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Chapter 1

Purity let out a screa the treetops as she threw herself at the large dog she had raised fro hirazed her upper arm

“Stay, Princess,” she ordered the growling ani to free herself from Purity’s hold and defend her with her life If it were one man, she would release her, but three had coed in the woods and, though Princess was large, she was no match for the men with swords and bow and arrows At least not until… “Wait for King,” she whispered to the dog

Purity stood, keeping a growling Princess behind her “What do you want?”

“You!” The largest of the three s—pointed at her “You’ll fetch a decent price”

The skinny man with the bow and arrow scrunched his brow as he turned to the large man “But we already—”

“Haud yer wheesht, Quiver!” the big man ordered sharply

Already… what? Purity wondered over the unfinished re ht the men so deep into the woods? This area sa travelers

With a sharp snap of his head, Quiver turned away fro beneath his breath

“We need to rid ourselves of the dog, Reid,” the otherhis words

Fear continued to grow in Purity, prickling her skin The thought of possibly losing Princess tore at her heart but also angered her and sparked her courage

“I’ll not be going with you and I suggest you, eejits, leave before death takes hold of you,” Purity warned

Quiver’s head appeared as if it swiveled on his shoulders as he looked around to see if death itself hadfor them

“Quiver’s the only idiot here,” the rin

“You’re right about that, Owen,” Reid said with a laugh

Purity hated that they took delight in what they intended It norant and heartless lot, unperturbed by others’ sufferings Pleas and threats would make no difference to the seen the destruction they could cause They ht her easy prey since she was a woman alone

“I won’t be going with you,” Purity inforly this time

Quiver was the only one who didn’t laugh He was still too busy glancing around for death The two fools h not to dismiss her threat