3

The warmth surrounding her body made Abigail snuggle closer to the moving mass of muscle beneath her cheek. She had never felt anything this comfortable in her life. She had no cares or worries about what it was. All she wanted to do was let it keep making her feel protected and happy. Her eyes remained closed as sleep took over her senses again. She thought that she heard a rumble beneath her cheek but quickly deduced that it was nothing until the rumble rumbled again but this time it formed words.

"Yes, I am warm enough." She still did not open her eyes. She was content just to stay there and let the motion of the horse beneath her lull her…wait that deep voice and the strength around her body felt familiar. Abigail opened her eyes and felt the powerful arms around her body tighten. She quickly raised her head from the warmth and muscle and looked up at her husband Abraham.

"How did I get here?"

"You almost fell from your mount because of your lack of sleep."

Abigail sat straight up trying to not let her body touch any part of his chest but that was almost impossible…he was still holding her.

"Release me please." Her voice was short and full of disgust.

Abraham smiled at the back of her long dark hair. He could feel her soft body stiffen in his arms. "You could fall off my horse and then I would have to rescue you from embarrassment."

"Well you caused my sleeplessness by tying me to my bed."

The smile that crossed his lips would make her want to slap him if she were looking at him. His mind replayed their tussle in her bedroom the night before. Orion chuckled the entire time that Abraham dragged her down the hall back to her room. She did not scream because she was afraid of her parents disapproving of her actions to confront the Prince in his room. She was not like those women that Barton talked about all the time she said to him as she tried to escape his grasp. He of course asked her why she was always around Barton which made her struggle even more as he dragged her down the hall. He could hear his general chuckling even more when Abigail grabbed the wall beside her door so that they could not go inside. Abraham chuckled but easily pulled her hands from the wall and walked into her room. He threw her down on her bed and his body followed her there to hold her in place. He loved the feel of her soft body against his as she struggled against him while he pulled the rope that he had tucked by his hip on the left side of his bottoms. He quickly captured on wrist and Abigail gasped when he stared down at her and smiled. He was going to enjoy this.

"Your misplaced anger with your cousin's words caused your punishment. I asked you nicely to leave."

"You did not ask me to leave at all. You barely allowed me to breathe. You are the cause of my predicament nothing that she said ever made me leave my home."

"Do you forget that I wanted to marry Caroline as you have said. I did not wish to marry either one of you if you care to know but she was the tamer of William's wards." Her elbow slammed into his chest and Abraham chuckled and tightened his grip around her body. He pulled her hard against his body and she struggled against him.

"I saved you from your attacker. You should be grateful. He was going to tell everyone that you carried his child."

He felt her stiffen. "What….I… He…I would never let him touch me!"

"He spoke of a scar on your thigh."

"I cut it on a low hanging tree branch. He had nothing to do with that and Caroline knows that she is the one who started that rumor and Barton just continued it. He is weak-minded."

Abraham buried his nose in her soft hair and closed his eyes. She smelled so gentle but he knew that a warrior lived beneath this fragrance. "He is not blind to your beauty."

Abigail rolled her eyes. "I am sure that all your other women fall for these words but not I. We are not husband and wife and I am not going to fall gently into your arms as these brainless women that you attract with your status."

Abraham chuckled. "They find me appealing and powerful."

Abigail smiled as she relaxed against his powerful chest. "As I have said brainless…."

Abraham chuckled into her hair. "The species of male that you tend to like are usually weaker than you like Barton. He thinks that he is strong but he is not. You like to be the one in control but you have none."

Abigail lost her smile and scowled at his retort to her words. She could not think of any return to set him back except those words that she did not want to bring into existence. She did not want these words in his thoughts. She did not want these words floating between them when they looked at each other as if she would look at him at all except to chastise him. She did not want these words coming out of her mouth making him believe that she wanted to be more than just his wife in name only. Abigail stared straight ahead at the beautiful countryside as they rode by at a casual pace.

