The Gaul’s jaw tightened as if he took offence at her response. “Get changed.” His voice was harsh. “Your things are there.” He jerked his head to her pack, which had been ripped open and the contents strewn across the forest floor.
Next to the broken body of Drustan.
Her stomach twisted and regret speared through her heart. It was her fault he was dead. Her fault they were all dead. If she hadn’t been so determined to seek out Caratacus and avenge Gawain, they would all still be safe on the Isle of Mon.
Safe. Hiding from the enemy once again. The way they had hidden from the enemy before.
The way she’d vowed she would never hide again.
Swallowing the bitter taste of defeat, she hobbled toward the scattered items. She hoped they’d left her medicine bag intact. If she was going to escape, she needed to deaden the agony in her leg and the multitude of other aches and pains flaring across every particle of her body.
And slip something into the Gaul’s waterskin. Something to incapacitate him so she could take his horse, equip herself with weapons and find the rebels.
With a smothered groan she sank to her knees and began to gather her things. She heard the Gaul mutter an oath and stamp toward her. “Here.” He thrust one of her gowns into her arms. “You’ll have to forgo tending your wounds until we stop for the night.”
Instantly she became aware of her exposed back, and heat rushed through her at the way she’d allowed him unfettered access to gloat over her battered flesh. She slung him a resentful glare but he missed it because he was snatching up her possessions from the ground as if they were a personal affront to his existence.
For a fleeting moment an odd warmth wormed through her sore heart at his apparent thoughtfulness. And then reality returned.
He wanted to hurry her along. So he could start his journey.
She shuffled around so her back faced him and gingerly tugged the ruined gown from her shoulders before pulling the new one over her head. Curse the gods, her limbs were stiffening at an alarming rate. She’d have to poison him quickly, before they even left this forest, so she could find safety to rest before fatigue overwhelmed her.
As she tossed her bloodied gown against a nearby tree, he once again hunkered before her, her pack clasped loosely in one large hand.
“Are you ready? We have a long ride ahead before the first inn.”
His words might have extended sympathy, if his voice wasn’t so hard and his expression so impassive. But she didn’t want his sympathy.
Only a modicum of trust so she could overpower him with her herbal magic.
“Yes.” She glanced toward her fallen Druids. “But aren’t we going to prepare them for their journey onward?” She may have lost faith but her companions deserved their rightful ceremonies. And while she was preparing the sacred ritual, she’d find a way to contaminate the Gaul’s supplies.
“No.” His response was as uncompromising as it was unexpected. She stared at him in disbelief. He might be a Gaul, but he was still of Celtic blood, and unless prevented by battle they never left their dead kin to the mercy of carrion crows.
“No?” Had she misunderstood?
He gave an impatient sigh. “I’ve no time for this. Their gods will grant them safe passage for so honorable a death.”
“Honorable?” She snatched her pack from him and rifled through it, searching for her supplies of herbs and roots. “They hid behind trees. That’s not the Roman way.”
“No, it’s the Gaul way.” He held an intricately embroidered bag in front of her nose. “I’ll take care of this. I don’t trust you not to attempt to poison me as soon as my back’s turned.”
She refused to give him the satisfaction of responding. And since her options were severely limited, she’d pretend subservience, wait until he lowered his guard and then revert to her original plan.
“Where are you going?” Her voice sounded haughty even to her own ears. But she’d never been a slave. Never deferred to any but senior Druids. If she wanted to fool this Gaul, she’d have to try harder than that.
But she still couldn’t help glaring. He’d have to be a village simpleton not to guess her true feelings toward him.
He eyed her, as if weighing whether she deserved an answer or not.
“Camulodunon. It’s three days’ hard ride from here, and I can’t afford a slower pace to accommodate you.”
Camulodunon. Her seething resentment against her captor vaporized as prickles of shocked excitement skittered through her blood.
Reports had reached them on Mon that their beloved princess, Morwyn’s dearest friend, had escaped the Emperor’s wrath and migrated to the prosperous Roman town.
She’d never thought to see Carys again. Had accepted their lives had splintered and their paths were no longer destined to cross.
Anticipation bubbled deep in the pit of her stomach. This could well be her only chance of traveling to Camulodunon. Once there, surely she could hunt down her friend and discover how she was. Perhaps even persuade her to return to Cymru and fight beside the Briton king?
Half-formed plans of escaping the Gaul fragmented. She’d use him to give her safe passage to Camulodunon. Once there, she could lose him, find Carys and heal her own injuries. She might even uncover information useful to the rebellion.
If she still believed in such things, it was almost as if the gods were conspiring to bring them together again. But she didn’t believe in her gods. When her people had needed their protection the most, they deserted them. And in their vindictiveness they turned on the very ones they were meant to defend, leaving them vulnerable to the encroaching Roman Legions who now swarmed across her beloved land.
An odd sensation of loss whispered through her soul, sending chills across her arms and an accompanying ache deep in her breast. She needed to speak to someone who understood her lack of faith.
And who better than Carys, who’d turned her back on the Morrigan before Morwyn even conceived of the goddess’ fallibility?
