Kiss Across Swords (Kiss Across Time Series) Read Online Free PDF Page A

was enjoying Taylor’s discomposure. When she saw Taylor’s glance in her direction, she lifted her hand upward. Take his hand , she seemed to be saying.
    Taylor hesitantly took the king’s offered hand. The man’s grip was firm despite his apparent frailty. She glanced over her shoulder, back toward Veris.
    “Ah, you are right,” the king murmured. “You should ask your husband’s permission first. Go ahead.”
    “Forgive me, my lord,” Taylor said. “I am unaccustomed to your ways here. I am not even sure what it is I seek permission for from my husband.”
    “Why, to accompany me to the table and after, to dance. That is all. I am long past the age where anything more is required of you. You may even sit next to your husband during the meal as I have political guests to entertain tonight and they will not speak in your presence.” He nodded toward a group of dour warriors standing off to one side, their arms crossed over their chests, wearing beards and swords and shaggy hair. “I must keep them entertained and woo them so that my borders are safe, you understand?” he said softly, so his voice did not carry.
    “Perfectly,” she said just as softly. “But wouldn’t more womanly charms put them at their ease…soften them up for you?”
    He laughed. “You are a delight! Alas, those tough old war dogs are moved by nothing less than money or power. The softer charms ceased to touch their souls a long time ago. They’ll have to reckon with the gods when they reach Valhalla for such an oversight, I’m thinking. The gods didn’t place the gentler arts on the earth only to have them ignored. Come, let us lead this kingdom of mine to dinner and let them gorge. I look forward to dancing with you, Tyra of the godlike beauty. You are a breath of fresh air.”
    “Thank you, Highness.”
    He turned her and led her down the steps. “Your husband’s name is…Veris, yes?”
    “Yes, Your Highness.”
    “He is not a native of your kingdom, is he?” Herleifr said as they swept past the surly visitors and on down the broad steps to the round room at the foot.
    “No, he was not born there,” Taylor said.
    The room was filled with people standing and watching their king greet and escort her to the dining tables. In the middle of the large rounded area was a huge fire pit. Kitchen staff were busy preparing last minute dishes over the edges of the fire.
    As the king walked Taylor across the floor, the crowd made way silently, letting them through.
    On the other side of the room, long tables and benches had been set up and the meal was being laid out as the king approached.
    Veris stood waiting just before the tables. Taylor could see wariness in his eyes, even though he was wearing an affable, pleasant expression for everyone else. His hand was resting on the pommel of the sword strapped to his hip. It looked casual. She knew otherwise.
    He had changed from the foreign-looking European clothes to more local garments, so that he could blend in. Now he looked like someone who belonged here. She corrected the impression in her mind. Veris looked like he might have looked in the real past, before he left. He wore boots, pants and an embroidered tunic over an under tunic. From the thick leather belt hung a leather money pouch. His sword belt crossed over it. Because he was in the king’s court, he’d left off the chain mail and other armor and accoutrements a warrior would normally wear. But he had wide leather cuffs on each wrist and a bronze torc about his neck.
    Taylor’s heart skipped a beat. This was Veris in his native element. Väinä at home.
    She found herself smiling at him. She couldn’t help it.
    “Then it truly is a love match,” the king said. “That expression on your face says more than the best storyteller in the world could ever explain.”
    Taylor jerked her gaze away from Veris and back to the king. “Forgive me, Your Highness. I wasn’t paying attention to you.”
    The king smiled. “There