Page 20 of A Touch So Wicked

Damian cocked his head to one side and stared at her. “Aye, perhaps I’m being unreasonable. I’ll instruct your guard to escort you outside for a stroll each morning and afternoon.”

He placed some personal items inside his clothes chest and turned to leave.

“Wait! I donna wish to turn you out of your chamber. If I’m to be confined, why not lock me in my own room?”

“The tower is easily guarded,” Damian explained. “Too many people come and go to the solar during the course of a day. You’ll stay here until I decide otherwise.”

“Where will you sleep?” The moment the words were out she wished them back.

A slow smile stretched Damian’s lips. “Do you care?”

Elissa turned her back on him. “Nay. You can sleep with the hogs for all I care.”

Suddenly she felt him behind her. Close. Too close. The heat of his body scorched her clear through the layers of her clothing. He touched her shoulder and she stiffened. A cry of alarm left her lips when he spun her around and forced her against him.

“Are you as innocent as you pretend, lady? I wonder…”

“Wonder no longer, my lord,” Elissa bit out. “No man has ever touched me.”

“I am a man, my lady, and I have touched you.”

“Without my permission. Let me go.”

“You enjoyed my kiss, Elissa, I know you did.”

“I endured it.”

“Can you endure another?”

“Nay. You have no right to torment me like this.”

Damian dropped his arms and backed away. “You’re correct. I have no right. Please excuse my behavior. Someone will come for my chest.” Then he was gone.

Elissa let out a shaky sigh. Her knees were quaking and her hands trembling. What was wrong with her? Damian had but to touch her and her wits scattered. What would have happened had he kissed her again? Sweet Mother, just thinking about the arrogant Lord of Misterly kissing her, touching her, made her heart pound and her blood heat. She had to be mad.

After that uncomfortable confrontation, Elissa was escorted from her prison chamber for an hour twice a day to stretch her legs in the courtyard. She knew her clansmen weren’t happy with the situation for Maggie had told her there was mutiny afoot. She worried excessively about her mother and sister, until Maggie revealed that Lord Damian visited them regularly to inquire about their health and needs. Was there a side to the dark lord Elissa hadn’t discovered yet?

Late one afternoon Elissa was sitting in the courtyard with her eyes closed, her face tilted up to the waning sun, when she heard a familiar voice say, “You’re looking well, lady. Do you have everything you need?”

Her eyes flew open. “I need my freedom, my lord. And I want to visit my mother and sister. ’Tis cruel of you to keep me apart from my family.”

Damian gave her a long, thoughtful look. “Perhaps you’re right.” He offered his arm. “Allow me to escort you to the solar so you may see for yourself how well your family is being treated.”

Joy suffused Elissa’s face as she rose and placed her fingers on Damian’s arm. Dark looks followed them as they progressed through the hall and ascended the steps to the solar.

“Your kinsmen appear displeased with me,” Damian said, scowling. “I had hoped for acceptance.”

“You canna blame them for disliking you. Everything has changed for them. Their future is uncertain and they donna approve of the way I’m being treated.”

“I’ve done nothing to you.”

“I’m your prisoner.”

“Hardly,” Damian scoffed.

They reached the top landing. “Who would you like to visit first, your mother or sister?”

“Mother, please.”