She moaned softly. It was meant to be a protest. Why then, did it sound like a sigh of pleasure? A distant voice in the back of her mind whispered that she should push him away. Instead, one arm wrapped around his waist while her other hand slid around his nape to bar his escape.
He broke the kiss for a moment, his eyes looking deep into hers, and then he was kissing her again, his lips moving over hers, his tongue dueling with her own in a way that made her think of their bodies joining together.
“No. We mustn’t.” It took all her willpower to push him away. She could not surrender her maidenhood, not while there was a chance she might still escape. With her virginity gone, no other man would want her.
“You are a wise woman,” he said, his voice raw with desire. “Another moment in my arms and you would not have been a maiden on our wedding day.”
She stared up at him, her lips bereft, her body trembling. For a moment, she was tempted to return to his arms, but then she remembered that he was supposed to be her enemy, and that, even worse, he was only marrying her to antagonize her father.
Wordlessly, she opened the door and left the room.
She wasn’t surprised to find Rolf waiting for her in the corridor. Silent as a shadow, he followed her down the hallway to her chambers. When she went inside, he closed and locked the door behind her.
Chapter Ten
Sitting upon his throne, Lord Montiori looked down at the girl kneeling on the floor before him.
“How do I know Reyes did not send you?” he asked. “Need I remind you that spies are beheaded?”
Alyce looked up at him, her eyes red and swollen. “I am no spy! I cannot prove otherwise, my lord, but I speak the truth. I tried to help your daughter escape from Lord Reyes and he sent me away in disgrace. I came to beg your indulgence, my lord. I have nowhere else to go.”
“My daughter is well then?”
“Yes, my lord.”
“The finger that Reyes sent me, was it hers?”
“No, my lord.”
Montiori grunted softly. “I thought not.” He leaned forward. “So, what news have you from Black Dragon Keep? Is Reyes preparing for war? Is he planning to ride against me?”
“No, my lord. He plans to wed.”
“Indeed? And what unfortunate woman will bear his accursed young?”
Alyce took a deep breath. “Your daughter. Shanara.”
Montiori sprang to his feet. “What?”
“Aye, my lord, tis true.”
“When is this loathsome deed to take place?”
“Within a fortnight, if kitchen gossip be true.”
Descending the dais, Montiori began to pace the floor. “How dare he think to mingle his foul blood with mine! My daughter, to wed that beast and bear his young! I will not have it!”
Turning, he almost tripped over the girl. “Be gone!” he roared.
“My lord?”
“Go into the kitchens. Tell Grendal to put you to work.”
“Yes, my lord,” Alyce said, scrambling to her feet. “Thank you my lord!”
Montiori scarcely heard her. He was bellowing for the captains of his armies.
Chapter Eleven
