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He had tempered his voice, but it still overpowered the cell. She feared whether to trust him or not. How could she be sure he was not lying to her? But what choice did she have? She had nowhere to truly hide, and perhaps he was there to free her.

“Sky.”

She gasped. He had to have spotted her, his strong voice sounding as if he was on top of her.

“You must trust me. I mean you no harm.”

“Who are you?” She cringed when she felt him crouch down beside her, his arm briefly brushing against hers.

“Someone who was sent to help you and keep you safe. Can you stand?”

“I can try,” she said quickly, fearful he might touch her.

Her chains rattled as she braced her hands against the wall for support and she struggled to get to her feet.

A low grumble sounded, reminding her of the warning growl of the wolves in the forest before they viciously attacked. Fear sent shivers through her and what little progress she made was lost, her feet collapsing from under her. A strong arm suddenly hooked around her waist and forced her up onto her feet to hold her steady.

“You will pay, monk, for keeping her chained to the wall like an animal and a hood secured over her head,” the man threatened with lethal harshness.

Brother Emanual tried to explain. “She is a danger?—”

“Release her!”

Sky cringed at the growl in his command. Who was he and what did he want with her? Had her da sent him to collect her and return her home? Or had her sisters hired him to rescue her? Or had he come on his own, but why?

“You are wrong to do this,” the monk said.

She tensed when the man grabbed her shackled hands and raised them up.

“I will not tell you again. Do it now!” he ordered.

The click of a lock sent her heart thumping, and tears threatened her eyes as the shackles that she had endured since arriving here weeks ago dropped off her wrists to clang as they hit the floor. She went to touch the sore skin on her wrists that had been stinging her for weeks, but a firm hand stopped her.

“Do not touch them. They are rubbed raw and need tending,” the man warned, and is hand fell off hers.

Her greatest relief came when the hood was unlocked and yanked off her head. She felt like she could truly breath once again. Her lashes fluttered, eager to open her eyes though slowly and intending only a slight peek. She was anxious to get a look at her rescuer, hoping she would recognize him and alleviate her fear, but his abrupt command stopped her.

“Keep your eyes closed. They will need to adjust to the light slowly.”

That was fine with her since she feared he might change his mind and leave her there once he looked her in the eye.

His warm breath drifted down across her cheek as his arm remained strong around her waist and he eased her to rest against him. With her head brushing his shoulder, she surmised he was taller than most men. He was more than ample size, his chest solid with muscles and his presence alone felt like he consumed the space around them.

“Trust me,” he whispered and in the next instant she was swept up into his arms.

She gasped and rushed to brace her hand on his chest for support.Iron. He was so muscular that his chest felt like iron even through his garments.

“Please put me down,” she pleaded, embarrassed and concerned to be in a man’s arms, “or the odor of this horrid cell will stain you as it does me.”

“Through no fault of yours,” he said and carried her out of the cell.

“I beg you, my lord, do not do this,” Brother Emanual said, scurrying behind him.

Sky was surprised upon hearing the man referred to as, my lord. Why would a noble bother to free her?

“Free the other prisoners,” the man commanded, harshness returning to his voice.

“They are not prisoners. They have a sickness in their heads and have been brought here for us to help them,” Brother Emanual attempted to explain.