Page 34 of The Warrior's Innocent Captive

Linota’s breathing was coming quick and fast. She leapt over Gamel just as Erik came bursting through the trees.

‘Linota,’ he cried.

She flung herself into his arms and began to sob as his arms came around her and held her tightly.

‘I think I’ve killed him,’ she said against his chest.

‘Good,’ Erik growled. ‘The bastard deserves to die.’

‘I don’t want to be a killer,’ she sobbed.

Erik stroked her back. ‘It’s all right, my love. It’s all right.’

Behind them, Gamel groaned.

‘You’ve not killed him. He’s moving.’ Erik made to step towards Gamel, the steel in his voice leaving her in no doubt of his intentions.

‘No!’ Linota grabbed his sleeve. ‘Please. I don’t want you to kill him on my behalf. I want us to go.’

Erik growled, his arm rigid beneath her fingers.

‘Please, Erik.’

He glanced down at her. His eyes were swirling with rage. She licked her lips as her body tightened: laughing he was beautiful, furious he was devastating.

‘Please,’ she whispered.

‘Very well. I won’t kill him, but...’ He stepped past her and kicked the prostate man, who slumped back to the ground. ‘If he comes after us again, he will die.’

Linota nodded.

‘Come on. Let’s get you back on Cai.’

Erik bent down and picked up her cloak. He slipped it over her shoulders and did up the clip for her. She was grateful for the action because she didn’t think her own fingers would manage it. Even knowing she wasn’t a killer didn’t stop them from trembling violently.

Erik put his arm around her and she leaned into his firm body. He pressed her to him as they made their way to Cai.

He helped her up on to the horse, but this time he vaulted himself up behind her. He snuggled her close to his chest and kicked Cai into motion.

Linota only realised she was crying again when Erik murmured against her hair.

‘Please stop, my love. You are killing me.’

‘I need to wash him off me,’ she said. ‘I feel as if he is still crawling all over me.’

‘We’ll be in Borwyn’s township before the day is over. I will arrange for a large bath to be brought to you straight away.’

She squirmed. ‘I can’t wait that long. I need to get him off me now.’

‘My love, he’s lying in a stream. He’s not on you any more. I know it feels—’

‘No, I don’t think you do know how it feels. His touch has made me unclean. I do not need the water to be warm, only for it to wash him away.’

He nodded against her head. ‘All right.’

He turned Cai towards the left. ‘There’s a lake, but, Linota...’

‘Yes?’

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