Powerful Magic by Karen Whiddon Read Free Book Online

for his thunderous expression lightened.   He inclined his shaggy head regally and accepted her ring.  
               "When the storm clears, I will take you to this Roger.   Until he is found, I will protect you."
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    CHAPTER THREE
     
               Her heart stuttered at the brief contact of his fingers on her palm.   Ah, if he only knew what he promised.   "Thank you."
               "Now."   Kenric indicated the fire. "We must rest."
               Megan swallowed.   "Where?"   Wrapping the thin blanket around her more securely, she shivered.  
               "You may sleep closest to the fire."   He spoke in the tone of one granting a huge favor.  
               She scuffed her foot along the hard, rocky ground and thought of her fluffy, soft bed at home.  
               "I don't think I can."   She told him, her voice small and miserable.  
               Instantly he seemed to understand the problem.   With a wry smile, he brought her his saddle blanket.  
               "This will give you some comfort.   Tis what I use to sleep upon."
               "But--"   She stared up at this giant of a man, unable to read his expression.   "If I take it, what will you sleep on?"
               "There is straw that I can spread.   The horse can spare it.   I am well used to the floor of my cave."   He told her, his tone brooking no argument.   "Now go to sleep."
               Her innate sense of fairness wouldn't let her, though even the coarse saddle blanket looked more inviting than standing and shivering.   "I can't let you do that."   She told him quietly.   "We can share this blanket."
               His head came up at her words, his dark gaze pinning her. "Be careful what you say, woman.   For all you know, I might take you up on your offer.   What then would your Roger think?"
               Color flooded her face as she realized what Kenric had thought.   "No, I didn't mean like that."   To her dismay, tears pricked at her eyes.   "I thought we could share the blanket for warmth.   Only for warmth."
               He muttered something under his breath, something fierce and guttural.   Whatever it was, it did not sound complimentary.
               "Forget it."   She told him, her throat aching.   It had all been too much for her and she could be strong no longer.   She dropped down on the saddle blanket and rolled in to a ball.   She would rather die before she let him see her cry.   Covering herself with the flimsy blanket, she swallowed convulsively and let the tears come in silence.
               Megan felt it when he moved towards her.   Ignoring him, he surruptuously swiped at her eyes and kept her face covered.   Unfortunately, her nose clogged and her attempt at a discreet sniffle sounded watery and loud.
               "What is this?"   Compassion mingled with annoyance in his deep voice.   "Why do you weep?   Do you hurt?"
               He thought she was injured.   Fiercely, she rubbed her eyes, glad.   She'd rather he thought that than believe she'd given in to a spell of irrational female weeping, as Roger would have said.  
               "Go away."   Though muffled with the blanket, she thought she sounded rather brave.   Ok, quivery maybe, but brave nonetheless.
               Instead of moving away, or making cruel comments like Roger would have, he crouched down next to her.   "Is there anything I can do?"
               She shook her head, still keeping the blanket over her face.
               With a loud sigh he scooped her up in his muscular arms.   Rocking on his heels, he settled on the saddle blanket and pulled her on to his lap.
               Megan went instantly,