Read Ruthless for Free Online

hissed like the cat he'd referred
to.
    "Hold still if ye dinna want yer neck's blood
to join the water."
    She did as he said. He grasped the rope and
studied it. Seeing the crude knot had tightened from her struggles,
it was easier to cut through part of it. Likely, it would open
easily and fall free. His fingers slipped between the rope and the
fine skin of her neck. When his flesh pressed the pulsing vein
there, a jolt flashed through him setting his heart racing.
    'Twas not an unpleasant feeling. Far from it.
More like the excitement of a wild summer storm. He stared down at
her to judge if she had felt the same. She had. At first, her
almond shaped eyes were near golden. He watched their slow change
as sprinkles of gold darkened to amber flecked with brown.
    The rope fell free. The back of his hand
stroked the length of her silky neck then dropped to his side.
    "There is great evil here."
    The words floated from Grunda's lips, her
voice near a whisper. She studied Feradoch's face then stared into
his eyes. She blinked and took a quick, startled breath; her eyes
clouded and appeared sightless. She turned toward Magnus.
    "As months pass, evil will rule and spread to
Clibrick Castle. Ye must right a great wrong."
    Magnus shrugged. "Humph! Enough of yer
caterwauling, Grunda." Turning to Muriele, his gaze held her
prisoner. His voice deepened. "Ye are mine now. Serve me well and I
will treat ye the same. But know ye this. If ye dare to leave
Kinbrace, I will hunt ye down. Ye will be most sorry for causing me
the effort." His eyes turned sinister. "Again."
    Muriele's hand went to her throat as she
swallowed.
    "Grunda, ye have room in yer bothy for the
lass?"
    "Aye. Enough for another pallet.
    "See she washes the filth from her hair and
body. After first light, bring her to me. I'll decide on her duties
then."

    Muriele watched as Grunda studied Magnus. She
took her time on his face. She looked deep into his black eyes then
stared at the harsh set of his lips. His face tightened under her
scrutiny, making him even more forbidding than before.
    Unconcerned, the spaewife walked around to
view him from all angles. When she again met him face to face, she
nodded, satisfied.
    Satisfied? Why did her mother's old friend
seem pleased by what she saw? He didn't look to have any softness
in his entire length. Even men feared him. She sensed they listened
to him even over his foster father.
    "Old one, if ye are through judging me like a
turnip ye plucked from the ground, tend to her. Her feet are raw
and cut from her run here." He frowned as he gazed down at
Muriele's kirtle then into her eyes.
    "Do ye have any other weapons hidden about
yer person?"
    "Nay."
    "Best check, brother, else a blade might seek
your ribs."
    The beautiful blond man stood behind Sir
Magnus' right shoulder. Her gaze flew up to meet his and found
naught but a warm, kind light shining from clear blue eyes. He gave
her a small, regretful smile, his lips turning up slightly at the
corners. He nodded at her then explained.
    "I would have no harm come to my brother
because he trusted foolishly."
    Magnus snorted. His gaze roamed over every
inch of her. She followed where he looked. Embarrassed, she saw her
nipples thrust against the wet cloth she'd clutched at her breasts.
Down further yet, she blushed hotter. Over her belly, the kirtle
clung to her skin until it met the springy curls on her woman's
place. The lush hair there thrust the light cloth away from her
flesh.
    Muriel lowered her other hand to shield
it.
    "Huh. Ye worry for naught, Feradoch. Even the
smallest flower petal would be easily seen."
    His black gaze swept quickly upward to tangle
with hers. Where she steeled herself to see hot need, she found
emptiness.
    "See she wears proper clothing," he said and
nodded to Grunda.
    He turned, ignoring her presence as he
pointed one finger at the five bloodstained men who had attacked
her.
    "Ye dared lay hands on two noblewomen." His
face turned grim as he motioned to