Angie Arms - Flame Series 03 (20 page)

"Garrick would kill you," she said
, knowing she should feel insulted by this grown man at her feet, but she felt sympathy.

"I don't care," he said
, dropping his head forward again so he looked over the courtyard.  He was silent for a moment as she studied him.  She could not get over his handsomeness, and wondered what the old Roland was like.  "I want to die," the words came out in a mumble.

"Why is that?" she asked
, looking down at him.

"Because you've taken all the women," he said angrily as he pierced her again with his   eyes.  "What am I to do without the whores?" he asked
, as he looked forward again and down at his naked self still hanging from his pants.  He shrugged took himself in his hands and stroked his length for two strokes, before he finally managed to slide it back where it should have been to begin with.

"I need a whore."

"You need no such thing."

Again his head rolled back.  "I have no wife," he stated
, then stilled. 

"But you have children."

"No," he said, shaking his head and looking forward once again.  "They look like her," he mumbled.

Now that he was properly clothed
, she took the two steps to sit beside him.  "Doesn't that mean a part of her lives on?"

He turned to her and the starkness of his eyes as they stared at her even through his drunkenness
, made her want to throw her arms around his neck and apologize for their king.  "I see her die every time I look at them."

Ryann found it difficult to swallow.  She cou
ld have come up with helpful advice that would help him and his children in response to anything he might have said.  Anything except that.  She only stared at him as he stared at her.  Suddenly the rage was there, drowning out all the sorrow, the emotion he used to deal with his loss, and he shoved her roughly away from him.

He lurched to his feet.  "Stay away from me," he said
, as he began to stumble away.  "You can't fix me," he mumbled.  He said more, but he had walked too far out of earshot she could not make it out, then he disappeared into the shadows again on the far side of the courtyard.

Sitting on the steps she felt so alone.  Unlike any time in her life.  She had always believed in the righteousness of her supreme ruler.  Had believed he made wise decisions that go
verned their land.  Yet, she discovered since meeting Garrick and his men, the King was just a man.  A cruel vicious man who used his power for evil.  People were willing to fall at his feet, yet ran in fear of Garrick.  What a horrible world she found herself in.  Her only protection from the King and he was missing.  No one else would stand up to the great king, but she did not doubt the Fenton Bastard would. No, how could he?  He had her now, and one day, if he returned, they would have children together.  How could he be undefeatable with a king who could kill them all, so Garrick would do his bidding?  How could any of them ever be safe?

She folded her arms around her knees, burying her head in them and began rocking back and forth
, sobbing silently. 

~ ~ ~ ~

"That is my ribbon!"

"No, Roark gave it to me!"

"He did not!  Halvor gave it to me!"

"You lie, it was Roark's gift."

The raised female voices outside the chamber awoke Ryann the next morning.  Jill was curled against her with Will on the other side
, and their warmth and mere presence made her night a restful one, the first since Garrick went missing.

"Tell her Halvor," one of the voices demanded.

"Tell her what my pet?"

"That you gave me this ribbon."

"How would he know, he's a man.  He does not keep up with such things."

"You are correct my little angel.  I could not say if I gave it or not."

Ryann was intrigued by the gentle voice of Halvor, and she guessed his sisters must have arrived with Damien the previous evening.

"You two will wake the entire occupants of the keep." another voice admonished
, joining them in the hallway.

"But it is a beautiful morning my beauty," Halvor said
, as Ryann quietly climbed from the bed.  She heard pride in his voice.

Still dressed from the evening before
, she smoothed some of the wrinkles from her, and quickly combing her fingers through her hair, she pulled it back to be held by a small clasp, and stepped from behind the tapestry.

The eyes of three young women turned to her
, and she almost gasped at the feminine replica of Halvor in each of those faces.

"Lady Ryann
, I wish you to meet three of my sisters.  This is Brenda, Carling and Ella."