"I am not sleeping with you."

Abraham opened his eyes and lifted his nose from her hair. "Why are you bringing that into our conversation unless you are telling yourself that."

Her elbow slammed back against his chest again but not as hard because of his tight grip on her and the blanket. "I have no desire for you."

"Well then we are in agreement with this at least. There is no threat of me touching you Lady Van Brunt. Your virginity will remain intact because this marriage is to satisfy my father and nothing else."

Abigail did not like the tone of the words that came out of his mouth. "You make it sound as if I caused this but I did nothing. You are a Prince why not find some woman in your land."

"I don't just want some woman and my father owes your father for saving his life. How could I deny him his chance of returning the favor?"

Abraham felt her body soften at the mention of her father. She was still mourning leaving those that she loved behind to fulfill a promise. He watched her shoulders slump and her head fall forward. She looked defeated. Abraham held her closer and he moved his lips towards he ear. Abigail closed her eyes hearing his deep voice softly say that they would come back to see them in time.

Henry smiled watching his son get acquainted with his wife. They were perfect for each other. She would never listen to him and Abraham knew it and did not care. He would enforce his dominance whenever he could and she would never obey him. They would never conform to each other. Henry chuckled thinking of all the mischief and chaos Abigail would bring to Abraham's well-ordered life.

Abigail continued to relax against her husband's chest and let the warmth of his body and the blanket lull her back to sleep.

"Abigail, why are you so sleepy and on his horse. You know Ember hates you riding on any other horse."

Caroline's voice woke her immediately. She sat up straight and looked over at her cousin giving her a suspicious look. Abigail glared at her. "No she hates you and your nag."

Abraham felt the change in his bride as she traded barbs with her nemesis. He liked her aggression and how vicious and quick it was to rise when she felt threatened.

Caroline returned her glare with one of her own and a sneer appeared on her face.

"Maybe you like riding on that horse with your husband."

Abraham raised an eyebrow and stopped Abigail from jumping out of the blanket and leaping out of the saddle and onto Caroline. Ichabod's mount suddenly moved between Daredevil and Mille to stop any bloodshed. Abigail struggled in Abraham's arms but she could not escape him. She would have to fight Caroline with words only if she stayed on his horse.

"I am more than capable of riding my own horse." Abigail looked back at Ember and the mare moved forward forcing Ichabod mount to move over. Henry chuckled at the charred colored mare. She was as brazen and ferocious as her master. Abraham felt her trying to move out from of his arms and he let her go. She shoved the blanket from her shoulders and felt the chill in the air immediately but she was not about to let him know that she needed the warmth. She was going to show him and everyone else which meant Caroline that she was able to take care of herself and did not need a husband. Ember moved very close to Daredevil almost touching him. Abraham watched her swing her leg over the saddle and easily lean over to Ember's saddle and then lay across it. Abraham was not about to help her he liked the view of his wife's backside and she did not want his help. Abigail held on the Ember's saddle and swung her left leg up and over the saddle as she had done many times in her life. She did not care if it was not ladylike or proper as Caroline and her mother would tell her. She was going to make her own rules. Abigail sat up in the saddle and grabbed the reigns to pull Ember back so that she could go attack Caroline but Abraham grabbed the reigns.

"NO,"

Caroline smiled. No one told Abbie no but her Aunt and Uncle. Abigail ripped the reigns from Abraham's hands and spurred Ember into a full gallop. Daredevil followed after her as did the general and some of the guards. This part of the forest was not safe for a woman to be alone and they wanted to see what their Prince would do to his bride.

Caroline shook her head. "He will never catch her. Ember is the fastest and strongest horse in the valley. Abbie is one the best riders that I know. He should have not told her no."

"You seem to like making her upset." Ichabod frowned at her. Caroline smiled at him.

"She and I have always fought. Your brother is not going to change her. She's too strong."

Ichabod smiled at her and moved closer. "You sound almost proud of her rebellion."

