Free Magic in His Kiss by Shari Anton Page A

sirs, pray make yourselves comfortable on the pallet before the lady can no longer breathe!” Rhodri commanded.
    Walter growled his displeasure, but her desperate plea had the desired effect. To Nicole’s relief, both Sir Walter and the guard sidled along the wall, obeying Rhodri’s order.
    Dear God in heaven, was Sir Walter truly allowing Rhodri to escape?
    And wasn’t Rhodri’s release precisely what she’d set out to accomplish this morn?
    Not like this, however, with his hands at her throat, threatening her life. Certes, she didn’t approve of his method of escape, of being used in such harsh fashion!
    Except… his scheme seemed to be working. And certes, she might not have arranged his escape, but she’d given him a weapon—herself—that he’d used to his advantage. Resourceful of him, she reluctantly admitted. Later, she would ensure Rhodri fully appreciated her cooperation in his escape, but not until they were safely away from the tower.
    Surely, if he managed to get beyond the castle grounds, then through the town and beyond the town’s walls—a daunting task—Rhodri would soon be on his way back to Wales.
    “Give the lady the key,” Rhodri told the guard.
    The guard looked to Walter, who grimaced as he nodded. “Do as he says.”
    Nicole gingerly reached out a hand, not wishing to test Rhodri’s grip on her throat. The guard looped the string over her fingers and stepped back.
    One slow step at a time, Rhodri guided them out the doorway and kicked the heavy door shut. He released her, and while she drew in a much-needed, ragged deep breath, he snatched the key from her hand and locked the guard and Walter in the cell.
    She was rubbing at her throat when Rhodri did the completely unexpected. With a huge smile and no forewarning whatsoever, he grasped her upper arms and kissed her thoroughly, banishing all thought from her head but the glory of his lips on hers, before just as suddenly and dismayingly releasing her.
    “Well done, Nicole! Now let us depart this place,” he said, still smiling. “’Twill not be long before they raise a cry.”
    Stunned, she could only stare at the man who’d in one moment threatened to break her neck and in the next kissed her in so sublime a manner her mouth felt ravished and her knees had gone wobbly.
    After a mental shake to clear the fog that seemed to have formed in her head, she asked, “Have you a plan?”
    “Nay. We are devising as we go.” He waved a hand at the stairs. “Swiftly, if you please.”
    “Not we, you. Hurry! Go!”
    He arched an eyebrow. “You wish to remain in Oxford?”
    “Nay, I wish to go back to the abbey.”
    “Surely you do not believe the earl will allow you to! Come, Nicole. You cannot be so naive.”
    She winced at the accusation, admitting Rhodri was likely correct about the earl. De Vere had already refused to allow her to return to the abbey. He’d be as steadfast if she asked to go home. Likely, after learning how Rhodri escaped, the earl wouldn’t allow her out of her bedchamber until the king arranged her marriage.
    The prospect of being shut away in the bedchamber for who knew how long churned her insides. Escaping Oxford with Rhodri suddenly seemed the least objectionable choice.
    Irritated beyond measure at this turn of events, Nicole descended the stairs as quickly as she could with the bulky harp in her arms, belatedly beginning to wonder at the wisdom of attempting to flee an efficiently guarded castle at midday. Surely they should wait until the cover of darkness before attempting an escape so daring. But because of Rhodri’s impulsive action, they’d now be forced to risk an escape with the garrison on alert.
    Upon reaching the lower floor, she stopped and shoved the harp at him, giving him no choice but to take it.
    “Are you angry with me?” he asked.
    She gave him credit for noticing. “For a time I was not sure whether or not you would break my neck.”
    He shrugged. “I know, but I also knew the