Page 71 of Bound By Deception

30: UNDER MY SKIN

THE CHIEF-ENFORCER HALTED, his gaze raking over Bree.

Staring back at him, she swallowed a scream of frustration. Everywhere she turned, this whoreson was always there, thwarting her. How she longed to thrust a blade between his ribs.

Pushing down her rage, Bree sucked in a deep breath before letting it out slowly. “That was a brief meeting, husband,” she said, surprised at how calm she sounded.

His mouth pursed. “Fast but decisive … I’m riding out with my enforcers and a host of warriors at first light.”

Bree went cold. Ancestors, what had he learned? “Is the High King going with you?”

“No, Prince Kennan has that privilege.”

“Where are you going?”

“I’m not telling you that, wife.” Mac Brochan advanced on her then, yet unlike earlier, Bree didn’t back away. “Such information is privileged. I wouldn’t tell you, even if I trusted you … which I don’t.”

She held his eye, even as the blood roared in her ears.Kill him!

However, taking down two unsuspecting guards who had their backs to her was one thing—fighting the chief-enforcer and his fae hound was another. Bree had the wits to know when she was outmatched.

“We have much to discuss,” he said then.

“Do we?” Bree put her hands on her hips and raised her chin.

“Aye … you were about to tell me how youreallylearned your fighting skills … and about what happened to your escort.”

“I’ve already responded to both questions.”

“You lied.” He loomed over her now, his eyes stormy, a muscle working in his jaw. “I want thetruth.”

“And if I don’t give you the right answer?” she shot back, unable to stop herself from goading him now. “What will you do? Torture me?”

His mouth twisted. “That’s our High King’s pleasure, not mine.”

Bree snorted. “Really? You mean you don’t enjoy spilling a little blood … watching fear bloom in your victim’s eyes?”

“When they truly vex me, aye,” he growled back.

Heat pulsed in Bree’s gut now. “And doIvex you?”

His gaze narrowed. “I know what you’re doing, Fia … and it won’t work.”

“What am I doing?” She shoved him in the chest. Ancestors, it was like smacking a boulder.

“Trying to draw my attention from the matter at hand.”

Snarling a curse, she lashed out at him then, aiming for his jaw. Aye, she was outmatched, but she could still do some damage.

Mac Brochan caught her wrist, and she struck at him with her other fist. He caught that one too, and she lunged toward him, bringing her knee up to drive it into his cods. However, moving at breathtaking speed, he spun her around and shoved her forward.

One moment they were standing in the center of the alcove, the next Bree found the front of her body flattened against the stone wall on the far side. Her husband held her fast, while his hands pinned her wrists at her sides.

Behind them, Skaal growled. The low, threatening rumble carried across the alcove.

“Brute,” Bree gasped, struggling in his hold. It was impossible to budge him though. Curse it, she was so weak in this body.

“Aye.” His breath whispered against her ear. “But this is the side of me you constantly try to provoke, isn’t it?”

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