Excerpt copyright @ 2019 Kara Griffin
He wished Dallis Buchanan was there in front of
him for he’d make sure she understood what her deceit cost. He could’ve laughed
for she thought by bringing him to Percy, she’d be given her freedom. Percy
didn’t have a qualm about going back on his word to her. Good, he thought, at
least that would suffice as repayment for her betrayal until he could get to
her.
Brodin would free the lass and then he’d make
her life a living hell. Why had he trusted her? For years he’d guarded himself
against devious women. Och, it took but one gaze from a bonny face to sway his
reason. His caution fled with the bat of her pretty eyelashes, the sway of her
curvaceous hips, and the supple crease of her sweet lips. He deserved what he
got and wished the guards had given him more punishment. The beating didn’t
allay his guilt or stupidity.
For the next hour, he replayed the event in his
head. Gilroy bravely tried not to give him away. The only reason he had was to
save the lass. Why would he care about her? The Buchanan lass wept when Percy
killed Gilroy. Had she cared for him? It mattered not now. Brodin sighed at the
thought – if she hadn’t pleaded for him to come, Gilroy would still be alive.
The door banged open and Percy entered with two
soldiers.
Brodin resisted the soldiers, but they forced
him to stand.
“Are you one of the
Bruce’s renowned guard?” Percy stepped forward. “I must know the truth.
The lad did not confirm it as I hoped he would.”
Brodin pierced him with his gaze and wouldn’t
speak a word.
After a moment of silence, Percy scoffed.
“There are ways to gain your words.” He turned and waved a soldier inside the
cell.
The soldier entered and set a table inside the
doorway. He retreated and entered again with an armful of metal objects. The
torture instruments clanged when he tossed them on the table top. In an effort
to sway him, the executioner took his time in deliberately setting the items in
place of their use. His eyes kept averted, and once he finished the task, he
cleared his throat indicating he was ready.
“You will answer my questions … and if not, I
shall get to entertain my fine soldiers. I ask again, are you one of the
Scottish king’s guard?” Percy stepped back and took a dagger from the table. He
used it to rend his tunic and stripped it from his body.
Brodin flinched when Percy took a two-inch
strap and smacked his palm with it as he approached. He handed it to his
soldier.
“Let us see if we can loosen his lips. Five
lashes.”
Brodin’s arms were taken by another guard, and
his hands tied to a rope which hung from the ceiling. The soldier began his
task, and each slash of the leather strap stung and tore at his skin. But
Brodin refused to be entertainment for these English curs. He growled low in
his throat when the strap hit him. He closed his eyes and envisioned Gilroy
staring at him right before his death.
“I need to know for if I take your head to my
king and you are not one of the guard, he
will be displeased. If my king is displeased, I shall be displeased.” He
twitched a finger. “Five more lashes. And don’t go easy on him. We shall get
our answer.”
As his punishment came, Percy leaned against
the wall with a smug, satisfied look on his face. Brodin closed his eyes. He
focused on her – Aye, the woman would pay for her deceit against Gilroy and
him. He’d see to it.
“Perhaps you care for Dallis Buchanan? No man can resist such beauty. You want to lie betwixt her legs as I have?
Confess and I shall release her and allow her passage home.” Percy pulled away
from the wall and approached.
Brodin remained silent and motionless. He cared
not if she was confined for the rest of her days. She lied about her
relationship with the man. What did he care if she shared his bed? Hopefully, the act wasn’t one of passion but
pain. Aye, that would have to suffice as repayment for now.
Percy patted his shoulder. “She’s well worth
the tumble. The woman adores me. She’ll do everything I say. If I tell her to
end you, she shall. If I tell her to retrieve the rest of your comrades, she
shall.”
He hated the man’s touch on his skin and wanted
to fling him away, but he wouldn’t give him the satisfaction. Brodin lowered
his gaze, breathing irefully and heavy. As soon as he got his hands on Dallis
Buchanan, she’d breathe her last.
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