The King's Executioner Read Online Free PDF Page B

he want, and he would let nothing stand in his way of completing his task.
    Without the slightest hesitation, he placed Anin on the ground beside him. She was the King’s intended and he would see her delivered safely to him and be done with it. How many times had he reminded himself of that today? Once was far too many. He rested his head back against the wall and closed his eyes, knowing he would drift in and out of sleep while remaining alert to the slightest sound or movement. And as soon as light rose in the sky, they would be on their way.
    Thoughts would not let him rest. The attack today concerned him. He was aware there were those from the various tribes who had not agreed with uniting under one King and continued to cause problems. After the Unification Ceremony, a joyful occasion for most, not one tribe dared to attack the King’s executioner when they came across him or when he arrived to carry out the King’s command.
    So what had happened to change that today? Had it been because he had had the King’s intended with him? Was someone trying to prevent this union? If so, were there others he needed to be concerned about? This attack did not bode well for the King and the sooner he delivered Anin to him the better.
    Something drifted Paine out of his light sleep. He sat there a moment, his back still resting against the wall, and listened for any sounds. Not hearing any, he opened his eyes and saw that Anin had rolled close and was snuggled up against his side for warmth, not that he could blame her. The earth floor had a chill that ran through you after being on it a while.
    He was about to move her, then thought she would only roll back again, so he left her as she was. Besides, they both could use the warmth.
    He drifted back to sleep and it seemed like only moments later something stirred him from it again. His body felt heated and as he opened his eyes, he realized why. He was aroused. He looked down and saw that Anin’s hand was tucked between his legs covering his manhood. He stared at the way she intimately cupped him, as if she was laying claim to him. The thought fueled his arousal and he silently cursed himself.
    Most hastily, he took her hand and moved it off him. As soon as he let go of it, she moved it back to where it had been, though this time she tucked her fingers tighter between his legs and settled the palm of her hand firmly over his manhood that was growing increasingly harder and warmer.
    He tightened his lips and released a low groan. Again, it felt as if she was refusing to release her claim on him, and it troubled him that her innocent gesture could arouse him so easily. He took her hand and this time he tucked it firmly between her chest and where she lay against his side. Of course it did not help that his hand grazed her breast. It was plump, though not too large, enough to fill his hand. Of course, it only added to his now aching arousal. It would be a long night.
    He was never more pleased to see the dawn, though it was a gray one. He hurried to his feet and left Anin sleeping while he went to catch enough fish to provide sustenance for the long day ahead. He left Bog guarding the door.
    Something tickled Anin’s nose and her eyes hurried open when she realized it was the scent of fish cooking. Her stomach rumbled as she licked her dry lips almost tasting the delicious fare. She sat up hastily and winced at the soreness in her body, the cold, hard earth she had slept on not having helped. She got to her feet, stretching away any aches that persisted and intent on settling the rumblings in her stomach. Her hands made quick work of dusting the dirt off her garments. She dropped her head forward and ran her fingers through her dark hair to get any dirt out of it, then tossed her head back and ran her fingers through her hair again. She took pride in her hair, it being the one thing so much like her mum’s.
    Anin smiled, seeing the two fish speared on a stick and roasting over the