Each lady gave a slight curtsy and she studied them hard to discern their differences.  Brenda was obviously the oldest
, but by no more than two years.  The other two were closer in age, and very closely matched in appearance, however Ella's dark brown, nearly black hair was longer, a little thicker, the dark lashes ringing her hazel eyes were a little thicker and longer.  Running feet and giggle drew their attention down the hallway where two girls burst from around the corner, and Ryann knew instantly these were Halvor's sisters as well, though young, they were still the spitting image of the others.

"Girls!" came a frantic call from out of site
, before two more girls came into view. 

The youngest squealed and flung herself at her brother
, who snatched her up into his arms and planted a kiss on top of her head.  "Did you sleep well Precious?"

"Like a baby," she said with a laugh
, and Halvor tickled her, then laughed at her squeal.

"Allow me to introduce you to the rest of my sisters.  This is the youngest, Rowena but we call her Ro."

"Not Halvor, he calls me Precious," she said proudly.

Halvor's lips quirked into an impish
grin that brought a smile to Ryann's lips.  "I do indeed."

"This is Leigh," he said
, indicating the girl who could be no older than eight.

"She is Darling," Ro supplied.

Halvor chuckled then indicated the next girl, who appeared about two years older, "This is Heather."

"Lovely," Ro said
, only to be tickled by her brother again, and she peeled into a fit of giggles.

The next sister was another two years older and the most different
, which was not saying much since she had the same coloring as all the others, but her hair was full of natural curls that bounced when she moved.  "This is Ember."

"Sweetheart," Ro said quickly
, and leaning over tried to tickle Halvor.  He returned the favor and the girl had another fit of giggles.

"And what does Halvor call Brenda, Carling and Ella?" Ryann asked
, warmed by the sunshine these girls brought to her heart with their smiles and laughter.

"Brenda is Beauty, Carling is Pet and Ella is Angel."

"You have a very beautiful family," Ryann told Halvor.

"Thank you my lady.  I request a moment with you."

"Of course Sir Halvor."

"Lady Ryann?" the tentative voice said from behind her.  She turned to see Will standing just outside her chamber, Jill's hand clasped tightly in his.

"Good morning Will," Halvor said, in his gentle voice he used with his sisters.

"Sir Halvor," Will responded, standing a little straighter
, even though he wiped sleep from his eyes.

"Are you all ready to eat?"
Ryann asked the girls.

Several nods answered her question.  She turned to Will, "Go with these ladies and see they arrive safely to the hall."

"Yes my lady," Will said, and pulling his sister along behind him, he followed Halvor's sisters.

"I request you allow my sisters to stay when Lord Damien returns to his own keep."

"Of course Sir Halvor, I would be honored to have them here."

"Thank you my lady.  I will be forever in your service."

"I'll hold you to that," she said with a smile.  "Escort me to the hall?" Ryann asked, with a smile.

Halvor shook his head.  "We're moving the armies out.  Today is the day we return our lord to his home."

"I truly hope so," she said, placing a hand on his arm.

"I know my lady," he said
, patting her hand before turning abruptly and leaving her. 

By the time Ryann arrived in the hall
, all the warriors had departed, and only the women and very young and old men remained.  She took her place on the dais with a smile to Christopher then faltered as she began to pull her seat out.

"Christopher, where is the rest of my guard?"

Immediately the man she knew since she was a child, looked uncomfortable.  When he was not forthcoming with the information, she quirked a questioning brow at him.

He licked his lips, looked over her shoulder as if searching for help there
, then back at her.  "They are missing my lady."

"Missing, all of them?"

"Yes my lady."

"Since when?"

"Since Garrick also went missing."

"And you chose not to tell me this?"

"I did not realize the first day, still was not sure the second."

"And now?" she questioned irritably.

"They are not here."

Ryann stared at the man before her
, as fear took root.  Could this be another attempt to take her from Garrick?  Her husband was not there to protect her, and now not only his army but Damien's were off searching the countryside for him, and left her quite vulnerable.

"How many soldiers have been left?"

"A minimal amount my Lady, but enough to secure the keep if need be."

