Page 57 of The Warrior's Innocent Captive

He’d touched her all over and made her come apart, all the time keeping the truth from her.

Erik didn’t have a sister.

Erik had hit Katherine so hard he had knocked her unconscious.

Everything Erik had told her had been a lie.

He was as much of a traitor as the men who had betrayed her father. He was worse because he had taken her innocent trust in him and used it against her.

She would never forgive him.

Chapter Thirteen

Everything hurt.

The whole world was pain.

Erik rolled on to his side, searching for relief, but something stopped him. His left arm was pulled taut above him, his muscles straining in agony.

He tugged, trying to release the pain; metal clunked heavily and his head swam.

He blinked, forcing his eyes open.

He was in his own chamber, but... He raised his gaze to his arm. A thick manacle encircled his wrist and was secured at the other end to the wall by a thick chain.

He closed his eyes, remembering Jarin’s look of bewildered hurt and Katherine, so small and defenceless, lying on the ground, knocked down by a punch he should never have wielded.

What he’d done was unforgivable. No wonder Jarin had him chained up. He was lucky Jarin hadn’t had him locked into the dungeons; it was no less than he deserved.

He slumped back on the bed, wincing as his bruised muscles protested. Jarin had hit him hard and, because Erik knew he deserved it, he’d let Jarin do his worst.

Hell, he’d have beaten himself over what he’d done to Katherine if that were physically possible. He remembered the sound of Katherine’s tiny body hitting the floor with a thud and he doubled over, retching.

When the spasms subsided he tried to settle his body. He had to get out of here and go to Linota. He needed to explain what had happened before she heard it from someone else and hated him. Of course, she might already know everything, but if he could just explain. If he could show her that he hadn’t had a choice. If she truly loved him like she said she did, then she would at least listen to him. Surely!

He closed his eyes tightly. He was an unfeeling bastard. How could he even think about Linota forgiving him when he had failed to rescue Isabel? He was the worst sort of man, thinking only of himself and his own pleasure.

He would search out Isabel first and then go to Linota. He would make sure his niece was safe and then see to his wants and desires. But first he needed to get out of these chains.

A key sounded in his chamber door. He slumped back on to the bed and tried to even out his breathing. Perhaps whoever it was would leave him alone if they thought he was sleeping.

Heavy footsteps sounded across the room and Erik sighed quietly—he’d recognise that tread anywhere. Jarin had come to question him and there was no way he would believe Erik was asleep. They knew each other too well. He opened his eyes as Jarin neared the bed, bracing himself to see hatred on his brother’s face.

He didn’t move as Jarin loomed over him.

Jarin’s face was oddly blank. No emotion shone in his eyes and Erik swallowed. Somehow, seeing the blank look, the one Jarin used whenever he was being the Earl and not his friend, was worse than anger.

Erik licked his lips. ‘How is Katherine?’

‘Still unconscious,’ said Jarin flatly.

Erik closed his eyes. He would not be able to live with himself if Katherine died. ‘I’m sorry.’

Jarin nodded brusquely. ‘I’m sure you are. Tell me why you did it.’

‘I wanted to get out of the room and you were holding me. I never intended—’

Jarin tusked in annoyance. ‘I don’t mean why you hit Katherine. I could have killed you last night for punching her, but I’ve calmed down. I know you never intended to hurt her, only me. You’ve succeeded, by the way. I am hurt, only the wound is not visible.’

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