Free Captive of the Deep by Michelle M. Pillow Page A

finger on her hand as if it was the first time. It caused her to ache all over—her breasts, her stomach, her thighs and sex. Only the laughter behind them stopped her from grabbing Rigel’s face and kissing him like she wanted to.
    Her mouth tingled. It was agony. His finger stopped and she drew her eyes to his. He looked the same. Was it possible all the feelings assaulting her senses were hers alone?
    She pulled her hand away under the pretense of looking behind them to the kitchen. It didn’t matter. She could still feel his touch.
    Seeing her eyes on them, the twins stopped talking and looked at her. It was hard to tell them apart but for their clothes. Brutus nodded in her direction and gave a meaningful glance to Demon, who in turn nodded once.
    “You should bring her tonight,” Demon said to Rigel.
    “Bring me?” Lyra asked, looking at the man next to her. The fluttering again assaulted her heart. “Where?”
    “To see—” Brutus began.
    “I do not think that is a good idea,” Rigel interrupted, standing.
    “No?” Demon asked, arching a brow.
    “It is a family matter,” Rigel insisted.
    “And is she not family?” Brutus challenged. “She is your ward, given the protection of our family name, and if I am not mistaken you will soon announce her as your wife.”
    “Wife?” It was Lyra’s turn to stand.
    “You were seen,” Demon gave short laugh, before saying, “out by the castle wall.”
    “Brennus and Vitus were none too quiet about your half naked trip through the hall,” Brutus added. “The king asks us often when you will make the announcement.”
    “We’re to make an announcement tonight?” Lyra shivered. Why was the idea of being Rigel’s wife not as repulsive as it should be?
    “No,” Rigel stated flatly. “There is to be no announcement. Lyra and I have an agreed upon arrangement between us.”
    This time the twins’ expressions were not so cheerful. Brutus asked, “Then there is to be no wedding?”
    “No,” Rigel answered.
    “And you agree to this?” Demon asked, shocked.
    Lyra suspected if she were to claim she was not, both brothers would be forced to defend her honor against Rigel. Not wanting to see a brotherly brawl, she nodded her head. “Yes, I have agreed to it.”
    “Had I known that was an option I would have put my bid in,” Demon muttered. “Aidan would have us think all surface dames want marriage.”
    “Dames?” Lyra repeated. “Yeah, that sounds like Aidan.”
    “Perhaps Cassandra will also be in search of a lover,” Brutus said. “If Iason brings her back from the countryside we can ask her.”
    “Do not bother. There is no way she would pick you. I am the handsomer twin. Everyone knows that,” Demon said.
    “Is that what your pleasure nymph tells you?” Brutus teased.
    Lyra closed her eyes and for a moment she could imagine it was her brothers talking, teasing each other. The ache came back. She took a deep breath, and opened her eyes. Softly, she said to Rigel, “I’m going to lie down and rest.”
    He studied her face and nodded. “We will go so we don’t wake you.”
    After saying the customary things expected of her to his brothers, Lyra slowly walked into the bedroom and shut the door.
     
* * * * *
    Rigel wondered what was wrong with Lyra. One moment she stared at him as if he had two heads, the next like she wanted to kiss him, a second later like he was the only man in the world, then as if she couldn’t run from him fast enough. With all his centuries and he didn’t seem to understand the first thing about women—or was it just Lyra?
    “You should follow her,” Brutus said.
      Rigel glanced at his brother, unsure.
    Demon nodded in agreement. “You should.”
    “Don’t you have any food in here?” Brutus asked, turning back to the kitchen area. “No wonder your ward is so skinny. You don’t feed her.”
    “All the wards are skinny this dive,” Demon said. “Whatever happened to women you could hold on