The Amazon's Curse Read Free

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    Finally, exasperated with him, the Amazon dressed and stormed from the tent, leaving him alone with his insanity.

Chapter Three
    As many times as Nola had been chained and used in her life, she knew the humiliation, frustration and helplessness Zane was feeling. He must want to kill Amelia, his new owner. She did.
    Hurting another Amazon went against every instinct Nola possessed, every rule she’d ever been taught, but she would have sliced the warrioress to pieces if she’d been able to grip a blade. Zane’s eyes had been so wild, his snarls desperate. And she’d been unable to aid him, had only been able to watch in horror.
    â€œI will take his place,” she shouted to the ceiling, not knowing if the gods were listening. Or if they even cared. Zane didn’t deserve this. No one did. But at least she had endured servitude before. The women wouldn’t rape her, of course, but they would work her and beat her, both of which she could survive.
    Air sucked through Zane’s nostrils, and his body suddenly jerked. Then he began struggling against his bonds again. Her attention whipped to him. He was staring directly at her, his dark gaze boring into her.
    â€œZane,” she said, rushing to his side and kneeling. “Shh, now. Shh. You’ll only injure your wrists and ankles further.” Already he was bleeding, losing the blood he’d just been given.
    He tracked her every movement.
    Could he…no. Not possible. No matter how many times she’d wished otherwise, she’d remained as unnoticeable as the air he breathed. Besides, if he knew she was here, he would be fighting her as he’d fought Amelia. Perhaps even more violently. How many times, before this terrible punishment, had she rebuked his advances? Tried to hurt him? Called him vile names? All because she’d been too frightened of her feelings. I am not worthy of being an Amazon warrioress .
    Frantic, Zane rubbed his jaw against his shoulder until the material fell away from his mouth. “Nola,” he rasped. “Nola, Nola, Nola.”
    He could see her. Oh, gods. Oh, gods! Could she touch him? Her arm shook as she reached out, meaning to brush his hair from his face, but as always, her hand ghosted through him. She moaned in frustration.
    He laughed, the sound full of sweet satisfaction. “I’ve finally slipped over the edge of sanity and I don’t care.” He relaxed against the blankets spread out beneath him. “My Nola, here to comfort me. As beautiful as ever.”
    His Nola? A shiver moved through her. Oh, if only…“You aren’t imagining me, Zane. I’m truly here. I’ve been here since the day of your arrival.”
    Zane didn’t seem to hear her. His gaze was too busy drinking her in. “Of course I would imagine you like this, soft and lush, but still not mine to possess.”
    â€œListen to me. The gods cursed me, as they cursed you, only I am not to be seen, heard or felt.” Until now. Why, why, why could she now be seen and heard but still not felt?
    Finally, her words seemed to take root. His eyelids narrowed and his lips pulled tight against his teeth, revealing the tips of those deadly fangs. “How can I see you now, then?” he asked, mirroring her thoughts.
    â€œI wish I knew,” she said on a sigh. Would others be able to see her, as well?
    â€œSo. Another curse is to be heaped upon me. To see, but never to touch.” He turned his head from her, as if he couldn’t bear to look at her another second. That was the treatment she’d expected from him, but it still hurt. You deserve it. Take it like a warrior .
    At least he no longer thought himself crazy.
    â€œWhy aren’t you with Brand?” he demanded.
    Brand, the dragon shape-shifter who had been cursed right alongside them. “I don’t…” What? She liked Brand, but she wasn’t concerned with his treatment. He had not