The Outcast Read Online Free PDF Page A

Had he touched her three years ago when she’d first come to the horse stall to tell him that she would free him later that night? Was that why he hadn’t realized what he now suspected?
    He did not think so. She had seemed so skittish that he hadn’t tried.
    She’d been dressed in royal clothing, then, as well. But the clothing had fit her better back then.
    He watched her walk away with her warrior protector. The male must have known Marcos still stared; the warrior turned and lifted his chin in definite message. They would talk, and before the night ended.
    In the meantime, Marcos needed to plan. To reevaluate.
    To determine just what he would be doing with the fragile female who’d betrayed him three years ago.
    His Rajni.
     
    **
     
    She’d lived with the knowledge that her Rajni was dead for three long years. That knowledge, and the knowing that she had been responsible for his death at her brother’s hands had nearly driven her mad. Had it not been for the people dependent upon her, she would have been dead years ago just from the grief.
    She had grieved him every single day since she had left her home. Since she had let him die.
    But he hadn’t died, had he? He had been whole and healthy the entire time. And he hadn’t come for her.
    What did that mean? Was he her Rajni or not? Hadn’t he known that night, too? Didn’t it work that way?
    She’d taken one look at him in her brother’s prison and known that he was the one the goddess had meant for her. She’d been so overcome with emotion she’d barely been able to speak then, either. Had just told him she’d help him, would come for him when she could.
    He’d grinned at her, and thanked her. Promised he’d be waiting for her.
    But she’d never made it back to him, and she’d grieved for what must have happened to him.
    “How did he escape from my brother?” She whispered the question to Pleius. “I thought him dead.”
    “I released him. You do not remember?”
    She shook her head. “No… I remember promising to help him, and then… Hial was hurt, and the women were gathering… and…”
    “After you were hurt, you begged me to return and help him. I did, then came back to you and the rest.”
    “I don’t remember… what did I tell you?”
    “That he would die if we left him and that you had promised. You were near distraught over him when you had more pressing worries facing you. Like surviving the night…”
    “I do not remember.” She didn’t remember much about that night after she’d made the decision to deliberately anger her brother. If he’d turned on her, he’d not go looking for one of his other victims. Buying those victims the time they’d needed to leave the city.
    She’d fully expected to die that night, and had it not been for Pleius and Loreane she would have.
    As it was she still hurt from the torture her brother had inflicted upon her.
    The big warrior Aodhan led them through the back entrance of the castle and into a small chamber. Several people waited inside, most dressed in the white of Dardaptoan royalty. Many had hashas the same color as the one around Aodhan’s waist. His family, then.
    “Who was that man outside?” Lana asked Aodhan. He’d worn turquoise, hadn’t he? Turquoise with a strange band of black.
    “That was Marcos, my brother. I did not know he would be here today. You know him, do you not?”
    “We met… once.” Why had he glared at her so? Did he hate her because of her brother? She wouldn’t blame him if he did. “My brother had him imprisoned.”
    “I see.”
    Would he break his vow because of what her brother had done? “I sent Pleius to free your brother. Please don’t be angry with—“
    Even she heard the pleading.
    Aodhan held up a large hand. It took every ounce of strength she had not to flinch away from him. His eyes darkened and he studied her for a moment. “I will never be angry at your people for something your brother did. You will be safe here, D ahn