Page 23 of Bound By Deception

“But most folk fear anything connected to them.”

“That’s because most folk are ignorant. The Shee are fickle and dangerous … but they have an understanding of things we don’t.”

Fia stiffened. “It sounds as if yourespectthem,” she whispered. “Have you—”

“That’s one too many questions, woman.” Cailean moved past her to the table, where he poured them both cups of boiled water. Mead and wine had flowed during the feasting, and he wished to clear his head, not be interrogated. “Leash your tongue now.”

He turned back to her to find his bride’s eyes had narrowed, anger burning in their depths.

Cailean glared back at her. Gods, what had he married? The woman had lied to him in his missives, as had the governess of the Maids of Albia. Mother Gelda had assured him she’d senthim a dowdy lass who valued silence. Instead, they’d sent him a strong-willed woman who wouldn’t stop talking. Her questions had been so incessant this eve that his temples now felt as if vicious imps had just taken hammers to them.

His temper simmered as he approached Fia and handed her a cup of water. “Let’s get a few things straight.” He paused then, fixing her with a gimlet stare. “I never wanted a wife, but the High King demanded it. And as such, I’ve done his bidding.” He fought a lip-curl at this admission but pushed on. “However, our marriage is nothing more than an arrangement …mummery.”

Fia’s sensual lips thinned. Earlier in the day, especially after the light kiss he’d given her to conclude their handfasting, Cailean had found his gaze returning to her mouth. He stopped himself now.

“We will sit beside each other at gatherings, and you will busy yourself in wifely tasks each day as a good woman should,” he went on. “When we are alone together, you will learn to enjoy silence.” He gestured then to the nook to his left. “We will share the furs … however, I won’t touch you.”

Fia’s fingers tightened around the cup she now cradled. “Why not?”

“My reasons are my own.”

To his surprise, his wife stepped back from him and muttered something under her breath.

Cailean stiffened. “What’s that, wife?”

Her gaze met his once more, and he could have sworn he saw relief flare in her eyes before her mouth pursed. “Nothing,” she replied, her voice clipped. High spots of color had risen to her cheeks.

Cailean drained his cup of water, took his wife’s empty cup, and turned away from her, returning the vessels to the table. “Our union is an arrangement … nothing more,” he informed her coldly. He deliberately didn’t look her way as he spoke. “I get a bride, and you have thehonorof being wed to the chief-enforcer. You will be protected within these walls, shielded from poverty and hardship. That will be enough.”

Silence followed before she answered, “You never mentionedthis‘condition’ in your letter.”

Cailean glanced over his shoulder to find her scowling at him. “No, I didn’t,” he replied. “For obvious reasons.”

“You deceived me.”

“Aye … and I won’t be the first or the last to do so.”

“I don’t—”

“You lied too,” he cut her off as he removed his vest and threw it onto a chair. He then started unlacing his leather breeches, his back still turned to her. “The letters you sent me gave the impression of a quiet, obliging young woman. Instead, I get a mouthy shrew who must always have the last word.” He hardened his voice then. “From this moment on, it will cease.”

With that, he kicked off his breeches and strode naked past her to the furs.

Bree watched mac Brochan climb into the sleeping nook.

Fury pulsed like a stoked ember in her gut, although the sight of his nudity flustered her. Of course, she’d seen a naked male before—but she’d been unprepared for the sight ofhim.

The light of the fire and the single cresset that burned upon the stacked-stone wall played across his tattooed skin. The chief-enforcer was all brawn, his muscles rippling as he moved. He bore several scars, many of them silvered with age, upon his chest and back, and one, still slightly pink, upon his right thigh.The males of her race were tall and lean, even if hard-muscled. But this mortal’s brute strength was unsettling.

And she couldn’t help herself—her gaze dipped to his groin as he strode past her, to what hung between his thighs. Even unaroused, he was big.

Bree swallowed, weakness flooding over her. Of course, she was relieved he wasn’t going to rut her. She certainly didn’t want him forcingthatinside her. And yet, a different kind of heat ignited in her lower belly at the thought—one that she hurriedly quashed.

Shades, she’d nearly gotten herself in serious trouble moments ago, for she’d muttered a damning insult regarding his lack of sexual prowess under her breath. She was lucky he hadn’t caught her words.

Even so, as her anger slowly ebbed, she cursed herself for not handling her husband better. Gil’s comments came back to taunt her then.You won’t last the distance … you’re incapable of getting close to anyone … and even feigning it will be a challenge.

Iron smite her smug brother, how right he was. She’d only been in Duncrag a day, and already she was losing control of the situation.

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