“I’m so sorry.”
“It is of no import,” he said with a charming bow. He stood with several others. Hell-horse owners she’d guess, judging by the predatory light in their eyes.
The owners, of course, were all men. They circled her like a shark circles its prey, beady eyes fixed on her. But instead of attacking, they fired questions at her.
“How can you control a hell-horse? You’re so little.” The huge towering man had the effrontery to grasp her upper arm and test her biceps for strength.
“Sir!” Camryn jerked away. When she managed to get her hands on Ry she’d commit murder. A tingle sprang to life low in her belly. Perhaps not murder but sensual torture might not go astray.
And Kaya…Kaya would face the consequences of her actions. If she were guilty, Camryn would make sure she paid.
“Were you not fearful?” a woman asked, giving a theatrical shiver. The jiggle of her bountiful breasts diverted attention from Camryn.
“How did you train the creature? What is your secret? What are you going to do now? Will you work for me?”
“No! Work for me. I will pay you well and make you rich.” The questions kept coming thick and fast until Camryn’s head spun, and still Ry didn’t come to her rescue.
But then why would he?
He had what he wanted. He’d won the race and beat his brother. He had the woman and her huge dowry. Ry had his brother’s promise to clear his name, although Camryn didn’t believe Talor would follow through with his pledge. She wasn’t sure Ry believed it either.
The dramatic blare of trumpetlike instruments blasted through the chatter, bringing a halt to questions. Someone tugged on her dress and she turned, ready to deck them.
“What do you want?” she snarled at the skinny man who had touched her arm.
“The governor wishes you to sit at the head table,” the man said in a pleasant voice, clearly expecting her to answer in the affirmative.
Sighing, Camryn accepted the inevitable. Hero of the hour or the oddity, depending upon which person discussed her ride. “Thank you. I would be honored.”
The man offered his arm to escort her to the large double doors at the far end of the room. People stood aside to let them pass.
She wished everyone would stop treating her like a heroine because she’d had no choice but to help Ry. Now with her mission accomplished, it was time to return home—no matter how much leaving hurt.
The governor sat at the head of the table. Ry sat beside him with the governor’s daughter sitting on Ry’s other side.
Camryn marched beside the courtier, each step rife with anger. She wanted to return home—she really did, but Ry had sneaked under her guard. At first it had been physical then their relationship and her feelings had grown. She’d miss him. A cold knot formed in her throat and no amount of swallowing would dislodge the obstruction.
Forgetting Ry would prove difficult, but she could do it without sliding into depression again. She’d go home and begin over. A fresh start. Hopefully her brother would forgive her past behavior.
A woman’s soft laughter drew her attention. The governor’s daughter. The woman wore her mask. Nice, but not good enough for Ry.
Jealousy flared inside her. Resentment.
When she heard the husky rumble of Ry’s voice, his laughter, Camryn wrenched her gaze away to concentrate on the courtier. He seated her in the empty seat beside the governor.
“Hello,” the governor said. “I’ve wanted to meet you.”
The governor reminded her of a plump frog. He was an ugly man, squat and rounded, but he had beautiful brown eyes. They sparkled full of life. His voice didn’t fit his appearance, the smooth and sexy tones almost mesmerizing and calming. She summoned a smile, attempting to put Ry and his new woman from her mind. Home. Soon she’d arrive home and everything would return to normal.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” Camryn said.
“The pleasure is all mine,” the man said in his chocolate-smooth voice.
Camryn suppressed a shiver. She’d bet this man could make a race commentary sound sexy.
“I know this is a celebration,” the man said. “But I wondered if I could set up a meeting with you tomorrow?”
“What sort of meeting?”
The governor covered her hand with his. “We can discuss details then. I’d love to hear about your training methods in greater detail.”
“Of course,” she said.
“Wine?” a waiter asked.
