Page 112 of Sword & Shadow
Nev tucked his fingers under the edge of the gag and pulled it free. His light hazel eyes watched her carefully as the rag slipped out of her mouth, dropping around her neck. He smiled winsomely. “I’m curious,” he said.
Evylin swallowed. Her tongue felt thick as she swept it across her dry lips. Nev wasn’t altogether unattractive, and he was personable enough to be charming. If she played this right, she might be able to earn his favor. Or perhaps learn some information.
Cautiously, Evylin studied him as though unsure of his intentions, hoping he’d buy her innocent act. “If I tell you,” she said, “will you answer a question for me?”
Nev chuckled, his men exchanging looks behind him. He settled his arms on his knees. “You’re not really in a position to negotiate, dearie.”
Though he was right, she didn’t see any reason not to try. “I’m not sure I’d say that,” she replied with feigned nervousness. “I may be your captive, but there’s no reason for me to answer your questions without something in return. Not when I have nothing to lose.”
He considered her, a slight smile on his lips. Then he brushed his forefinger softly along her jaw—the gentle caress a pretext before he gripped her chin fiercely.
Nev jerked her face close to his. “I could just beat it out of you,” he threatened.
Evylin’s heart pounded, but she forced her fear not to register in her expression. The reason for playacting was gone. She had no love of pain, but a man willing to follow through with threatened abuse would beat her regardless of cooperation. If she had to endure a beating, she might as well get some satisfaction from denying him.
“Feel free to try,” she said, not bothering to hide her disdain this time. “I can promise you won’t like the results.”
A slow smirk worked across Nev’s lips. “I like you,” he said slyly. “You’re not like most women.”
“I hear that a lot.”
“Mm.” Nev drew back, studying her thoughtfully. “I do suppose a woman who carries—what was it? Six blades hidden on her person? I would imagine a woman such as that wouldn’t fear much physical harm.”
He dipped his head, brow rising. “But there are other options.”
Evylin narrowed her gaze at his tone. He wasn’t suggesting...
As though he heard her doubts, Nev gave her a cruel grin. “I could violate you,” he said softly.
Evylin couldn’t stop the tremor that seized her muscles.
His eyes lit up. “Ah. There, I’ve found your fear.”
And why shouldn’t Evylin fear such a threat? No man had ever touched her beyond Deckard. The lack of intimacy she’d sought was a conscious choice, not a fluke. There had been amorous opportunities aplenty in her youth. Boys in Whickam Village. Men in Trollenston when she was older. She’d never allowed it all for one simple reason: The idea of being so vulnerable and intimate with someone scared her. Despite how much she enjoyed her kisses with Deckard, no matter the way his touch sent a magical current through her, the thought of consummating their marriagestillmade her nervous, even if she did desire it.
This threat from Nev sent terror straight to Evylin’s core. Her imagination battered her with visions of how he might assault her. Her body railed against it, a swell of nausea rising in her gut. But she refused to let it frighten her into submission. Like his previous threat, if he followed through with it as a punishment, he would do it regardless of her compliance.
Evylin tightened her jaw, putting all her anger into her stare. “I’m afraid that wouldn’t give you the results you’d like either,”she said with more confidence than she felt. Then, without knowing why, she added, “And my husband certainly wouldn’t take it kindly.”
Nev’s eyes widened a fraction, curiosity piqued. “Your husband, eh?” he said with a chuckle. He glanced at Auden’s prone form. “It isn’t him. The writ named a sister, not a wife.”
Evylin refused to answer.
“So where is he then, this husband of yours?” Nev asked, his interest gleaming with greed. “With the rest of your companions? I could use a hundred and fifty gold.”
Just as he leaned closer, a sudden scream pierced through the floor beneath them. Evylin, Nev, and the rest of the sellswords jumped as the muffled crash and clamor of a fight broke out.
Evylin smiled as hope soothed her previous tension. Her senses heightened once more, the coolness of magic winding across her skin. She met Nev’s worried stare. “I’d say that’s him now,” she remarked.
The sellsword scowled at her, then turned to his men. “You two,” he pointed to the pair at the threshold, “defend the hall. Anyone makes it through that door while you still draw breath, and I’ll personally slit your necks.”
The door slammed shut as Nev gave orders to the other five men. They drew their swords, standing at the ready.
Nev turned back to Evylin, pulling a knife from his belt. She jerked away from him, but he went for the ropes at her feet instead. He sliced through them, then the loop around her waist. “Your husband is a fool,” he said, roughly hoisting her to stand. “We’ve got nineteen men. What can he have with him, eh? The writ only mentioned seven of you. Five against nineteen? Not odds I’d want to take.”
Evylin smirked. “You don’t know my husband.”
Another scream rent the air, closer this time. Thethumpof two bodies followed, causing Evylin to hesitate with surpriseand confusion. That cry was full of horror and panic. A sound that she couldn’t fathom Deckard inspiring. Was it truly him out there? Or had Blount come for her?
