Teresa Medeiros by Touch of Enchantment

Author:Touch of Enchantment
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 17

“This is probably going to hurt you much more than it will me.” Tabitha swiped her sweat dampened bangs out of her eyes with her bound wrists as she trudged up the steep slope behind Colin. “I told my daddy that once when he was planning to punish me for hacking into his bank account and making electronic transfers to Greenpeace, and he laughed so hard, he forgot to spank me.”

Colin’s face betrayed no sign of amusement. It was as still and resolute as it had been since that terrible moment when she’d confessed her secret.

She sighed, not knowing how much longer she could keep up her nervous stream of chatter. They’d been climbing the mountainside for most of the afternoon, yet he hadn’t uttered a single word. She’d been a victim of his brooding silences before, but this one was different somehow, like a deep, dark stream winding through an underground cavern. She might have thought she was marching heavenward alone if it wasn’t for the stout length of rope wrapped around her wrists and Colin’s fist.

Despite the cord that bound them, he hadn’t touched her once since passing his stern judgment. It had been Ewan who wrapped the rope around her wrists at his master’s command, Chauncey who had given the other end of it into his hands. Tabitha had simply fallen into step behind him, keenly aware of the amulet bouncing between her breasts. Surely Colin must suspect the charm possessed magical powers. Yet he’d bound her wrists in front of her, leaving her fingers free to grasp it if she dared.

The summer afternoon mocked her with its beauty. Wildflowers sprouted from every rocky crevice, spilling down the hillside in a dazzling waterfall of color. A stand of firs loomed overhead, promising shade and respite for the weary traveler. A buoyant breeze caressed her face. The Scottish terrain painted an idyllic backdrop for one of her mother’s fairy tales—The Princess and the Pyre perhaps. Or Little Roasted Riding Hood. Eyeing the sharp glint of the axe dangling from Colin’s belt, Tabitha shuddered, fearing such a grim fairy tale could never have a happy ending.

“You should have given me back my pajamas,” she informed Colin’s unyielding back. “Federal law requires them to be flame retardant.”

They’d nearly reached the top of the hill. Colin remained as stoic and immovable as Abraham preparing to slay his beloved son at his Lord’s command. The analogy failed to comfort her.

“I hope you remembered to bring the weenies. Because I forgot the marshmallows.” When he continued to ignore her ferocious cheer, she added, “It’s terribly clever of you to pretend you’re going to torch me. Once your people see the smoke, they’ll assume you’ve done your duty and I can just be on my way with no one the wiser.”

Colin lifted a fir bough, motioning for her to pass. She should have had to brush against him, but he shrank away from her, sending a fresh bolt of despair deep into her heart.

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