Hotter on the Edge (18 page)

The lines around his eyes grew deeper as he stared her down. "You wouldn't be lying to me? I've been around a long time and have seen everything under the sun. If I took a married woman with me to Dark Planet it would be nothing short of wife-stealing. If the people got wind that the Rebels were taking wives, all public sympathy would cease. We'd be no better than the Elders, who kidnap daughters and wives for their own use. This is the people's rebellion, and I'd be willing to jeopardize the Cause about as much as I'd be willing to stop breathing."

Grey Owl was a good Rebel, but he was also old-fashioned. He believed public opinion mattered, but the Elders had been in power despite public opinion for years. It was the microbiotics that would win this war. The fickle sway of the people's loyalty was a small price to pay to be free of her husband. Lake stared him in the eye and nodded. She'd become rather good at lying.

"Good, so then before we go any further, show me your back."

Apparently not that good.

Lake swallowed. The low of a woman's back was the most intimate place on a female. A virgin only uncovered her back to her husband, and then only on her wedding night. To show Grey Owl that spot was to break with all modesty. But so far she'd broken all the rules, why should this time be any different?

Lake couldn't help the flush of heat to her face as she turned and lifted her shirt to expose the smallest sliver of skin. Even when she'd kissed Hudson she hadn't felt this exposed. Between the auction and their arrangement there hadn't been time for the wedding night and the subsequent Marking. Lake was glad that she'd demanded to have her side of the bargain fulfilled first.

"That shows me nothing, gal. Pull down your waistband. Your husband could be poor and only have the smallest name to Mark you with. Lower or I'll pull your pants down myself."

Let me die.
But Lake had prayed for that before and nothing had happened. She closed her eyes and pulled on the drawstring of her pants to expose the small of her back.

"There's no Mark. You're clean. We'll rest here tonight and be on our way first thing tomorrow morning."

"No, we need to be off now," Lake said, already grabbing her pack, desperately wanting to put more space between her and her husband.

"Why? Is there something you aren't telling me? I hate to close my eyes tonight only to not wake with someone's knife in my back."

He was too wily for an old man—years under Elder law did that to a person. But she needed him. There was no way she'd make it through the Portal on her own. "No, but the Elders could be tracking me. I'm a wanted criminal."

Grey Owl shook his head. "Elders wouldn't track you this far into no-man's land. Why bother when they know where you're headed."

"And that is?"

"Where all the criminals go—Portal City."

***

The day had been unbearable to Hudson. Every hour had stretched as if it were doubled. Every minute forward on the clock gave way to two that stood still. But Hudson had borne it. He bore the sly glances from his men. The looks that said if they'd had a wife they wouldn't have let her go into the night with no protection. They wouldn't have gambled all of their livelihoods on the fickle words of one woman. Everyone knew women couldn't be trusted.

Yet, there was an epic difference between
could
and
should.

No, he should be able to trust his wife. She'd given her word, made a promise. A woman who courted death fighting for a cause wasn't without honor. Besides, he had saved her life. That had to be worth something.

And…and damn himself, but if he was being truthful the promise of oil had the hairs on the back of his neck standing straight up.

Hudson waited. He was a man of his word. Whether his wife was honorable or not, he wouldn't go back on his promise. So he waited. He waited as the sun beat down hard from directly overhead. He waited as the shadows stretched long and dark across his land and his horse was saddled. He waited as he watched the sky turn from blue to purple and the dogs were released from their kennels. But still Hudson waited, still hoped. It wasn't until the pink sunset faded to muted gray. Not until each man was on his horse, dogs straining and braying at their leashes, the scent of his wife's gown fresh in their nostrils. No, not until the last ray of light faded to darkness did Hudson raise his arm…then drop it.

The hunt was on. He had a disobedient wife to capture.

The dogs were let loose, barking and snarling as they took the lead. Hudson and his men followed. Cold anger had him riding the horse harder than he should have. Someone had taken his wife or, more likely, she'd lied to him and ran away.

