The Scoop
Excerpt from Chapter 5 of The Wild Rose
On the upper gallery, where she was beginning to feel used to chance encounters, she had a most unwelcome one: Steren, still dusty from the journey to Poris. He smiled coldly when he saw her.
“Melyr, my bride,” he said in unctuous tones. “I was hoping I would find you before the feast.”
“I’m not your bride…yet,” she replied, brushing past him. “Let me go, Steren; I need to put on my gown.”
Steren followed her to the door of her chamber. “I like you as you are,” he said. “In fact I’d like you in no dress at all, sweet Melyr.” Pushing her up against the door, he pulled open the neck of the homespun dress she wore.
“Steren!” she gasped. “Stop it!”
“No,” he said, his hand slipping down to cup her naked breast. “You belong to me, Melyr; you’re mine for the taking. You can’t refuse me.”
Melyr struggled in his arms, even though she knew that she was only succeeding in arousing him further. She wondered if he’d actually dare to follow her into her room if she slipped away long enough to get to the door, but then she realized that he probably would, and that would shield both of them from view. She closed her eyes, realizing that he was going to rape her and there was nothing she could do about it.
“Steren!” came a voice from behind them, and Melyr’s eyes flew open again as Steren’s head whipped around. There, in the gallery, stood Cey. “What are you doing?” he demanded. “Unhand my sister!”
Steren, breathing heavily, stepped back, and Melyr quickly covered herself, drawing up the neck of her dress. “I was kissing my bride,” Steren replied insolently.
Cey frowned. “She is not your bride yet,” he said. “’Tis her sister that’s being married today, and to your brother, or have you forgotten? You must wait until the springtime to kiss her so.”
Steren took a step toward Cey. “Don’t be insolent,” he said. “If I want to sample her before my wedding night, I’ll do so, and you have nothing to say about it.”
Cey didn’t retreat. “Say what you will, Steren,” he said. “But I don’t think our father will agree to have Melyr despoiled a moment before he gives her away.” His glance shifted to Melyr. “Go get dressed for the feast, little sister,” he said. “You don’t want to be late.”