The Pendulum by Tarah Scott

not still her trembling hand, but gave a weak smile as she said, "All is well."
    Indecision played across his features, then he dropped her hand. "Nay. You are angry."
    Airin's heart pounded against her chest. Run! Her mind shouted. Run! But he would catch her in an instant—and if Gewain's cohorts returned ... "I am afraid," she said. "Surely, you understand."
    He frowned in uncertainty. "Is there no pleasing you?"
    "Perry—"
    "You did not wish to wed." His lips thinned. "Sir Deryll and Lord Bothwell had no right to force you."
    Airin started to argue, then realized the error of honesty.
    "Aye," she agreed. "They wished only to increase their coffers."
    The minstrel's expression cleared. "They do not love you as I do."
    "You care nothing for my property," she said.
    He shook his head. "Nay, my lady. Only you."
    Hurry , her mind urged, but she forced calm. "Perry, Gewain's companions will arrive any moment. We must make haste."
    He searched her face. "Will you now love me?"
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    The Pendulum
    by Tarah Scott
    She hesitated. Would he believe a sudden affirmation? "I-I have always called you friend."
    "You need not worry," he said in a voice so child like, the oddity repulsed her. "There is no one left to condemn us."
    Airin's heart lurched. Father . She connected Jason's death to Perry, but she had not made the connection with her father. Perry had killed her father—and Deryll? There is no one left to condemn us . Her stomach heaved and she collapsed against the wall.
    "My lady!" Perry leapt to catch her.
    Blinding white rage burst across her vision. She slapped him. His hand flew to his cheek.
    " Murderer, " she ground out.
    He winced and fell back a step.
    Airin advanced, tears streaming down her face. She fisted her hands. "I could never love a murderer."
    Perry's face contorted. "Is that what you told the Scarlet Knight when you spread your legs for him? Did you like it when he shoved inside you?"
    Airin faltered.
    "You arched for him like a mongrel in heat. I told myself you feigned pleasure, that you feared him." The minstrel's eyes blazed. " But you wanted him ."
    Her mind raced. "You-you were watching?"
    "I wanted to protect you, to be sure he didn't hurt you."
    Perry raked a lascivious gaze down her body. "But you wanted his thick, hard manhood."
    Revulsion turned to despair. Her knees weakened. She wanted Perry to plunge his dagger into her heart. Would the 90

    The Pendulum
    by Tarah Scott
    endless sleep of death end this nightmare? She remembered her father, the battles he had survived, her sister pushed from a cliff, Deryll, the man who had bedded her with care.
    Fingers of one hand spread instinctively across her belly.
    What if God's miracle had begun despite the curse? She touched the chain around her neck with her other hand. How ironic the child would have no father or grandfather to guide him.
    Perry's gaze latched onto the action and he shoved her hand aside and yanked the chain from her bodice. His scorching gaze shifted onto her face and he pushed her against the wall.
    Airin shoved at him. "Bastard! You robbed me even of seeing Madeline's killer justly convicted." Something flickered in his eyes just before she slammed her knee into his groin.
    He groaned, but did not waver as he jammed a shoulder into her breasts, pinning her against the wall. She cried out in pain and horror. She had felt no soft tissue of shaft when she kneed him. He was hard for her! Her belly roiled. He would not have her! She shoved him, but he was surprisingly strong He yanked his knife free. "I loved you!"
    "Liar," Airin hissed. "No man kills the woman he loves."
    With both hands, she seized the arm gripping the knife and threw her weight forward, shoulder first, into his belly. He grunted, but fell back only two paces. Blood rushed through her ears, deafening her.
    "Perry!" a deep voice shouted.
    Perry's hold slackened and Airin pulled free. She turned and caught sight of Deryll, sword in hand, rushing toward her 91

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