The dogs brayed, telling their masters that they'd found his wife's scent. Hudson urged his mount faster. Racing a plow horse over dark terrain with nothing more than starlight to lead the way was ludicrous. He seemed to be dealing in lots of ludicrous things lately.

Was there another lover? The thought had him digging his heels into his horse's sides. That was simply not an option. All he knew was something of his had been taken, and he intended to get it back.

Screw honor. He should've chained her to his bed and screwed her instead.

***

Lake opened her eyes to the absolute blackness of the cave, her heart pounding in her chest. Nothing moved, nothing sounded in the night, but she knew what had woken her. She should've taken the chance and made her way to Portal City on her own. She'd gambled. She'd lost. And now Hudson had come for her.

"I was worried," said a voice from somewhere in the dark. "Worried, when you didn't make it home."

Was that Hudson? The voice didn't sound quite like what she knew of her husband. She hadn't known him long, but he seemed to be more of a charmer, at least he had the night outside his barn. Even when the Elders had been gouging him with the "bride price" Hudson had never lost his cool. Even after she had tried to kill him and he'd tackled her to the ground, he hadn't given over to rage.

But now his voice sounded thick, raw, like a wild animal caught in a trap.

Lake inched her hand toward her sword. She knew he could handle an axe, but maybe if she caught him by surprise.

"I wouldn't if I was you," he said.

She should've known it was useless.

"I let you live the first time you tried to kill me. Don't think I'll be as accommodating the second."

This was accommodating?

The dark had disorientated Lake, and she couldn't pinpoint where Hudson was, or Grey Owl, for that matter. "What have you done with the old man?"

"Your concern is touching. Light the fire, and you'll find out. There are matches by the pit."

Lake fumbled in the dark, but finally got a small fire going. The flames threw gruesome images against the cave walls, barely providing enough light to bank the dark, but Lake could make out the two men across from her.

Grey Owl stood with his hands bound behind his back. Hudson was behind him, his axe blade steady at the old man's throat.

"I have one question," Hudson said, his smile more of a sneer, his hair more tussled than usual. Where his eyes had earlier reminded her of changing maple leaves at autumn, they were now straight black, and held nothing but the promise of winter.

"My question to you, dear wife, is since I paid all of my life savings for your blood and bride price..."

She could run. He looked fast, but she was quick.

"Entailed half my farm, and not to mention lost a full day's work chasing after you..."

She studied her husband's face. Would he release his captive and chase her? Or would he play it safe and secure the old man before coming after her? Could she really leave Grey Owl at the mercy of a mad man?

"My question is this," he growled. "Should I have you stand there and watch as I slit your lover from stem to stern. Or should I kill you both and be done with it?"

Chapter Five

No, Hudson, please listen." Lake rose up both her hands. Apparently, even for a person as damned as she, there were only so many sins one could carry.

So this was the punishment God intended for her. To have Vonn alive, but for her to never be able to get to him.

"Damn you, gal," Grey Owl spat out. "Damn you to the ancient Christians' hell. I should've never trusted you."

Hudson laughed, the fire contorting his handsome features into something not. "She lied to you also, old man? Well, you aren't the first man to meet your end because of a pretty little woman. I dare say I'll be right behind you, once the Elders find out she's not carrying my brat."

He'd gone mad if the cruel press of his mouth was any warning, but Lake had to try anyway. "Hudson, he's not my lover. That is not what this is about."

"At least now, the gal is telling the truth," Grey Owl said. "I asked her if she had a husband who would be coming after her. She even showed me her back. What kinda fool man doesn't Mark his woman?"

"A fool who trusted too much," Hudson replied.

They were at an impasse. Would Hudson believe her? Her past behavior didn't speak well for her.

Hudson stared at her, his face contorted in disgust. "I'll find out regardless, but if you tell me the truth it will go easier on you. Are you still a virgin?"

Lake was glad for the low lighting to hide the blush she knew was there. She nodded.

"Why did you run away? If he's not your lover, then what is he to you? And why meet him in secret?"

That question was a lot harder to answer. What did she give away, and what did she keep back? Could Hudson be trusted? Who did he follow? The Way? Or did he sympathize with the Rebellion?

