly made sure she was covered. "W-Was there something you had wanted to tell me?" She asked him. She remembered he had started saying something before everything else. He had to think for a moment, trying to remember his original purpose.

"I had wanted to apologize for my actions earlier. I did not intend on hurting you." She was taken back by his apology. He didn't seem like the person who apologized so this was a rare moment.

"Apology accepted, thank you." He nodded slightly, turned to walk away. Christine watched him as he walked back towards the men. Once he was out of sight, she let out a breath. She couldn't believe what happened the last couple of minutes. She knew things would change between them, she was unsure how though.

Walking back up to where everyone was, she noticed Erik talking to some of his men. She assumed his men weren't too happy with her after putting Malcolm and Erik's lives in danger so she decided to walk over to a log and sit down on it. Feeling a chill, she rubbed her arms to try and warm herself up. The sun started to set and she had a perfect view of it. She loved Scotland sunsets, not having the buildings of England to block the sun. Watching the sunset, she could hear someone approaching her. Suddenly she felt something around her and noticed it was a plaid. Looking at the source, she saw Erik walk around and sit down on the log next to her.

"Thank you." He only nodded, glancing at the sunset. The two sat there, looking out. As they watched the sunset, she kept glancing to him, her mind thinking. At one point, he noticed and looked at her.

"Yes?"

"Why do you hate us?" She asked him. She noticed his jaw tighten, debating whether to tell her. "I know there's more to your story than what the rumors are."

"My first encounter with the English was when they raided my home." He started. Turning her body more, she faced him as he told her his story. "They burned everything, all of homes were ash and all our crops were taken. My sister-" His voice broke and Christine slowly saw the hard soldier weaken. She could see the pain in his eyes as he told her. "They took my sister hostage." He paused. "When they realized she was the sister of the famous Erik Boyd, they made an example of her." She knew what he meant; she was raped. "The captain made her his whore, using her anyway he wanted. It drove her to drive a stake through herself to end her suffering."

"Oh god, Erik. I'm so sorry. I can't imagine looking a brother and sister like that."

"Now you can understand why I hate the English."

"I'm English." She reminded him. "Does that mean you hate me?" She asked him.

"I don't hate you, Christine." And he didn't.

"You need to work on showing it a little more though. Sometimes I feel as if you hate me."

"Do you think I'd be happy learning that the angel who helped me years ago is the daughter of my worst enemy? The man responsible for the death and capture of many of my countrymen."

"My father does his job to pro-" He raised his hand to stop her.

"I don't need you to defend your father. You and I will never agree on that subject." She rolled his eyes, knowing he was right. Her eyes glanced at his mask, curious on why he wears it.

"May I ask…about your mask?" He stiffened, clearly a topic he wasn't keen to talk about it. "What happened?"

"It was after you helped me escape, about three years afterwards." He tried to think of a way to explain without revealing too much.

"If you can't tell me, it's alright." He only nodded.

"May I ask how old you are?" She asked.

"Two and thirty." He answered. 32, wow…

"Are you…married?" He looked at her, surprised she asked him that.

"No. I'm not married."

"May I ask why?" She asked him.

"I just never thought about it. I spent years fighting and the thought of marriage never came up. If this war ends, maybe." He answered. Christine would see why Erik pushed marriage aside. You could have been married by now…She suddenly remembered she was supposed to be on a ship to France for her marriage to the French prince. Instead, she was sitting on a log with the most feared man in England and Scotland. Yet, she would rather be here with Erik than married to the French prince.

So you guys learned a little more about Erik's past and good news, Erik is not married. But the doesn't mean he may not have someone in his life.

Would you guys rather be with Erik or the French Prince?

I'll try and upload the next one soon as well Wildest Dreams.

Reviews are welcome