Lord Grim's Witch (a medieval romance novelette) by Delilah Devlin Read Free Book Online

your mind.”
    “Of course.” But he shot a glance at the dark lord that was laden with mischief.
    “Have a care that she doesn’t turn you into a toad,” Lord Grim drawled.
    “Too late for that, milord,” she quipped.
    Both men laughed as she stood beside her horse. Lord Grim cupped his hands and swept her easily up into the saddle. His hand rested on her thigh for a moment, and he gave her a squeeze. “Whatever you can do, please do it. He’s a brother to me.”
    Seeing his love for the sheriff softened her toward him. “You have my promise I will use everything in my arsenal of cures to help him. I have no wish to see him destroyed.”
    “Good Lord, haven’t you had your fill of her?” Tibor called out.
    Geoffrey shook his head, gave her a quick smile, and then vaulted into his saddle.
    Together, they rode through the gate, the full moon lighting their way.
    *
    “I’ll take care of the horses,” Lord Grim said, as they drew to a halt in front of her small hut.
    The sheriff dismounted and reached her first. His hands closed gently around her waist as he helped her to the ground.
    Her heart fluttered, and she kept her gaze averted, glad for the darkness that hid her blushes. She’d managed for so long to keep him emotionally at a distance. Now, she knew they’d share intimacies that would strain her ability to keep things light and her heart unaffected.
    She led him into her hut and went straight to the hearth, reaching for the poker to stir the embers. Thankfully, a few still smoldered, so she added kindling, one small branch at a time until the fire blazed. Only then did she turn back to him.
    “I need for you to remove your clothing.”
    A smile tugged his lips. “The scratch is on my shoulder.”
    She drew a deep breath. “I must be sure. Please.”
    His brows rose high. “Be sure to tell Geoffrey this is your idea.”
    “Do you fear him?”
    He pulled his tunic over his head, taking his undertunic along with it. “No, but I wouldn’t want him to think I poached where I wasn’t invited. Not after he’s laid claim.”
    “I’m not pledged to him,” she said softly, trying not to stare at what he revealed. The night before, they’d come together in darkness. Tonight, she feasted on the sight of him.
    His torso was leaner than Lord Grim’s, but just as well-muscled. She struggled to keep her breaths even, and her body unaffected, concentrating instead on the three angry scratches that marred his shoulder.
    “You’re not pledged to him… Does that mean you’d not be averse to keeping me as a lover?”
    “What?” Good lord! Had he seen her interest? Flustered, because the thought of having both of them as lovers didn’t seem such a bad idea, her protest was a little too ardent. “Of course not! I only meant, he shouldn’t feel any possessiveness toward me. Besides, I’ve heard you two have often shared your conquests.”
    “You’ve heard that, have you? Are you shocked?”
    “Shouldn’t I be? The rumor has it you don’t simply pass them between you, you take them together.”
    His mouth curved into a devilish smile. “I suppose on the surface that appears a bit…decadent.”
    “Sinful is more like it,” she said, adding a tart bite to her tone. “The very idea!”
    “And yet, your cheeks are flushed and your eyes are sparkling with fire. I think the idea excites you, mistress.”
    She gave him a baleful glance. “Your trousers, sir.”
    His laugh was low and tinged with wicked delight. His fingers made quick work of the knot at his waist, and as fast as she could blink, he’d divested himself of his clothing and his boots.
    His arousal took her breath away. Darker than the rest of his sun-browned skin, it was capped with a ruddy crown. It rose from a nest of dark crinkly hair and seemed to strain toward her. While she stared, his hand closed around his staff and rubbed up and down once. “Be careful. He does bite.”
    Her reply was a croak. She swallowed to wet her dry