"Are you sure?" she asked
, feeling guilt for questioning the man who knew his job well, but unable to push away her growing fear.  She knew firsthand what horrible things could befall her at the hands of her husband's enemies. 

"I and the o
thers fear Garrick's wrath, if you were left with not enough men to protect you."

She drew in a steadying breath, nodded and took her seat.  She found her appetite was nonexistent
, and after a time left the table and sought out the children and the game of hide-and-seek they were playing.  She spent hours playing with them, shirking her duties within the keep, but keeping her mind focused on the laughter of the children to keep the insanity from her own head. 

Dusk was beginning to settle over the keep when the guard called down from the wall the men were returning.  Ryann nearly dropped to her knees when the first person to ride through the gate was Garrick.  She stood rooted to the spot, studying her husband.  He appeared furious, she could see the rage that was so frightening to behold.  She could feel it coming off him even across the courtyard.  Then his eyes were on her
, and suddenly he did not appear so frightening.  She wanted to run to him, but held her ground, knowing he took great measures to be a hardened warrior among his men, even when it came to his wife.  She could wait.  She waited this long, just a little longer would not matter.

Chapter 14

Of all those gathered in the courtyard
, his eyes immediately fell on Ryann.  He had yearned for her since being departed in a way he could not understand.  Never had he longed for anyone, and now he found himself lonely when she was not near.  There was a small part of him that wondered if she had been a player in his abduction, but seeing her now that doubt fled.  He saw her relief written plainly upon her face, and after her eyes surveyed him head to toe, her eyes were back on his, offering him a brilliant smile.

As the other knights crowded into the courtyard behind him
, he watched her eyes stray from his and her smile faltered.  Immediately, she was looking back at him, as if he could tell her across the crowded courtyard why he had her guard in chains.

It was a story he did not think he could share with her without the rage coming forth.  Nimbly he slid from the horse
, despite his aching muscles from his time in restraints as a prisoner, and then after the beating he gave to some of her guard.  He hoped she would understand why he had to put them to death.  Despite their unrelenting loyalty to her, they were his soldiers now, and therefore they were traitors.  He had only one punishment for such an act.  Death.

Ryann hurried toward him, Christopher as always her shadow.  He would begin by dispensing of him.  He was the leader of all.  He was not aware of his wife at his side
, for he had eyes only for the enemy approaching.  Drawing his sword he used his free hand to reach for Christopher's throat.  He felt the rage unleashed as his fingers wrapped around it, ready to tear his life from him.  With the momentum of his attack, he easily forced him backward, tripping him over his foot, and took him to the ground.  A knee replaced his hand as he raised his sword high, ready to plunge it into the traitor's chest.

"No, my lord," he heard Ryann cry out
, and felt her warmth at his side, her puny hand pulling at his arm.

"Ryann," he snapped in warning.

"Please, at least tell me what he is guilty of."

"He's a traitor," he bit out
, turning on her, and his fury bade her shrink back.  "His men are the ones who held me.  As their leader, he is responsible for their actions."

"He is innocent, I know he is," she insisted
, crouching so she placed her body between Christopher and his sword.

"Do not interfere," he snapped
, trying to push her out of his way.

"He only discovered the rest of the men were missing this very day."  Ryann pulled and tugged until he was thrown off balance.  He did not like one bit his actions being challe
nged, it did not set a good precedent for his men.  What if they saw this as an opportunity to begin challenging him themselves?

Shooting to his feet he turned his anger on his wife.  "You will not interfere in this matter," he snarled
, seizing her wrist and yanking her against him so he could look down on her.

What he anticipated happening was cowing her into silence
, but in reality such lust shot through his body as he felt her pressed against him, all his rage fled.  Confusion settled over him because he had these men to kill, yet all his mind told him now was he needed to take his wife to their chamber, lay her out onto the bed, and drive himself into her.

Standing on tip toe
, her free hand came up to the back of his head, encouraging him to bend toward her.  "Please my lord, spare them until I have a chance to understand what is happening here," she whispered.

