Page 124 of Love Me Forever

She did not answer fast enough for him.

“Answer me before I beat the answer out of you.”

Her hands began to tremble, for she recalled the brutal beatings and she feared for her unborn child’s life. Then she recalled the conversation with Moira, reminding her that Arran preyed on the weak and defenseless. It would do her no good to show him fear. She had to remember she was in battle, and in battle a warrior did all he could to defend himself.

“I did not want to attend your funeral. I did not care that you died. I was grateful that you were dead.”

He stared at her utterly bewildered and then shook his head. “You have grown brave since our parting.”

“Nay, I have always been brave. I simply allowed you to rob me of my bravery.”

“If I did it once, dear wife, I can certainly do it again,” he said with a smile that had once charmed Brianna and now simply disgusted her.

“I am not a naive young girl anymore.”

He laughed. “I made certain of that.”

He certainly had and the thought turned her stomach.

“So tell me, did I teach you enough so that you pleased this barbaric warrior who you spread your legs for?”

“You think him barbaric? His deeds are so great that they have made him a legend.”

“He is a ruthless warrior who kills for fun and profit.”

She knew Royce too well to fall for Arran’s lies. “And you think you can get more coins from him for my return than you can from Ian?”

“You are quick witted. A quality I despise in a woman.” He grinned. “But Royce Campbell will pay a hefty price for your return that I am sure of. I saw the way he looked at you when I interrupted your wedding celebration. It is obvious that he loves you and he will do anything to get you back.”

She spoke with courage. “Royce taught me what true love really is, and I am grateful the good Lord sent him to me, for I love him with all my heart and soul.”

Arran sneered. “You were always a fool, and love is for fools. He uses you. He wishes an allegiance with the Cameron clan, and what better way than through marriage. He tolerates you in bed and probably seeks fulfillment with other more talented females.”

“As you did?”

He seemed pleased when he said, “You were an inadequate lover. You gave me no choice.”

Her temper took hold. “I was an innocent young girl. I knew nothing.”

“And you learned nothing.”

“You taught me nothing but pain and humiliation,” she said, her temper flaring. “Royce taught me differently. He taught me about the beauty of love and the pleasures in sharing that love.” She bit her tongue, for she wished to scream out at him that Royce was truly a man and he just a shadow of one.

“Then if this man loves you so dearly, why was he not successful in keeping you safe from me? And where is he now? Why has he yet to rescue you?”

He meant to demean Royce in her eyes and fill her with fear, but his tactics were worthless. She was far too secure with Royce’s love, and her response proved it. “He is not far away. He waits for the right moment, and then you will taste his wrath.”

She was convincing enough that Arran cast a hasty glance around him.

“He will come for me,” she assured him. “He will definitely come for me.”

“He will come for you with a pocket of coins.”

“If he must he will, though love is priceless, Arran, and you never understood that.”

“Everything has a price, even love.”

“You are right,” she said with a nod. “Everything does have a price. You demanding a ransom from Royce will have a price. Are you willing to pay that price?”