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

servant they came across. The woman blanched and then pointed to a large tent set some distance from the others.
    “Just there, sir,” the servant directed them, shooting Lily a look of sympathy as she scampered away so quickly the tray empty dishes she carried rattled as she went.
    “Come along, little temptress. If you slow me down too much I’ll have you again right here and we’ll never get to talk to the Duke.”
    Kel ran his free hand possessively over her hip and Lily belatedly realized she had not asked permission to use her wings to cover her naked form. No wonder the servant had felt sorry for her. He pinched her bottom and Lily picked up her pace, nearly jogging her attempts to keep up.
    As they headed in the direction the drudge had pointed, Lily noticed that Kel’s strides became more uneven. Every step his posture and bearing changed a little bit more until he was weaving and staggering instead of walking. They were far enough away from the cooking fires and servants that it was quiet here, quiet enough that she could hear what sounded like faint moans and grunts coming from inside the tent. She shuddered inwardly, aware that if not for Kel, she might very well be inside that tent at this moment.
    They rounded a corner of the tent and Lily spotted two guards standing outside an entranceway. Kel made toward them, dragging her along behind.
    “Ho there!” he called out. “Need to see his Grace. Face to grace. Er…Face to face.” Kel’s words were slurred as he made his request, and Lily caught a flash of amusement in the nearest guard’s eyes as he looked Kel over.
    “Duke Camford is engaged at the moment. Could this not wait until morning?”
    “Nay!” Kel roared and both men reached for their weapons, only stopping when they realized Kel made no move for his. “Need to talk to him ‘bout this pretty little thing. One taste isn’t enough. One night, neither.”
    Both guards turned their attention on her and Lily dropped her eyes as she saw the lust in their gaze. Without warning Kel ran a finger along one wing tip, making her shudder as a tiny moan fell from her lips before she could quell it.
    “You see? One touch makes her quiver. Any wonder I want her to warm my bed for more ‘n one night?”
    Both men nodded their understanding and Kel brayed with laughter as he released her hand to clap both men on the shoulder. They started to grin in response but then their faces went slack and they crumpled to the ground, the flat hilt of a knife protruding from each of their throats.
    He’d killed them so quickly neither of them had time make a sound.
    “Go!” Kel hissed at her and Lily belated realized he had let go of her hand to strike the killing blow. That was to have been her cue to flee. Now the time had come, she felt strangely reluctant to leave him. What if she never saw him again? His orders overrode her fear, and she only had time to whisper his name before the transformation began.
    It took less than two heartbeats for her to shift to her smaller form, then Lily was away, flying as hard and as fast as she could. The cursed torc forced her to obey his orders, no matter how much she wanted to stay with him.
    Kel watched Lily fly away, a shimmering ball of silver light that quickly vanished into the darkness. He breathed a prayer to whatever Gods were listening to watch over her until he saw her again.
    If he saw her again. He had no illusions about what would happen next. He would push the ruse as far as he dared, but in the end there was no doubt that Camford would refuse to free the lovely fae. When that happened, Kel would do what he must to gain Lily’s freedom. If the Gods were feeling generous, then this would be over quickly. If things went badly, it would take a little longer and be far bloodier. He yanked his knives from the throats of the guards, wiped the blades on their uniforms and tucked them back up his sleeves. He grabbed the two men by the scruff of their uniforms and