Wicked Lord of Thessaly (Halcyon Romance Series Book 3) Read Free

like a distant dream, but a searing agony flamed across his upper left arm. His entire body burned, not from fever of infection.
    Oh, hell, no.
    The lyssa .

Eione brushed her fingers across the male’s sculpted abdomen, biting back a moan at how the muscles danced along her fingertips, jolting at her touch as though she played a tune on a lyre. This intoxicating attraction toward the handsome male could prove damning in so many ways.
    Already, she risked much by saving his life. By concealing his presence.
    Sliding her tongue across her bottom lip, she peered into the male’s entrancing pewter eyes. She’d never experienced the yearning to kiss a man. The Lapith suitors who called upon her family’s manor directed their attentions toward her elder sister. None had gazed at her the way this male did. As though she were a sun-ripened berry ready to be plucked, and devoured.
    She cleared her throat and shuffled backward. Of course he behaved thus. Even if he weren’t already delirious from fever, centaurs bore the reputation of being the most virile and lusty creatures the gods had fashioned.
    If another female were present, he wouldn’t cast Eione a second glimpse. She was naught but a headstrong noblewoman who pranced about in the forest clad in men’s clothing. Not an inch of her made a suitable bride for a worthy male.
    Just as she pulled away to stand, he clasped her hand. “Thank you, Lady Eione.” Firm, strong fingers enclosed about hers, sending sparks of yearning spiking through her veins.
    Did she care if he sought her hand, or only her body? A male like this could ruin her family’s schemes and never be around to be punished.
    Her elder sister had whispered of betrothals. As soon as one was secured for Lavra, Eione would be the next one sold to some wretched, unsuspecting male who’d never guess at Eione’s true nature—or permit her such freedom ever again.
    In her world, docile Lapith women wed powerful Lapith men and produced acquiescent Lapith children who would continue that cycle. Her mother had and Eione would. She rubbed the amethyst necklace hanging from her neck—all that remained of her mother, Philyre, who’d died giving birth to Eione’s younger brother, Dryas.
    Philyre might not have escaped her fate, but she’d gifted Eione her first bow at age seven with a twinkle in her eyes promising Eione a brighter future.
    Heat flushing her cheeks, Eione jerked her hand free. “Why were you trespassing?”
    He frowned at his empty hand before angling his face toward hers. “I did not intend to. As I tried to explain, I mistook the borders of your family’s lands.”
    “That doesn’t clarify why you are in Lapith country.”
    He clucked. “No, it does not. I’m in search of a rare well. A nymph informed me it is located on Mount Pelion.”
    Eione snorted. The poor male had likely been tricked. “A nymph will tell you anything if you spread her legs wide enough.”
    His eyes jerked wide as though he’d never envisioned a lady uttering such a vulgar musing.
    She shrugged. “I traipse about the forest clad in men’s clothing and engaging in men’s sports.” One hand perched on her hip, she arched a brow. “Don’t assume I’m as delicate as I appear, Lord Agrius.”
    The shock froze as a mask upon his face, but then he chuckled. “I shall bear that in mind.” The wicked intents crossing his features drove longings deep into her belly and she pressed her thighs together, shoving aside those yearnings.
    Permitting Agrius to have his way with her would definitely thwart her family’s plans. To them, her innocence was worth more than she was.
    “Why do you seek this well?” the question blurted from her lips, shooing aside her darker reflections.
    “A Lapith child in my village suffers from a curse and this nymph informed me the sacred waters would cure him.”
    Odd. She narrowed her glare on him. The hairs on her arms and neck raised. She whipped out the dagger she’d tucked into