Untouchable by Linda Winstead Jones Read Free Book Online

Sanura soon breathed easier.
    Beyond Prince Alixandyr, one crimson and one dull green flag, each dutifully planted upon their arrival at this campground, whipped in the wind. The prince’s long hair was caught in the breeze, too, as was the traveling cape which fell to his thighs. He would not tell, she knew it.
    No, the part of him she knew would not tell. She had no idea what the darker side of his soul would do.
    “Your evening meal will soon be ready.” The cool voice came from behind her, and Sanura slowly turned to face one of her young and reluctant Tryfynian maids. Tari was plain of face and too thin, but she did have very nice red hair which was usually caught in a too-tight bun. She didn’t like her duties any more than the other maid, a prettier brown-haired girl called Phyls.
    Whenever she was close to them, she felt their disdain, their dislike, and even their disgust.
    “I will take the meal in my tent tonight,” Sanura said, being careful not to give away her sadness as she looked toward the stream she had left behind. “The wind is picking up.”
    Tari curtseyed sharply and then turned away.
    At home, young girls vied for the position of maid to a woman of the Agnese. It was an honor to serve one so blessed, not a bitter trial. At home, at home, at home. Sanura bit back the bitter realization that she would never see home again. She was destined to live in a world where no one wanted her.
    As Tari walked away, Sanura glanced back at the prince. He wanted her, in an entirely male way. There were others who felt a basic urge to touch her, but they were also afraid and uncertain. Prince Alixandyr was neither.
    Her heart sank. It didn’t matter that he wanted her. He was too noble to take a woman meant for his brother and emperor, too upright to break the rules—whether they were his rules or another’s. The part of him she could see and understand would never take a gift which was meant to be his brother’s.
    The dark side of him, the shadowy part of himself that he denied and fought, was too protected, too mysterious for her to be sure what might happen if it were in control.
    She had a sudden and unpleasant feeling that she might find out before they reached their destination.
    AFTER their traveling party stopped for the evening and Verity had taken the time to give her mare, Buttercup, the care and attention she deserved after a long day’s ride, she caught Laris’s eye and nodded. A few moments later she casually made her way around the bend so the campsite was no longer in her view—and she could no longer be seen from there. Their group was small and no one paid her much mind, which was just as well.
    Verity found a rocky hollow and leaned against the wall of stone, taking a moment to straighten her mussed hair and smooth her wrinkled blue traveling skirt. Before she had time to do more than briefly admire the quickly setting sun, Laris joined her. She found herself smiling at him more widely than she’d planned. He did not smile often and did not smile now, but instead simply looked at her with pained eyes and thinned lips.
    “Are you well?” he asked, concern evident in his deep, smooth voice.
    “My backside is sore,” she said honestly. “Though I am accustomed to riding, I have never spent so many hours in the saddle.” There were too many hills and narrow paths in this part of the world to accommodate a proper coach, not that she would’ve hidden in one all day even if it were possible.
    “I’m so sorry,” Laris said with heartfelt emotion. “Is there anything I can do to help?” He blushed, as he did on occasion. Perhaps he wondered if she’d ask him to massage the abused area, and that’s why he blushed.
    Verity felt an unexpected heat in her own cheeks. “There’s nothing to be done, of course. I should not have complained.”
    “I only want your comfort and happiness, Lady Verity. I will do all that I can for you.” The way he looked at her, as the light faded, cut