Page 84 of The Truth About Myths
He locked the door. After removing his shoes and coat, he climbed atop the bed. Her scent pulled him closer. He folded himself behind her. She gave a content sigh, and he fell asleep.
Chapter 32
“The tongue has no bones, but bones it crashes.”Greek Proverb
Sheflewoveraflamboyant tree, chasing its red petals. Then her wings folded like singed paper, and she dropped into warmth. Isabel floated and sighed in contentment, burrowing closer to the source. Lips met the skin below her ear, and a shiver danced down her spine. Henrique's scent filled her lungs, and she knew she was dreaming. A delicious dream she never wanted to end.
The sound of waves upset the haze. Why should the outside world intrude on her dreams? She wasn’t ready to let go of Henrique's warmth. Not yet.
A screech made her eyes shoot open.
A gull had landed on the windowsill. Head cocked to the side, it stared at her.
"What's this ruckus about?" Henrique's voice, rusty from sleep, teased her nape.
Isabel scrambled from the bed. When her bare feet touched the stone floor, she noticed her dishabille. Panting, she yanked the bedsheet and wrapped herself. A mistake. Now Henrique lay on his side, his chest uncovered, miles of bronzed skin displayed to the morning light.
A devilish grin lifted his lips, and he raised a brow, no doubt quite aware of his effect on her.
"They say married couples fight petty battles over bed covers, but one should know you would take matters too far." He rolled to his back, one arm flung behind his head. "Shut the windows, will you? I'm cold."
Isabel backed away, placing distance between her person and that indecent arrangement of muscles, sleepy lips, sinful blue eyes, and compelling scruff. "You! What are you doing here?"
Henrique sat up, his hair disheveled. "This is my house… so."
His house? Isabel turned slowly, holding the bedsheet to her chest. Naked stone walls surrounded her. A pond-sized copper bath stood indecently against floor-to-ceiling windows. Pillows of every color were strewed around the hearth as if waiting for their harem owners. The decoration combined medieval with exotic. Isabel shut her eyes. Was she dreaming?
She had been in her room, and a knock on the door had brought her to her feet. Henrique had appeared, his face set with determination. Memories of being tossed and jolted flitted through her mind, and before this, white teeth smiling at her from tanned skin. What did he do? And why? Could it be a plot to separate her from Alfonso? No. Not Henrique. He had a woman in every port. Why cart away a betrothed one?
"You drugged me and took me here against my will. You, you craven kidnapper, deceiver of—"
"There, there, no need for epithets." He rose and stretched his arms. "I could do no less for my country."
"Why interfere and bring me to this—What is this place? Your medieval seraglio?”
"I wish… This is my property, the very aptly named Princess Tower," he boasted, thrilled with himself.
Did he hold nothing sacred? Of course, considering a woman's feelings was beyond his rakish philandering, but had he no respect for church and country?
"You don't know the story? My ancestor used the tower to lock his wife so she would not meddle in his affairs—"
"Is this your idea of a joke? For taking me against my will, you will be charged with treason—"
"What in one country is called treason, in another can earn a medal." His voice turned gravelly, and the laughter left the corners of his eyes.
"Your actions don’t deserve medals in any country. Unless you gave your loyalty to a nation of pirates."
"Your brother can be piratical when he wants to be. What about you, Isabel? Have your loyalties changed? Did your wish to be a Spanish queen overrule your love for Portugal?"
"Stop this instant. I forbid—"
"Was it the joined crowns of Portugal and Spain that lured you from my arms to Alfonso's?"
She lifted her hand to slap him, but he grabbed her wrist before she could connect with his cheek.
"I heard Canastra speaking with the prince. The second you grace Alfonso's bed, they will steal your brother's crown."
Isabel sucked in a breath. The walls blurred, and she fell on the mattress.
