Page 17 of Storm of Desire
"And nodrekiwill break the treaty unless they're attacked first. If you go down there, your men will fight to the death to protect you. These are my people. My clan. They're only here for me. Once they have me, they'll leavepeacefully."
"Taking you with them." His gaze searched hersagain.
Árdís's breathcaught
Another echoing crash drifted up the stairwell, one even Haakonheard.
"Go," shepleaded.
"What about thebracelet?"
She thrust her hand in front of him, and he took it in both of his. Thenhesitated.
He didn't meet her eyes. No. His wretched gaze lifted to the ring still dangling between her breasts. Árdís shoved it down her bodice. "Haakon."
They didn't have time forthis.
"So be it," he saidsoftly.
He spoke the words of release, and Árdís waited for the runes on the manacle to turngolden.
Nothinghappened.
"Haakon?"
A frown drew his brows together. "That's what the sorcerer told me tosay."
He triedagain.
Again nothing. Árdís tugged on the manacle. It only hurt her wrist. Her heart pounded as horror filled her. "I cannot change forms," she whispered, lookingup.
"I'll—"
"Get it offme!"
"I'm trying," he snapped, examining the links of the bracelet with his large hands. "I don't know why it's notworking."
A loud crash echoed beneath them, in the inn. She froze, torn between her desire to rid herself of the cursed manacle, and her fear for hissafety.
"Where is she?" a hard voice demanded, the words just loud enough for her to hear. "Where is theprincess?"
"Upstairs." A frightened bleat from the innkeeper. "He took her upstairs to hisrooms."
Fear won. Árdís pressed a hand to Haakon's chest, pushing him toward the window. "Go."
"But whatabout—"
"I'll find a way to remove it," shepromised.
"But you cannot shift. You cannot defendyourself—"
Árdís scowled. "If you think I cannot defend myself in this form, then you're very muchmistaken."
She pushed him toward thewindow.
Haakon resisted. "I have one more question I need you toanswer."
"Damn you!Anything." She glanced toward thedoor.
