Blood Red (36 page)

Wolf felt the sharp sting of the club on the top of his head. His eyes clouded over. His legs gave out on him. He went down to his knees. The guard brought the club down again. It struck Wolf in the temple.

Everything went black. Then came a ringing in his ears. He flailed out his arms, trying to find anything to grasp before he fell into the abyss. He connected solidly to one of the guard’s midsection before collapsing onto his side and into the dark.

* * *

Pain shot through him. Even in the dark, his eyes pained. His head throbbed unmercilessly. Wolf did not think he would wake from his black slumber.

He felt a cold but pleasant caress on his forehead. It lasted only seconds. It eased his pain. Wolf struggled to open his eyes. He opened one to a slit. He saw a wet cloth coming to him. It rested on his head. The cold water felt incredible on his skin.

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Blood Red

He opened his other eye. Through the slits, he could see a woman with golden hair leaning down to him. She smiled when she saw his open eyes.

“I did not think you’d wake.” Her voice was soft and lilting. “They beat upon your head like a blacksmith forging a horse’s shoe.”

“Who….”

She set a slender finger to his lips. “Don’t speak. I will tell you what you wish to know.”

She took the cloth and dipped it the bowl of water on the bedside table. She wrung it out and dabbed at his head again. “My name’s Rapunzel. I am a lady here at the castle, and I paid to have you brought to my bedchamber. Obviously, I did not expect you to be so damaged.”

He narrowed his eyes at her. “Paid?”

“Yes, seems foolish, doesn’t it? But you are an exquisite male specimen, and Morgana is so selfish with you. So I paid her a handsome sum for the pleasure of …you.”

She dabbed at his swollen cheek. “Imagine my surprise when I come to fetch you. Here you are laying on the ground, beat within an inch of your life.

I tried to get my money back, but Morgana refused.

Delightfully, I assure you. So I had you brought anyway. Might as well try and get my money’s worth out of you.”

Wolf watched her as she tended him. She was beautiful as a princess. Her long golden hair hung down her back and across the bed. She wore a regal gown with gold threads and jeweled trim. She was definitely a woman of wealth and power. She had a 71

Vivi Anna