The Highlander's Conquest Read Online Free PDF Page A

Sir Blane interrupted her thoughts. “I see now why you were not feeling well. This mount is positively ridiculous.”
    Aliah tried not to smile. “You look as though you have her tamed somewhat.”
    The knight bounced to the left and then the right. “I do not think so.”
    “Will you be sick?” she asked, concerned. While it was funny to watch him on the horse, she didn’t wish nausea on anyone, and certainly not a man she hardly knew and whom she hoped would bring her safely to her family .
    “Nay. I have an iron stomach.”
    Judging by his pallor that was slowly turning a shade of green, Aliah though t otherwise.
    “ W ould you like your mount back?”
    Hope flashed in Sir Blane’s eyes, but he shook his head. “Gunnar is pleased to have a lady ride him, I’m sure.”
    “Aye, he is a docile animal, isn’t he?” Aliah leaned forward and stroked her hands over the horse’s soft mane and patted his neck. His skin rippled ben eath her fingers, warming them with h is heat.
    “He is only docile with you, my lady. With me, he is every bit the warhorse.”
    She flashed Blane a teasing smile and nodded toward Mad Maiden. “Whatever you say. You are quite the master of any horse , I see. Mad Maiden is clearly taken by you.” As if to confirm just that, the horse nickered.
    Before they could continue on with their banter, Frosty let out a wicked howl and darted forward.
    “What’ s gotten into him?” Aliah asked , leaning forward to watch him dash off.
    “Must be something ahead. ’Twould appear your dear wolfhoun d is a good guard dog after all,” Sir Blane muttered and spurred Mad Maiden jauntily forward.
    Aliah tried to peer ahead, but saw nothing out of the ordinarily besides Frosty barreling into the woods.
    “Frosty, wait!” she shouted, urging Gunnar forward.
    “No, Aliah!” Blane called out . V eering toward her , he grasped her reins as she passed him. He pulled both their horses to a halt. His men fanned out, half staying behind with them and the others circling into the woods.
    Panic seized her. Within the woods she could hear Frosty snarling madly. “We cannot let him go like that. He will be hurt!”
    Using all the strength she possessed she wrenched the reins from Blane’s hands and squeezed Gunnar’ sides with her thighs. The horse flew forward, breaking through the trees . The force jolted her to the side, but she quickly righted herself, lowering close to the horse ’s neck so she wouldn’t fall . Ignoring Blane’s curse and subsequent shouts behind he r , she blindly followed the sound of Frosty’s growls. Pulling out her bow and nocking an arrow, she prepared to save him . When she came upon him, the animal was alone in a small clearing, surrounded by nothing but shadows. His silver coat was slick from his exertion and blood stained his snout.
    Aliah hopped down from Gunnar and approached the dog. “’Tis me, sweet Frosty,” she cooed.
    Frosty turned wild eyes on her, his tongue rolling out of his mouth as he panted.
    “What happened, boy?” she asked in a soothing tone.
    Scanning the area, she saw no movement. The only thing out of place was the blood on her dog’s face. He didn’t appear to be injured, so the blood was not his. She returned her arrow to her quiver and her bow to her back.
    At that moment , Sir Blane broke through the trees with his men , glaring daggers at her.
    “ Just what the bloody hell did you think you were doing? You’re lucky we didn’t find your body upon the forest floor.” His voice was loud, threatening.
    “I but wanted to make sure my dog was all right. You didn’t seem inclined to fetch him.”
    Blane snarled. “That dog is trained to protect you. Did you not think he ran after a foe? Someone who intended you harm?”
    She’d never been on a journey before, and since she didn’t believe the things Glenda said, it’d never occurred to her that the dangers her maid preached about could be true.
    “There was nothing .” She twirled