"She is my sister and we will not be controlled."

Her sudden defense of her sister peaked Ichabod's attention. All he had seen of her is her total content for her existence in this world. They would probably be fighting now if Abraham had not stopped them. He found this side of Caroline very appealing. "Perhaps there is something uncontrollable in you that I need to tame as well."

Caroline stared at him for a moment and then spurred Mille after the others. Ichabod gave chase when he heard her encouraging Abigail to ride to freedom.

What was his horse made of? Ember was in full gallop and he was still gaining on her. Ember could outrun male horse all day but this one was different. He was not going to let her beat him. The cold wind cut into her clothing and froze her skin but Abigail wanted to get away and be free. He could find another wife. He was not that unappealing. Ember leaped over a fallen log and sped up a small hill. Daredevil suddenly appeared beside her. He crashed into her bringing the pursuit to a halt. Ember was thrown off her stride and had to slow down or fall. Abraham wrapped his left arm around her body and pulled her from her horse. She felt as if she were falling but Abraham was only getting down from his saddle. She struggled in his arm as he walked from the tangled horses and towards some tall bushes a short distance away. He placed her against a wide tree trunk and stared down at her. Abigail expected fury and venom on his face but all she saw was a sinister smile that she did not like at all. Her hair flew away from her face as she tried to catch her breath so that she could yell at him. Her heartbeat was frantic as fear and excitement at almost getting away filled her body. She was breathless. He did not seem phased by the escape attempt at all. He moved closer not giving her the space or time that she needed to recover.

"Interesting choice of rebelling against me…. I will expect such unorthodox decisions from you all the time." He moved even closer and Abigail turned her head away from him as his body touched hers. Her failed escape woke something inside of him. She was unpredictable and he liked that. He liked that a lot.

"Now that you know that you cannot outrun me, you will not do this again will you...wife."

He could feel the anger rise in her soft body just as he wanted it too. She slowly turned her head but not all the way she did not want to kiss him even if by accident. His lips were probably the most dangerous weapon that she had seen in her life. With one touch, he could render her defenseless.

Before she could answer him the sound of their horses fighting reached Abraham's ears. He growled with anger and released her. Abigail watched him walk away from her thankful that Ember decided to save her from his punishment. She leaned against the tree trunk trying to recover her breathing. She closed her eyes debating if she should run away from him but the sound of a breaking twig garnered her attention and Abigail opened her eyes. The men standing there were not ones that she wanted to see.

Abraham calmed both horses. Ember allowed him the untie their tangled reigns and even lowered her head so he could scratch her head again. Daredevil shoved her away.

"Daredevil…. stop it…" Abraham rustled his mane and still scratched Ember's head. The sound of thundering horse hooves made Abraham turn. Orion and the others appeared. The general and his men wore smiles on their faces. They knew that Abraham had enjoyed her rebellion. He had told them his forced marriage would be to a timid, lifeless, dry, pale, beast from England. However, he had no such luck and never would.

Ichabod got off his horse and chuckled at his brother as he approached Abigail's horse. "She is strong and fast."

Ember allowed him to stroke her neck.

"She is beautiful." Abraham remarked while rustling her mane. Daredevil shoved her again. Abraham sighed and turned his attention to his horse before looking towards the bushes. What was she doing? She was trying his patience now. He could tolerate her running but not showing up so that everyone knew that she was alright was turning his mood foul. He began walking towards the bushes.

Mille arrived and Caroline scanned the men for her cousin.

"Where is she?" Caroline asked getting off her horse. She looked concerned. Everyone looked over at her intrigued by the emotion on her face. Henry raised an eyebrow. These two only liked inflicting harm on each other but did not like it when others attacked either one of them. His family life would suddenly get that needed boost of calamity.

Abraham stepped through the bushes and men came towards him with drawn swords. Abigail struggled in the arms of Barton as he smiled at Abraham.

