Taurus Read Free Page A

Caution was required when dealing with Lidia. He superseded her wishes in all things, but she could be wily and persuasive.
    The girl slowed the pace, and Taurus drew level as she eyed the terrain ahead.
    “It would be best to enter the city by the east gate,” he offered.
    She shot him a look of suspicion.
    “General, I do not intend to enter the city with you at my side. You have been my guide this far on deserted back roads, but one word from you and I would be mobbed by soldiers.” She smiled, perhaps knowing he would not like her next words. “We enter the city under cover of darkness. You will remain hidden until we are within steps of the gates to the fortress.”
    Taurus shook his head.
    “Between now and our arrival in Panua you will tell me the layout of the fortress. Otherwise you may not see your friend for a long time.” She tossed her dark hair, confident in the outcome. “I will find a way to meet the governor. Trust me, he will want to see me. You have done no wrong to your master.”
    Yes, he will want to see you, Taurus scoffed silently . “How do you intend to travel unnoticed through the city?” He may have doubted her ability if he hadn’t seen her in action.
    “With this,” she mocked, and reached over to pick the money pouch from his belt.
    Taurus grudgingly admired her. “You commit another offense against me, woman. Are you sure you want to add theft to the charges I will bring against you?”
    She heaved a sigh and kicked her horse forward. “There is no point in arguing, and I am in a hurry. The giant waits for word within two days.”
    ****
    Taurus’ back itched like mad as he writhed on a stinking pile of wet straw covering the floor of a rickety cart. The indignity of it enraged Taurus, and he mentally added a further insult to his ever-growing list. Planning his revenge came easily as the methods she applied against him gave him an idea. Arrows, ropes, wet straw…and, best of all, it must be slow and painful. The cart rattled along the ruts of the city streets, and Taurus’ head bumped on the rough wood. It was pitch black. Muffled sounds reached his ears, but nothing helped him determine their proximity to the fortress. My fortress! He swore to enact a law to search every cart entering the city but quickly derided his impractical idea.
    The cart came to a halt, and the girl removed the straw covering his face. She shook him with concern, as he lay inert, his bones aching from the journey.
    “General, are you all right?” She pressed her ear to his lips for a sign of breathing.
    “Barely,” he groaned. With that assurance, she questioned him on the sentry positions and their numbers at night. The sound of soldiers marching reached them through the darkness, signaling the change of guard on duty for the night watch. Taurus had an urge to call a command and have the men respond to his order—a familiar action to bring an end to this nightmare. The girl sensed the danger and pressed her mouth onto his, ending the possibility of a last-minute discovery. Her lips lingered for a long moment, much longer than he anticipated. The will to resist evaporated, and he responded to her inviting lips with equal interest as her hands explored his chest, skimming the fabric of his tunic, sliding to his shoulders. Her fingers curved around him, pressing his powerful muscles with her light touch.
    “What is your name, General?” she whispered, as she released his lips.
    Unable to retort acidly that it was little of her concern, he muttered, “Taurus,” in a daze. The numbness in his body began to ease.
    “I will remember you,” she mused.
    “Yes, you will,” he said flatly, the unexpected euphoria gone.
    She pushed a token into his hand. “Take this, and the giant will release your friend. Go quickly. You have little time.” A cold blade touched his wrist, and the ropes fell away. He made a move to grab her, but…she was gone.
    Taurus sat up and shook the dampness from his chilled