Page 46 of Taming the Eagle

“No,” Aquila replied, his gaze not leaving hers. “He fought well, but eventually the fight turned against him. The Dacian was about to finish your brother when I interceded.” He paused there. “I’ve set him free.”

For a few moments, she merely gaped at him, trying to make sense of his words.

Aquila had spared her brother? Eogan had his freedom?

“Why?” she eventually croaked, finding her tongue.

The corners of his mouth lifted. “Because you asked me to.”

Fenella stilled. Suddenly, all she could hear was the pounding of her own heart. Only this time, anxiety wasn’t the cause.

Feral rage washed over her—and she forgot to be wary of this man, forgot that she was his property to do with as he wished.

Snarling, she flew at him. Her fists beat against his chest. Her knee came up sharply. She’d make sure this bastard never fathered a child. However, Aquila shifted back, and her knee collided with the hard muscle of his thigh. He then caught her by the wrists.

The surprise on his face would have been almost comical, if she hadn’t been so angry. As it was, she just wanted to flatten his nose.

“Why the fury?” he muttered, holding her fast as she writhed against him. “I thought you’d be relieved. Isn’t this what you wanted?”

“Whoreson!” she spat. “You threw Eogan to the dogs for a month … and you waited till the very end to save him.”

He frowned down at her. “It wasn’t like that … your brother was part of a scouting party, sent to gather information on our defenses. In freeing him, I’ve risked much.” He paused then, a muscle ticking in his jaw. “I saw you whispering with your brother earlier … what passed between you?”

“Nothing that matters,” she growled back, heat pulsing like an ember under her ribs. He’d have to roast her alive to get the truth. She wouldn’t betray her people.

“Don’t lie to me, Fenella.” Aquila’s voice hardened, his dark brows crashing together. His own temper was quickening now.

Her mouth twisted. “You like playing with other people’s lives, don’t you? It makes you feel powerful.”

“I didn’t have to save your brother,” Aquila growled. “But I—”

“Did it for me?” she cut him off, seething now. “Why? You thought I'd be so grateful I’dhappilyspread my legs?” She twisted her wrists hard, but the bastard held her in an iron grip. “Why go to so much trouble, Aquila? The whole fort already thinks I’m your whore, why don’t you just—”

The Eagle’s mouth crashed down on hers, stopping her tirade.

The kiss was bruising and so sudden that Fenella forgot to struggle.

An instant later, he let go of her wrists and took a rapid step back. “Get out, woman,” he rasped. His face was all taut angles, his eyes glittering. “Now!”

But Fenella didn’t go. Instead, something snapped within her. Drawing her arm back, she struck him, hard across the cheek.

They stared at each other, and then Fenella did something that shocked herself.

She grabbed him around the neck, yanked his head down to meet her, and kissed him back.

Aquila went rigid—as surprised as she was by her move. But he recovered swiftly, hauling Fenella into his arms, his mouth slanting across hers once more. His tongue forced her lips apart and drove into her mouth. His kisses were hot and wild, and she matched him.

It was war of the sweetest kind.

He walked her backward then, slamming them both against the doors.

Fenella barely noticed. She was too busy devouring him. Justinian Aquila tasted of wine, spice, and musky maleness. His body against hers was hard, dominant, and she writhed against him, an ache blossoming between her thighs.

All thought had fled her mind now. She acted on instinct alone.

But to her surprise, Aquila drew back.

Hands on her shoulders, he pushed himself away from her.