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 touch 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 returned to the keep. He quickly retrieved his trousers, then headed for the kitchen door. Under other circumstances, he would have taken the secretpassage 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 again. 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 bedchamber in an hour.
Rolf was about to leave the room when Reyes’ called to him.
“Yes, my lord?”
“Where is Alyce?”
“Below stairs, 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?
