Captive Heart Read Online Free PDF Page B

such a thing.”
    Mylan wound his fingers in Celiese’s thick curls to force her gaze up to his. “You call your sire by his name, is he so formidable a man you dare not call him father?”
    Too late Celiese realized her mistake, but she could not bring herself to call the hateful villain, Raktor Torgvald, father. “I call him by many names, but he is a most worthy adversary, and I do not take his commands lightly.”
    “Is that meant as a warning?” Mylan’s golden eyes narrowed to vicious slits. “If you find me to be less than you had hoped as a husband, can I expect Raktor to punish me for my faults? Must I live only to please you or suffer the consequences at his hands?”
    Celiese gasped in pain as Mylan tightened his grasp upon her, but gave no thought to begging him to release her. The last person in whom she’d ever confide would be Raktor, no matter what sort of husband Mylan proved to be. “No, you are mistaken, I issued no threat. I have left the house of the Torgvalds and will make my life with you, and you need never fear you will suffer any pain for accepting me as your wife.” Yet as she spoke those words she knew she could not honestly give such a promise. Her very presence in his home was a lie, and she had scant hopes she could win his love when their marriage was based on so great a deception. As tears filled her eyes she tried unsuccessfully to hide them. “If you do not want me, Mylan, please say so now, it would be far better for both of us if you did not hide your doubts behind excuses.” Celiese knew she had failed to please him, and she cared little what reason he gave to Raktor for refusing her.
    Mylan’s gaze grew puzzled. The young woman who sat perched so calmly upon his left knee was the most perplexing creature he’d ever met. He stroked her soft haze of silver hair lightly as he tried to consider which was the wisest course to take, but he found her stunning beauty a serious distraction to any coherent contemplation. She had the sweet, trusting heart of a child, and he’d hurt her. She had been willing to accept him, in spite of the grotesque horror his badly torn body presented, and he had been most ungracious. He had no fear of Raktor, surely the man’s bellow was no more than the howl of the north wind, annoying but doing no real damage. He chuckled to himself then. What punishment could Raktor inflict to equal what he’d already suffered? He lifted his hand to tilt the lovely girl’s chin and spoke softly as he leaned forward. “Kiss me like this, Olgrethe, open your lips.”
    Celiese obeyed Mylan hesitantly, not knowing what to expect as he drew her near. The expanse of his chest was warm to her cool breast and she rested her hands lightly upon his broad shoulders to steady herself. His kiss was light, as gentle as before, but as his tongue passed between her lips she grew frightened and drew away. “Please, please don’t.” Her heart was pounding so wildly in her ears she could scarcely think, and although she saw his lips move she could not make out Mylan’s words. He appeared to have nothing in common with the Torgvalds, but as his arms tightened around her she was terrified, desperately afraid of the affection he seemed determined to give despite her reluctance to accept it. When the door flew open Mylan relaxed his hold for a moment as he turned to look over his shoulder, and Celiese seized that opportunity to leap to her feet and back away.
    Aldred Vandahl laughed heartily at the intimate scene before him. “I do not have to ask what you have decided, Mylan. It has been far too long since I’ve seen a beautiful woman in your arms, but can you not wait until Olgrethe is your wife?” He crossed the small chamber swiftly, and taking the young woman’s trembling hand firmly in his turned toward the door. “Come, child, you must dress. Raktor will accept no excuse for postponing the ceremony beyond the agreed upon hour, as indeed, neither will I.”
    Celiese