Alpha Moon Read Online Free PDF Page B

Seven
     
     
    S till in the competitive spirit, Ulric left Alaric at Murdock’s while he stepped outside, fully intending to allow the harsh wind to rouse his mind. His feet no more landed in the slushy muck than he collided with Daciana. She let out a high-pitched screech, and Ulric caught her before she fell.
    “Apologies, milady. I am afraid my head is not quite where it should be at the moment,” Ulric said.
    “’Tis all right,” she responded. “But in the future, I suggest keeping thy eyes open and attentive.”
    Unsure of what came over him, Ulric pushed Daciana backward. She landed in a puddle of freezing mud, squealing all the while. Ulric could do naught but laugh.
    “I am so glad this amuses thee,” she said.
    Mayhap ’twas because she pretended to be a much higher class of human than the rest of the community, or mayhap Ulric was feeling alive from the ale, but either way, he could not contain his noisy laughter.
    Catching his breath, he leaned forward and singsonged, “Get used to it, milady, for we are naught but peasants who can hardly pay taxes and feed our families. What else would ye expect from farmers who swim in sludge all day? I daresay we must be an entirely different breed of people altogether, only pigeonholed as commoners by the likes of rich aristocrats from, say, London. Is this not what ye expected?”
    Daciana spat at him. “How dare thou ruin my reputation and embarrass me in front of half the town! Thou did this on purpose!” Her cheeks flushed a deep pink—the same shade as her lips—and, for a moment, all Ulric could think about was kissing them. Daciana’s eyes grew wider the longer Ulric stared, and his blatantly obvious attempt to hide his discretion was spoiled by the crowd now gathered around them. His personage as a gentleman would, perhaps, take a thrashing.
    Dutifully, he shook off his childish demeanor and extended a hand to Daciana. Though reluctant at first, she eventually had no choice but to accept. He jerked her so hard she slammed against his chest, releasing a barely-audible squeak of surprise. Holding her in that position for a moment longer, Ulric finally thought it best to release her, before they could cause an even bigger scene than the one which just played out before prying eyes.
    “I shall walk ye home,” Ulric said, even though Daciana was fighting her way out of his grip. He reined her in, practically dragging her down the street for all those watching to observe.
    “I detest thee,” she said through gritted teeth once they were out of sight of the locals. “How can thou be so cruel?” Fresh tears sprang from her eyes and fell down her cheeks.
    Momentarily, Ulric felt bad for the pain he caused her, but that instant was short-lived as he had begun to consider what a bloody brat she was. “And I feel no remorse, my dear. Somebody needed to put ye in thy rightful place. ’Twas thy luck I am in good spirits today.”
    “Ugh! Thou art the most hopeless, loathsome, and dishonorable man I have ever laid eyes upon. I hope there is a certain level of Hell for thee.” She meant to kick off in a sprint, but instead, she tripped on the hem of her dress and fell face-first onto the mucky lane. Embarrassed yet again, Daciana did not move. She screamed and kicked and beat the ground with her fists, while hot tears poured from her eyes.
    Ulric did pity her this time. “Come, let me help ye up.”
    “Do not touch me, vile creature! I never want to see thee again.” She carefully lifted herself and brushed off her skirt.
    Ulric bit his lip in frustration. He had only meant to show how selfish she sounded, not wound her pride. So he stepped forward, which, in turn, forced Daciana to take a step backward.
    “I mean no harm to ye,” he said. “I promised to take ye home, and I shall hold true to my word.”
    The hurt in Daciana’s eyes was contagious; Ulric felt the stab of pain through his heart and stomach, just as he imagined she did. Explaining this