Orion and his men drew their weapons when Abraham backed through the bushes and Barton's men followed him. Caroline gasped.

"My uncle is going to kill you!" Ichabod grabbed her when she made a move to attack Abigail's attacker.

Abigail began struggling in Barton's arms. She tried to head-butt him but he was aware of her moves. She had caught him with one when they were younger. His left arm pinned to her arms to the sides of her body and held her flush to his chest. He reached into the sheath on his hip and pulled out a blade and placed it at her neck when the Prince's men looked as if they were not going to stop advancing on him.

Abraham glared at the man holding his wife. "This is not a very wise decision on your part."

"I told him that!" Abigail screamed out. Barton shook Abigail to make her quiet. The knife scratched her neck. The sound of surprise escaped her and Caroline increased her struggle in Ichabod's arms. He really had to hold her to keep her from harm.

"She will be safe but not if you continue this." Caroline calmed down and he held her tighter to his body. He could fell her trembling with anger that Barton would threaten her sister with a blade.

Henry held up his hands as he approached Barton. "Now we can solve this without bloodshed…. namely yours."

Barton frowned. "What…I have what he wants and you think that you have the power."

Abigail looked past Abraham's shoulder and caught Ember's eyes. The horse grunted and stared back at her. Abraham could hear her grunting and pawing the ground. She was going to charge and it was going to be hard and fast.

Henry sighed. "We understand your pain at losing Abigail but this is just foolish. She is married to my son and that is that."

Barton chuckled and moved his hand over Abigail's flat belly. "My child says otherwise."

Abigail began fighting violently getting Barton's attention. Ember charged. She flew past Abraham and he ran behind her shielded from Barton's gaze because of her big body. She slammed into Barton's men scattering them. Abraham grabbed their leader and threw him away from Abigail. He slammed into the ground from the force of Abraham's throw and the blade flew from his hand and into the bushes.

Abigail stood there staring up at Abraham as he looked her over. She did not have a mark on her but Barton's skin would bear many. Abraham moved her hair from her neck to see that the dull knife had not even scratched her skin. Abraham turned from her and stared down at the disoriented man ready to apply more pain. "You touched her."

Barton cleared his head and vision and struggled to his feet. "Yes I told you that she carries my child. Are you people deaf up north. You can't have everything that you want. She belongs here with her family and me. She loves me."

"I do not!" Abigail felt someone grab her and turned to see that Orion was there and preventing her from interfering with Abraham.

Barton's men did not put up much of a fight when the army advanced. They now stood together watching the fate of the man who had hired them.

Abraham walked up to his new enemy. Barton backed away. "I am going to kill you."

Barton looked at Abigail and then held up his hands. "I did not mean to hurt her. I did not sharpen the blade because I did not want to hurt her. I just wanted to see her."

The hard fist that slammed into Barton's stomach dropped him to his knees. Abraham advanced towards him but Henry's voice stopped him. Abraham turned towards his father with anger on his face. His blue eyes looked wild with rage. Henry ignored his anger and looked at the men that Barton had hired.

"Take him back to William and tell him what he tried to do to my daughter." Henry gave the leader of the men some money and the man nodded.

A few of the group that came with Barton quickly ran over to their former employer and pulled the moaning man to his feet and dragged him into the forest where their horses were tied.

"Why give him to William?" Abraham asked still filled with fury.

Henry approached his still furious son. "Because William has forgotten more ways of torture than you have invented. Hearing what Barton tried to do will spark his memory. Do not worry yourself about such a small problem."

Ichabod released Caroline when she asked him too and she went straight to Abigail. She checked Abigail's neck and then told her that there was no blood. Ichabod watched the two of them smile at each other and then just as quickly they parted company. They were a strange pair.