"To tell you puts people's lives in jeopardy," she said.

"To not tell me puts your own life in jeopardy?" Hudson countered.

Lake straightened her shoulders. Hard choices seemed to be her specialty. "As you know, I am a Rebel sympathizer. This man was taking time-sensitive information back to the Rebellion."

"What information?"

Grey Owl gave her a look. It wasn't hard to read the message in his eyes. "I can't tell you."

Hudson didn't even flinch. His axe pressed deeper against Grey Owl's throat. Blood seeped from under the blade.

"Please," Lake stepped forward. "Please, ask me anything else. I'll tell you the truth."

"Were you going with him? Did you even plan to come back to me?"

Lake swallowed. "Yes…and no." The truth at times was so simple.

A muscle in Hudson's jaw flexed, his knuckles bleached white as he tightened his grip on his weapon. Lake closed her eyes and turned away. She couldn't watch another execution.

"Did you even think what your absence would mean to me and my men? Did you even consider what your actions would do to them? Are their lives less valuable or is it only you who gets to decide who's worth saving and who's not?"

Lake looked back to her husband. No, she hadn't thought of his men. An unwed man couldn't hold land, but she hadn't thought of what would happen to all his laborers if the Elders took his farm. Nevertheless, it wouldn't have changed a damn thing.

"It's not what you think. I…have a brother. The Rebels have him at their camp. I need to go to him. He's the only family I have left."

If Hudson was surprised at her reason for betraying him, he didn't show it, though some of the black bled from his eyes, showing a bit more warmth. "This information that is so important, that was worth more than me and all of my men's lives put together, who has it?"

"I do," Lake said.

Hudson looked from Grey Owl and then back to her. Grey Owl bobbed his head. "Then it's simple. My wife comes back with me, and if the Rebels truly want the information then they'll bring your brother to my farm. Her brother for the information."

Grey Owl grunted. "I can't do that. We need what she has right away. Tell her to give me the formula now, and I'll send her brother to you."

A different sort of panic set within Lake, but she didn't have time to protest.

"Does no one know how to negotiate?" Hudson asked. "My part in this bargain is that I am letting you live, old man. Take that and be grateful. If the formula is really that imperative to the Rebellion, then you will follow my demands."

Hudson looked at her. "Lake, my men are at the bottom of the mountain, waiting for my signal. Tell Saul and Locke to come up."

Lake walked over to the edge of the cliff, so glad she hadn't tried to escape. Of course, he'd brought his men with him. At some point she really needed to stop underestimating her husband.

***

Hudson sat Lake in front of him astride his horse. His men had tied up the old man in the cave so it would take at least a few hours before he could get free. No use in having one cranky old Rebel coming after them. Dawn had painted the desert in typical form. Pinks and purples bled across the sky with light and shadow dancing their early morning tango. As colored seeped back into the world the night of no sleep started to catch up with him. He hadn't slept in close to twenty-four hours, his wife, probably even less.

At first Lake sat rigid in the saddle, not allowing her back to touch his front. At one point she even shifted so her behind wouldn't bump against him. Like he'd allow that. With one arm he pulled her back tight toward him. She squirmed until he whispered in her ear, "Stop fighting me or I'll tie you up and make you walk behind me."

His threat worked wonders. She stopped struggling, and within a few minutes exhaustion kicked in. She fell fast asleep, her head lolling on his chest. He considered himself a man of honor, but he wasn't above taking advantage of his wife's unawareness. He splayed his hand over her belly and let his thumb caress the underside of her breast. Lake moaned in her sleep. He smiled.

The old man had been right about one thing, Hudson needed to have sex with his wife and get his Mark on her tonight. Having a wife without the protection of his name on her body was asking for trouble. The Elder at the auction had said he'd send the Marker out to his farm in three days' time. As it was they were cutting it close. He needed to have his wife thoroughly bedded, and if Lake was telling the truth, her maidenhead sheets hidden. He couldn't have very well gotten his virgin wife pregnant.