"Nay, Your Highness, she said it is not charity she seeks."

"Damn her." He'd better see her and be done with her. He rose abruptly from his throne and glowered at his guard. "I'll give the wench one minute and then you can escort her off the castle grounds by force if necessary."

"Aye, Your Highness."

With Nolan following him brusquely at his side, Drago strode from the Great Hall down a corridor to the main entrance. He nodded at his two guards flanking the doors. Nolan opened one of the massive doors and Drago stared at the woman facing him. He frowned, trying to see her face. Nolan was right. She was completely covered. He furrowed his brow, wondering what kind of person cloaked herself under this blistering sun.

"Your Highness," she greeted. "Thank you for seeing me."

Even though her voice was calm, he detected a thread of annoyance beneath it. He deepened his frown. "What is your name?"

"Eve."

"And what is so important you wanted to see me about, Eve?"

"May I come inside?" She paused. "I don't like the sun."

That was evident, he thought, trying to see past the dark hood covering her face. He stepped aside and she entered his main hall. Her scent drifted around him and he stiffened violently, clenching his jaw. His animal's response to her feminine essence brought an involuntary rush of heat in his loins. His blood stirred and he cursed his aroused wolf.

"I'm here to take my daughter away," she began without preamble, turning towards him as she pushed back the dark hood covering her head. "I believe she is your prisoner." She removed her black cloak and flung it on the back of a chair.

Shocked, he flared his nostrils and inhaled sharply. It wasn't her words that stunned him--it was her face. She was a great beauty, with long, dark hair and blue eyes, but even that wasn't what had him transfixed. It was her skin. It had an ethereal glow that looked almost other worldly. He tore his gaze from her face and looked down at her attire. She was dressed in tight, black warrior garb with weapons attached to her waist and legs, which included daggers, a gilded sword and wooden stakes. By the Gods, was she ready for battle? He narrowed his gaze on her face.