Free The Iron Princess by Sandra Lake Page A

was sure to have more bruises.
    “You were abducted?”
    “My family believes I am summering with my grandmother and aunt in Finland at the moment, if you must know. My grandmother believes I am taking an extended visit to my half brother in Korski. I am to return home with the trade ships and not expected until after the harvest.” She shoved him off and rubbed her arms. “I answered your question, now you answer mine. What are you doing here?”
    “You stupid chit, do you have any idea how much danger you are in?” Looking away from her, disgusted, Lothair spat his words into the blackness that surrounded them. “Once they find out you are the daughter of a Swedish jarl, they will take their turns raping you and then slash you into a thousand pieces.” He slammed his fist into the wall over her head.
    She swallowed and stared at his heaving chest, which was less than an inch from her nose. He had changed so much, become so much larger than she remembered. At once, all her unchaste feelings for him returned. She was beyond ridiculous to have such a reaction to him. He still was the only man that caused her body to react this way . . . with the dizzying surge of white heat that now pulsed in her veins.
    “So I take it you are with them,” she said, trying to sound as disgusted with him as possible—and hoping her traitorous body would quickly snap out of its besot stupor and get back in line.
    “What I am doing here is none of your business.”
    “The cook was told to prepare a dozen trays for the late arrivals from Specter Company, mercenaries from expatriated cavalry in the Frank kingdoms.”
    “’Tis none of your affair.”
    She slapped him as hard as she could, though there was little heat on it due to the limited range in which to wind up her swing. “How could you? Does your father know? Oh God, he is behind this vile conspiracy! He is going to betray all those he falsely lured into his alliance.”
    He shook her so hard that her teeth rattled. “Lower your voice. The duke knows nothing of my being here. I left Lubeck last year and have no intent on returning.”
    “You are a mercenary? What has happened to you?” Katia demanded. “What of your plans to protect the unprotected? What of your quest for purpose and peace? Was it all a lie to seduce me?”
    He clamped a hand over her mouth. “Shut your bloody mouth before you get us both killed.” He pressed her head harder into the wall and waited for her to calm down before relaxing his grip. “I abandoned my infantile fantasy long ago. It’s every man for himself, princess. I gather you are still years behind me in maturing.”
    She tore his hand away from her mouth. “Well, I see that there is nothing more to be said between us. If you will excuse me, I must go see after Tosha.”
    She shoved past him but he jerked her back, creating a cage with both hands fisting on the wall on either side of her head. The intimate enclosure caused the small hairs on her skin to rise and her pulse to quicken. It felt dangerous and wicked and lovely to be so close to him, and it couldn’t possibly have come at a worse time. She wet her lips, unsure if she wanted to kiss him or slap him again.
    “Tosha is with Lars. How did you think I knew where to find you?” He shoved off the wall, apparently too disgusted to keep her prisoner.
    “You’ve changed, Lothair, and not for the better. I thought you wanted to patrol for pirates, not become one!” It broke her heart to find that he had turned into a heartless rogue. She had loved dreaming of him sailing around, saving merchants, rescuing villagers. She used the noble vision of him to help soothe her unrequited love.
    “Save your impertinent speech, princess,” he growled. Pinning her to the wall with his eyes this time, he asked, “Now, what the devil are you doing here?”
    “Making a difference,” she said through a clenched jaw.
    He closed his eyes and shook his head dismissively. “By being raped