Sin Incarnate by T. C. Archer Page A

and thrust inside her. He entered the shadows of the trees and was gone.
    She clicked the door shut and collapsed against the wood with a rending sob. Tears streamed down her cheeks. What had she done wrong? She had prayed faithfully, offered sacrifices, and had given her magic to heal. Yet not one man had loved her. How many had promised love, a tomorrow that would never end?
    A knock on the door brought her upright. Blood roared through her ears. He realized his mistake and had returned. Lorna threw open the door and gave a small cry at seeing the miller’s son. She glanced past him. A shadow shifted within the trees. Was he there? Why hide? Confusion blurred her vision. Had the shadow moved again?
    “He is gone.”
    The young man’s words snapped her attention onto him. He stared at the apex between her legs. Lorna flushed, then whirled and hurried to the bed. She grabbed the blanket from off the mattress and swung it over her shoulders as he strode to where she stood. He drew a coin from the pouch that hung from his shoulder.
    She reached for the money, “What magic does your father need this time?” He tossed the money onto the bed. Lorna frowned. “What—”
    He seized her shoulders and dragged her close. Lorna gasped at feel of his cock, hard and demanding beneath his tunic. She released the blanket and jammed her hands between their bodies. He ground his erection against her bare stomach.
    “What are you doing?” she cried.
    “I waited,” he said.
    Her head swam. “Waited?”
    “I saw him enter your cottage.” The young man’s hungry gaze dropped to her breasts. “I knew he wouldn’t stay long.”
    Firelight glinted off the silver coin and the truth turned like rotting flesh in her stomach.  “I do not sell my body,” she choked out the words.
    “The coin is payment from my father.” His voice was rough with desire. “Our horses are sick. We must know why.”  The young man groped for a breast. “But that can wait.” He grasped a nipple and pinched.
    Lorna gasped. “Stop.” She twisted in his grasp.
    “No worries. He won’t return.”
    She froze. He was right. Her lover wouldn’t return—had never intended to return. The young man’s head dipped, and her body numbed as he bit down on the other nipple. What had she become, not worth even the coin the village prostitutes demanded for their services? Men took her charms with less feeling than a bull took a cow. Tears burned her eyes . Charms? What she gave held no charm.
    Lorna shoved him—hard. He fell back a step and his teeth closed painfully around her nipple before he released her.
    She gritted her teeth against the pain. “Get out.”
    Confusion washed over his features. “But I waited.”
    “Get out,” she ordered. “ Now .”
    His face contorted in rage and he yanked her to him again. His cock banged against her pussy. He groaned.
    “It’s my turn.” He shoved her on the bed and came down on top of her.
    She stared up at him, impassive. “You can force me, but it would be the last time you use your cock to fuck a woman.”
    He blinked. “You—”
    “I have the power.”
    His face reddened and he jerked in a brutal thrust that crushed her sex beneath the steel of his shaft. She bit her lip stop the cry of pain that rose, and kept her gaze locked with his. A pulse jumped in his jaw. She braced for his invasion into her body, but he abruptly shoved off her and hurried from the cottage. Lorna forced herself up and onto shaky legs, and crossed to the door. With a hand against the wood in the doorway, she steadied herself as he disappeared into the trees. He hadn’t even pretended love. And why should he? None had loved her. She, an orphan child, had lacked even a mother’s love.
    Leaves fluttered on the trees. Her heart thumped out her fear. She raised her eyes heavenward. Do You love me?
    Would He answer? Would the answer save her?
    Tiny points of light flickered against the void in silence.
    Lorna turned away. God be d