Read Online The Mermaid's Knight by Jill Myles - Free Book Online Page B

it, then gave her an odd look. “Does this pain you?”
    Whoops. She pulled her hand from his and shook her head.
    “Your wound. Any fever? Redness?”
    She shook her head again.
    He chuckled again, which only caused her ire to heighten. “You’re an odd one.” At her scowl, he just grinned and began to pull items out of the basket. A thick wedge of cheese, some
    cold meats, something she didn’t recognize. Two bowl-shaped pieces of bread, one of which he handed to her. “I wonder how a girl like you became so… arrogant. Most women are meek and silent. You cannot talk, but the air is filled with your opinion and there is no doubt what you are thinking.” He studied her face again, then added, “Perhaps it’s that expressive mouth of yours.” The man was trying to make her blush. Leah looked away, flustered.
    “Eat.” Royce sat down across from her and broke off a good portion of the cheese and placed it inside his flat bread-thing, and did the same for some of the meat.
    Oh. It was a plate.
    He pulled something else out of the basket – two goblets and a big floppy thing that looked like some sort of odd canteen. “I apologize for the fare, but if you will not come to the food, I can only bring you what will easily carry.” He placed a goblet in front of her and began to fill it with a dark liquid that smelled like wine.
    Leah filled her own plate as he poured. The meat was unfamiliar to her, but she was so hungry that it didn’t matter. She stacked some in her plate and took an egg as well, pausing only for a moment at the small size and brown color of it. Food here hasn’t been processed to death , she reminded herself, or shot up with growth hormone. It’s going to look a little different. The cheese was white and creamy, though. Her throat was dry and she reached for the goblet and took a hesitant sip of wine.
    It was awful. The taste of it burned the inside of her mouth and she barely managed to swallow before beginning to cough. At his concerned look, she put the wine goblet down and waved her hands at him, dismissing his fears, and tried to regain her breath.
    Good god, but that stuff was rancid. She made a mental note to hint that she preferred water.
    Royce began to eat as he watched her, studying her movements. She wanted to laugh, because she wanted nothing more than to study his motions as well, but instead she mimicked him and picked up a piece of cheese, nibbling daintily at the edges and trying to seem ladylike. It was delicious, the flavor unlike any cheese she’d tasted before – thick and rich and tangy.
    After a few moments of silent eating, Royce tilted his head and reached for his wine goblet. “You’re a mystery, Leah. One I intend to figure out.” She arched a brow at him. That sounded like a challenge.
    He raised his glass and saluted her, grinning. “You don’t believe me? Think I won’t follow through?” Royce took a lazy bite of food. “I’m a man who gets what he wants…” His gaze roamed over her figure in the tight dress. “Regardless of what it might be.” That certainly wasn’t a surprise. She sipped at her wine and found it wasn’t nearly as bad on the second round. She sipped more of it and gestured at the walls around them, a sardonic half-smile on her face. It was obvious the man got what he wanted – they were living in a keep he had conquered only days ago.
    He seemed to be able to follow her train of thought and grinned when she gestured at the castle itself. “Indeed. This is not the first time – nor the last – I will see something and conquer it.” His eyes grew dark, and she flushed at his double entendre.
    He was very… blatant in his plans for her. Rather than frightening her, though, they filled her with a nervous sort of excitement and tension. Like he was stalking his prey… chasing her.
    And she wanted to be chased.
    She felt heated at the thought. What had Muffin said to her? Live life as you always wanted to? Take this second