Reyes swore a vile oath. He would kill Alyce for this, and Ragan as well!
He blew out a deep breath, then took Shanara's hand. "Is the thought of being my bride so repulsive to you that you would rather risk death than take your vows?"
She looked up at him, not knowing what to say, afraid to admit to him, or to herself, the depths of her feelings for him, feelings she could not begin to understand. No matter how hard she tried to hate him, no matter how often she reminded herself that he was her enemy, she could not hate him.
She gasped as he drew her into his arms. She placed her hands on his chest, intending to push him away. Only then did she remember that he was naked. The warmth of his body quickly penetrated her clothing, the heat in his eyes seared her soul.
"Shanara…" His hand brushed her cheek, slid down her back to cup her bu**ocks, drawing her closer, letting her feel the visible evidence of his desire.
"Please, do not…"
"What?" he asked gruffly. "Do not touch you? Do not kiss you…" His gaze moved over her face. "How can I resist? Your hair is like silk beneath my hands. Your skin smells of lavender. Your body is a temptation no man could resist. Shanara… accept your fate and be my bride."
In her heart, it was what she wanted, but how could she wed him now, when she knew about the curse that awaited his offspring?
His hands caressed her and then, murmuring an oath, he lowered his head and kissed her.
For the space of a heartbeat, she resisted. And then, with a sigh, she surrendered to her heart's desire. Slipping her arms around his neck, she closed her eyes and returned his kiss, reveling in the pleasure that flowed through her, the excitement that fluttered deep in the core of her being, urging her to give him everything he wanted, to surrender everything his body and her own heart were urging her to give.
Her hand slid down his back, exploring the deep vee between his shoulder blades, the indentation of his lean waist.
He groaned softly and then, with a cry that was almost a growl, he gently pushed her away.
She blinked up at him, her whole body aching and on fire for his touch.
"Not now," he said tersely. "Not here. I will not take you like a wild beast in heat." Tenderly, he drew her back into his arms. "When I take you, it will not be in the dirt, but upon silk sheets. And you shall be my bride."
He gazed deep into her eyes, wondering at his sudden change of heart. Only days ago, he had vowed never to marry. Now he was equally determined to make Shanara his woman, in name only if nothing else. Right or wrong, he could not let her go. Should Montiori arrive on the morrow to take his daughter's place, Reyes knew he would turn his enemy away rather than lose the woman in his arms.
It was near morning when they reached the keep. He quickly retrieved his trousers, then headed for the kitchen door. Under other circumstances, he would have taken the secret passage to his chamber, but he didn't want Shanara to know of its existence. By a stroke of luck, they met no one when they entered the castle. Reyes saw Shanara to her room. Inside, he searched for anything she might find useful should she try to escape. He confiscated the knife from her dinner tray, kissed her long and hard, then locked her in her room.
Going to his own chambers, he rang for Rolf and ordered baths to be drawn for himself and Shanara, then added that he wanted a morning meal for two sent to his room in an hour.
Rolf was about to leave the room when Reyes called to him.
"Yes, my lord?"
"Where is Alyce?"
"Belowstairs, my lord."
"Send her to me immediately."
With a nod, Rolf went to carry out his lord's bidding. Reyes paced the floor, his anger building with each step he took. He was in a fine rage when she knocked on his door. "Enter."
She stepped into his room, a smile of anticipation on her face. "You summoned me, my lord?"
"Shut the door."
She did as he asked, her smile not quite so bright when she faced him again.
"Why did you do it?" He held up his hand when she started to speak. "Do not lie to me, Alyce. I know what you did. What I want to know now is why? What did you hope to gain by murdering my future bride?"
She stared at him, her face pale, her lower lip quivering. "My lord, I didn't know… I…"
"Go on."
"Forgive me, my lord! Please, be merciful. It was only that I love you so much! She said she wanted to return to her father…"
"And you were going to help her?"
"Yes, my lord. I thought if she returned to her father, you might… that is, that we—"
"So you had Ragan throw her into a pit?"
"How did you… ?" She bit down on her lower lip as she realized she had given herself away.
"You tried to kill Shanara because you love me?" he asked incredulously. He had known the maid was infatuated with him, but love?
Alyce looked at him, her eyes brimming with tears.
Whether she loved him or not, there was no excuse for what she had done. And she had not done it alone. Her accomplice was somewhere within the keep.
"I want you out of the keep by nightfall."
With a sob, she threw herself at his feet, her arms wrapping around his ankles. "No! Please, not that!"
"Count yourself lucky that I'm letting you keep your head!"
"Where will I go? Please, my lord, let me stay!"
"Go where you will. Be gone from my sight! And take Ragan with you."
Sobbing, she gained her feet and moved woodenly toward the door. She paused to look back at him, her eyes begging him for mercy. Finding none, she left the room, closing the door behind her.
Reyes stared after her. He would have no one within the keep whom he couldn't trust. He held loyalty above all else. To betray someone under his roof was the same as betraying him. Alyce had crossed the line and there was no going back.
Later, after he had bathed and dressed, he summoned Shanara.
She arrived a short time later. She was more beautiful every time he saw her. This morning, she wore a lavender long-sleeved gown. The square neckline revealed a modest amount of golden-brown flesh. Her hair fell over her shoulders, a mass of thick auburn waves that tempted his touch.
He felt his gut clench when he thought of how he had found her in the bottom of the pit. Had he not found her in time, she might have fallen prey to wild beasts, or starved to death.
He took a deep, calming breath, then gestured at the table, now laden with covered dishes. "Sit, Shanara," he invited.
She walked across the room and took a seat at the table. She carried herself like a queen, he thought. Her every movement was regal.