“Yes, please.” Camryn bobbed her head with alacrity. A drink sounded perfect. The waiter poured ruby-red liquid into a jeweled goblet. Before she could take a sip, the musicians stalked to the center of the room and blasted out a short, vigorous blast of music. Latecomers hurried to their seats while others ceased their chatter.
The governor stood, reinforcing Camryn’s thoughts of an amphibian. “Ladies and gentlemen. Welcome you to the Dowry Derby celebration. Those of you who witnessed the race will have relished the wonderful spectacle.” He paused and turned to Ry, a broad grin of self-congratulation on his face. “I give you the winner of the race and of my daughter’s hand in marriage, Ryman Coppersmith!”
Applause and cheers rang out. Camryn’s stomach clenched in protest.
Ry stood, aware of Camryn’s distress. Her anguish battered him even though she’d blocked her thoughts. Mogens, Kaya, Nanu and Jannike sat together, their grins wide and happy. They trusted him to stay true to his word and to split the dowry between them. The currency was easy, but the woman—that’s where things became tricky. The governor expected him to wed his daughter. He couldn’t. He felt nothing for the daughter except sympathy. Not even her attractive scent tempted him. Devil take it, he didn’t even know what she looked like. No one did. If she took after her sire, no wonder she wore a mask in public.
Camryn. She, alone, made his blood burn, his cock harden. All along he’d focused on two things—winning the race and clearing his name. His brother had set him up, and he wanted to know why. He wanted to discover why his brother wanted him dead instead of merely banished from Ibrox. At the thought of his brother, Ry sought him out amongst those at the ball. Talor wasn’t present. Ry swore as a thought occurred. He’d probably gone, trying to wriggle out of his bet.
“Gweneth, would you please stand?”
The governor’s rich voice held the attention of everyone in the room without difficulty, despite his appearance. Ry’s eyes narrowed, wondering if the ruler came from one of the magical races. He was small enough to be a Regit gnome. He turned to the daughter, searching for a clue as to race of origin.
“Please take Ryman’s hand.”
Ry bit back a protest, even as his flesh crawled, but he extended his hand, his gaze going to Camryn. His, the feline snarled through his mind. Not this woman.
Gweneth placed her gloved hand on his.
“The marriage will take place in three days,” the governor said with great satisfaction. He picked up his goblet and lifted it. “A toast. To the happy couple.”
Goblets rose. Shouts of congratulation and ribald laughter rippled across the room. Ry kept a careful smile on his face despite the horror piercing his heart.
“I am pleased you won the race,” Gweneth said in a gentle and biddable voice. “You were my favorite. I believe we will suit each other very well.”
Ry railed at fate. The governor would expect the marriage to go ahead. Beating his brother had been everything, the clearing of his name—if his brother kept his word—but perhaps he should have considered the consequences. How the blue blazes did he fix this? He picked up his goblet to find it empty and set it back down.
An instant later a waiter arrived with a pitcher. “I believe you wanted a refill, my lord,” Gweneth said.
“Thank you.”
Gweneth leaned over until her breast brushed his arm and placed her hand on his thigh. “I will be a good wife.”
Ry forced himself not to jerk away. Her scent—she smelled of delic
ate flowers instead of the sweet, exotic spice he’d become used to with Camryn. The thought of touching her brought no pleasure, no erotic expectation.
He acknowledged the truth to himself. He couldn’t marry this woman, not when he craved Camryn. No, he couldn’t marry Gweneth when he loved Camryn.
Camryn was his future. They belonged together.
Chapter Fifteen
After the ball, Ornum Hotel
“Looks like we’re gonna celebrate a wedding, captain,” Jannike said.
Ry ripped off his cravat and stomped across the hotel room they’d hired for the night. “I am not marrying the woman.”
“Why not? She seems lovely,” Camryn said.
“I don’t want to marry her,” Ry growled, anger making him want to shake Camryn. Hell and damnation, he didn’t want anyone except her.
