Page 91 of Midnight Shadow

Kenric halted and whirled.

She approached him purposefully. “Even if you do, where will you go? Word will spread of your betrayal, and you will not be trusted anywhere.”

“Take off your mask,” he commanded.

She shook her head. “Your reign of fear is over,” she proclaimed. “You’ve given your last command.” Bria halted an arm’s reach away from him.

“I would have been lord here,” he said, “if it weren’t for you.”

“No,” Bria said. “Evil never triumphs. Terran would have defeated you with or without my help.”

A crooked smile crossed his lips and he raised his weapon, attacking with a ferocity and strength Bria was hard put to fend off. She had a moment’s triumph as he grimaced under her defense. He hadn’t known how good she was.

They crossed swords and Kenric grabbed her wrist.

“I know who you are,” he chortled. “No one addresses Lord Knowles as Terran except his wife.”

Bria struggled to push off, but he held her firm.

“Remove your mask so when I put my sword through you, I can see your face.”

“I’ll remove my mask when you are banished from here and there is no more need for my services,” Bria grit out.

Kenric shoved her back roughly and hooked his foot beneath her ankle. She stumbled and fell to the floor hard. Kenric arced his sword down toward her head. Bria quickly rolled out of the way, but the tip of his blade sank into her cloak, trapping her.

Bria moved to raise her sword, but Kenric stepped on her wrist, pinning her hand to the ground.

Kenric loomed above her, a foot on either side of her body. He bent down to her, his booted foot digging into her wrist. Agony shot up her arm. “Let’s see how much of a woman you really are.” He ran a hand over her chest, grabbing at her breasts.

Bria backhanded him with her free arm.

His head rocked back from her blow, but when he recovered, anger burned in his black eyes. He grabbed her neck. “Bound your breasts to look like a man. Ingenious.” He squeezed tightly. “But you will die anyway.”

Kenric’s hand tightened around her throat and she struggled for a breath, gasping for any air she could get into her lungs. She refused to give in to him. The Midnight Shadow would not be defeated so easily. She brought her knees up behind him, pushing him forward. He tumbled over her head, releasing her. Bria tore her cloak free from Kenric’s blade and climbed to her feet, whirling on him.

He lurched forward, reaching for his blade. His hand closed around the hilt just as Bria put the tip of her sword to his neck.

Kenric straightened slowly.

Triumph crested in Bria as she pushed the tip of her blade against Kenric’s throat, forcing his chin higher. “You will never be lord here,” the Midnight Shadow announced.

“Don’t be so sure,” Kenric said. “As soon as my men defeat the pathetic few knights who remain loyal to your husband, I will be lord of this castle.”

“They may defeat Terran’s brave men, but they will not defeat the army my father has brought with him today,” Bria assured him.

Bria saw the uncertainty flash across Kenric’s eyes. He didn’t know whether to believe her or not, but his gaze still darted about as though he were an animal that knew it was trapped. An animal that suddenly became even more dangerous.

Terran skidded into the room. “Bria!”

Bria turned at the sound of his voice.

Without warning, Kenric lashed out, shoving her blade away from his neck and plowing a fist into her stomach. Bria doubled over, gasping for breath as pain exploded across her abdomen. Kenric locked one arm around her neck, holding her sword arm at bay.

Terran lurched forward, but came to an abrupt halt as Kenric tightened his grip on her throat. “Let her go,” Terran commanded. “Your battle is with me.”

“If only it were that easy,” Kenric said.

“She means nothing to you!” Terran cried out.