by Arial Burnz
“Unless you wish to keep your private jewels intact,” she warned, “I suggest you keep your distance, sir.” With her dagger at his groin, she tilted the silver-plated blade up to make her point.
His body stiffened against her and fear flickered across his eyes. Taking one step back, he peered down at the dagger between them and fingered the cut she sliced in his breeches. He hitched his breath and offered a respectful nod, retreating. But the sneer returned to his lips. “I see the lady is handy with a blade.” He studied the dagger before his eyes roamed her body and he crossed his arms again. “And how is it a gentile maid such as yourself came to be so experienced at close combat with such expertly crafted weapons? Mind you, I use the terms ‘lady’ and ‘gentile’ with much reluctance.” He snickered.
Cailin narrowed her eyes. “Obviously you underestimate my skills.”
“Obviously.” When Cailin tried to step past him, he countered to block her exit. “You also dodged my question.”
She clenched her jaw at his arrogance. “Aye, ’tis unbecoming of a lady to have such extensive training, but I have likely seen more tutelage in this area than you could hope to dream of, sir.”
Cailin resisted the urge to sigh at the rich laughter that rumbled from his chest and, at the same time, she wanted to punch him square in the jaw.
“Do I detect a challenge, my dear?” His eyes near sparkled at the prospect.
Oh, why do men always have to prove themselves? “Nay, dear sir, ’tis a simple fact I pass along to you for your own good. Now, if you will excuse me.”
Another bout of laughter poured from him. “As a good citizen, I cannot let you pass without extracting some justice for this poor soul you have robbed and rendered unconscious.”
It was Cailin’s turn to laugh. “Good citizen? With the crime that riddles this port? Surely you jest at dispensing justice.”
“Precisely why I can only assume a woman wandering such dangerous streets alone can only be up to ill intent.” He grinned.
Cailin stepped left, as did he. She stepped right, only to meet his expansive presence again. Not wishing any further delays, she half-heartedly swiped her dagger at him to feign him off, which he dodged effectively. She stepped back and drew her other dagger from the specially tailored belt crafted for her weapons. With it positioned low on her waist, the leather-and-steel sheaths lay against her hips and hidden amongst the folds of her gown. Narrow crossbars made it easy to withdraw the silver-plated Wootz blades, which she twirled in her hands before facing him, poised and ready. She reveled in a certain measure of satisfaction at seeing a dumbfounded expression replace his cocky demeanor. “Please step aside, sir, so that I may pass. Do not force me to do something you may regret.”
A fire blazed in his green eyes, which gleamed like opals at her challenge, and that sensuous mouth curled into a smirk. Jasper moaned and the bonnie intruder stepped forward to give the man on the ground a quick jab to the jaw, knocking him silent again. He stepped back and resumed his arrogant position.
Under different circumstances, she’d be very taken with this man. And she still couldn’t help wondering where she’d seen his face.
Throwing his cloak back over his shoulders, he revealed a broad chest that rippled under the thin material of his black shirt as he reached across his hip for his sword.
Cailin blanched. Not many men carried swords on their person in the port city of Leith—daggers were the weapon of choice and easier to conceal—and those that did rarely matched the craftsmanship of this blade. This was not a cheap, decorative sword. Out of one mess and into another. She swallowed her fear and stood her ground.
“I suggest a wager.” He winked.
“I am not a gambling woman.”
Tilting his head back, he laughed and Cailin clenched her jaw, her cheeks blooming with heat again. Amusement twinkling in his eyes, he ignored her comment. “A challenge. If you win, I shall let you walk free.”
“And if you win?”
The amusement in his eyes transformed into smoldering desire. “I shall have to take you in hand and see you submit…” His eyes raked her body. “To the proper authority.” He folded his arms in front of him, the blade of his sword sweeping up and standing erect from his fist.
Cailin’s breath left her in a rush and fire surged through her body—from the fluttering in her stomach to the tingling in her toes. She did not miss his twofold meaning, and drew a deep, steadying breath, biting her tongue; though keeping her tongue proved more difficult to manage. “We shall see about this, sir.”
