The King's Executioner Read Free Page A

They curved and arched and turned with his every movement. It was almost as if they were weapons ready to strike at anyone who dared to touch him.
    He turned, and she quickly slapped her other hand over the one already covering her mouth. Symbols covered the front of him as well and she was not quite sure where to settle her eyes first or was it her curiosity that had her glance settling between his legs? While symbols circled and spread out around his manhood, it was not covered with any. He was quite a size for not being ready for coupling and she was surprised at the sudden thought as to how large he would grow when ready to join with a woman.
    The women of her mum’s tribe were warrior women who expected their men to be as strong as them and when the women gathered together they would often talk of a man’s coupling abilities. So, Anin was well informed of what she should expect from a man and what she should give in return.
    It was odd that she should have that thought now and quickly looked up at his face, and her eyes turned wide. Never had she seen a man with such startlingly fine features and such bold green eyes. He ran his fingers through his dark wet hair, cut short at the top and sheared at the sides. He swiped the beads of water roughly off his body and walked toward the tree she sat in. She eased her hands off her mouth and sat completely still. Hopefully, he would slip his garments on and leave or else she would be stuck there until he did.
    It was when he stopped beneath the tree and reached for his garments on the ground that fear squeezed at her insides and a chill settled over her. A black wolf sat at the trunk of the tree, a battle axe lying next to him.
    “The King has sent me for you.”
    The executioner had found her.
    “When I finish getting into my garments, I will get you down from the tree.”
    Startled, she quickly pressed herself against the tree, whether for protection or to hide she did not know. Neither, however, would serve any purpose. There was no hiding from him and his powerful size made her think that he could simply shake the tree and dislodge her.
    He was there to collect her and that was what he would do. Had she not been waiting for this moment when she would meet her fate? She sat gathering her courage and wondering when he had arrived. And how had he found her? No one knew where she was going. Looking down at the black wolf staring up at her, she got her answer. The animal surely had tracked her.
    Since he seemed not at all bothered by his nakedness, she wondered if he was from the Drust tribe to the north. They were the fiercest of the Pict tribes and the ones who covered themselves completely with body drawings. They wore little to no clothing particularly when they went into battle and were victorious more often than not. With the journey to Pictland taking a good six or more days, perhaps she would find out.
    Anin pressed her hand against the tree, asking for courage to face her fate. She felt a tingle run along her am and pleased that the tree spirit had answered, called out, “I can get down myself just have the wolf move.”
    “Did you not hear me? I will get you down.”
    A shiver ran through Anin, his strong tone a command that was meant to be obeyed. Why she did not do as he said, she did not know. Or was it the thought of being caught in arms that brought endless suffering too frightening a thought?
    “I am ready. Drop down and I will catch you.”
    Anin grabbed onto one of the branches and leaned over, sticking her head past the leaves to look at him. She was met by bold green eyes glaring back at her. She hurried to speak before she lost her courage. “You cannot mean that.”
    Paine had long ago stopped feeling. It was what made it possible for him to torture and kill without regret. That was why he did not understand the sudden catch in his chest when he stared at the soft blue eyes wide with surprise that glared at him.
    He nearly snarled at her when he said,