Free Sword of Darkness by Kinley MacGregor Page A

caring touch.
    He’d never before known the like. The newness of it haunted him. Touched him.
    Seren groaned at the wicked feel of Kerrigan kissing her. The swell of his groin pressed demandingly against her hip as he deepened his kiss. It was hungry and devouring, and it stole the very breath from her.
    His tunic melted from his body as he moved from her mouth to bury his lips against her throat where his dark whiskers tickled her skin. The coldness of his naked flesh sent chills over her even as desire heated her body. It was such a strange sensation—hot and cold clashing inside and out of her.
    He tasted so good and felt even better. She’d never had a man hold her like this. If she didn’t know better, she might even think that he had feelings for her. But that was foolish. He knew nothing of her and she knew nothing of him. They were strangers and he held no feelings for anyone. He’d told her that.
    Even so, Seren trembled as she ran her hands over his naked back.
    At least until she felt the deep ridges on his flesh. Shocked by them, she opened her eyes to see the deep scars that bisected his back.
    “Who beat you?” The words were out before she could stop them.
    His eyes turning red, Kerrigan pulled back with a hiss as his black tunic reappeared to cover those scars. “Sleep, Seren.”
    “But—”
    “Sleep or be raped,” he growled in rage. “Decide!” The shout rang against the stone walls.
    That was a choice? Swallowing at his untoward anger, she immediately rolled over to give him her back.
    Kerrigan fought for control as he again faced the fire that did nothing to warm the coldness inside him.
    Take her!
    To what purpose?
    Aye, he could rape her. Or use a spell to make her welcome him even. But in the end, it would be nothing more than a passing amusement that could be found with any wench in Morgen’s court.
    In the morning he would awaken with her blood on his sheets and body, and his loins would ache anew. He would still be restless.
    Nothing would change.
    Nay, that wasn’t true. Seren would be changed. She would be violated, and the fire that burned so bright in her green eyes would be extinguished.
    Finally, she would be defeated.
    He didn’t know why the thought of her being broken disturbed him so, but it did. More than anyone, he understood the pain of betrayal. The lasting sting of humiliation as others abused himwhile he could do nothing to stop them. There was nothing worse in this world or beyond it, and for the first time since Morgen had found him, he didn’t want to lash out in anger.
    He wanted…
    Kerrigan paused as he realized he didn’t even have a name for what he wanted.
    Returning to his throne, he looked to where Seren lay in his bed. She was ramrod stiff.
    “Relax, Seren,” he whispered softly.
    She stiffened even more.
    A slow smile curved his lips in humor as he whispered a spell for her. Even so, she fought it until he forced her to sleep.
    Kerrigan shook his head at her as she finally relaxed and succumbed to his spell. He was beginning to see how it was that his little mouse would birth a Merlin. No doubt she would be the kind of mother she’d described to him. One who held her child to her bosom with love and not resentment.
    The babe’s father wouldn’t be some nameless man who had paid for her body and left his seed inside her to take root and grow into a despised abomination. Most likely the father would be someone she cared for.
    Someone she gave her most prized possession to.
    Untoward rage gripped him.
    The thought of one of the knights of Avalon inside her was enough to make his blood boil. They were mewling half-witted bastards who didn’t deserve something like her.
    She was…
    She’s a pawn.
    Pawns didn’t matter in the game. Only winning did.
    Kerrigan let out a disgusted breath. What was wrong with him?
    I’m too idle.
    Aye, it wasn’t in his nature to sit and do nothing. But he didn’t dare leave her unattended. There was no telling what