A/N: Here's the next chapter, I hope you guys enjoy it. It may not be as exciting as some chapters lately, it's more of a filler chapter for the next one.
ENjoy
Chapter 26: Cold Night
"Well, what do you have?" Erik asked the soldier. He had sent a scout to check on the light he saw. He had a feeling it was the English, but he wanted to make sure. If it was, he wanted numbers. Christine stood nearby, able to hear everything. He knew she was there, but wouldn't dare look at her. He was angry with her, more like furious. He couldn't believe she had gone that and almost got away with it. If he hadn't come to apologize to her, she would have escaped and he wouldn't have known. She's still that sneaky young girl, she would make a good phantom. He snorted, but couldn't help but agree. She was good, too good and that skill was something that Bruce wanted in his warriors. Erik was the master at it, so was Tor and Gregor.
"It is the English, captain." The scout's voice brought him back. God, he had to stop doing that; stopping thinking of her. "The flags indicated the king…I couldn't get a full count of the men he had, but it was in the thousands." That was enough for Erik to know that an attack was not happening. If the English attacked, they would all be killed. He only had one choice; get to the safety of the mountains as quick as possible. It would a long ride, but he had no other choice. No English dared venture into the mountains, it was the sanctuary for the Scots. Gustave didn't know the mountains and wouldn't risk losing his men. Not to mention, it was rumored where Robert Bruce's phantoms lived and that was enough to scare any English away.
"Let's go." He ordered and every man mounted, along with Christine. They didn't wait much before galloping away from the village. He didn't want the English to catch up so if it meant galloping through the night, so be it.
The ride through the night was the longest and hardest Christine had ever experienced. All she could recall from it was hanging onto the soldier, keeping her head down as they galloped through the meadows and forests. The ride had lasted all night and most of the day. Only once did they stop to rest their tired horses and the men. But Christine wasn't allowed off the horse due to Erik's strict order and the soldier who was assigned to her not dare object. Malcolm wasn't allowed to ride with her anymore which she hated. He was the only one who talked to her mainly, whenever Erik didn't sneak up to pull her away from Malcolm. She never understood how he could sneak up without her knowing or why he always seemed to pull her away whenever she was talking to Malcolm. With the break only a couple of minutes, they set out again. Hours and hours of hard riding, Christine was thankful when they finally stopped. However, she wasn't thankful for the rain that had stopped them. She had forgotten about the Scottish rain and how cold it can be. Even though they had trees to help protect them, it wasn't much protection. Sitting against the wet bark of a tree, she curled up into a ball to keep warm. She was drenched and without a plaid to help keep her warm, she knew it would be impossible to sleep. Erik usually gave her his plaid during the nights, but not this time. He didn't look or speak to her, just ignored her altogether. Yes, she tried to escape, but that was no reason for the harsh words he said to her and this treatment. She hadn't mean for what happen, she didn't expect. How was she supposed to know that it would have led to that, to her laying on the bed with him on top of her? She didn't know that kissing a man could affect her so much, could affect him. She had kissed since that time years ago, but never were as hot and heated as this one. This was all new to her; the feelings she experienced, the way her body responded to him, the way his body responded. It was scaring her. How could someone affect this much? But this someone, she had history with. She remembered the days back at the prison and how drawn she was to him. Their moments together never left her memory. And now brought back together by fate, she was still drawn to him. She wondered if he still thought of her as she was before yesterday.
Shivering from the cold and rain, she tried to sleep but that was impossible. Looking around the men who were under their plaids, she wondered if someone would maybe be kind towards her. But none of the men moved, all staying away from her. Sighing, she leaned back against the trunk. Though her shivering hadn't gone unnoticed. Erik had noticed that she was shivering, they all were. Though they had plaids to keep them warm, they were soaked as well which didn't help them either. Yes, she deserved to be punished, she had nearly escaped and he wasn't going to let her get away with it by treating kindly. He had done that a few times and look where it led him. She had tricked him in wanting her in order to let her nephew get away. He couldn't believe he let himself get carried away like that. But Christ, did he want her. He couldn't ignore the fact that he wanted her, wanted to make her his. Even now, he wanted to take her in his arms and let the warmth from his body warm hers. But no matter how much he wanted her, he couldn't have her. He could never have her and he had to keep reminding himself of that.