Midnight Warrior by Iris Johansen

with you. I can do what I wish.”
    “I’m glad that is clear.” She stirred faster, harder. “Shall we go into the tent now? Or perhaps you wish to take me in front of all your soldiers? I’d be grateful if you’d have the kindness to let me finish preparing this salve that is making your friend well and healthy. But, if I seem unreasonable, you must only tell me and I will—”
    “Be silent!” His teeth clenched, he added, “I’ve never met a woman with such a—”
    “I’m only being humble and obliging. Isn’t that what you want of me?”
    “I want—” He stopped and then said thickly, “I’m not certain what I want … yet. When I do, I’ll be sure you’re made fully aware of it.”
    He turned and strode toward the tent. Suddenly, he halted and whirled to face her. “Who is Selbar?”
    She stared at him in astonishment. “What?”
    “You said you trusted this Selbar,” he said harshly. “Who is he? Your lover?”
    She shook her head.
    “Who is he?”
    She didn’t answer.
    “Tell me!”
    “Why should I?” she asked fiercely. “You think youown my body, but you don’t own my mind. I’ll tell you nothing.”
    He muttered a curse and disappeared into the tent.
    Her hands were shaking, Brynn realized.
    She had known this scene would come since that moment two nights before, but she had never dreamed she would be this frightened. She took a deep breath, steadied her grip on the ladle, and began to stir again.
    She had deliberately taunted him to bring the response Delmas would have given. A blow would have diffused the Norman’s anger and perhaps curbed his lust.
    But Gage had not struck her nor had he used her body. He had contained his anger and walked away. Not a good thing. It meant only that what he was feeling would simmer and grow until she might not be able to control him.
    He would enter her in that terrible way Delmas had done.
    No, it would not be like Delmas. Delmas dwindled into nothingness compared to Gage Dumont. Just the thought of that huge body crouched over her own brought a strange tingling and sensitivity into her every limb. If the Norman used her, it would be like being overwhelmed by a giant wave and dashed against the rocks. She was not sure she could survive it.
    She was being weak and foolish. Of course she could survive it. It would be only her body. He could not take anything away from her that was of any real importance.
    Besides, she need not think of that just then. She had skirted the danger for the moment. She would face the next battle when it came.
    “What is in that salve?” Malik wrinkled his nose as she spread the balm over his wound. “It smells to the heavens.”
    “Only boiled-down herbs and water.” Brynn kept her gaze on the wound, carefully avoiding Gage’s stare. Why did he not stop looking at her?
    “What kind of herbs?”
    “You wouldn’t know them if I told you,” she said evasively.
    “I might. My countrymen are far more skilled in the art of medicine than the Franks, and I hardly think the English are more proficient.”
    To distract him, she said quickly, “You think this mixture is odorous? In dire cases the recipe calls for a substitute for the water.”
    “What kind of substitute?” Malik asked warily.
    She tried to keep a smile from tugging at her lips. “Dog urine.”
    “Ugh.” A sudden thought occurred to him. “My condition is not dire now, but it was a few days ago. Did you …”
    “Urine is also highly regarded for cleaning out the bad humors from the inner body. A fourth of a cup mixed with meat broth is said to be absolutely necessary in such cases.”
    “Broth.” Malik’s eyes widened in alarm. “I couldn’t have been that ill.”
    Brynn shook her head mournfully. “You almost died. What else could I do?”
    Malik swallowed hard. “Nothing, I suppose.”
    He looked so stricken, she could not keep on with it. She threw back her head and laughed. “Be at ease. I didn’t use it. I don’t agree that