Bound To A Warrior

By Donna Fletcher

        Duncan MacAlpin is a highland warrior in 1005 Scotland. He is one of the four warriors said in a prophecy to bring about the success of the True King taking his rightful place on the throne. Unfortunately, at the moment he is in shackles. And, to top it off, he's shackled to a woman and about to be pushed off a cliff. Thankfully there is a river below. They look at each other and decide to jump on their own. Duncan must get home to finish his mission.

Mercy is the illegitimate daughter of the current king. The king had her mother killed and is now wanting her dead too. Now she is shackled to this highland warrior being pushed toward a cliff. So far he has treated her gently. She looks into his eyes and knows that she trusts him. She nods her head to let him know that she is ready to jump with him. Now the struggle for survival really begins.

Duncan and Mercy find that they work well together. They develop a strong trust very quickly. They have to. Their first night together must be spent naked and snuggled together for warmth while their clothes dry from the swim in the river. Mercy keeps telling him how chivalrous he is while he is trying to keep his strong attraction to her under control. Unknown to Duncan, Mercy is fighting the same attraction to him.

They spend weeks traveling off the main roads and trails trying to avoid the king's guards as they head towards Duncan's home. The longer they are together the stronger their passion for each other becomes. Duncan realizes that he is falling in love with Mercy. He decides that once home he will not let her get away. Mercy accepts that she is in love with Duncan. With all her heart she wishes that they could have a future together. But she knows that she must leave him as soon as she can once they reach his home and the shackles are removed. Her presents there would only endanger him and his whole family.

Fletcher did a wonderful job. I had a hard time putting it down at times. The only thing that I was unhappy with was the ending. It left a couple of things unanswered. Maybe that was her plan. Maybe there will be more later. Either way, it left me somewhat vexed. But, I will wait and see what comes next. I still enjoyed the book very much.