Page 58 of Desire's Ransom
Chapter 16
The moon was high overhead when Ryland awoke to the sound of heavy snoring. It took him a moment to recall where he was. Another moment to realize that the furry head smashed up next to his belonged to a wolfhound.
He grimaced. He loved dogs as much as anyone. But he didn’t particularly like their wet noses in his face. Especially when they were snoring loud enough to wake the dead.
He gave the hound’s body a jiggle to stir him from sleep, intending to prod him back down to his mistress’ feet, where he belonged. But when the dog lifted his head, the snoring continued.
It must be the other hound.
Ryland sat up on an elbow.
But the second dog was awake, staring at him.
Then Ryland peered down at the woman beside him.
The woman with lovely moonlit skin.
The woman with lashes that kissed her cheeks like black snowflakes.
The woman whose lips looked like the soft petals of a rose.
That beastly snoring was coming fromher.
He grinned. Somehow that was incredibly endearing.
He swept the hair back from her face and gave her shoulder a gentle shake, stirring her just enough to stop her sawing. She sighed and snuggled deeper into her cloak.
When he pulled back his arm, his smile faded. He realized he probably shouldn’t have done that.
Ryland was as good as married. He shouldn’t be finding anything about Gray endearing. He should be faithful to his bride. Succumbing to the temptations of other women was a sign of moral weakness.
The hounds were both staring at him now, as if asking him what he intended to do about it.
He didn’t have the answer.
What he needed to do most right now was relieve himself of the ale he’d drunk earlier.
For safety, he’d take one of the hounds with him. The dog would warn him of any danger. And if the woodkerns suspected their hostage meant to escape, they’d see he was well-guarded.
Careful not to disturb Gray, Ryland eased up from the ground and gestured to Flann to come with him.
Bran wanted to come as well, but Ryland didn’t want to leave Gray unguarded. He held out his palm and whispered, “Stay.”
Bran dutifully lay back down, lowering his head onto his paws.
Taking Flann by the collar, Ryland stole across the clearing and into the trees. He hoped he wasn’t choosing a tree that was occupied by one of the outlaws. It was hard to tell in the milky moonlight.
Selecting a tree he hoped was sufficiently remote from the camp, he untied hisbraies. Flann obediently stood guard.
He was just finishing when he heard a twig snap behind him.
“Just where do ye think ye’re goin’?”
It was Gray. He didn’t dare turn around. Hisbraieswere still undone.
He started to tie them up, but she barked, “Raise your hands where I can see them. I’ve got an arrow trained at your back.”
He raised his hands cautiously and cast a disappointed glance toward Flann. The damned hound had given him no warning whatsoever.
