Lion's Bride Read Free

Dimas.” Panic rushed through her as she suddenly realized her basket was no longer on her back. “You took my basket,” she accused fiercely. “Where is it?”
    “On the ground in back of you. I don’t steal from women, Thea of Dimas.”
    The relief flowing through her was immediately followed by shame when she met his reproachful gaze. How foolish to feel shame for doubting a stranger.
    He tossed another leather pouch to her. “Dates and a little mutton. How long have you been without food?”
    “I ran out yesterday.” But she had limited herself to only a few bites a day since she had escaped the attack. She opened the pouch and tried not to snatch at a piece of meat. It was dried and tough, but she chewed blissfully. “You don’t wear armor. The others wore armor.”
    “Because I’m not a soldier. I regard those who battle with lance and sword as barbaric. I prefer my wits.”
    “You call this Lord Ware barbaric?”
    “On occasion. But he has known nothing but battle since he was a child, so he must be forgiven.”
    She had no intention of forgiving him when her jaw still ached from his blow. Those light-blue eyes and aura of power were imprinted on her memory as vividly as the bruise he’d inflicted.
    “He’s a Frankish knight?”
    He shook his head. “Ware is a Scot.”
    “Scot?” She had never heard that term. “From where?”
    “Scotland is a country far more barbarous than this one. It’s north of England.”
    She knew of England. In Constantinople it, too, was considered a barbarous country.
    “And was he going to battle when you came upon me?”
    “No, we’d just come from helping Conrad of Monferrai fight off Saladin’s siege of Tyre. We were on our way back to Dundragon.”
    She took another piece of meat. “Then the war is over?”
    He chuckled. “The battle is over. I doubt if this war will ever be over.”
    “Then why do you go home?”
    “Ware’s contract with Conrad ended with the siege, and Conrad didn’t wish to part with any more funds.”
    “Lord Ware battles for gold?”
    “And property.” He smiled. “He’s the strongest knight in the land, and it’s made him a very wealthy man.”
    Which was not uncommon, Thea thought. Everyone knew that many knights who had supposedly come on the great Crusades to fight a holy war had stayed to plunder and win vast properties for themselves.
    “As for myself, I’ll choose a far less dangerous way to riches.” He changed the subject. “Thea. You’re Greek?”
    She nodded.
    “And you were traveling with the caravan to Damascus?”
    She nodded again.
    “You’re very fortunate. We had heard no one escaped from Hassan’s attack. He brought over a hundred captives to the slave market at Acre and bragged he’d killed another hundred.”
    Her eyes widened. “You know him?”
    “One does not know a reptile. Ware and I are acquainted with him. There’s a difference.” He dampened a cloth and handed it to her. “Bathe your poor face. Your skin must be very sore.”
    She took the cloth and then stopped. “You said I shouldn’t waste water.”
    “I’ve changed my mind and decided to trust in my instincts. Take it.”
    The wet cloth was heavenly moist on her burned cheeks and forehead. “You’re very kind.”
    “Yes.” He gave her another sweet smile. “Very. It sometimes makes my life difficult.” He paused. “Were your parents among the slaves Hassan brought to Damascus?”
    “No.”
    “Your husband?”
    “No, I was alone.”
    His brows raised. “Odd. You’re very young.”
    She had blurted the truth without thinking. “I’m ten and seven. Many women have wed and borne children by my age.” But women did not travel without escort. It would be safer for her if everyone believed she had been orphaned during the attack. “I mean…my father was killed by that man…Hassan.”
    “Oh, is that what you mean.” He smiled. “How?”
    He did not believe her. His tone was faintly chiding.
    “I don’t want to