Page 64 of Midnight Shadow

“Why have you removed her from the dungeon?” It was Kenric.

“She is lady of this castle now. A dungeon is not the place for her.”

Again, surprise made Bria’s heart jump.

“You told me to do what I must to find out who the Midnight Shadow is,” Kenric defended himself.

“And did that include stripping her of her dress?” Even behind the wooden door, Bria could feel Terran’s anger.

Bria reached out and ran her fingers over the wood of the door, wanting to touch Terran, to thank him for defending her.

There was a pause before Kenric replied, “I did what I thought I must.”

“You’ve humiliated her for the last time, Randolph. I will not tolerate it again.”

“Cousin, what’s come over you? This Midnight Shadow is a threat to you and your lands! We must find out who he is, and she is the only one who can tell us.”

“We’ll find another way,” Terran said.

“But I’m certain I can make her talk.”

“I said we’ll find another way!”

Bria whirled in joy and leaned her back against the door, smiling. Her heart bloomed with pride. Terran was defending her! She was so overcome with joy she didn’t hear the handle being turned until it was too late. She barely had a chance to step away from the door when it opened, smacking her in the shoulders and propelling her to the floor.

Terran stood over her, the torchlight from the hallway flickering behind him, casting his face in shadows. He reached out a hand to Bria.

After a brief moment of hesitation, Bria lifted her hand and placed it in his outstretched palm. His fingers closed over hers and he pulled her up, bringing her tight against his chest with a tug.

His eyes danced with curiosity. “Were you spying on me?”

Bria was too startled and embarrassed to offer any explanation.

“You were,” Terran said.

A flash of white shone in the darkness and Bria realized it was the first true smile she’d seen on his face. She liked it. “No, I wasn’t,” she countered half-heartedly. She looked down at her hands splayed on his wide, broad chest. She could feel the muscles beneath his black tunic, the beat of his heart.

Bria lifted her gaze to his dark, midnight eyes. She could barely see his features in the dark room, but she could feel his breath on her lips as he drew her closer. He smelled faintly of sweet ale and leather. She half closed her eyes. She loved the scent of leather.

“Bria,” he whispered, his lips nearly touching hers. “I know we could be happy together. Just tell me who the Midnight Shadow is.”

“I cannot tell you that, but I promise you he is not my lover,” she replied in a soft whisper, lifting her mouth to his.

Terran shoved her away from him. “You are as great a liar as Kathryn,” he snarled, “and as great a whore. Wife or not, I cannot accept you as long as the Midnight Shadow stands between us.” He whirled away from her and stalked to the door.

“Terran!” Bria called out desperately. “There has been no one,” she pleaded. “What can I do to prove it to you?”

Terran turned to look over his shoulder at her. The light from the candles reflected in his black eyes. “There is one thing.” He shut the door, sealing them in the dark room. “Show me your virgin’s blood.”

Chapter thirty

Terran watched Bria’s mouth drop slightly. In a stray beam of moonlight from an open window, he saw the uncertainty in her bright blue eyes. Then resolution passed across her face as she pursed her lips, followed quickly by determination. She lifted her chin. “All right,” she said.

Terran didn’t move. Had he heard her correctly? Did she know what she was agreeing to?

She eased the chemise from her body, and the thin material pooled in a soft cloud around her ankles. She stood naked before him in the darkness.

Terran scowled. He’d been sure she would deny him. He’d been sure she’d make up another excuse. Was she challenging him? He never could resist a challenge. He stalked to her, grabbed her arm, and pulled her up to him. Most women would cower before him. Most women would beg for their very lives. But Bria looked him square in the eye as if she weren’t afraid of him in the least.