She wanted to wash Barton's touch from her body after the meal they had. She was surprised by the excellent cooking of the fish and fowl that they had eaten. She nor Caroline expected such a tasty meal from hardened warriors. Abigail walked down to the river in the fading light while the others were getting ready for bed. She had stolen Abraham's blanket to dry herself after the quick cleansing. She stared into the sparkling clear water and knew one thing… it was going to be cold. She quickly began removing her clothing. Knowing that Caroline would alert someone that she had wandered away again and they would come looking for her. She wanted to be finished with the bath before that happened. Caroline would give her a few minutes to clean herself.

Abigail walked towards the water and dipped a toe in and cringed. She put her hair up in a sloppy bun at the top of her head and then took three deep breaths and walked into the water.

Abraham watched her as he sat on a nearby boulder. He was amazed that she did not scream not even a little. She was breathtaking in her own skin. Her words that she was not going to sleep with him would be tested tonight. She would have to sleep with him to keep warm tonight. A smile came to Abraham's lips as he slowly got off the boulder and walked back to his prepared sleeping area. Orion had made it extra comfortable hoping that he would entice the Prince to deflower his wife before reaching home. His general underestimated his will. He needed no woman no matter how perfect and beautiful she was.

Caroline stalled going to bed. She petted Henry's horse hoping that Ichabod would fall asleep. Henry smiled at her and walked over to her.

"I know that you are tired. He will not touch you. He has promised me. It will be alright."

Caroline smiled up him and then awkwardly hugged him. Henry placed his arms around her and chuckled.

Ichabod stared at her from their sleeping area. He had already denied Caroline's request that she and Abigail sleep together. He wanted to get to know his wife but she wanted no part of him and stayed close to his father after Abigail left. Ichabod stared at her the entire time at dinner. She avoided his gaze and tried to pick a fight with Abigail to make him angry with her but Ichabod would not turn from his decision. Finally, Henry asked him not to claim his right to his wife tonight. She had told him that she was afraid and did not want to be with him outside.

Ichabod smiled at his pretty red head as she slowly walked towards their sleeping area as if it were her last walk before her hanging. He almost laughed. "Are you going to sleep in the dress?"

Caroline just stared at him unable to answer him. "I have set up a blanket so that you can change."

She saw the dark blanket hanging from a tall tree limb. Caroline looked at him and smiled. She walked over to Mille and retrieved what she needed to change. Ichabod walked towards the blankets on the ground and made sure that they were comfortable enough for her. Going to his father and telling him that she was afraid was an ingenious move on her part. She was going to make him work for her trust. What she did not know was that he was as relentless as his brother when he wanted something.

She watched him through the foliage of the tree beside their sleeping area as he removed his vest and shirt. The powerful muscles on his chest, arms, stomach and shoulders rippled with his movements. He turned and Abigail closed her eyes as the muscles on his back rippled too. Weakness filled her body because it remembered what those felt like against her skin. She did not want to remember that incident. Her words about sleeping with him filled her mind as she knew that they would. Abigail opened her eyes and saw that he was staring at her with an expressionless face. Abigail slowly moved from the bushes holding the blanket tightly to her chilled body.

"Are you coming to bed before you freeze?"

"I have to get…."

"Caroline said that your mother took the thing that you sleep in as she called it out of your clothing. She wanted me to know so that you did not blame her. She gave you one of her gowns to wear."

Abigail nodded and walked towards Ember. Abraham followed behind her. She felt his hands touch her shoulders and then grab the blanket. He held it up so that she could change. Abigail pulled the white gown from her things and gasped at how beautiful it was. She quickly got over its beauty and put it on.

After a while, Abraham slowly lowered the blanket and watched the short white fabric cover her soft brown skin. Doubts about how strong his will was, were beginning to rise as his eyes scanned the curve of her backside. Abigail slowly turned and saw that he was staring at her. A soft sound escaped her when she saw his eyes roam over the exposed tops of her breasts and the bare skin of her legs. He released the blanket into his left hand and his free hand gently touched the skin on her bare arms until he reached her hand. His grip was gentle but firm as he held her hand. She stared up into his eyes as he led her towards their sleeping area.

