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Tara glared at him.
“Show me, or I will begin to touch you, starting from the top and working my way down.”
If he had intended to work from the bottom up, she would not have considered capitulating. And if that didn’t annoy her enough, then her traitorous body certainly did, tingling at the mere thought of his exploring touch.
His hands reached out, and she quickly grabbed hold of them. “My ankle.”
She released his hands and raised the hem of her dress, knowing he would do so if she didn’t. It was easy to see which ankle was injured, and he gently took hold of her leg. He shook his head, saying nothing. He then attempted to ease the boot past the swelling, and she winced.
It had swollen even more, and now the leather refused to release the injured foot.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” he asked, annoyed.
“It would have slowed us down.”
“Are you in such a hurry to reach your new home?”
“I had been until you told me that it was your clan you were taking me to,” she said, knowing it would not do.
“My clan is comprised of good people. You will be welcome there, though ...”
“You have doubts,” she said at his pause, and shook her head at the obvious mess she had gotten herself into.
“I do not, though I think it wise we don’t mention that you are a—” He pursed his lips tightly, as if he didn’t want to continue.
“Say it,” Tara insisted. “I am a death bride.Death Bride. Death Bride. I kill husbands. I kill people who love me.”
“I don’t believe that,” Reeve said. “That is one reason I prefer not to tell anyone of your past. It is time for this so-called curse to be broken. With no gossip to follow you, no one will fear you, and the curse will be no more.”
“You’re willing to take that chance? You know so much about curses?”
“Curses only have the power you give them,” he said.
“I’ve learned otherwise and will not take a chance in causing more harm.”
Reeve reached out and took hold of her chin. “Listen and listen well. You requested that I take you somewhere safe. My clan is a safe place. You will be well protected there, and if you wish to keep to yourself, to make no friends, then so be it. But it is where you are going and where you will stay.”
It did no good to protest. He was giving her what she asked for. What she hadn’t counted on was being attracted to him, though what did that matter. Nothing could come of it. She couldn’t allow it to. Or was it that she wondered if anyone could ever love her again? It had been so long, and men were so fearful of her that love simply avoided her. But as Reeve had said, she could keep to herself and not bother with anyone.
It wasn’t as if she was in love with him. He was no more than a friend. The problem, no doubt, was that she had been too long without the touch and company of a man, and like a starving person, she now craved it. However, it was an appetite she would have to ignore for his safety and for her sanity. As far as not letting anyone know of her being a death bride? She would bide her time and see if it could truly work to her advantage. She had her doubts, and oddly enough, though she could not say why, for the first time in a long time she had an inkling of hope.
She finally agreed. “All right.”
“Believe me, it is a good place for you.”
“Since you are an honorable man, I will take your word on that,” she said.
“Good, for it is given in friendship.”
Friendship.
There was the inkling of hope rearing its head. It would be wonderful to have friends again, to be able to talk with other women and perhaps love would stop avoiding her and somehow, some way the curse could be lifted. She truly hoped that such a miracle was possible.
“Now for your ankle,” he said.
“I don’t think we should remove the boot. Once off, I doubt I will be able to get it back on.”
“You cannot walk on it,” he said as if he declared an edict.
