Dragonblade Trilogy - 02 - Island of Glass by Kathryn Le Veque Read Free Book Online Page A

began to fight him and it
was difficult to resist.
     “Your reasoning is sound, lady,”
he said softly. “But there were also those crucified for those unconventional
beliefs. Even now, heresy is punishable by death. No matter what your dreams or
beliefs, you must tread carefully.”
    “I know,” she said bravely.
“Those marks you see on my back tell the tale. But it did not stop me.”
    “What would?”
    “Finding the Grail or die
trying.”
    He sighed. “What makes you
believe that you can find this Grail that the great Arthur and his knights
could not?”
    She seemed to back off. He could
see she was hiding something.  “I simply believe that I can, that’s all.”
    He lifted an eyebrow. “That’s not all. Tell me why you believe you can find it.”
    “I just do,” she leaned back
against the stone wall, coated with green growth. “May I ask you a question, sir
knight?”
    “Perhaps.”
    “Do you intend to leave me in
this place all night?”
    He thought a night in the vault
might help her see the error of her ways. But then again, maybe not. No matter
his indecision, she had to be punished for striking Everett.
    “I do,” he replied steadily. “Do
you require anything to make your stay more palatable?”
    It was a foolish question; the
woman had absolutely nothing but the clothes on her back. She wasn’t even
wearing shoes.
    “No. I am quite content.”
    She was lying, but it was a commendable
lie. Without a word, Kenneth quit the cell. He returned shortly with a lit
torch; night was falling and the weak light that strayed down the stairwell was
fading rapidly. Soon it would be pitch black. He propped the torch in the iron
wall sconce.
    “I shall return with your
supper.”
    “Do not bother.” She shifted,
laying down in an attempt to get comfortable. “I am not hungry. I simply want
to sleep. It’s been a busy day of thrashing knights.”
    It was a humorous statement.
Kenneth looked at her as if she was mad, but inside, he was grinning. There was
no possible way that he was going to allow her to see him crack a smile.
    He left the cell and returned a
nominal amount of time later carrying bread, a knuckle of beef, and a cup of
ale. Aubrielle still lay on the ground, her eyes closed, presumably asleep. He
stood there a moment, watching her quiver. It occurred to him that it must be
terribly cold on the hard stone. He simply couldn’t stand by and observe her
discomfort. If she would not allow him to bring her anything to see to her
comfort in her time of punishment, perhaps she wouldn’t object to what comfort
he could offer her.
    He set the tray down and went to
sit against the wall, next to her head.  Carefully, he put his hands underneath
her shoulders and gently lifted. She was limp, like a sleeping cat, as if she
had no bones at all. She became lucid as he settled her head atop his right
thigh.
    “What…?” she muttered.
    “Shh, quiet,” he put his hand on
her head to silence her. “Be still now. Go back to sleep.”
    The trauma of the day must have
been exhausting, for she fell back asleep without another word. Kenneth settled
back against the stone, his hand still on her head, wondering if he was going
above and beyond the call of his knightly duties. Was he overstepping his
bounds? Perhaps he wasn’t doing enough? She was his charge, after all. He’d
never had a charge in his life, especially not a woman. He didn’t want one,
even now, but he was strangely pleased by it. It was a peculiar situation.
    Aubrielle shivered again and he
moved his hand from her head and put it on her arm; it was cold. In fact, the
whole dungeon was cold. He moved his hand back and forth, rubbing some warmth
back into her slender arm. Damn her for not allowing him to bring her a
coverlet. Now he would have to spend all night rubbing her flesh to make sure
she didn’t freeze. It would be a very long night.
    The dawn came too soon as far as
he was