She was stiff as stone as she laid on her back staring up into the dark star filled sky. Abraham laid very close to her; facing her, watching her as if she were prey. He wanted her to relax but she would not. He had already reminded her that they were married in name only but she apparently did not believe him. He knew that he would have to talk about something that she loved to get her to relax. "So what kind of animal is Ember?"

His question surprised her and she looked at him. "What,"

"She is not an ordinary horse."

Abigail chuckled. "Father trained her for war."

Abraham smiled. "And her rider as well,'

Abigail said nothing. "I am a lady and that is not ladylike."

Abraham chuckled. "You do many things that are not considered ladylike."

He expected anger from her but she laughed and then tried to disguise it. "But you are all woman,"

Abigail turned away from him and he moved closer to her body until he touched her. He could feel her trembling and moved his lips next to her ear. "You never have to fear me wife."

Abigail closed her eyes as his deep voice continued. "I will always protect you from harm. You will always be cared for."

Abraham's slowly moved his left arm across her body. She could feel the power in his hand as he gently moved it under her hip and pulled her towards him forcing her to roll towards his body. She quickly opened her eyes and found him way too close for her comfort. Her hands planted themselves on his chest.

"What do you fear I am a man of my word Abigail. Is it not a custom for a wife to kiss her husband goodnight?"

"I kiss you, one kiss and then we will sleep?"

Abraham moved closer crushing her hands between their bodies. "Then we will sleep."

His body did not feel as if it wanted to sleep. Usually one's body would soften but his was as hard as steel. His eyes were dark and she could not stop staring them. "One kiss and then we will sleep,"

She studied his eyes for a long while before moving her lips closer to his. He was going to let her kiss him. She would make sure that it was quick and uneventful. She knew that she did not want him to kiss her as he had that morning when they were married. Her world would never be the same if he did that. She had no control of her body after that kiss. Her mother had to pack her things because she was useless. She could not let him think that he had any power over her. She had to be strong and not show weakness.

Abigail leaned closer to his body. He smelled like power and maleness if there ever was such a scent he was it. Abigail pressed her lips to his and tried to pull away just as quickly as she could but his left hand held the back of her neck and his lips took over. The heat in the pit of her stomach began immediately when his lips began whispering things to her things that she knew she should not be listening to. Her body softened and a soft moan escaped her as he gently pulled the stiffness from her being and replaced it with heat and weakness for him. Abraham pressed his advantage and slowly rolled her onto her back. She was completely at his mercy. He heard her soft acceptance of what he was doing and began to do more. His hands rested on her hips as he let her feel his weight. He wanted her to get used to his body and the way it felt. She would feel it often and sometimes never leave their room for days if he had his way. He would keep her quiet so others would not know and embarrass her. He did not want her to feel embarrassed about giving herself to him. She was his wife and this was his right to have her.

The rustling of footsteps made Abraham break off the kiss and reach for his sword that laid beside the blankets.

"Oh Abraham, you are over here."

Abraham glared at his father's voice from the bushes. "You suggested that I come over here. Why are you acting as if you forgot this?"

Abigail pushed at his chest. Abraham looked down at her and then removed his body from hers. She immediately rolled onto her side away from him holding the blanket tight to her body.

Henry smiled knowing that he had disturbed his sons seduction of his wife. He did not think that it was fair that Ichabod could not have his wife and Abraham could. He was a fair king. "That is correct I did."

Abraham glared at the retreating voice of his father. His father knew that he had accomplished what he set out to do and could go sleep now. Abraham stared at the curve of Abigail's body under the blanket and rested his hand on the curve of her hip. His body wanted him to continue but Abigail was not going to let him kiss her goodnight. A long sigh escaped him as he lowered his head and told his body goodnight and hoped that it would listen.

Author's Notes

Sorry for the delay, but I thank you for reading my meager offerings and I hope that you enjoyed this chapter. Please forgive any errors that you may find. ~Frostbytefire~