The Knight and the Dove by Lori Wick Read Free Book Online

back straight and feet swift.
    Arik moved out to follow her, but it was many yards before she noticed him. She came to such a sudden halt when she did that she nearly fell over.
    Megan’s heart plummeted at the sight of the giant man, but she was determined to go home and no one, not even this Goliath, was going to stop her.
    “There is no need to follow me,” she spoke from a distance, her voice uncompromising. “I don’t know why you pursue me, but I wish to be left alone.”
    Megan, used to having her orders followed, turned on her heel and walked away. It didn’t take long before she realized she had not been heeded. This time she decided to ignore him. It was only minutes after she’d made this resolve that she heard the riders.
    There was no place to hide on this section of road, or Megan would have made herself scarce. She was quite sure it would be Bracken and his men, but she continued on her course, refusing to even glance at the horses when they came into view.
    She would have learned something of Bracken’s men had she looked. The men did not take her presence as calmly as she took theirs. They stared in horror at how far out on the road this young noblewoman had come without an escort. That she did not desire Arik’s protection was obvious, and this concerned them as well.
    Megan glanced back to see that the men had come abreast of the giant and were speaking to him. Seeing the giant idle, she picked up her pace but still heard Lord Bracken’s words.
    “Bring her.”
    Megan waited only a moment before she began to run. Even with the sound of her own feet pounding in her ears and the horses’ hooves receding behind her, it became obvious to her that she was not being pursued by a rider, only an enormous man. He caught her in ten yards.
    Arik took care not to harm her, but with the ease of snaring a hare he captured her wrist and turned her back to Hawkings Crest.
    “Let me go,” Megan ordered and found herself ignored. “My father will have your head for this, do you hear me?”
    Arik continued to walk.
    Megan tried digging her heels in, but it was of no use. Arik only walked on, and Megan was forced to follow or be dragged. She did follow but began to work on the hand holding her wrist. She tried prying his fingers up and, when she couldn’t manage that, tried biting him. Nothing worked.
    “You’re hurting me,” Megan said, changing tactics. It didn’t work. Arik walked on. Megan was feeling positively violent just then, but thought better of kicking the man or lashing out with her small fists. She opened her mouth to offer the threat of violence, but Arik came to an abrupt halt. Thinking she had gone too far, Megan’s heart slammed against her ribs as he turned and looked at her, but a glance behind him showed that they were already back at the castle.
    Megan’s heart calmed when she understood his intent. He was giving her the option of walking into the inner courtyard on her own. Something in her face must have indicated her willingness, because Arik dropped her wrist and stood back for her to precede him. Megan did just that, Arik falling into a respectful pace behind.
    It never occurred to Megan to enter the castle through anything but the main door, but the guards had other ideas. She was stopped like a common serf, humiliation covering her until Arik evidently signaled from his lofty position. Megan wasn’t sure what he did, and she was too upset to look, but the eyes watching her changed from aversion to speculation and the way was made clear.
    Once inside the great hall, Megan held her head high with an effort. The room seemed to be teeming with people, and in the midst of them was Bracken, his size and look as ferocious as a great beast.
    Why, Megan asked herself, did I not notice how dark and menacing he is?
    “Come here,” Bracken ordered before Megan could form an answer. Megan, as much as she wanted to run, felt her feet propel her forward.
    Megan of Stone Lake was afraid of