Read Online Dirt (The Dirt Trilogy) by K. F. Ridley - Free Book Online

comes naturally;
she has about fifteen children.”
I’m not thinking about food at this point. The sickening feeling
intruding my gut is overwhelming. My life was so simple in
Montana. So predictable. So safe. Now, nothing is predictable.
“Luis’s story is going to be my story. My tragedy. My death.”
Sensing my turmoil, Rowen brushes his hands softly against
my cheek.“Your death is what I am here to prevent. I am your
sentry, your protector. Your safety and survival are my sole purpose
in life.” His complexion glows from the fire light. He’s seemingly
confident of his ability to keep me from the fate he’s revealed.
“What will happen to me? Will the Elders have me killed?” I
ask wanting more certainty. I want an answer that will assure my
safety. My life.
“Your mother, Nuin, was the daughter of Arcos. You are the
next in line for the throne of Durt. Nuin went against her father’s
wishes and broke the law by marrying Henry, but Arcos loved Nuin
so much. So, you are why I was chosen. He’ll protect you at all
cost. There’s never been a bithling other than Luis. He didn’t
survive to see eighteen. You are the only bithling who has lived to
this point. So, what your life will be like is a mystery, but I do
know Arcos loves you and will do anything to protect you. You
need to trust me, Ashe. On my life, Straif will never harm you.”
His face is full of passion and his eyes draw me in. He moves
closer, his face a fragment of air away from mine. “You are why I
was born. Why I even exist. I was chosen at a very young age out of
many to be your protector. An honor I don’t take lightly.” His lips
are a breath away. I want to know how his mouth feels pressing
against mine. Each curve. Each crease. The moment stands still.
I’ve never known the tenderness of another’s lips. His right hand
moves down my shoulder rubbing my upper right arm. I linger.
He gives in, his lips full with heat, his gentleness intense,
making me want more. With this one perfect kiss, he has me. For
the ten longest, most wonderful seconds of my life I am right where
I want to be, in the incandescence of Rowen’s arms, his body
pressed to mine warming me with his. When out of nowhere, he
pushes me away hard. Not gently, not with care. He breathes
heavily as if he’s been running as he tries to pull away from desire.
“I can’t do this.”
“What is it? What did I do?”
“I am your protector. Th…there… are rules. I’ve trained. I
don’t understand how...” He bursts up from the floor ruffling the
mat.
“What are
you talking about,
Rowen?
What’s wrong?”
I
screwed up by being born and now I’ve done something to push
Rowen away.
As he storms out of the tent, I follow after him. He presses his
palm against the flat part of my upper chest below my neck. His
fingers firm against my clavicles, “Stay here.” I stop in my tracks
with his hand up against me. As he approaches the doorway, he
hesitates; turning back with a softness covering his face and he
pulls his hand away. His voice softens, but I feel a hole bore
through my soul. A vacancy fills my heart that isn’t supposed to be
there.
“It’s not you, Ashe. It’s…it’s me. I’ll be outside. Get some
sleep.” How can I sleep now?
There’s a price on my head and Rowen has rejected me. On the
inside, I’m in a state of panic as everything falls apart. I step back
from the door and plop down on the mat. I’m exhausted, physically,
emotionally, mentally. I figure besides being alive, I can’t do any
damage while I sleep.

10
    It can
’t be morning. Darkness fills the room. The small fire
from last night is gone. In fact, I’m no longer in the hut. The stench
of rot and filth fills my nostrils.
    “
The secret awakens.” A dark sinister voice comes from the
corner of the strange room. A man wearing a black skirt that meets
the ground and long-sleeved tailored black jacket stands quietly in
the corner. There are no windows. Burning