|
An Excerpt From: CARNAL SACRIFICE
Copyright © LACEY
ALEXANDER, 2006.
All Rights Reserved, Ellora's Cave Publishing,
Inc.
Garon couldn’t have been more intrigued by the pretty
little nymph making her way toward him through the crush of men filling his
tavern. He’d never seen anyone appear more out of place—she looked like a
bright, lone flower in a field of mud and grime. He knew instantly she was
wealthy—the silk dress gave her away. And he knew she was innocent, too—the
braid falling down her back told that tale.
“You must hide me,” she insisted vehemently as she
reached him.
He quirked an unhurried smile. “From what, princess?”
Just then, he heard the whinny of horses being drawn to
a rough halt outside—rare and valuable enough animals that he knew only one
man who owned any. Enrick, their ruler.
“My father’s men,” she said, and he couldn’t help
noticing how her hazel eyes nearly matched those in the odd cat’s-head
pendant worn at her throat.
He narrowed his gaze on her, sizing her up. So she was Enrick’s daughter—the last of them yet to marry, if he
remembered correctly. If he had any sense, he’d turn the girl over to the
men without a second thought.
But her eyes were so frightened. And she was a
pretty little nymph. He crossed his arms and leaned his head back slightly.
“What’s in it for me?”
Her eyes grew even rounder than they already appeared,
and she looked lost for an answer. Finally, she said, “What do you want?”
Garon wished he had more time
to weigh his reply, but he knew the men were going to burst in the door
looking for this lovely girl any moment now. He gave her a long once-over,
reminding himself he could be put to death for crossing the great ruler of Caralon. To even consider it was pure folly.
“Anything you want from me, it’s yours,” she said
hurriedly, frantically. “So long as my father’s men don’t find me.”
“Your body,” he said plainly.
“What?” She looked aghast at the suggestion, her gaze
going wide.
But Garon only laughed. “Take
it or leave it, princess.”
CLOSE WINDOW
|