“You should have thought about the woman before you entered the race,” Camryn said, her tone flippant.
“I entered the race to irritate my brother,” Ry snapped, taking two giant steps to bring them face-to-face. They glowered at each other, emotions crackling like the whistle of a whip. “According to my sources, the bastard has left Ornum. If I want to clear my name I’ll need to confront him on Ibrox.”
“Well now you have a wife.” Camryn turned away, igniting his temper further. He pounced, grasped her arm and yanked her against his chest. With a testy snarl, he lowered his head to claim a kiss. Exerting ownership.
His.
At first she fought him. He used his greater strength and his lips to woo her to his way of thinking. He heard the others whispering and their hasty retreat, the creak of the door when it opened and closed. Ry wrapped his arms around her in a possessive manner. Camryn was his mate and he refused to let her go.
When he pulled away, they were both breathing hard.
“I don’t want to lose you.”
“But I’m going home,” she said, her gaze narrowing as realization set in. “You’re not taking me home.” The statement came out flat. Cool and furious.
Ry winced, knowing he deserved her fury. “I can’t let you leave,” he whispered, his emotions torn.
Camryn jerked away, spitting like a feline in her wrath. “Don’t touch me.”
He held up his hands and backed away, heart pounding while guilt stabbed him. “I need you. I love you.”
“Love.” A choked laugh escaped her. “You don’t understand. I want to see my brother, get my life back to normal. I…I want to sit in Gabriel’s chair, to have my things around me and return to a routine. It’s taken me a long time to realize it, but I need normality, people around who love me. I need stability. Gabriel gave me strength. I need to find it again.”
“You can have all that with me,” Ry said in desperation. Ironic. He’d never had to fight for a woman before. Never. They fell over themselves, battling amongst each other to win his favor, all except the woman he really wanted.
“The governor intends for you to marry his daughter. She wants to marry you. You’re obligated to follow through. You signed an agreement when you entered the contest.”
After talking to the governor and his daughter, Ry knew Camryn was right. “We’ll leave. If I’m not here to marry Gweneth—”
“Run away?” The scornful note brought a rush of unaccustomed color to his cheeks.
He’d spent almost his entire life running away, labeled with the tag of murderer and thief. He was sick of running. Ry maintained eye contact despite his discomfort and went with the truth. “I don’t want to lose you.”
“You can’t have everything you want” Camryn stalked to the door and slipped from the hotel room, leaving him alone.
Ry stared at the stout wooden door before a snarl erupted. He reached for the doorknob and threw it open before prowling the hall, intent on following Camryn’s scent. Walking away wasn’t an option. Not now. The thought of separation from Camryn brought him out in a cold sweat. Ry snorted. Damn if he didn’t believe Mogens.
A mated pair.
Camryn mightn’t agree, but they were in this together. Together they could make this work. All they needed was compromise.
Camryn hovered in the reception area of the hotel, obviously realizing she’d be a target for thieves because her dress glowed like flickering candlelight. The crew stood watching her, straightening when they registered his presence.
“Don’t go outside, Camryn. Come back with me to the room,” Ry said. “We’ll talk.”
“I’ve completed my mission. You need to keep your end of the bargain. If you don’t, I’ll find another ship to return me to Earth. Kaya, can I borrow your cape?”
“Sure.” Kaya handed it over.
Camryn swung the black fabric over her shoulders and fastened the toggles on the front.
Ry planted himself in front of her, at a loss as to how to make this right. “Don’t go.”
“I can’t stay.” Camryn stepped around him and darted into the night.
Jannike placed her hand on his shoulder. “Captain, you—”
“I know,” he snarled, and strode after her.
“Touchy,” Jannike muttered.
“I don’t know about you, but I’m going too,” Kaya said. “I’m not going to miss this.”
“Me neither,” Nanu said.
Ry heard his crew and his scowl deepened. Of course they had opinions. He increased his pace. He would not let her go.
