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Shanara stared up at hihters do you intend to marry, my lord?"

A slow smile curved Reyes’s lips "The one in ave way to trepidation She could not deny that she was attracted to Reyes, or deny that the prospect of staying here, as his wife, was farto her father’s keep But in the next heartbeat, trepidation turned to despair She could not marry Reyes, could not conceive a child that would carry the sao, she had been certain he would never rasp "Nay"

"Aye You will be ht"

"But why? You do not love me!"

"Your father’s witch cursed me Perhaps your father will reconsider my offer when he realizes the curse will now fall on his own kin"

"And on your own!" she exclaimed in horror "Would you be so cruel as to condemn your own son to the kind of life you lead?"

He recoiled as if she had slapped hiet her with child, that he would condemn a son of his to the life he led? If so, so be it Let her think what she would

"My life is not as bad as it once was" His gaze slid over her body, his eyes dark, hot, and hungry, and filled with yearning

"Nay!" she exclaimed "I will not ht have to avenge yourself on my father"

"You will be my wife or my enemy," he said coldly "The choice is yours"

She squared her shoulders, her eyes flashing defiance "I am already your eneer cold, was as warm and seductive as honeyed wine

She lifted her chin defiantly "I will take my own life rather than marry you"

"We shall see Make whatever preparations you need We wed in a fortnight"

And with those words ringing in her ears, he took her by the arm and led her into the keep

Shanara paced her chaet away from here before it was too late Save for the witch’s curse,than returning to her father’s keep, but she would not bear a child knowing that it would be cursed to run with the wolves at the full moon How could Reyes expect it of her? How could he consider it himself?

Too upset to eat, she refused the tray that Beatrice brought her later that evening, flinched when she heard Beatrice turn the key in the lock One way or another, she had been naught but a prisoner since Reyes had defeated her uncle in battle Nay, even before that, shea woman, she had never truly known the kind of freedoh, Shanara went to theand stared down at the yard below She had to find a way out of here or, at the very least, get word to her father Surely he would come to her rescue rather than see her wed to his ene down onto theseat, she rested her chin in her hands and stared into the gathering darkness She wouldn’t be here now if she hadn’t gone to visit her uncle

Rising, she began to pace the floor once again She was still pacing when Alyce caht the fire and turn down her bed

Alyce helped her out of her dress and undergarlared at her "Why did you have to come here?"

"I assure you, it was not irl’s insolent tone and sullen expression

"Then why are you hed It cahout the keep Did his servants also know that she had refused his offer?

Alyce reached for Shanara’s brush "Lord Reyes deserves a woman who loves hientle than Beatrice’s Laying the brush aside, she began plaiting Shanara’s hair "If you had not colanced over her shoulder "Perhaps what?"

Alyce shook her head "Nothing"

"Tell le tear slid down the maid’s cheek "No one can help me"

"I cannot help you if you will not confide in me"

"I love him!" Alyce spoke the words in a rush, then clapped her hand over her ive me, my lady Please do not tell him what I said!"