Summoned and Stolen (Summoned Series Romances) by Susan Hayes Read Free Book Online Page A

me?”
    “Yes,” she said without hesitation.
    “Good,” he said as he refastened his sword belt around his waist. “Why?”
    “Why? Because it would be good to have a home again, and you are clearly in need of a healer if your scars are the product of your own training.” Lily hesitated for the barest of moments before adding, “And because I trust you. If I go with you, you won’t mistreat me.”
    “Never,” he vowed. “Now, listen carefully, Lily. These are the only orders I ever intend to give you as my slave.”
    Even if she hadn’t been compelled to obey him, Lily would have listened. Kel’s words rang with a tone of command she had never heard before. She nodded once, all her senses fixed on him. “Yes, mast—Kel. What do you wish me to do?”
    “You will have to come with me to see the Duke. If I leave you alone I have no doubt the guards will have orders to secure you again. The moment I release your hand, you are to make yourself tiny and then fly away from here as fast as you can. You have to be out of earshot so that he cannot give you commands to counter my own. Are you strong enough to fly some distance if you need to?”
    She nodded. “I’ll eat a bit more before we leave, that should give me strength enough.”
    “Good. When I tell you to go, you will not hesitate, little temptress. You are to fly away and head toward the rising moons. In a mile or so, you will find an oak tree standing in the middle of the field. Perch in the branches and wait for me.”
    Lily began to agree, but he waved his hand, stopping her. “I’m not done. If I am not there by the time the Hunter’s moon reaches the height of its passage, you are to leave without me. Make your way north, as fast as you can. You should find my men on the road just as dawn comes, if you are quick enough. Tell them what happened, and tell them to safeguard you whatever way they can. You must find them before sunrise, Lily. Once day comes, The Duke will have you in his power again.”
    “But what about you?”
    He gave her a strange smile and brushed a hand down her cheek. “If I’m not there by morning, say a prayer for my soul, for it will no longer inhabit this body.”
    Lily’s chest tightened, and she found it hard to draw her next breath. She didn’t want Kel to die. “You don’t have to do this.”
    “Aye, I do,” Kel leaned in and kissed her, his mouth hot on hers and his powerful arms closing around her to draw her in tight to his chest.
    “Why?” she whispered when he finally gave her space to breathe again.
    “Because once, a long time ago I made a promise to my father. I vowed that I would strive to be a man he could be proud to call his son, even if he never publicly claimed me.”
    “I imagine he is very proud of you.”
    Kel’s expression grew wicked. “After tonight, I suspect he’s going to be very unhappy with me, to be honest. But that’s tomorrow’s problem. Right now, I need to get you looking like you’ve been properly debauched.” He fisted his hands into her hair kissed her until her lips were swollen, her cheeks flushed and her breath was coming in ragged gasps.
    “Much better.” He let her go, flashing her that devil-may-care smile that seemed so impossibly familiar. He took her hand in his much larger one and drew her to his side. “Let’s go see a Duke about a deal.”

***
    CHAPTER 6
     
    Lily didn’t have to pretend to be dazed by what had just happened to her. Kel’s kisses made her head spin, leaving her flushed and flustered. She followed along behind him, clinging to his hand and trying to keep up with his much longer strides as he led her out of their tent and into the night air.
    He felt her falling behind and turned to give her a drunken leer that would have been terrifying if she hadn’t known it was all an act. Still, she squeaked with dismay as he tugged her along with a growl that would have done an ogre proud.
    “Where’s His Grace?” Kel snarled at the first