Read Online Dance With the Enemy by Linda Boulanger - Free Book Online Page B

lord.”
    Renaine’s snort was drowned out by a voice behind her. “Proving my brother is a fool for not taking you and exacting the punishment you deserve for your little foray.”
    Elenya swiveled, her attention, and that of all others present, claimed by another warrior every bit as stately as Tahruk and Renaine. The other man stared at Elenya with desire so blatant she felt the need to fold her arms over her chest.
    He laughed. “Perhaps he isn’t attracted by the scent of the enemy.”
    “Redahn!” Lady Neria rose to her feet, a hand held up to her by her husband was the only thing that stopped her movement from the front bench.
    The low growl from the other side of the diaz turned heads toward the warrior accused of slacking his duties . Daruh held Tahruk back with a hand on his chest and another around his upper arm. Hatred burned in his eyes as he glared at his brother.
    Elenya started to go to him, feeling the pull again, only to be stopped by a hand on her arm. She turned to glare at Renaine, wrenching her arm from his grasp.
    “You are a bold woman, Elenya Avenille of Aleone though your decision to flee from my son has already prompted questions of your loyalty. What have you to say in your defense?”
    Eyes narrowed, she threw a scathing glance at Redahn following another snort from him. Turning back to the house master, she brought her chin up deliberately and squared her shoulders. “Upon the confirmation from Master Daruh that no error had been made, I immediately submitted to my warrior, my lord, with every intent to … fulfill my … obligations and duties to the Zanak Drille. Only,” She lowered her head and her voice, “exhaustion overcame me last night and … visitors at daybreak prevented certain … fulfillment … this morning,” she managed haltingly, embarrassment flaming her cheeks. “Still, I am honor bound to do all that is expected.” She forced her gaze up to look at the house master and waited, stifling her unease while she awaited his command.
    At last, the elder man nodded. He motioned for Tahruk to take his place next to her. “I trust, my son, this … issue will be amended post haste. We would not want it said that Zanak does not honor the directives of the Masters, nor do we wish to prove ourselves disloyal to the King.” He looked from son to maiden. “At least she is not hard to look upon. It will make fulfilling your obligations easier…”
    The unladylike snort that interrupted the house master prompted Tahruk to a hasty answer of assurance to his father before he turned her away.
     
    “My son.” Renaine’s voice halted them a few steps from the diaz. “We shall dine one hour earlier tonight for your convenience.”
    “Perhaps you should take the time between then and now to tend to your obligations, Brother . ‘Twould be a pity for one so fair to fall into the wrong hands before you could attend to that little detail.” Redahn stretched his hand toward Elenya as the couple began to move away. Tahruk jerked her to his other side and squared on his younger brother.
    “And I would be honor bound to relieve such a scoundrel from his ability to breathe should the Courts not do it for me,” Tahruk told his brother who, although mighty in his own right, could not have taken on the jealous elite warrior and emerged the victor.
    “Boys!”
    It was Nema who stepped between the two men. She pushed Tahruk back toward Elenya and took Redahn’s arm. “Come,” she urged him, tugging on him to follow in the other direction.
    Tahruk ushered Elenya down the long aisle at such a fast clip she might have fallen had the pace itself not kept her upright. At the end of the aisle he shoved her into the curtained alcove, pinning her against the back wall. His hands began to move possessively over her even as his mouth sought hers. Her skin prickled. Surely he did not intend to take her right there.
    “My lord!” Her voice was a mere squeak as his lips move to her