Crystal Moon by Elysa Hendricks

Kyne said. “I’m gone
    but a tenday and their numbers double.”
    Though he spoke aloud, Sianna knew he didn’t speak to
    her. The weariness in his voice tugged at her heart, making her
    long to give him ease. Why, when she could not sense his
    emotions, did she feel such a connection with this man?
    They made their way across the hall, up the stairs and
    down a shadowy hallway. Only one crystal lamp lit the dim
    corridor. Kyne stopped in front of a closed door. Pushing it
    open he stepped inside and pulled her along.
    Large, yet sparsely appointed, the room reflected his
    personality—deceptively simple in appearance. Comfort came
    in the form of a double box bed with its well-stuffed mattress
    and clean linens. A suspicious, child-sized lump in the bedding
    caught her eye. Smiling, she moved away.
    A table surrounded by six straight-backed chairs indicated
    Kyne used this room for more than sleeping. Neat stacks of
     
    papers and an open map lay on the table. On either side of the
    room’s fireplace, bookshelves covered the stone walls.
    She stepped closer and let her fingers trail over the leather-
    bound books that filled the shelves. Had he read all these
    volumes? Would he allow her to read them?
    “You will not leave this room without my permission. Do
    not speak to anyone, nor attempt to escape. As you’ve already
    seen, the terrain around the castle is rugged, and the sentries
    will not hesitate to kill any who doesn’t belong. Meals will be
    brought to you.” He crossed the room to the window and threw
    back the heavy drapes.
    Outside, the mountains rose behind the castle, the blue-
    grey rocks changing the setting sun’s golden hues to cool blue.
    “I have no intention of leaving. There is much need for me
    here. But I’ll not remain in this room.”
    “What?”
    She ignored his shocked question and wandered around
    the bed chamber, using the time to gather her strength.
    Challenging this man would not be easy, but she could not
    disregard the need she sensed in these people.
    Taking a deep breath to calm the quiver in her stomach,
    she turned to face him. “I am a trained healer. You have many
    sick and injured. I will assist your healer.”
    Kyne gave a humorless laugh. “Even if I believed you are
    a healer, I would not trust my people to the mercy of DiSanti’s
    daughter. They’ve suffered enough at his hands. Do not forget
    you are my prisoner. This room shall be your cell.”
    “How will you keep me in it? Will you watch me every
    moment? Then what of your many duties? Perhaps you will
    take me along?”
    His scowl deepened, and he stepped toward her.
    Standing her ground and keeping her tone light and cool in
    the face of his growing irritation took all of her strength. “No, I
    suppose you would not think it wise for me to hear your plans.
    Then what will you do? Lock me in? I think not. Your people
    would soon become suspicious and realize I was not what you
    claim.”
    “You flirt with danger, woman. If the people below discover
     
    your identity, they will tear you limb from limb. I doubt even I
    could keep you safe from their wrath.”
    Fists clenched at his side, he towered above her. Though
    she could not read his emotions, his body told the tale clearly. If
    he touched her now, his feelings of fury and frustration would
    swamp her.
    He stalked her across the small space and stopped when
    they were a breath apart. “You will do as I say.”
    She backed away until the bed blocked her retreat. “No.”
    Ducking past him, she scurried around the table and faced him.
    “But I will give you my word of honor I will not try to escape.
    Nor will I cause harm to any here.”
    “Honor?” He snorted. “What would DiSanti’s daughter
    know of honor? Like the nika plant, the flower is just as deadly
    as the root.”
    “Perhaps, but the nika root is a powerful anesthetic as well
    as a deadly poison. Roasted and blended with other herbs, the
    flower makes a drawing poultice. Only when