Dragon Heat (Dragons of Perralt Book 2) Read Online Free Page B

her in the fact that she did not belong here.
    “Sharp, Mrs. Peabody. This is Laila Mason. She will be staying with us for a time.”
    Both servant’s eyes opened in surprise, but they quickly brought themselves under control. Laila was impressed. Most servants would have blanched and never been able to regain their composure.
    “Laila, my butler, and housekeeper. They will help you,” Flint said.
    The two of them stared at her for a moment. She stared back. No way was she backing down. Focusing every bit of strength she had. She silently let them know that she didn’t care what they thought of her.
    All the while, her insides rebelled. She didn’t want this. Didn’t need this.
    Your dream, she reminded herself. The castle on the hill.
    “Mrs. Peabody,” Flint said. “Give her a bath, burn her clothes and then we can get started.”
    “What?” Laila exclaimed. “No!”
    “Sir,” Mrs. Peabody said, as she stepped forward to take Laila’s arm.
    Laila’s heart fell. He was just like all the rest. What was more. Now he had people to help him. To do his bidding. The thought sickened her.
    Stepping back, she pulled her knife from her belt.
    “No,” she said. “I told you I couldn’t be bought.”
    Mrs. Peabody gave a little squeak at the sight of the knife, and then looked her in the eye, then to her employer, then back at the young woman.
    Shaking her head, the housekeeper tisked, “Don’t be silly girl. No one is going to hurt you.”
    “I’m telling you, stay back,” Laila said.
    “Laila,” Flint said in a firm voice. “That is enough. I told you what I would do if you ever pointed that knife at me again.”
    “I didn’t point it at you. I pointed it at her,” she said without taking her eyes off the woman confronting her.
    “Put the knife away,” he said sharply. His voice not allowing for any discussion or argument. “Mrs. Peabody will take you to the bath.”
    “What about my clothes,” Laila demanded. “I’m not walking around your house, naked.”
    Mrs. Peabody looked over at him. Laila could tell that the woman thought it a reasonable question.
    Flint shrugged his shoulders. “Give her one of my robes until we can get a dressmaker over here. I do not want to see her in those rags ever again.”
    “Of course, sir,” the housekeeper said. “And, where should we put her after the bath?”
    Laila held her breath as she waited for Flint to answer.
    The big man frowned. “The guest room of course.”
    Laila mentally snatched at the idea of being a guest and not a slave to this man. She knew full well that if he wanted, he could take whatever he wanted. There was little that she could do to stop him. That didn’t mean she wouldn’t try.
    “And, Laila,” Flint continued, “leave the dagger in your room. Princesses do not use such things.”
    Now it was her turn to laugh. If he thought she was leaving her dagger behind, he was crazy.
    “I’m not a princess yet,” she said, as she followed Mrs. Peabody up the stairs.
    “And you never will be until you start acting like one,” he said after her. He then turned and walked away before she could respond.
    Her hands clenched into fists. The man was insufferable.
    .o0o.
    Laila slowly lowered herself into the hot water. Bliss, she thought, as her shoulders sank below the water. Pure, heavenly bliss.
    Leaning back, she closed her eyes and pondered all that had happened to her in such a short time. How did she get here and where was she going?
    She hated not knowing what to expect. Her entire life for these last five years had depended upon her knowing what to expect. Knowing who to trust, who to avoid, and where to get her next meal.
    What vendors wouldn’t chase her if she stole a fig? What days the baker might have old stale bread available.
    Everything had revolved around staying hidden. Never the center of attention.
    And, what of this Flint? What kind of man was he? What did he want from her? A secret thought floated just out of