Dare to Defy by Breanna Hayse Read Free Book Online Page B

higher, easily lifting her from the ground by her wrists.
    “You wish pain today, my love. It has been many years since you have brought this upon yourself. Do you wish to tell me your reason?”
    “I need no reason for my desire. The children no longer require a nursemaid and I may return to the longings of my youth. I trust you not to harm me,” Ilesbet said huskily, the strain in her shoulders sending waves of sensation through the length of her body. “Please. Give me what I need.”
    Günter stared at her for a moment and then silently released her, settling her bare feet upon the cold floor. “Prepare yourself. We will leave for the thicket shortly.”
    Ilesbet wobbled, her excitement growing as she anticipated the long-awaited event in the hidden thicket. He had last taken her there for discipline after she had overly indulged in sacramental wine and had displayed herself in a manner that displeased him greatly. That was well over fifteen years passed. She reached for a cape to cover her naked body, determined to find a way to lightly raise his ire and help distract both of them from the grim situation that plagued the kingdom. Her ploy worked. Gunther’s frown deepened when he realized that she had failed to dress properly or show any concern for her plight. She responded by simply lifting her chin higher and tilting her head.
    Günter glared at her, his blood boiling with both an unusual anger and need. He knew she was working her magic upon him, stirring him to a place that he had not been in many years. He simply pointed to the direction of the stables and silently followed her out, cringing as her bare feet trampled over the hard gravel. She appeared not to notice and kept her head held high, nodding with a smile as servants knelt in deference to her. Günter mused about this observation, wondering the last time a castle servant bowed to him.
    He also contemplated the number of people who maintained the old beliefs in the northern kingdom. Ilesbet said that the dragon gods fed upon faith and prayers, needing both to keep their magic strong enough to enter into the earthly plain. Were there enough left of the faithful to rally prayer and support to protect his sister and the future of the two kingdoms? Images from his frequent nightmares suddenly snared his mind, haunting terrors that only Ilesbet knew of. Her nightly reassurance of her gods’ power failed to calm his pounding heart when the images of death and destruction screamed around his sleeping mind. He envied her confidence in her faith and the power she held. He also thanked the gods that he had her as his.
    Calmly, she climbed upon the mounting platform and slid to the bare back of her stone-white mare. Valkye’s pink eyes glittered in eagerness as her mistress whispered instructions into her perked ears. Gunther settled behind her, pulling Ilesbet’s body snugly between his hardened thighs, his cock pressed against the warm softness of her ample bottom. Together, they trotted outside the gates, pausing only once when a young mother begged a blessing of healing upon her sick child.
    Ilesbet looked sad as the woman cried, holding the baby to her. She took the infant in her arms, cradling him as she offered a prayer of peace upon the woman’s heart. She knew the child would not survive past the morrow and felt Günter’s arms press around her as she gently told the poor mother of the baby’s fate and means to prepare herself. Sobbing, the young woman nodded, reaching for her son and kissing his tender little forehead. Hopelessness haunted the mother’s eyes as Ilesbet leaned over and pressed a kiss upon the top of the woman’s head.
    “Come to me if you need me, daughter,” Ilesbet said gently. “You need only to tell the guards you desire me and they will allow you entry.”
    “Thank you, Priestess. I will leave an offering to the gods for your blessing,” the poor woman sniffed, unable to hide the bitterness in her voice.
    “My darling,