“Run, there’s a dog coming! A huge bugger!”
Ruby fought with everything she had, kicking, punching. She bit the hand over her mouth, but he did not release her.
“It’s chasing us!”
“Help me!” the man holding her roared.
“It’s got me jacket!”
She heard growling and cursing as she thrashed to get free. She was thrown over a shoulder and jostled as the man holding her ran. An arm wrapped around her legs. Ruby used her fists on his back.
“Take off your jacket!”
More cursing, and then she heard the latch on the gate click.
“Fucker got me best jacket!”
Walter continued to bark. Ruby could hear his paws scratching the wood.
“Give her the cloth. Hurry, she’s pummeling me back.”
A hand grabbed her hair, and it was tugged. A cloth was then pressed to her nose. She fought, but inhaled, and then there was darkness.
…
Ruby woke slowly, battling to get her eyes open. They felt heavy, and her head full of fog. Her hands and feet were tied. She could hear voices, loud voices. Arguing, she thought. Pushing herself upright, she rested there while she grappled with nausea.
She remembered a carriage trip, and another room before this one but not much else. They had kept her drugged. How long had she been gone?
At least Ella was safe, for that she could be grateful. Adam too was with Forrest, he would ensure no harm came to him.
“No weeping, Ruby.” Now she needed to focus. Forrest would come looking for her. Him and his cousins. Strong, resourceful men who did things she could never imagine in the name of their king.
Forrest.The love inside her for that man was fierce. She would have a life with him. Adam would know happiness, Ruby vowed.
It was dark wherever she was now. Dark and cold. But anger kept her warm. Rage that happiness was in her grasp, and someone was trying to take that from her. She would not allow it!
The voices rose higher.
“I did not know! How could I?”
Men were arguing nearby.
“You should have told me her name!”
“She need not know your identity.”
She was on a bed again, that much Ruby knew. Rolling to the edge, she sat there for a few minutes before rising. She then rose to her feet slowly. She went down with a thud.
The door swung open, and a light followed. Looking to the door, she saw black polished shoes appear. Pushing herself upright, Ruby watched a man carry a tray in. He wore tailored clothes like the Devilles and Forrest did. His hair was silver. He was the man from the carriage. He lowered the tray to a table.
“Allow me to help you rise, Miss Knight.”
“Don’t touch me!” she spat.
Hands reached for her, and she tried to shrug free, but he had her up and back on the bed in seconds.
“What do you want with me?”
