Free The Sixth Labyrinth (The Child of the Erinyes Book 4) by Rebecca Lochlann

nightgown together.
    “You taste grand,” he said, touching her neck where he’d chewed her almost raw. His eyes narrowed. “What’s wrong? Why are you stopping me? Damn you, Morrigan.”
    “I… we can’t do this. It-it’s a mistake.”
    Shuddering, he turned his face away. His eyes closed; he sucked in a deep breath.
    Pushing at him again, she managed to roll out from underneath and scramble to her feet. She wished this night had never happened. She wished she could die. She wished herself into her squeaky, miserable bed.
    Kit stood too, and grabbed her elbow. “Playing a whore’s game with me, then? Is it coin you want, or marriage? You think you can tease me into giving you whatever you want, don’t you?”
    “No, I-I don’t want anything. I’m sorry.”
    “Jesus and Mary! You think you can put a man aside like a goddamned book? Damn it! I knew you’d do this to me.”
    She couldn’t think of anything to say.
    He stared at her, his jaw clenching, then he surprised her. “Well, you did the right thing,” he said coldly. “Not you or any other lass will keep me from what I want. I’m away to France, and there will be no wife, no scraiching infant, to tie me down. Do you hear?” He shook her. “D’you hear me? Not you or any… other… lass. I don’t care what happens to you!” Shoving her roughly, he hissed and paced towards the door.
    She stumbled. Her shoulder struck the gate of the stall behind her. “D’you hate me, Kit?” Behind her, the mare shuffled and snorted.
    He was her only friend besides her brother. Look what she’d done. She’d never felt so awful, ashamed, guilty, humiliated, and frightened, all at the same time.
    Two more steps he took, and she thought he would leave without saying another word.
    “ Shite .” He hunched his shoulders and wheeled.
    Morrigan held her breath.
    With swift, heavy strides he returned and lifted her from the ground. He kissed her, long and hard, then lowered his head. He rubbed his bristly cheeks against her chest until the sting left her gasping, her eyes tearing. Then at last, he set her down.
    “I suppose I understand,” he said. “You didn’t know what you were doing, and we went too far. In a few days, no doubt, I’ll thank God you stopped us.”
    “But, Kit, are we, has this… is everything spoiled?”
    “I won’t marry you, Morrigan, if that’s what you’re wanting. If you think about it, you’ll realize it’s for the best. I have nothing to offer.”
    “You’ll be a veterinarian, like your da.”
    “I’d die first. I’m leaving this damned place. I’m away to Paris and Rome, and nothing, nothing, will stop me. Now go to bed, damn you, or I-I’ll make you wish you had.” The way he was staring at her, gritting his teeth, gave his threat menacing weight.
    She wrung the front of her nightgown. “Aye. Whatever you want.”
    He squeezed her shoulders until they nearly pressed against her jaw. “And… don’t you ever do this again. D’you hear? One of these days, some man will make you sorry you played such a game. Give me your promise.”
    “I didn’t mean to. I’ll never do it again. I promise.”
    He turned away, cursing under his breath.
    “Will you wait for me, Kit?” she asked. “I need more time, is all. Will you wait for me… to grow up?”
    He stood there, clenching his hands into fists, releasing them, and clenching again. She could see a portion of his cheek; his jaw was clenching too.
    “I do… I think I—” Morrigan choked. She wanted to say she loved him, but she couldn’t. The word love caught like a burr on her tongue.
    He didn’t look at her. “You are grown up, Morrigan,” he said. “It’s only you can’t see it.” Then he left, slamming his fist into the big door, sending it flying against the wall with an awful crack and studder.
    After the door settled, there was silence but for the whish of the mare’s tail and the sucking sound of her nursing colt. Weak and defeated, Morrigan