Free The Darkland by Kathryn Le Veque Page B

body.
Warm, strong, wonderful arms.
    "I did not say
that, exactly." He stood beside the familiar spanking seat jutting out
from the wall. "I said that I would be surprised if he did not. Obviously,
I am surprised."
    Mara frowned. There was
no use arguing with the man when all he did was prove her wrong, again and
again. Exasperated, she turned her back to him and bent over at the waist.
    "Well, go on
then," she grumbled. "Do what you must and be done with it. I have
made an easy target for you."
    He gazed at her
buttocks, covered in layers of old material. Strolling up behind her, he
reached down and grabbed her by the hair. Whirling her to face him, their gazes
collided.
    She was a tiny little
thing, barely meeting with his chest. Mara gasped, although he hadn't hurt her
in the least. But his control was obvious and his breath, when he spoke, was
deliciously hot on her face.
    "I am not going to
spank you," he growled. "But God only knows I should. You're the most
insolent, willful, sassy wench I have ever had the misfortune to meet."
    Mara swallowed, sensing
no anger in his statement. The stone-gray eyes were blazing at her, the heat
from his gaze licking every inch of exposed skin. She felt naked, vulnerable,
but strangely warm and protected. As if she were to allow herself, she would
melt right into him.
    "I tried to bank
myself at first, truly," she whispered. "But when she attacked
Micheline, I could not control myself."
    He blinked, slowly.
"Your defense of your sister is admirable but unnecessary."
    Mara could feel his
scorching body against her from chest to thigh. He was so massive he seemed to
blot out all else. "Why do you say that?"
    Kirk released her hair
and she nearly collapsed. As it was, she ended up perched on the stone seat
directly behind her, aware that her knees had given way as a result of Kirk's
overwhelming closeness. And still, she was trembling.
    "Because I shall
protect her," he said softly. "This will no longer be your fight
alone."
    Mara blinked, her
features rippling with confusion. "But... why? I never asked this of
you."
    "You did not, but I
shall assume your battle just the same." He moved toward her, his dark
hair shades of blue in the ghostly light.  "And another thing, Mara. You
will stay clear of Johanne. Do you understand me?"
    She craned her neck
back, gazing up at him. "Stay clear... why?"
    He sighed, slowly,
lowering himself onto the bench beside her. After a moment, he collected her
small hand in his massive palm, turning it over, inspecting it.
    "Because she is...
not right in the head," he murmured. "I cannot tell you more than
that. But know that she is dangerous. Already, she has a strong dislike for you
and I am concerned...."
    "Concerned for what?"
Mara could barely speak as he toyed with her hand, warm sensations firing
through her small body and causing her limbs to ache.
    He looked up from her
hand, staring into her bright blue eyes. Christ, she was such a lovely
creature. "Concerned that she might try to harm you somehow." When
Mara opened her mouth to question him, he shook his head firmly. "Please
trust me, lass. There are things about this place you do not understand and I
refuse to elaborate.  Suffice it to say that I want you to stay away from Johanne,
and away from Edmund if you can. Spend your time with me, or Lady Valdine and
Lady Wanda. Is this clear?"
    There was something in
his eyes that suggested nothing but complete obedience. Without hesitation,
Mara nodded.
    "It is," she
whispered. "But what of Micheline?"
    He sighed again,
squeezing her hand tightly. "I will do what I can for her. This I
vow."
    "Do what ?"
    He did not reply. Or
mayhap he couldn't reply. Mara did not know how long they sat there, hand in
hand, listening to the sentries call to one another or the occasional bark of a
dog.  The night around them was silent and still, the mold from the corridor
tickling her nose. In spite of the fact that it was cold, damp, and eerily
dark, there was no place