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The man’s voice sounded closer to her as well when he responded to the monk. “I do what I please and I protect what ismine.”

Mine?

How did the stranger believe she, in any way, belonged to him? Her fear grew. Who was he and what did he want with her?

“Please! Please, I beg you, Lord Slayer, do not leave us here helpless.”

Lord Slayer.

A chilling fear gripped Sky right down into her bones. Everyone in these parts of the Highlands knew, respected, and feared the name. Lord Slayer was the leader of one of the most vicious, elite mercenary groups that comprised the Gallowglass. He was known for his fearlessness and endless victories and for leaving the battlefield strewn with the bodies of his enemies.

The monk’s pleading turned to anger. “Sky’s father sent her here for us to help her.”

“Sky’s father believed he was sending her to safety,” Slayer chided angrily. “He did not know that Abbott Kendrick had died and that you turned Dundren Abbey into a place of horror. He would never have left any of his daughters here if he knew that.”

Lord Slayer was right. Her da would have never sent his daughters into such a horrible situation, and Sky was relieved to finally learn the truth. But how did Lord Slayer know? Had he spoken with her da or her sisters? Were her sisters safe?

“She is your brother’s wife, and you have no right?—”

Wife?

Sky’s eyes almost popped open in shock. That was not possible. The monk was lying. Her da understood her fear of marriage and he had agreed it was for the best that she not wed. Her affliction left her too vulnerable and there was no telling how a husband would treat her.

“My brother, Warrand, is dead. Sky is mine to protect.”

Dead?In a few words, she had gone from a wife to a widow. The revelation disturbed her, as did the death of a husband she never knew she was wed to. She prayed it held no truth, but regardless of whether it did or not, the only thing Sky wanted was to go home to find her sisters safe and once again be wrapped in the security and love of her family.

“Sky belongs to Clan Ravinsher now and she is mine to protect. She goes with me and remains with me,” Lord Slayer said as if his declaration confirmed it.

Remain with him?That could not be. The thought frightened her. She wanted to go home where she belonged. She did not want to live with a clan who did not know her. She did not want to imagine the horrors she might face there.

She gasped when Slayer scooped her up into his arms once again.

“You will ride with me on my stallion, Skell,” he said.

“My lord,” Brother Emanual called out.

“I am done with you, monk,” Slayer said. “Say another word to me and you will lose your tongue.”

She was hoisted up and onto a horse and he mounted quickly to settle behind her. His arm went around her waist to secure her tightly against him, much like the manacles that had been secured to her wrists, leaving no doubt she would remain with him.

He lowered his head, his lips resting near her ear to whisper, “I am not a kind man, but I will not harm you.”

That, Sky thought, remained to be seen.

CHAPTER2

They had traveled a distance before the pungent scent of smoke lingered only slightly in the air and during that time Lord Slayer had not said a word and neither had Sky. She had endless questions for him, but fear of what she might hear kept her tongue prisoner.

As if he sensed her discontent, he said, “You have nothing to fear from me.”

She was not sure about that.

“As long as you obey my word.”

Obey my word.

The monks were forever saying the same to her. Obey their word. But it did not matter if she did or not, they still believed she was evil. She had spoken up little for herself through the years, always having her sisters to rely on to defend her. But not now. She was alone and would learn nothing of her situation if she did not speak up for herself. A frightening thought but a necessary one. “You say I have nothing to fear from you, but I do not know you, though I do knowofyou.”