Free The Bewitching Twin by Donna Fletcher Page B

will search the woods myself,” he assured her.
    She reached out and grasped his arm. “No, you must not go yourself. Promise me.”
    He laughed. “You fear for me?”
    She released his arm quickly and stepped away from him, feeling more foolish than ever. “Do what you will. It matters not to me.”
    He approached her again, but she walked away.
    “I wish to tend my garden.” She bent down and yanked a small weed, squeezing it in her hand.
    He grabbed her arm and hauled her to her feet. “Is it so hard to admit you care what happens to me?”
    “I care what happens to everyone.”
    “I am no different?” he asked, releasing her.
    She stared at him, her heart pounding.
    “Aye or nay will do,” he said.
    “It is not that simple.”
    “Why not? Open your eyes, see for yourself, and you’ll have your answer.”
    “My eyes are open.”
    “My mistake,” he said caustically. “It is your heart that you need to open.”
    She gasped. “My heart is more open than yours will ever be.”
    Rogan laughed. “Your heart is locked away.”
    “I dare—”
    “Speak the truth?”
    “I will listen to no more.” She marched past him.
    He grabbed her, yanking her against his chest. “Not even to what your own heart and mind tell you?”
    “They tell me not to be foolish.”
    “Mine tells me to take a chance.”
    “On what?”
    “On you.”
    Aliss yanked her arm free and she ran into the cottage, knowing she was running more from herself than from him.

Chapter 10
    A liss slammed her fist on the table and cursed her own anger. Her eyes were open wide, very wide. She knew exactly what she saw. Did she not?
    She rubbed the spot between her eyes. The area that always ached when she thought too much. It was a dull ache, not a throb, and more annoying than painful.
    How to get rid of it?
    Stop pondering?
    She laughed at herself. That was not likely, especially now since she felt the fool for treating Rogan so rudely. He had been nothing but kind to her since her capture. At first, she had feared her treatment at his hands, for rumors had presented the Wolf as a fierce warrior to be feared.
    Gradually, she had learned differently. Rogan was nothing as she had imagined him, and in a strange way, his kindness had proven difficult for her. The Wolf was no longer the predator she first thought him to be. He did not bite, though sometimes he snarled, but he always protected her.
    Then why had she grown angry with him?
    Because he spoke the truth?
    Did she refuse to open her heart and take a chance?
    Being a healer, she had always embraced sound reasoning. It allowed her to examine and dissect illnesses so that she could logically find a treatable solution. She had not reacted logically to Rogan’s remark, but why? Because she did not want to think that perhaps he was right and there was an issue she needed to explore. She had enough on her mind right now; she needed no more problems to ponder.
    She sighed, feeling she owed him an apology. She needed more time to consider his words. She turned and hurried out of the cottage.
    She stopped abruptly just outside the door, confronted by half a dozen warriors on horses. Rogan was in the middle of them atop his pure white mare. His intense features were in sharp contrast to how they had looked only moments before.
    His green eyes looked ablaze with fury, his mouth closed tightly as if he forcibly kept his words from erupting, and every muscle in his chest and arms was taut as a fine-strung bow.
    Rogan looked ready to do battle.
    He turned his head her way and his eyes seared her like a fiery hot arrow. She placed her hand on her chest, covering her heart.
    Rogan looked to John, who stood to the side. “Keep her in sight.”
    With that, he took off, his men following.
    Aliss turned her attention to John. “What is wrong?”
    “I cannot say.” He turned away from her.
    She stepped in front of him. “You must know something.”
    “I know nothing.” John insisted.
    “Should I be