Master of Desire by Kinley MacGregor Read Free Book Online

and there encountered a look of hatred so strong that it set her back. “He was undefeated in battle. I am told that some armies would merely see his pennant and immediately surrender.”
    She had heard those tales as well. Harold of Ravenswood was a man of renowned cruelty. “Why do you hate him?”
    â€œI doubt you would believe me if I told you.”
    And before she could question him further, Draven announced it was time for them to renew their journey.
    No more words were spoken as they packed up their meals and remounted their horses.
    Emily remained lost in thought as she sifted through old memories of what she knew about Draven’s father. He had died almost twelve summers back, not long before her mother. She knew that only because she recalled her father speaking about it to her mother over supper.
    â€œI heard the devil claimed Harold of Ravenswood a sennight ago,” her father had said.
    â€œHarold is dead?” her mother had asked.
    â€œAye, and by the hand of his own son I am told.”
    Emily had been terrified by his words. She couldn’t imagine anyone killing his own father. And at that time it had been the most horrific thing she had ever heard.
    Had it simply been for the lands as she had been told, or was there more to the story?
    Though Lord Draven was indeed terrifying and dangerous, there was still something about him that didn’t seem in keeping with all the stories of cold brutality she had heard.
    Nay, Niles and Theodore she could believe such tales about. There was a coldness to their eyes that appeared malevolent and cruel. But the iciness of Lord Draven’s stare was nothing like theirs. It was different. As if the coldness was more internal and focused on himself rather than others.
    Of course, she could just be fooling herself by seeing in Draven’s eyes what she wanted to see. Just as Joanne had done.
    â€œBut I am not so foolish,” she breathed. “At least I hope I’m not.”

Chapter 3
    J ust before dusk, they entered the bailey of Ravenswood. Emily had always known Ravenswood bordered her father’s property just to the south, but never had she realized how close they actually were.
    But physical closeness was the only thing they had in common, for never had she seen a more dismal place.
    Of course, her ability to compare was rather limited since the only castle she’d ever seen was her father’s. Even so, she doubted if any place on earth could be less inviting than the foreboding hall in front of her.
    Looking up at the bleak, dark donjon, Emily reined her horse to a stop. Stark, unappealing misery surrounded her at all angles.
    The yard unkempt, it held no flowers or shrubs anywhere. Weeds were the only thing that seemed to be in abundance.
    A handful of scrawny chickens pecked at the bleak earth and squawked while dogs milled on the outskirts of the yard.
    At this early evening hour only a handful of men lolled about. And none offered a greeting to their lord. They went about their business of pulling water out of the well, fetching horses, and baling hay as if they feared even to look upon their lord. And in truth, she had seen dead lice move at a faster pace than what any of them showed.
    Emily frowned, then turned about in her saddle to scan the inner bailey.
    â€œMilady?” Simon asked. “What do you seek?”
    â€œA marker announcing this as the gate to Hades,” she said before she realized it.
    Horrified by her slip of tongue, she pressed her fist to her lips.
    Simon tilted his head back and gave a great peal of laughter. “Keep your sense of humor, milady,” he said as he sobered. “You’re going to need it.”
    Simon dismounted and handed his horse over to his squire. “And have no fear of offending me. I assure you I have the hide of a boar.”
    â€œAnd the thick head to match,” Draven muttered as he dismounted and handed his reins over to a young