Free The Forgotten by Marly Mathews

and her eyes danced with worry.
    “If Lord Ulwyn acts in the barbaric manner that you’ve outlined to me, which I grant you is within the realm of probability seeing as I had to deal with one of his men earlier today. Nonetheless, if he acts the way you think he’ll act, then I will move out of my childhood room and let you go about your business in peace without holding you to the promise you made my mother.”
    “And what happens if you are right?” she asked, arching her left eyebrow.
    “Then, you still get to move back into your bedchamber that you’ve occupied for over a century with one stipulation.”
    “This one is going to kill me, isn’t it?” she muttered.
    “It won’t kill you…it’s nothing that horrible. In fact, it might actually make you a little less uptight. Right now, you are wound tighter than a ball of yarn.”
    She continued nervously chewing her lip. “I think I’ve already figured out what you want, and the answer is no…”
    “Why say no when you are determined that you’re right? I mean you have nothing to lose. Isn’t that what you think, Neri?”
    She nodded her head. “Fine, I’ll take the bait. What do you want from me if I lose?”
    “That’s simple. I want you. In my room and in my bed.”
    Neri’s heart slammed against her chest. She felt it almost impossible to breathe. She locked gazes with him. His eyes were filled with fire—and that fire was about to burn her badly. Her cheeks flushed, and she turned away from him.
    She couldn’t do this, she couldn’t agree to this deal and yet—yet, she wanted to so badly. She’d lived the safe way for far too long.
    How could agreeing to this bargain hurt her? She wanted to be seduced by him, she’d be willing…it wouldn’t be like her dealings with the man who had almost broken her body, mind and soul.
    Lucan was much different. She didn’t need her special abilities to tell her that. He had a good heart and a good soul. And, she could still hear Elaine’s plaintive voice as she asked her to agree to take care of Lucan and love him the way he deserved. Elaine had trusted that the two of them would suit each other—and maybe, maybe there was something to it.
    Sighing, she turned back to him.
    “I shall agree to what you want. I won’t lose anyway. You still don’t know what you’re dealing with, and you’re going to get a rude awakening when you have that bastard stab you in the back. I just pray to the Gods that you can get out of your meeting with him alive. Whatever you do, do not let your guard down. Promise me that?” she asked softly.
    “I would promise you anything, luv. Aye, I promise you to never let my guard down around him. I am not an easy man to kill, pet. I’ve only had one person get the upper hand against me in battle—and that person was a woman.”
    “As long as we have an understanding between us.”
    “We do. You are concerned for me, and that concern warms my heart.” His boyish smile made her sigh.
    “This has to end,” he said, gesturing to the empty bar and the rest of the serving room. “It’s not right. There is no fire in the fireplace over there, and the air is not filled with the delicate aroma of food cooking in the kitchens. This place doesn’t just serve alcohol, it serves food as well! My mother’s dishes used to be the envy of many a cook. She filled the empty belly of many who hadn’t the means to pay for their food—she was an angel.”
    She smiled. Some tended to invent tales concerning their relatives as they wanted to have everyone remember them for being paragons of virtue. The tales that Lucan told were the truth. He hadn’t changed any of it to make Elaine look good.
    Neri could totally agree with him. His mother was the best woman she’d ever met. She’d had a heart of gold and when Neri came to her, her belly heavy with child, she’d given her sanctuary. She’d given her love and compassion and she’d made Neri believe in people again. She’d made