With a chuckle, he advanced. Cailin had the upper hand with two blades and extensive training. Twirling her arms and bending at the waist, she parried his thrust, continued through her movement and landed a sound kick to his side, sending him sprawling into the barrels. Once the loud clatter of boxes and debris settled, he shook his head. Her opponent gazed at her with large eyes while she widened her stance and readied her blades.
His brow furrowed and he rose to his feet, adjusting his shirt and positioning his sword. “Shall we try that again?”
“I can repeat that if you are a glutton for punishment, but I think you are fool.”
He laughed. With a sweep of his sword, he forced Cailin to switch her stance to block his blade. To her dismay, he also pushed her off balance and wound his arms around her, pinning her hands behind her back. She faced him, chest against chest, seething at the advantage he had taken.
“’Tis dangerous you are with those blades.” He wrested the daggers from her and tossed them aside. “Now, how do you suppose we should settle this matter?”
She grumbled. “He tried to rob me. I defended myself and you interfered. What is there to settle?”
“You must understand, from my perspective, I saw quite the opposite.”
Cailin wriggled, making a concerted effort to free herself, but gained no purchase against him. Huffing in defeat, she said, “I care not what you think you saw. He trapped me and I was forced to defend myself.” She wiggled again and stopped when his arousal pressed against her belly. Heat stole into her cheeks and she gazed into his sea-green eyes, growing stormy with desire.
Before Cailin could utter another word, his mouth descended upon hers, capturing a seeking kiss. Surely her lack of will to resist was due to the ordeal she’d just experienced. But the flutter in her stomach told her she enjoyed this man’s touch far too much to blame exhaustion. The daydreams of her first kiss with her promised groom—what the experience would be like, how she would respond—all vanished like smoke on the wind. She never imagined this hungry, carnal reality. When his tongue teased along the crease of her lips, she opened her mouth to him, inviting a new swirl of quivers down her spine as their tongues danced. A primal heat stole into her belly and sank to settle between her legs, which wobbled and threatened to give way.
“Cailin MacDougal!”
As if a bucket of cold water had been thrown in her face, Cailin stumbled back, sputtering and struggling to gain her composure. Jasper was gone and the handsome stranger stared at her with his mouth open and his cheeks red. With a purposeful stride, Davina MacDougal marched down the alley toward Cailin and the man who had so wonderfully assaulted her mouth. Cailin rolled her eyes.
“Child, I should slap that expression from your face!” Davina stood before them, huffing her frustration, then clasped Cailin in a tight embrace. “Why must you insist on venturing out alone? This is not a jesting situation. Your life is in danger every time you wander about unescorted.”
“M’ma, Ranald and Will were right behind me, but there is something I— “
Davina held up her hand toward Cailin and turned to the man standing with his mouth open. “Well?”
He gawked at Cailin. “Mouse?”
Cailin swallowed and gaped at his face with understanding. “James Knightly,” she whispered and the blood drained from her face. Well, at least this explained why he seemed so familiar.
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br /> Note to the Reader
Thank you for taking the time to read MIDNIGHT CONQUEST. I hope you enjoyed the story! Visit my web site at http://www.ArialBurnz.com for additional historical information and facts, updates on my latest tales, appearances, contests, and writing tips. I love to hear from my readers, so be sure to leave a comment on my blog OR drop me an e-mail at [email protected].
About the Author
Arial Burnz has been an avid reader of both paranormal and fantasy fiction for over thirty years. With bedtime stories filled with unicorns, hobbits, dragons and elves, she had no choice but to craft her own tales, penning to life the many magical creatures roaming her mind and dreams. And with a romantic husband who's taught her the meaning of true love, she's helpless to weave romance into her tales. Now she shares them with the world. Arial Burnz lives in Rancho Cucamonga, California, with her husband (a.k.a. romance novel hero, and who is also a descendent of Clan MacDougal) along with their dog and two cats.
Writing as Arial Burnz (adult fiction)
Bonded By Blood Vampire Chronicles:
Midnight Conquest—Book 1
Midnight Captive—Book 2
Writing as Christine Davies (children’s books)
Where Art Thou Unicorn?