“Whatever you’re planning,” the Gaul said, “you can forget it. Can you stand?”
She ignored his outstretched hand and pushed herself upright. Flames ate through her thigh and clawed into her hip. She dug her teeth into her lower lip and hunched her shoulders in an effort to contain the hiss of pain that threatened to escape. Nothing was broken. Her muscles were only badly bruised. In a day or so her leg would once again support her full weight.
She’d be fully mobile by the time they reached the town. She’d make sure of it.
And then something occurred to her that twisted all her plans inside out. “Do you intend to take me all the way to Camulodunon?” Or murder her on the way, after she’d served her purpose?
“Yes.” His response was uncompromising, as if he expected her to argue the fact. He took her pack from her and secured it to his horse. “And if you don’t cause me too much grief, I’ll bring you back again. Allow you to find your people.”
“Noble of you.” The words were out before she could prevent them and she ignored the dark look he slung her way. She gritted her teeth as she limped toward his mount. She didn’t want to antagonize him now, not when he was taking her where she wanted to go. But if he insisted on displaying such arrogance, who could blame her for responding?
“On the other hand I may decide to keep you indefinitely.” His smile was anything but friendly. “What’s your name?”
She sucked in a deep breath. She needed him so she had a chance of finding Carys. No matter what he said to her, all she had to remember was as soon as they reached Camulodunon she was free. If telling him her name lulled him into a false sense of believing she was willing to obey his every command, it was a very small thing to offer.
“Morwyn.”
He maneuvered the horse so it stood next to a fallen log, giving her easier access. At least it would have been easier, had she been able to risk putting all her weight on her injured leg. She hovered for a moment, unwilling to ask for his
help and yet knowing she had to.
“You can call me—”
“Yes, I know. Dunmacos.” She spat the name at him. Curse the gods, could she not learn to hold her tongue? Before he had the chance to respond, and judging by his icy glare he certainly intended to respond, she temporarily smothered her wounded pride. “I fear I require assistance.”
Without a word he mounted his horse and then hauled her onto the padded leather seat as if she weighed nothing. She suppressed the flicker of awe at his strength, because it was nothing to admire. It meant he was in prime condition. Less likely to give up searching for her when she escaped, if such escape angered him sufficiently.
His hard, muscled arms snaked around her, resting against the tops of her thighs. She tried to keep her gaze straight ahead but couldn’t help glancing with depraved fascination at the deep scars on his forearms and battle-worn fingers as they loosely held the leather reins.
“Get comfortable.” His chain mail grazed her back and she jerked forward, straightening her spine even farther in an attempt to keep some distance between them.
It was bad enough his slightest touch caused forbidden lust to rage through her blood. Hard enough to accept she found every part of his body irritatingly intriguing. She certainly didn’t want to risk leaning against his chest. Her body would likely puddle with frustrated longing.
She was under no illusion that once they stopped for the night, once she was no longer covered in filth and blood, he’d take her. What galled her was that the knowledge didn’t fill her with disgust or terror.
But what did it matter how she felt? Until they reached Camulodunon, she was his captive. She could fight the inevitable or she could use it to her advantage. Pretend to succumb, to enjoy his touch. Allay his suspicions that she wanted only to run her spear through his foul heart.
She’d taken an oath to never enjoy another lover. Partly because she’d been so devastated over the discovery that Aeron, the only man she’d ever loved, was a traitor to their people and partly out of a sense of obscure respect for Gawain’s memory.
But mostly she’d taken the vow as vengeance against the Morrigan. The goddess who demanded her children should never deny the exquisite gift of sexual pleasures she had bestowed upon them.
As the Gaul urged the horse forward, blood heated her face, spread across her breast and pooled between her thighs. She could delude herself as much as she liked but the truth was plain. She wanted the Gaul. There was no doubt he would claim her that night.
He was an enemy of her people. To enjoy his touch was paramount to treason. The Morrigan would rage at the indignity. Curse at the corruption of her decree.
Her temples pounded and she gripped the wooden-framed saddle to keep her balance as the perfect solution unfolded in her mind like dark, loathsome petals. She could enjoy the Gaul and still keep her vow. Because to willingly embrace the oppressor of Cymru would infuriate Aeron’s evil soul, not touch Gawain’s uneasy rest and most of all incense the Morrigan beyond endurance.
Chapter 3
Trogus was still battling a black rage and an unrelenting erection as he and the other four exploratores entered the garrison, leading the traders’ horses. He wasn’t due any leave for days, so visiting a local whore was out. And unless he managed to drag a passing slave girl into a dark corner and slake his lust, all he had to look forward to was self-gratification.
Again.
Fucking Dunmacos. Shoving his nose where it wasn’t wanted. Trogus couldn’t even report him, since that would result in the bastard informing the praefectus that they’d attacked a group of traders.
Fucking stupid law. Who gave a shit if a few more Cambrians perished? As far as he was concerned they were all fair game. Being posted to this barbaric province after the exotic splendors of the East was intolerable. Why shouldn’t they avail themselves of a few luxuries when opportunity arose?
The horses they’d have to give up to the Legion, but the enameled bridles, jewel-encrusted daggers and other various goods would fetch a good price on the black market.
