Highlander the Dark Dragon Read Online Free PDF Page A

plummeted. It had been years since she allowed herself to think of that moment with Quinn. Every time she had, she had grown aroused herself and had ached for the man she loved more than life itself. He had gone away and never returned, though he had promised to come back to her. And there could be only one reason he had not returned—death.
    Death would have been the only thing that kept Quinn from returning to her. He had sworn to her the day he had left that he would return. That nothing—absolutely nothing—would keep him from her. He had told her that his heart belonged to her. That she was to keep it safe until he returned, and then they would join their two hearts as one. She kept her head bowed so that the Dark Dragon could not see the single tear that slipped down her cheek.
    Now she was wed to another and she doubted their hearts would ever join as one. She wondered what kind of marriage she would have with this warrior who was feared like the devil himself? How would he treat her? Would he beat her if she displeased him? And what of intimacy with him?
    She silently scolded herself for thinking of that now. It would do her little good to think on things that would only add to her distress. She raised her head and almost lost the courage she had gathered to speak when she met his dark eyes through the holes of his metal helmet. They struck her as soulless the darkness so deep, though there was something else about them that oddly enough touched her heart.
    Her sister Patience had often warned her about feeling sorry for others. She could hear her saying, not everyone is who they seem to be, and in the end, you will suffer for your kindness. But how could she not be kind to her husband? What kind of marriage would she have if there was always cross words between them or worse, they rarely spoke at all?
    The thought bolstered her courage and she asked, “May I know your name?”
    “Rhys.”
    She was not daunted by his curt response. She had found through the years that gruff men could be softened with a smile and thoughtful words. Patience had disagreed and once again warned that it was her beauty that softened the brusque men. But Heather was no fool when it came to men. She was well aware of their proclivity toward women and had never placed herself in a position that could prove compromising.
    She did not have to force a smile. It came easily to her as she asked, “And are you a McCuil like your Uncle Ewan?”
    “No.”
    “Then what clan do I now belong to?” His dark eyes intimidated, peering through the holes of his metal helmet as he settled them on her, and to her concern it was the first time she ever had to force herself to maintain a smile.
    “You belong to me —now and always.”
    His response silenced her, for it was not delivered in a loving or caring tone and once again she felt a prisoner rather than a bride.
    “There is one thing you must remember as my wife.”
    His strong, imposing voice sent a tingle of fear racing through her or perhaps it was the anticipation of the command he was about to deliver that disturbed her more.
    “ Never, ever disobey me, otherwise things could prove difficult for you.”
    Her innocent thought turned to words before she could stop it. “Is it even possible for things to prove more difficult than they already are?”
    He leaned his head down closer to hers. “I assure you, wife, it is very possible.”
    In the next instant, the truth of his words proved true. Suddenly, a ghost warrior rode up alongside Rhys and spoke anxiously in a language foreign to her. And the next thing she knew arrows whistled in the air, descending on them.

Chapter Four
    Rhys wrapped his arms around his wife and draped himself over her just as arrows pinged off his helmet and bounced off his leather armor. He did not shout to his warriors, for they were well-trained for such a surprise attack. He hastily brought his stallion to a halt and dropped off him, his body wrapped tightly