Ruthless by Sophia Johnson Page B

blossoms to add mystery to the scent.
    When they reached the hut, Muriele calmed her
breathing before she entered the familiar room. Built much like
Grunda's hut, they had used it mostly for sleep and the making of
potions. She moved aside the pallets and taking a small garden
trowel, quickly unearthed the box. With tears streaming down her
cheeks, she secured the chain and rings around her neck. The feel
of them between her breasts made her feel her mother and father
were watching over her.
    Time passed quickly as they collected those
medicinal things that lost their potency if left too long. They
would take them back to Kinbrace with them.
    Muriele tied her belongings into a small
bundle, her treasures safely locked in the center. She and Grunda
would carry the bundles slung around their shoulders and backs.
'Twas only when they heard the soft huff of horses and the creak of
leather they realized the day had sped faster than they had
reckoned.
    Muriele grabbed her spare bow and quiver of
arrows she always kept beside the door. She nocked an arrow, ready
to speed it through some churl's throat. Had she not moved back
several paces, the door would have swept her to the floor when it
crashed open.
    o0o
    Magus was furious. Nary a man at Kinbrace
dared to disregard his orders. Yet a mere slip of a girl defied him
the moment he turned his back!
    Nay, he corrected himself as he glared down
the length of the arrow aimed at his throat. She was not a mere
slip at all, but sleek and long-legged. Her rigid body spoke of
tension ready to explode. Curly, wheat-colored hair fell wild
around her face. Puffy and rimmed with red, her almond shaped eyes
stared back into his. He watched their near golden flecks darken to
deep amber, spitting fire at him. Muriele looked like a cornered
animal ready to kill.
    Humph! He spied the bundles beside the door.
Whatever she'd cried about before was as nothing compared to the
reason she'd soon have. She belonged to him
    His lips quivered with the snarl rumbling up
from his chest. He had expected her to drop the bow when she saw
who faced her. She didn't. She stood, resolute. With full lips
pressed together, the muscles in her shoulders and arms taut,
Muriele was a picture of stubborn determination. Magnus' eyes
narrowed further at this display of strong will.
    "Ye disobeyed me." His words seemed to bounce
against the walls of the small room.
    "In what way?" She widened her stance,
balancing herself firmer.
    Her throaty, sensual voice stirred something
in his gut. He snorted at her reply.
    "Ye fled Kinbrace after I warned ye I wouldna
allow it."
    The arrow quivered a trifle. She started to
shake her head then thought better of it while she was trying to
keep her eyes on her target.
    "She wasna fleeing Kinbrace," Grunda said as
she walked over to stand beside Muriele.
    "Pfft. Her bundles are beside the door."
    "Tis to take back to the castle. Potions and
salves will spoil without looking after them. Some personal items
and such, is all."
    "She could have asked for them to be brought
to her."
    "She had a more personal matter to attend."
Grunda stopped and looked at Muriele, giving her a chance to
speak.
    "I came to bury my mother." Muriele spoke
slowly, the words forced through her stiff jaw. "I couldn't leave
her for forest creatures and animals to...to devour." She halted
and swallowed. "I came too late."
    To his surprise, silent tears trailed a path
down her high cheekbones. She blinked them away, appearing shamed,
and clamped her teeth tight seeking composure.
    His anger eased, though he still planned to
punish her for disobeying him. If he did not, she would believe him
weak. She was a woman who would defy him at every chance.
    "Ye should have sought my permission."
    "I tried this morn. Ye didna let me."
    "Put the bow down."
    Magnus waited. Though Muriele looked
undecided, she didn't obey. She shook her head, the movement so
slow he almost didn't see it. He took a deep breath to cool his
temper. And