The Darkness of Glengowyn by Isabo Kelly Read Free Book Online

really did keep the others from looking too closely. She couldn’t imagine not looking at Einar or knowing every detail of his face. The brush of short hair against his collar and the sharp points of his ears just peeking past the dark, thick waves, the ever-so-slight tilt of his eyes, the firm set of his mouth and solid angle of his jaw. Every detail etched into her heart for centuries.
    She blinked and dragged her thoughts back to the conversation. “The traitors did expect me, though,” she said. “They knew I was there. They came for me specifically. It wouldn’t have mattered if Ulric was with me or not.”
    “We know that now. They’ve probably been watching all the caravans, waiting for you to appear. When the plans were made, however, it was thought best to draw as little attention to you as possible while providing you with the highest level of security.”
    “You.”
    “Me.”
    “Did they…” She swallowed as she found herself leaning toward him without meaning to. “Didn’t they worry about the Shaerta ?”
    He held perfectly still, not moving closer. Her own weakening will kept her edging across the bed, very slightly, toward him.
    “They trusted you to uphold their decree.”
    “Not you?” That surprised her. He’d been as disciplined at avoiding her as she’d been at avoiding him. Maybe more so. He’d never once shown signs of the weakness she often felt when it came to him.
    He didn’t answer. Instead, he stood and paced to the opposite side of the room. Then he headed for the door. “I need to check on the skirmishes. I’ll be back soon.”
    He left without a backward glance. Nuala sighed. She removed her bow and quiver and set them beside her on the bed, then leaned on the headboard. Again his willpower managed to stay strong where hers faltered.
    What did she expect? They’d see the queen soon enough. Giving in to the Shaerta wasn’t an option. While they might be able to get away with a single encounter after all these years, she knew one night with Einar would never be enough. Succumbing to her desires once would make it impossible for her to deny them anymore. Making love to Einar again would ruin her.
    Yet, somehow that ruin no longer seemed so bad.
    With a groan, she stretched out on the bed to await his return, trying to remind herself why she’d heeded the queen and king’s edict in the first place. To ignore their order would lead to banishment for both her and Einar. After so long, that punishment didn’t scare her as much. But Einar… She couldn’t do that to him. She was sure he wouldn’t risk it. Why else had he left the room? He was right. She knew he was. Her value was significant. Banishment would be disastrous for everyone.
    But oh how she wanted him to throw caution to the wind, stalk into the room, strip her naked and fuck her like nothing else in the world mattered.
    A dream, she knew. But a pleasant one that carried her into a light doze as she waited.

Chapter Six
    Einar woke her with a gentle touch on her shoulder. Dawn’s light peeked in through the single window, just enough to see his face clearly.
    “Danger?” she asked, half sitting.
    “No. We’re safe. The fighting moved through Noman’s Land most of the night, but the skirmishes shifted toward the Sorcerers’ territory and away from us.”
    “How…?”
    He lifted his lips, an almost smile. “The owls.”
    “Ah. Of course. So…” She sat up completely and looked around the room. Einar straightened and took a few steps back from the bed. “So now what?” she asked. “We wait here?”
    “We’ll need food and water soon. But for the day, this location should be safe enough.”
    “I can go without food and water for a bit longer if necessary.”
    His expression took on a faraway, thoughtful look. “I know. I remember.”
    She remembered too. The last goblin war had been even harder on them all than the first. In the heat of battle, as she worked frantically to provide enough of her