Scold's Desire by Marie Hall

Author:Marie Hall [Hall, Marie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781645630296
Publisher: Blushing Books Publications
Published: 2019-06-05T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 14

"I know you are there; you are no more skilled in silent approach than you were when the game was on," Xavier called. "Step out; do not show yourself to be a coward." He waited now, hoping it was only the one, because Xavier wasn't armed at all. Not even a knife was on his person. He waited, listening. The crunch of leaves and a snap of a stick preceded the boy who stepped into the clearing. Young Gaston Deux Saunds. He was hardly more than nineteen, but he stepped out, fist on hilt, to challenge Xavier now.

"You do not deserve her," he stated in a near snarl.

"I do not, but she is mine." Xavier watched his movements. He wasn't very skilled, but it took only good fortune for an unskilled blade to fell any man, no matter his mastery of battle.

"And if you are dead."

"She would still be mine," Xavier said, confident enough to not sound like he was boasting. "You see her, and all you see is a beautiful woman, held by a man she has no power against."

"I see her with a brute who cares not for her as she is deserving." He was stepping closer, circling a bit. Xavier kept him centered in front of him. If he charged, he'd have to come at him square.

"That is why, even if I am to fall here, now, you could not have her. No one who cannot see Io's strength, who will not acknowledge the power she wields, can have her. Were you to try and hold her, she'd destroy you. She is no weak maid. She has known more battles in her life than you will ever know in yours."

"Is that how you justify your abuses?" The distance between them was tightening, the blade almost pulled from its sheath.

"Were she a woman made compliant with silks and shiny things, I would use those methods. She is not. Were she a coward too afraid to push boundaries, to push me, I would need no more than my command. Again, she is not."

"She would have more reason to obey if you did not terrorize her, beat her." The sword came loose, glinting in the scattered moonlight filtered by the trees.

"Her obedience is not mine by force, which is why it is not mine consistently," Xavier said then dodged right as the youth swung down. The miss sent him stumbling, and Xavier again turned to face him. "Io cannot be forced to anything or anyone. Her will is her own."

"It will be, when you are dead," Gaston snarled and lunged.

This time, Xavier twisted to the side, and planting his feet, he caught the man's sword arm on the down stroke, twisting it so the blade fell to the ground. Using the same momentum Gaston charged with, Xavier forced him face down to the ground, holding him in place with a knee in his back. Gaston searched the leaves with his free hand and came up with the blade. A second knee on his arm and Xavier had him pinned, disarmed, and ready for dispatch.

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