She imagined returning to the castle with fire pouring from her mouth, pressing hot coals to Don Rodrigo’s neck, his screams, her demands for his confession. When she had it, the authorities would take him away. Sancha and Fernando would be safe, finally, leaving him to pursue a betrothal with the correct woman, who didn’t want him.
Isabella held back a sigh. She couldn’t deliver her sister to him anymore than she could allow him to reach the castle. Once she had the means to deal with her uncle, she’d have to determine her next move. “Fernando, you must show me where to find the mineral and how to create chaos so I might perform these tricks.”
“What? No. Never ask again.”
She frowned. “What of your pledge? Are you saying in this matter I hardly count as much as you?”
“In this matter you count even more.”
“And yet you refuse my request? Should I ask another knight to assist me?”
“No.” He turned to her. “I forbid it. I expect your obedience for having granted your earlier request. Have you changed your mind on the matter? Do you want to lie with me now?”
She craved more of his touch with each second she spent with him. “Can I say nothing to sway you?”
“Do you have any idea the danger you face in performing these tricks?”
“I have no intention of stealing back into Granada to perform for the Moors. My intent is to protect you.”
“Performing these tricks would give you no choice except to escape to Granada to protect yourself. It would be madness for any woman to use them. It would make her seem like the Devil himself. If you had breathed fire during your abduction, your servants would have alerted the Church. After you were tortured into confessing your sins against God, you would have faced execution.”
“Why? You said what you did was nothing more than tricks. Certainly not witchcraft.”
“And you believe the truth will protect you? You can never perform these tricks, Isabella. I forbid it. Nor will we speak of this again. Come, your delays and endless questions have taxed my patience for too long. We will reach your papá’s castle as quickly as possible, where I intend to wed you, bed you, and be done with it.”
He strode faster than he had before, forcing her to do the same.
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