The King's Executioner Read Online Free PDF

and placed her by the edge so that she could scoop up handfuls of water.
    He remained near her side, cupping his large hands and eagerly quenching his own thirst and saw that she did the same, though at a much slower pace. When she finished, she dropped on her back on the ground.
    “I am too tired to move and too tired to eat, though I am hungry,” she said a yawn following.
    “We have not finished walking for the day.” He stood and snatched his battle axe off the ground.
    She raised herself up on her elbows and turned a disheartened glance on him. “That cannot be so. Dusk will settle soon, then darkness.”
    “It is only a short distance from here... a dwelling that will shelter us from the chilled night.”
    Anin groaned and struggled to sit up. She struggled even more, trying to get to her feet. Her body had had enough, especially her legs. They had no strength left to them. Still, she fought against her body’s munity and continued to try and stand.
    Paine could watch her for only so long before he once again scooped her up into his arms. “You had better grow stronger if you are to be Queen.” He could not believe the ache in his chest that he felt when he saw the hurt his words had caused her.
    Annoyance. Annoyance at her had caused the ache, nothing more.
    No anger filled her response, simply truth. “I am who I am and if the King finds me lacking then he need not take me as his queen.”
    Paine was quick to warn her. “I would be careful of what you say to the King. He is accustomed to his commands being obeyed without question, and he is not a patient man.”
    At the moment, Anin cared nothing for the King. All she could think on was that her head was growing too heavy to keep erect. She could not keep it from falling of its own accord onto Paine’s chest, and she sighed with relief as her eyes fluttered closed once her head was cushioned upon it. She did not want to think about the King, about nearly losing her life today, or how comfortable it felt in Paine’s arms. She simply wanted to sleep.
    Paine was aware sleep had claimed her as soon as her body turned limp. It was not long before he entered the lone hut, the cold fire pit being the only thing there besides cobwebs. Though the night air was chilled, he could not chance smoke from a fire being seen, so the pit would remain cold tonight.
    He rested his battle axe against the wall, then latched the door with the wooden toggle. Bog would be busy hunting to appease his hunger, and then rest nearby for the night, while keeping alert to any danger. He glanced around, trying to find a comfortable spot for Anin to sleep. There was only cold earth to lay her upon.
    His own body began to protest the long day as did his stomach. He had planned to hunt once they stopped for the day, but the unexpected attack had changed his plans. Now it was too late to hunt and he was too tired.
    On the morn, he would catch fish from the stream and they would eat. For now... he moved his weapon closer to the corner where he lowered himself down to settle for the night. He was about to place Anin beside him when she shivered in his arms and cuddled closer against him, seeking warmth.
    He stared at her face as lovely in sleep as when she was awake. He had also noticed that she always appeared pleasant, seldom wore a frown, and was not quick to anger. He wondered how she would fare with the King. He was a powerful man who respected strength, though demanded obedience. His word was not to be challenged and while he wanted a strong woman to be his Queen, there were few women who had the strength to meet his demands or cope with his unpredictable temperament.
    With a soft sigh Anin moved, as if settling herself against him for the long night ahead. Instinctively, his arms grew tighter around her and he was annoyed to feel another ache grab at his chest and a stirring disturb his loins. It troubled him to feel this way... to feel at all. Both were obstacles he did not need nor did