Page 64 of Saxon Blade Norman Blood
“There is no need to thank me. You are innocent, you should be allowed to leave freely,” his friend said, articulating for his benefit, then left.
Once they were alone William gazed up at the girl towering over him. He was kneeling at her feet with his hands tied behind his back. The attitude was one of unmistakable submission. Guessing she would feel a heady sense of power over him, he waited for her to speak.
“Did you sleep with that woman?” she asked quietly.
“Yes.” William clenched his jaw in self-loathing. “I put an end to it the day after we arrived at the castle,” he added, willing her to understand that once he’d met her, the other women had lost their appeal. “She did not take it too well, but I did not give it another thought.”
“Then you know why she wanted her revenge on you. You were right, women can be as ruthless as men, if less brutal.”
“But infinitely more devious.”
“I will not argue with that.” She shook her head, and he knew the subject was closed.
Relief swept through him. He’d feared she would have taken exception to the affair, and he could not have blamed her. It seemed she was more generous than he deserved—or had the right to expect. If he’d ever wondered why he had fallen for her, he would have stopped wondering right now.
“Now, let us go before they come back,” she said, determination coloring her voice.
She walked behind him to undo the rope tying his hands, but it proved an impossible task. It was much too thick and tightly wound. With a muttered curse she walked over to the table, where she found a carving knife. William’s breath caught when she turned to face him, blade in hand.
She was utterly magnificent, like a warrior queen.
One corner of his mouth lifted at the irony of the situation. If she still intended to kill him, this was her chance. She could choose to plunge the knife into his heart, and he would be powerless to stop her.
She lowered her gaze and reddened as if she had read his thoughts.
William’s whole body exploded in desire at the same time as his heart burst in gratitude. She had come for him. She had saved him. He was alive, thanks to her, the girl who had once vowed to kill him. It seemed too good to be true.
“I assume this knife pointed at me while I’m bound and helpless is to—”
“To free you, yes. I told you you have nothing to fear from me anymore.”
“Thank you. Though if you wanted to tie me up later, I would only be too glad to comply,” he said in a husky voice.
From the way her eyes widened it was obvious she didn’t understand what he meant. Not to worry. It would be his pleasure to teach her.
“Let us get you out of here.” She knelt behind him to cut the thick rope.
It took longer than he expected as she took care not to hurt him in the process. His heart was pounding hard against his chest. He did not deserve such thoughtfulness, not after having let her down so appallingly.
“I’m sorry I didn’t come to you last night.”
She would have waited for him in bed, feeling rejected when he did not come. Mayhap she’d cried. The idea was enough to make him murderous. Forget what he had endured in the cell,her sufferingwas what Cwenhild should be punished for.
“So was I,” she answered, “but I think under the circumstances you can be forgiven. You were clearly not here of your own free will.”
“No. I was not.”
A final slash and the rope fell to the floor. Instantly William turned to face the girl. Before she could stand, he grabbed her by the shoulders.
“I swear I will make it up to you,” he growled.
“We will see.” She wiggled out of his hold and straightened back up. He did not take offense, understanding she did not want to start unraveling, not when they were in danger of being seen. “This is a big promise. I was most put out.”
“So was I.” He staggered onto his feet and bit back a curse. After so long spent kneeling on the hard floor, his legs were unsteady. “But I will do my best. I have given you my word. I mean to honor it.”
He drew her into his arms and would have kissed her had she allowed him to do so. But she placed a light hand on his chest. It was enough to stop him.
“Please, not here. Let’s leave this place.”
