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nine of Dominic s men, each armed and ready for battle.
Dominic chuckled, forcing his emotions into submission. Rushing to my defense?
Am I not capable of managing a woman?
She struck you, milord, Hubert said.
So, you were going to lop off her head? He nodded toward the sword in Hubert s
hand.
Only if you did not.
His men laughed. Dominic waved them away. Back to work, you lazy dogs. I m
safe for now.
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Tears of the Dragon
Ezra remained as the others returned to their practice. Why did she hit you?
Dominic absently rubbed his stinging cheek. She was surprisingly strong for such a
little thing. Because I deserved it.
Ezra s brows drew together, his face scrunching into an expression of disbelief.
You deserved to be slapped?
Aye.
Dominic offered no explanation. He made his way toward the keep, frustrated and
angry. He hadn t even realized he d not kept his word until she confronted him just
now.
Had he been so carried away last night that he d forgotten his vow? Or was he
really a bastard?
* * * * *
Rowena paced her solar like a caged animal. Nothing she did released her
frustration. She d thrown herself on the bed and wept, but she was still angry. She d
smashed an earthen pitcher, but she still fumed. The pacing wasn t any more effective
than her other strategies, so Rowena crossed to the window and threw the shutters
wide.
Cold autumn wind assailed her face, fanning her hair out behind her like a banner.
She leaned into nature s bluster and inhaled deeply. Pine, wood smoke, freshly cut hay
and rain. She loved the smells of harvest time.
Where is your veil? Close those shutters. You ll catch your death.
Thora bustled up beside her and tried to reach the shutters, but Rowena spun to
face her. I like the wind! Her hair danced wildly about her face.
Oh, you re in quite a state. Milton told me what you did out there.
Rowena leaned back against the stone sill and closed her eyes. It was no more than
he deserved.
You re fortunate he didn t beat you senseless. You must know when and how to
challenge a man. In front of his men? What were you thinking?
Opening her eyes, Rowena released a deep, shuddering breath. What was I
thinking? I was thinking that he used me. I was thinking only an utter fool would allow
herself to trust a man. I was thinking& Her voice trailed away as emotion clogged her
throat.
Thora wrapped her arms loosely around her and Rowena rested her forehead
against Thora s shoulder.
He told me he wanted me, she murmured. I know he wants my holdings, he
hasn t pretended otherwise, but he made me believe he wanted me.
Men are very good at saying what we want to hear.
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Cyndi Friberg
Rowena eased away and met Thora s gaze. The worst part is I want him still. Even
in the exercise yard it was more than anger making my heart pound. He attracts me,
and it s irrational. How can I feel anything for him, knowing he s deceitful?
Thora raised her hands in a helpless gesture. I m not the one to ask about such
things. My heart leads me where it will, and my mind is never involved.
Last night was his victory, but this war is far from over. She pushed the hair out
of her eyes and straightened her dress. There has to be a way to show him I ll not bow
and scrape simply because he s a man.
A devastatingly attractive man, Thora added, one corner of her mouth quirked.
His physical appeal is irrelevant. I must separate my desire from my ambition.
Rowena liked the sound of that. Men have done so since time began.
Thora s brow furrowed and she crossed her arms beneath her breasts. Your
ambition? Whatever does that mean?
I intend to retain control of Pendragon Castle for as long as I possibly can. I ll not
allow Dominic to use my desire against me.
You see! Thora pointing her finger at Rowena. You are being just as dishonest as
Sir Dominic.
She felt her jaw drop. That s preposterous. How am I being dishonest?
You claim to champion the legend, that you ve dedicated your life to breaking the
curse, but you re simply avoiding another marriage. You re hiding, just as I said.
Shooting Thora a glare to illustrate her displeasure, Rowena bent and began to
gather the broken pieces of the clay pitcher. What would you suggest I do?
I m not your conscience. This you must figure out for yourself.
Rowena glanced over her shoulder in time to see Thora slip from the room.
Thora, who voiced her opinion about everything, had nothing to say? Rowena
shook her head and knelt, placing the fragments in her lap. Was Thora right? Was she
using the legend as an emotional shield?
Dominic s handsome features appeared within her mind, mocking her, attracting
her. There had to be a way to show him that wanting her was not enough. She wouldn t
surrender her holdings because she found him desirable. She would marry for love. She
must marry for love. So, until he loved her, she wouldn t accept him as her husband.
A golden light flickered to life in the corner of the room. Rowena looked at it and
laughed. You come to me now? The damage is done, Fair Fiona. His trap has snapped
around my foolish neck.
Tinkling laughter drifted on the breeze and the light danced around her in a lazy
circle.
At least I can amuse you.
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Tears of the Dragon
For just a moment Fiona hovered before Rowena s face. Their eyes met and Fiona s
ethereal beauty held Rowena transfixed. She could see Fiona s smile through the golden
nimbus, and calming warmth soothed Rowena s ravaged nerves.
Is he the one? Rowena whispered. Could he come to love me? Do I dare love
him?
Just like Thora, Fiona offered no opinion. She circled Rowena one last time and flew
out the window.
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Cyndi Friberg
Chapter Nine
Brother Leland sat on the edge of a soft bed, adorned in a sweet-smelling tunic, his
belly full of food.
I have misjudged you.
Edwin s ominous comment still echoed through his mind. What had Edwin in store
for him now? Isolation and starvation had been ineffective. What form would his next
torture take?
He heard a key grating in a lock and realized the answers were at hand.
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