She seemed about to refuse, so he took her face in his hands. “Let me see. Please.” Her shoulders slumped and she turned, letting the sodden towel fall to the stone at their feet, leaving her back exposed to him. He hissed through his teeth at the crisscrossed scars ridging her back, the red lash lines cutting through her pale, smooth skin. Some had healed; others were still raw. It made him want to weep. “Oh, Rune…” “I know.” Her voice cracked on the words and she lifted her hands to her face. “I’m hideous.” “No.” The word burst out of him, angry. How could she think that? Gideon stepped
...more
