- I said I'm not the person you think I am. - I mean, trapping her against a tree. - I may have the fame of a spoiled prince, but you'll find I'm not.
- And who is it then?
I smiled coldly at my face and whispered.
- Your worst nightmare.
Bree gasped for dry swallowing. I looked at his green eyes and the serious way he looked at me. There was a mixture of anger and fear in the depths of his gaze. The same fear I noticed in someone else's eyes a few days ago. That expression, with the words she said when she arrested me, brought me the certainty of where I already knew Bree.
- I hate him!
- Believe it! - he said as he tied the man up. - The reciprocal is true!
Chapter 07
Bree
Alec's words echoed in my mind. As I returned to the camp, I tried to elucidate what he meant anyway. I still couldn't believe I'd been fooled by Keilan. That whole conversation, in which he had convinced me to be practically a servant for Alec, was still stuck in my throat. Where did all that skill with the sword and the bow come from? What was that blow with the dagger? As far as I knew, Alec couldn't wield a sword because he was educated in the art of negotiation.
- Ma'am! - one of the men came to meet me and took the reins of the horse. - A letter has arrived for the lady.
I picked up the letter with an impatient pull and recognized the seal with the MacCalister coat of arms. I snorted before I put it in my belt bag. I had no patience to read Alistair's sermons or apologies.
- Where is he? - I asked.
As if he already knew what I was talking about, the man pointed one of the tents up ahead. Settling down, I began to make my way to where, I knew, Keilan was being treated.
- Where do you think you're going?
A huge hand wrapped my arm preventing me from walking. I turned to face Alec's severe gaze. He was furious and although I was worried about his rude attitude, I did not let myself be frightened.
- You have exactly five seconds to let go of my arm or I won't answer for myself. - I threatened between my teeth.
Alec had a cold laugh.
- You mean the other times the lady answered for you? - he mocked.
- I'm not kidding, Your Highness! - I did. - There is a volcano erupting within me and I doubt that the Lord wishes me to spit fire on his beautiful face.
- Hmm! At last a compliment! - he laughed. - In fact I have a beautiful face, thank you very much for your observation. As for the volcano...
Alec paused and turned to one of the men who was approaching. He threw something at Alec, who turned to me again.
- Perhaps one night, imprisoned, will help you to think better about your attitudes and to improve your genius. - he said, before attaching a pair of shackles around my wrists.
- What do you think you're doing? - ...I squirming to let go.
- You deliberately attacked a member of royalty and put yourself in danger by disobeying an order. - he fired. - If I hadn't been able to free myself, you and Lord Sinclair would be dead.
I was impressed by his change of attitude. In less than twenty-four hours Alec went from an arrogant seducer to an imposing and attitudinal man. How was that possible? He dragged me into the improvised prison and threw me into the cell.
- For your government, I had everything under control. - ...I continued to stir.
- No, I didn't, and you know it. - he returned it in an authoritative tone.
Alec turned his back on me to go towards the middle of the camp.
- You're angry just because I was smarter. - he said in a debauched tone making him stop.
Alec turned around and returned with determined steps.
- Don't take it as an affront or revenge, Bree. - he fired. - It was very daring of you and I must say that you did a great job in trying to seduce me.
- Is that so? So why else should I accept this insult, if not because you failed to finish what I started?
- Miss, I take what I want and when I want it!
Alec laughed before coming even closer and, grabbing my chin he quickly kissed me voraciously. I spit when he freed me and it made him laugh.
- Idiot!
- Breanna, don't get me wrong! - he laughed. - That's for your own good. Yours and those around you. Because frankly, in my opinion, you're a walking bomb about to explode.
I growled making him laugh and then Alec left.
- I'm sorry, ma'am! - said the man in charge of arresting me.
- It's okay! It's okay! - I whispered deep in my breath in an attempt to calm down.
The man nodded and walked away. I growled looking around and let out an angry scream. There was no way to get my daggers, because Alec had held my hands behind my back. If I tried to let go, I'd dislocate my shoulder and that wouldn't be good. I knew how much it hurt. Taking a deep breath, I sat on the ground leaning against the rock with my eyes closed. I braved low and cursed Alec in every
