Molly Read Online Free Page A

massive one. She felt a tingle run up her arms.
    And then the wiry one was there. “We should discuss this elsewhere, I believe.”
    Molly was momentarily lost, she’d not seen a discussion. The giant didn’t spare a look at her before turning from Cheerful and leaving the camp with Wiry.
    Molly watched them. They were heading in the direction of the dark-haired woman and the other, the one who, no matter where he stood, watched her. The one who wore the tortured expression each time she slept. Her watcher. Her protector.
    Yes , Molly thought, this will be what awaits my son. He will be powerful. He will be protected. He will rule.
    The idea stopped Molly cold. Why were they protecting this woman? Asher was the ruler of the North. He had told her so himself. These elves had killed Riven. Asher’s guard. And they surrounded this woman as if she were a treasure of highest consequence.
    At first sight, Molly had almost thought the woman human. But she wasn’t. She had magic.
    She had a guard.
    Molly started when Cheerful spoke beside her and had to tuck away the implications for later. “Pardon?”
    “Dinner,” he repeated, gesturing with a small hunk of meat.
    The pup launched himself toward it, quick as a whip, but too slow for the reflexes of an elf. Molly laughed, not only at the attempt, but the absurdity of her situation.
    “Yes,” Cheerful said, “Snickers is an apt name for the tiny beast.”
    They sat in companionable silence as they ate, and the others returned. The woman was rubbing circles on her temples, her gaze trailing the ground. Molly stole the opportunity to examine her face.
    She would have said her features were sharp, if she’d never seen an elf. And she was unearthly, her beauty dreamlike, even in pain. Molly categorized this as well; she hadn’t seen any sign of ache from any other elf in all her time with them. With the exception of torture, she amended, but she didn’t like to think of those incidents. And then there was the look the woman’s watcher wore. Though it was much like torture, Molly thought.
    Her gaze automatically flicked to him, and her chest clenched as she realized he was staring at her now, not the woman. Not Cheerful, indeed. She immediately bowed her head, staring at her lap as her fingers curled tightly into the blanket beneath her. Not today , she thought, don’t kill me today .
    Asher would come for her. For his child. He had to.
    The dark-haired woman slept fitfully that night, but Molly did not think of her. She gave the fire her back and stared into the trees, watching the flames throw shadows like demons. She would live. Her son would live.
    By dawn, Molly had slept little. The others were awake, nearly always awake, waiting for the woman. Molly didn’t miss that the massive elf and the wiry elf had positioned themselves near, and seemed to remain so afterward.
    They rode further, the portentous darkness of the mountain a constant backdrop. She was never allowed alone, but the redhead did escort her from the group each day for some privacy.
    It was on one of these occasions she knew for certain.
    The redhead stayed near her, and though she gave Molly a few lengths’ retreat, there was no question she’d be caught if she intended escape. Molly’s skirts were gathered as she walked through tangled brush and she saw the redhead become slightly distracted, staring into a copse. Molly might have been more interested in what she saw next if they hadn’t made her wait so long for this break. The redhead deftly scaled one of the trees, disappearing into the foliage.
    Molly had known the elves were fast, nimble... not human, but she was always surprised to see it demonstrated. She shook her head as she raised her skirts higher and lowered herself behind the brush. She heard voices and froze, afraid of someone walking up on her.
    But they hadn’t known she was there.
    “The girl is dead weight.” It was a deep voice, strong and low.
    “It won’t matter once