Innocence Enslaved by Maddie Taylor, Melody Parks Page A

marry, you still get Sara in jus primae noctis ?”
    “Yes,” Lord Ervin replied with a smug smile. “That is precisely how this works. Win, lose, or marry, whatever the choice, I get the lovely Sara!”
    Corbet’s face reddened and his body shook as he fought hard to contain himself. “Then I must win to save her, but give her up.” he declared, anger flaring as he took a firm determined step toward Lord Ervin.
    Leaning his head back as his hand came to rest on his protruding, jiggling belly, Ervin chuckled. “If someone your size who lacks skill can beat my knight, I’ll give you the girl, read the banns myself, and give you fifty pieces of gold. More than enough to waive the first night fee and set yourselves up in a little love cottage somewhere.”
    “Your knight, Ervin? Don’t you mean the king’s knight! You are merely a vassal yourself. I shall go to the king.”
    Ervin’s laughter grew louder, and he bent double as his amusement filled the room. “Be assured, fool, that his majesty knows of my offer and is all for it. In point of fact, he plans to attend the tournament. He’s heard of Huan’s prowess in battle and is looking forward to watching as he dismantles his opponents piece by piece. Bets are already being placed, although challengers against Huan are a long shot. Should an upset occur, the winnings will be great. You have an opportunity to walk away with more than Sara as your prize, I mean, should you accept.”
    “I accept, you bastard. What other choice have I?”
    “Excellent!” He rubbed his hands together with glee. “I’ll let your insolence and your little slur just now slide since you’re obviously upset. When I get back, I’ll add your name to the lists. Although I doubt you have the minutest of chances of winning, try to make a good showing of yourself for company, hmm?”
    It was clear to all in the room, especially the earl, that Corbet wanted to gouge out his beady little eyes, but Ervin laughed unabashed, as always enjoying pulling everyone’s strings because he could.
     
    Although mesmerized by the tale, Emilia was having a hard time separating the past from the present, as well as setting aside her jealousy over Sara’s ghost and her fury that she would simply stand by, saying nothing while she watched Corbet go to his death for her sake.
    “What did Sara have to say about all of this?” she snapped.
    “She protested,” Muriel replied, clearly taken aback by her vehemence. “She loved him, so much that she stood right up and told him not to do it. That she would go with Lord Ervin and not hold it against him. She asked Corbet to forget about her.”
    “He wouldn’t hear of it,” Emilia guessed, her eyes misting. It was a chivalrous act and without question, what she would expect from him.
    “Yes, in front of the entire gathering he took her in his arms and hugged her so tight everyone heard the air leave her lungs with a whoosh. He then professed his love for her before one and all.”
     
    “I have to do it, Sara,” Corbet told her. “Don’t you see? It’s the only way to stand up for what’s right. If I lose, my love, I will have died in your honor.”
    “No!” Sara cried as she pushed away from him. “You can’t. Don’t make me live with that mark upon my soul. And so you know, they are going to make me watch. I heard Lord Ervin talking. They’re going to make me bear witness while you fight his biggest most ruthless and skilled knight. You can’t win, Corbet. Please, I can endure a great deal, but don’t make me watch you die.” Sara broke into loud sobs and ran out the door.
    “I thought it a nice touch,” Ervin said into the dead quiet of the room. “Maybe I’ll strip her naked and have her bound for you to see. All her naked beauty would be quite an incentive for the champion.”
    Corbet couldn’t take it anymore and flew at Lord Ervin. He grabbed the fancy lapels of his overcoat in both fists and hauled him straight out of his