Page 22 of Forbidden Desire

“I won’t,” I reminded him. “I came for Desiree, remember? I won’t run, and I won’t leave without her.”

Encompassing quiet filled my eyes as I struggled to find my bearings. All I could see was the rear of his plaid outfit and the backs of his muscular calves. Squeezing my eyes shut, I refused to acknowledge how enticing they were, denied any part of me was drawn to the goliath who could treat me like this.

“Your sister won’t be leaving.”

I shivered at the certainty in his voice, the conviction unsettling. “Wh-What makes you say that?”

I tensed as one of his hands shifted higher toward my ass. Every fiber of my being ready to protest at the outlandish liberties he was taking, though the logical part of my brain knew it wouldn’t help my cause. I needed him onside if I was to survive this. Needed him to trust me enough to put me down.

“Because she is our mathair.” I noticed the way his pace increased, the land below me dashing past faster than before.

“What does that mean?” My head fogged at the passing landscape, my eyes fluttering closed again. I couldn’t cope with this new, upturned world, didn’t like the feeling of the blood rushing to my head or the sudden well of nausea. If he didn’t stop soon, I’d be painting his back with the contents of my stomach.

“It means she is mistress of the village.”

Wait, what?

“Desiree?” I struggled to catch my breath, forcing myself to inhale and take in what little air I could get. “She only came here for a few days away with Charlie. I... I don’t understand.”

“Your sister got a lot more than she bargained for when she came here.” His laughter was dark, furling the frantic energy twisting inside me as his other hand stiffened on my thighs. Even though it was never vocalized, I had the distinct impression his words were a threat.

“Is she okay?” Anxiety gripped my belly. He’d inferred she was well, but that was before he’d grabbed and tipped me over his shoulder. How could I trust anything he said?

“She is.”

I swallowed at his confidence, still unsure.

“She is the most highly regarded woman in the village.”

“What?” My brows furrowed. “Why?”

His only answer was the same menacing chuckle, which seemed to encircle me as he marched on.

“Please.” I gripped the plaid in front of my eyes, trying to find new ways to calm myself, but the tension knotted, taunting my lurking nausea. Perhaps I’d journeyed too long without proper food or rest, or maybe it was the dreadful treatment I’d received at his hands, but increasingly, I didn’t feel good. “Please. I think I’m going to be sick.”

“Elodie.” His voice lowered. “This had better not be part of some elaborate scheme to flee.”

“It’s not!” Why I was justifying my request to the swine, I didn’t know. He’d picked me up without my consent and refused to put me down. Vomiting over him was the least he deserved.

“I feel awful.”

“Fine.” All at once, his feet stopped, my heart racing as he lowered me slowly back to my feet, but any plan to make a run back to the boat was instantly scuppered. The world around me spun as I tried to take my weight, and as he drew away, the branches of the trees faded to white.

“Oh!” My hands flew to my brow as I tried to take stock, my knees buckling beneath me. The next thing I knew, I was kneeling in the dirt, the pounding in my head even more relentless now that he’d finally let me go.

“Elodie?” The faintest flicker of concern radiated in his voice. Lifting my head as far as it would allow, I saw he had fallen to his knees in front of me. “You are as ashen as the fallen snow.”

“I don’t feel well.” Reaching with one hand, I tried to bat him away, but my fingers couldn’t seem to connect with him, no matter how hard I tried. “Please, leave me alone.”

“Breathe.” His command resonated long after his voice had quietened. “You need to take more air.”

“No,” I countered, though I knew his advice was sound. Missing my target again, my hand smacked the hard earth, the impact jarring the length of my arm.

“Elodie.”

He sounded more irritated than worried now, and I was glad. The man had done nothing but create obstacles for me to jump since I’d arrived. He was no friend of mine.

“I... I need to rest.” Collapsing onto one side, my head was suddenly so heavy, it felt as if it was made of lead. I couldn’t think of anything except curling into a ball and closing my eyes. A low shiver raced up the length of my back as my face met the dirt, though I didn’t think I was cold.

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