Free SeducingtheHuntress by Mel Teshco Page A

usually overcomes my
weakness.”
    “You only ever wanted to hunt and kill a nightmix ?”
    “Yes,” she whispered. “But…things have changed now.”
    He stepped toward her. “You’re strong, brave and loyal. And
I hope you never try to change the real you inside.” His eyes glowed with
admiration. “Isabella, I—”
    If whatever he’d been about to say had been momentous, she’d
never know. They stared at one another, eyes wide and a little disbelieving at
the sound of hoofbeats that drummed louder and louder. Bits jingled and leather
creaked as the horses were pulled up sharply just outside.
    “Dad’s here,” she breathed. But at Reuben’s still form and
ashen face, all joy fled. Alarm shot through her. “You need to get out of
here,” she whispered urgently. But when he stood his ground she grew more
panicked. “Damn it, Reuben, now! Before they—”
    Boots clomped on the landing. A sharp rap sounded on the
door before it swung open.
    Her breath hissed. Soldiers! What the hell? How had they
found out about Reuben? His kind— nightmixes and even the non-shifting
black panther were protected now by order of the king—unless Reuben had done
someone harm. Holy shit . Had someone discovered he’d kidnapped her?
    Her heart bounded in her chest. The soldiers would execute
him!
    She stepped toward the lead soldier, who was no doubt the
captain of the guards. She saw his eyes flare before he looked left then
right—anywhere but at her. Guess he wasn’t used to a strange woman dressed only
in a towel. Hope flickered then burned. Perhaps he was a gentleman beneath that
hard veneer of a soldier?
    Perhaps he’d understand if she explained?
    She took a breath. “It’s not what it looks like. Reuben
didn’t do anything wrong.”
    “Isabella, it’s not necessary.” Reuben’s words for a moment
didn’t register. But what did was the quiet resignation behind them.
    The captain bowed his head before sinking onto one knee, the
other soldiers behind him following suit. “Greetings, Prince Reuben,” said the
captain.
    Isabella didn’t move. Didn’t breathe. She just stood there,
her mouth hanging open. Her shock absolute.
    “Captain,” Reuben nodded tightly in return, seemingly
totally unconcerned about his state of undress.
    “The king sent us when your return was delayed,” the captain
continued, his eyes lowered and his respect fully evident.
    Reuben nodded. “Of course he did.” He let out a weary sigh.
“I’m prepared for my return. Just…give us five minutes alone.”
    “Of course, Your Highness.”
    The soldier pivoted and he and the dozen or so other
soldiers exited the front door and closed it behind them, giving them the
privacy Reuben had requested.
    Her knees felt about ready to buckle as she looked at him,
really looked. He was royalty. He was a prince. His form blurred. Bloody
hell . She was crying again.
    She should have known by the way he carried himself, the
arrogant set of his broad shoulders and the commanding voice that he was no
commoner. While she…she was little more than a peasant with shorn hair dressed
in ugly boy’s garb.
    She hadn’t thought too much about the future, especially
knowing Reuben planned to let her go. But deep down she had wondered if maybe
things would turn out differently and that maybe she had a chance with him.
That somehow, someway, after everything that had happened they could work
things out, make a life for themselves together, even if that’d meant leaving
her village behind to be with him. God, she was pathetic.
    Reuben blew out a heavy breath before taking a step toward
her. “I’m sorry, Isabella. I should have explained.”
    She took a step back. “Yes, you should have. I let you in on
my deepest, darkest past and yet you had the biggest secret of them all!” She
shook her head, despair biting deep. “How you must have laughed at me.”
    “No, it was never like that,” he gritted out. He sighed
heavily, pushing an outspread hand