girl.”
As soon as he had spoken the words, Stref wondered where the idea had sprung from. She was quite outstanding to look at, but to marry the enemy, what was he thinking?
“Marry her?” Val exclaimed. “Have you asked her?”
“Things have not gone so well in my attempts to converse with my prisoner,” Stref admitted.
Val let out a bellow of laughter. “Lena does not make life easy for herself. She is her father’s daughter.”
“Lena?” Stref asked.
Val baulked as he realised his mistake.
“So, not only do I have the Green Bow herself in my possession, but one in the same is the clan chief herself. I certainly imagined her older and less…well, less attractive.”
Val smiled knowingly. “I may be like a father to her and as old as her grandfather, but I am not immune to her charms. The man who tames her will be lucky in so many ways, but will need to be all man to control her.”
“Oh, I think I may be up to that challenge.” Stref found himself grinning at the prospect. “I will marry Lena, unite our lands, and together we can face Haigh and Fogert and their unholy raids.”
Val nodded wisely. “Your biggest issue is not with Haigh and Fogert, son. You will need to convince Lena of your plan.”
Riding back to his keep, Stref was still smiling to himself. It may take him a while to persuade Lena of his alliance, but he would enjoy trying.
Chapter Six
Lena had eventually given in to the demands of her body and slept. The soft feel of the skins had lulled her to slumber. Her dreams were peppered with images of burning and death, and she awoke in a pool of her own sweat. In the dark, she sensed that she was not alone. She tensed; then concentrated on the sounds in the room around her.
Breathing? I can hear a person breathing.
The tone was raspy and contained a faint rattle. Lena ruled out Stref Harris, and concluded that it came from someone older.
“I know you are awake,” a voice hissed. “I can hear the change in your rhythm. We cannot have Lord Harris using a hostage to form an alliance, so I suggest you come with me.”
“You are mistaken if you think I will go anywhere with you,” Lena spoke defiantly.
“Oh but you will,” came the silky reply. “None will know you are gone, as the incessantly squawking bird roosts for the night, and the bastard Harris has not yet returned.
Lena silently pulled her blanket towards her. Her eyes were becoming accustomed to the dim light, and she could make out the silhouette of a figure sitting in one of the high-backed chairs just feet from where she had slept. She could hear his breath coming in faster pants, and surmised that he readied himself for her capture. Twisting the cloth around in her hand, fashioning a noose with which to choke the intruder, Lena started as the door suddenly swung open.
“Just in time, my dear,” the wizened voiced rasped.
Lena looked towards the shaft of light that surrounded the approaching figure. It was Anna, the servant girl who had left her master’s bed to show her to her room. She carried a bright burning candle before her. Lena didn’t need much light to see the spiteful gleam in the girl’s eyes as they alighted on Lena’s wakening form.
“I believe you have met my…well, my whore. She has been keeping an eye on things here for me.”
Anna giggled as swept across the room to throw her arms around the man still hidden in shadows.
“Gavin,” she spoke with a low and throaty tone. “I have missed being in your bed.”
Anna moved slowly around the seated man, her ample hips swinging in a provocative style.
“Missed me when you had Stref Harris to keep you warm between your legs?” snorted the older man in disbelief.
“That brute has none of your expertise,” Anna purred as she moved the candle to the side of the stranger.
Gavin? Lena’s mind made the connection instantly. Gavin Haigh, the most feared man in the lands around.
Knowing your enemy was a thing her father had always
Christina Escue
Charles Bukowski, David Stephen Calonne
Monique Snyman
Zoe Chant
Douglas Preston
Bill Pronzini
Kayden McLeod
Cesya Cuono
Robin Jarvis
Ella Price