Without faltering, he carried her through a second door, then started up the stair tower.The circular, upward journey had a dizzying effect. Her head grew light, and she nestled her cheek against his neck. He smelled clean and earthy, like fallen leaves, freshly cut timber. Beneath the pleasant aromas, she detected the odd odors of dank wool and something burned. At the absurdity, she focused her thoughts on the man himself, his allure, his vitality.She seemed as light as eiderdown to him, his steely arms cradling her, his thickly muscled chest a wall of strength."You know this castle well.""To make you mine, lassie, I'd gladly brave the fires of hell."His seduction called to mind a classic conquest of the heart and everlasting love. In her fantasies he'd been cast as a fair-haired and honor-bound knight fettered to goodness by virtuous deeds. But what was a little tarnish, she reasoned. With her help, this errant knight could turn his back on subterfuge and race back into the fold of the righteous.Inspired by so noble a challenge, she said, "Where are you taking me?""To the first soft spot I find.""Where?" she insisted."To a storage room in the tower."He stopped, but she knew they hadn't traveled far enough to reach the top.