But he’d coveted the dark-haired woman. The bitch who’d murdered his fellow tribesman. If Dunmacos didn’t kill or sell her before returning, then by the gods Trogus would find a way to have her.
And make her pay.
So intent on the many and varied ways he intended to make the Cambrian whore pay for depriving him of both quenching his lust and the company of a man he’d considered a friend, he scarcely acknowledged the greeting of an approaching auxiliary.
Until the other man stopped in front of him and gripped hold of the metal bridle, blocking his path.
“Trogus. You serve with Dunmacos, don’t you?”
Trogus shifted on the saddle, trying to ease the frustration pounding through his cock. “What of it?”
The auxiliary jerked his head toward his silent companion. “Gervas is blood kin. He arrived with the new contingent from Carthage this morn.”
Trogus hid his disgust. Dunmacos was bad enough, but another of his kin in the same garrison was pushing sanity.
“Dunmacos is on dispatches.” He wondered if that was common knowledge. “I believe.”
Gervas stepped forward. Despite the advantage of still being mounted, a chill slithered along Trogus’ spine. Bastard looked even meaner than Dunmacos.
“It’ll be good to see my cousin again.” Gervas’ pale blue eyes bored into Trogus’ and he resisted the urge to look away, despite the understated aura of menace that radiated from the other man. “I weary of following his progress through reputation alone.”
Trogus grunted in grudging assent. Dunmacos’ reputation was certainly admirable and the reason why Trogus took his shit. He had no desire to be facing the wrong end of the other Gaul’s sword.
“If my sources are true and he’s on dispatches, you’ll see him again before the week ends.”
Gervas’ fingers idly stroked the handle of his sword. “I look forward to it.”
Chapter 4
Although he wasn’t holding shield or sword, through sheer habit Bren used leg control to guide his horse along the wide Roman highway. It had nothing to do with being unwilling to move his hands from Morwyn’s firm thighs.
He glanced down at her head. Her hair was tousled, matted with dried earth and crushed grasses, and he resisted the impulse to unbraid her plait and use his fingers to unsnarl her tangles.
Gods. Briefly he closed his eyes. What had he been thinking to drag her with him? But what else could he have done—left her there, alone and defenseless?
If Trogus had returned, her life would be forfeit. And even if she’d escaped the other auxiliary’s wrath, the forests and mountains were swarming with legionaries far from home who wouldn’t think twice about using a lone Cambrian woman for their own barbaric pleasure.
Isn’t that what I intend?
He’d done many unpalatable things in his life. Taking a woman by force, even if that woman happened to be an enemy, wasn’t one of them.
And Morwyn wasn’t his enemy, no matter what she thought. Would she put up much resistance if he demanded her compliance? Had he imagined the way her lush body had molded against his as he’d pinned her to the forest floor?
He let out a measured breath and forced the memory aside. Now wasn’t the time to start with the erotic fantasies. He was behind schedule, his progress inevitably hampered by his unexpected traveling companion, and needed to make up the miles before they could rest this night.
Much as it galled him to admit, the graveled highway certainly improved the speed of travel. Unfortunately it also made troop movement easier from one side of Britain to the other.
But the rebels had no intention of fighting the Romans in the open countryside. Their strength lay in their knowledge of the land, the ability to melt into the forests and mountains. They’d weary the Legions with incessant attacks, demoralize their ranks and insidiously spread the rot from within.
Gaul, the homeland of his father’s ancestors, h
ad finally succumbed to Roman dominance during his great-grandfather’s lifetime.
Eight years ago the first Legion contaminated Briton soil, the birthplace of his mother’s lineage. But it had been another three years before he’d taken heed of her kin’s call for rebellion.
Two years later he’d buried his old life. But when they triumphed over their enemies, as they would, what then? He’d no longer be Dunmacos. Would no longer need to pretend an allegiance that turned his gut with disgust.
He’d be free to return to his previous existence. Except there was nothing left for him to return to.
At the first post house he pulled over to change horses.
“Need any help?” He wondered if the woman was exaggerating the extent of her injuries, in an attempt to lower his guard. It wouldn’t work.
She pressed her lips together and swung her leg over. “No, thank you.” She took her time reaching the ground and then swayed as if momentarily disorientated. “Are we stopping to eat?”
He unhitched the saddle packs as a young boy ran from the stables to assist.
“No.” When was the last time she’d eaten? He turned to the boy. “We’ll take bread and dates with us.” He had military rations but why use those when fresh food was available?
Morwyn heaved a sigh and he glanced at her. She was looking at the timber-built post house with its flint courtyard as if she’d never seen anything like it before. She probably hadn’t. It had been constructed for use by the Emperor’s Imperial Post, and the only reason they could travel this way was because he’d been granted a special permit from the garrison’s commander.
“Do you make this journey often?” She limped toward him and he glared at the way her eye had swollen shut since they’d left the forest. It looked as if she’d been punched in the face.
“Rarely.” But he knew Camulodunon well. In his youth he’d spent a great deal of time in the ancient Briton town, before the Romans had invaded.
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