Heart of a Lion by Kira Stone

Author:Kira Stone
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Samhain Publishing, Ltd.
Published: 2007-04-17T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven—More Blood Spilled

“Mine then,” Curran replied without hesitation. Until death was his vow to Luthias. He’d sworn to do no harm to the Duke, to defend him in all things. That left only himself. To take his own life would be a sin, but perhaps sacrificing himself to save another would buy back enough of his darkened soul to send him to Heaven.

The woman looked at him with eyes full of confusion.

“Ah, so wise of you, Curran. I would be saddened to lose my newest warrior so soon and for such a petty reason.”

Before Curran could stop him, before he had a chance to explain that he was willing to sacrifice his life so that she might keep hers, and not the other way around as Luthias obviously assumed, Luthias snapped the woman’s neck. Her body fell to the floor at his feet.

“Even in death she is a bother,” the Duke said, kicking her corpse away with the toe of his boot. “Curran, dispose of this trash, will you?”

Nausea clogged his throat. He swallowed several times before he could speak, and even then he barely recognized the harsh, raspy voice as his own. “I cannot. I will not.”

Luthias sighed heavily. “All this arguing has made me weary, Curran. Do not seek to test me further, or you will find that I am no longer in a forgiving mood.”

“Someone must get you to see reason, your Grace. I swore to protect you and I see now that the greatest danger you face is from your own misguided heart.”

The Duke’s face purpled with rage. “You go too far.”

“I have not gone far enough—” A heavy blow landed on the back of his head. Whether it was flesh or wood or steel, it delivered a shock that froze his limbs. He toppled over on his back, his eyes open, blinking from the pain. The rest of him was unable to move.

Luthias stood over him. “Curran, you disappoint me. I thought I had gotten to you in time, but I see now that you are far too flawed to be the type of man I need. I hereby release you from your vow.”

The Duke bowed low. When he straightened, he drew Curran’s sword from its sheath in a slow hiss. His wrist spun the blade. Curran could feel the sting where the sharp steel nipped his flesh as it slashed away his clothes.

“Before me, you were nothing. I shall return you to the world in the same fashion.” Luthias jabbed the sword in the direction of one of his men. “Chain him up with the prisoners. He will travel to the castle with them where he can then be held in the dungeon until he can be tried for treason.”

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