Impostress by Lisa Jackson Read Free Book Online Page A

she'd left to tryst with Brock, she'd eased past the guard. Busy with the miller whose cart was mired in the mud just inside the castle gates, he hadn't more than glanced her way.
    She'd found it easy enough to sneak the horse under the open portcullis, as there was more activity in the keep than usual, more workers, merchants, and visitors because of the wedding. But the horse would certainly soon be missed. Though the old stable master, Orson, was somewhat of a dullard these days, his son, Joseph, would discover the herd was short and would be blamed for losing one of the animals.
    Elyn thought of Joseph and felt a jab of guilt, for she knew the stableboy fancied her. More than fancied, she imagined, and she'd callously used him for her purposes. 'Twas silly for him to have romantic thoughts. And yet the way he looked at her or blushed when she caught him was flattering, even heartwarming. As well as ridiculous. No doubt Joseph would get into trouble this night. Just as his father, Orson, had been blamed the night Kiera had stolen away on Obsidian, the horse that had never been found.
    Easing the mare past the ruins of a burned-out hut, Elyn refused to dwell on what might happen to those she'd left behind. Beyond this final hill was a small town. Brock had sworn he would meet her at a place called the Gamekeeper's Inn.
    Unless he'd changed his mind.
    Setting her jaw against the doubts that plagued her, she kicked the mare harder than she'd anticipated. The horse shot forward just as an owl swooped out of the shadows. With a frightened whinny, the little jennet shied, breaking stride and rearing.
    "It's all right," Elyn said, clinging tight to the reins. "Shh ..."
    The mare's front legs landed on the ground with a jarring thud that rattled Elyn's spine.
    The fight between rider and mount wasn't over. Bit firmly clamped in her teeth, the horse charged forward, hooves flying. "Damn it all! Stop. Whoa!" Elyn struggled with the frightened animal, pulling hard on the reins, using her weight to force the mare to slow. But the bay was spooked. Her eyes rolled, showing the white rims, and she fought the bit. "Easy girl. That's it. 'Twas nothing" Elyn assured the beast, slowing her into an easy lope.
    An owl was the least of Elyn's worries ... right now she had to think of her future. And Brock.
    What if he's not there?
Doubts clawed at her as images black as the dark night swept through her mind.
Where will you go? What will you do? Return to Lawenydd?
    But you can't.
Bile rose in the back of her throat.
    You can never go back again. Never!
    Her stomach was knotted and sour, sweat collecting on her body though she shivered. Brock wouldn't abandon her. Not now. He couldn't.
    She tucked her head low and pushed those frightening thoughts into a dark corner of her soul as the horse galloped along the winding road. Hurrying past a few solitary huts and farms, Elyn felt the harsh slap of the wind as it tore her hood from her head and her dark hair unfurled behind her. Faster and faster the little horse raced. Faster and faster her own heart beat.
    Brock was her first love. She believed he would be her only love, even though he'd betrayed her once before. 'Twas but three years past ... Though it seemed a lifetime, she'd felt that sharp, painful prick of deceit, felt its scar even now. Though it was long past, could he not deceive her again? What would she do then?
    'Twas simple enough.
    She'd kill him.

Chapter Four
    Where the devil was his bride?
    From his seat at the lord's table, Kelan viewed the great hall. Musicians were playing from an alcove set high into the far wall. Servants carried trays laden with food and drink from the kitchen to the head table. Magnificent sugar sculptures decorated the tables. The mood was merry, the company jovial, but Kelan's temper darkened by the second.
    The seat next to him remained empty, as if his new wife was deliberately trying to embarrass him, making her distaste of him known. He suffered through