The crowd thickened and he lost sight of her. Her scent mingled with the other pedestrians and panic beat at him. It wasn’t safe on the streets at this time of night. He pushed past men, frantically searching for a glimpse of Camryn.
The furious squawk of birds told him of yet another bird fight. Cheers and booing made his ears ring. Where the blue blazes was she?
Camryn. He shoved through a gap and caught a flash of her pale face. Ry lunged through another gap, saw a man wearing a red jacket grab her and drag her into a narrow alley.
A marine?
He sprinted after them. The people milled around, slowing him down. Cursing, he pushed and shoved desperate to get to Camryn. A large man with a bald head took exception to his use of force and swung with his fist. Ry dodged the punch. He raced into the alley just as Camryn and the marine disappeared from sight. Before he had time to rush after her, someone thumped him over the head from behind.
* * * * *
Camryn fought to return to Ry for naught as the marines hustled her away. Terrified, she had problems forming her thoughts, trying to communicate telepathically.
“Where are we going?” she demanded.
The marines ignored her, instead increasing their pace. There were so many of them. It didn’t make sense.
Camryn attempted to dig in her heels but they dragged her off despite her protests, hauling her down the street and leaving one shoe behind.
“Where are you taking me?” Ry! Ry? Can you hear me?
She focused, emptying her mind of everything apart from Ry. For once she crashed through the barriers she normally kept intact. Nothing. No white noise or flashes of seductive thoughts. Just silence. Five minutes ago she would have cheered, and now she missed Ry’s presence. Worry and fear slithered down her backbone. “Where?”
“To a safe place,” one said.
Several sniggered and nudged each other. Apprehension lurched inside Camryn on seeing their faces. Something wasn’t right.
“Am I arrested? What have I done?”
The jail came into sight at the end of the street. They marched toward the fortified building, the lanterns on the main thoroughfare much brighter than the street they’d just traversed.
In front of them two men staggered along the edge of the road, holding each other upright. One burst out with a dirty ditty about a curvy trollop with a mole above her lip. Evidently she was infamous for pleasuring two men at once.
The marines marched her past a kafe shop, a pie shop and another tavern.
“I haven’t done anything. You’ve snatched the wrong person
.”
Even though they hadn’t spent much time in the city, she’d heard stories about the jail. She’d seen the way they treated the convicts, the methods they used to rob them of dignity, their humanity. Just the idea of entering the place brought shivers of horror. The smell battered her when they reached the courthouse, an indescribable stench with a hint of toilets and sweat, along with things she didn’t want to ponder. She steeled herself and breathed in a last gasp of semifresh air, prepared for the worst.
But the marines kept marching. They didn’t stop at the jail.
Her mouth dropped open in sheer surprise.
“Best shut your mouth, girlie,” the marine walking beside her said. “No telling what might glide inside.” He winked at another marine and they burst into crude guffaws.
Camryn ignored their hilarity, her mind busily working on the why of this matter. Ry? She tried again. No response. Hard pressure forced down on her chest, fear taking its toll. He’d lied to her about taking her home, intending to keep her like…like some sort of love slave.
A snort escaped. Love slave didn’t come into her job description. She had to admit Ry had a way about him that made her want to offer her body every time they were alone. Yeah, she was a willing participant when it came to Ry.
The marines quick-marched and Camryn decided she’d better pay attention instead of daydreaming about Ry and his sexual prowess. If she wanted to escape, she needed to concentrate. Collect information.
They turned into a better part of the city where the men who held office lived. Halfway along the street they halted at a townhouse. One of the marines pounded the doorknocker. A loud clatter sounded when the lock slid back. The marines waited until the door creaked open.
“They’re waiting inside for you,” the marine standing beside her said. “In you go.” He gave her a nudge in the middle of the back.
Camryn staggered forward before skidding to a halt. The last thing she saw before the door shut were the smirks of the marines. Their sniggers were audible even after she could no longer see them.
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