His grip tightened on her wrist, he knew painfully so.  What did he care if she understood or not?  Here his word was final, his punishments swift and decisive.  Yet all it took was one plea from her to make him wish otherwise.

"Get to our chamber!" he said harshly, pushing her away.  He watched her hesitation as she looked between him and Christopher, who regained his feet.  In the end she chose the only option he would accept, turning obediently she left the courtyard.

"Halvor!" Garrick bellowed turning away.  "Lock them all up. I'll deal with them when I have rested."

He wanted to chase after his departing wife, but he knew how weak that would appear.  Instead he opted to meet with Marcus in the hall, and while he drank ale he learned of the happenings of all his people while he had been away.  He expected to hear of the search, disobedience of his men without his iron fist to rule them, but it was the iron fist of his wife he heard about.  Marcus told of her banning the whores and putting them all to work as servants, and Alena's part in teaching them how to protect themselves.  When one of those women brought him a trencher of food, out of habit he pushed it away.  Yet, as he spoke with Marcus, the aroma began to make his mouth water, and his stomach rumble from its hunger.

"The food has improved as well," Marcus said with a smile
, when Garrick's surprise was evident at the first taste.

"This is superb," he said
, not being able to control himself from shoveling the delicious food into his mouth.

"There are a number of things improved around here.  You h
ave a lady worthy of her title.”

"The prisoners are secure," Halvor said
, taking a seat across the table from Garrick.

"I think Halvor would agree," Marcus said
, as his eyes darted around the room.  Garrick knew the man was looking for Alena.  If he were not in the same situation he would admonish him for it.

"Agree to what?" Halvor asked
, smiling at the woman who brought him a mug of ale and trencher of food. 

"That he has a miraculous bride.  She has made some fine improvements to this keep," Marcus said
, his voice changing when his roving eyes halted.  Garrick followed his gaze to Alena, sitting astride a bench as she spoke to Devlin, her legs clad in the attire of a soldier.  The boy Garrick and Marcus first met when joining Damien's forces was gone, and now he was a handsome young man, Marcus's scowl told him plainly he had taken exception to that and the closeness of Devlin and Alena.  Alena’s emir had given Devlin to her as a companion, which was how they were able to come up with the plan that ultimately saved them all.

Garrick's eyes collided with Marcus's when he redirected his attention.

"Have you bedded her yet?' Marcus asked with a scowl.  It was uncanny how in tune with each other they were.  Garrick knew the question only came because Marcus did not want him to question his own relationship with Alena. 

"Have you bedded L
ena?" he asked with great enjoyment.  He did not like Marcus questioning him.  After all he had once sought the advice of his woman, and would have liked his second's take on the matter, but not now that he made a mess of the advice he received. 

"It would be of no consequence one way or the other," Marcus replied smoothly.  "But you my lord are a lord.  You are used to certain habits."

"Do you question my judgment?" Garrick demanded, slamming his hand down on the table.

"Have I ever questioned your judgment," Marcus asked calmly
, in the face of Garrick’s fury. 

"Garrick," Alena
said, as she slid into the chair next to Marcus.  An entire army could enter the hall and Marcus would never know, because all his attention was directed at the woman beside him.  Despite her manly attire, her feminine grace was not diminished, perhaps even accentuated.  "Are you trying to frighten him again?"

"To protect our sanity I think it best we tend to that which we spoke," Garrick said
, rising and giving Alena a scowl.

~ ~ ~ ~

"What were you men thinking?  You have taken an oath to Garrick.  He is my husband," Ryann adm
onished, as she dabbed one of her guard’s wounds her husband had inflicted.

"We thought it for the best my lady," the youngest, Jamie
, said stepping forward.

"It was foolish and entirely against my wishes.  I have taken my vows before God
, and you have taken yours before Garrick."

"Will Lord Garrick kill us?" Michael asked with a wince
, as she applied the last of the medicine to his cut cheek.

"What you did was an attack against him.  No matter that you did so to protect me.  He feels it is his right
, and his duty to keep his position."

"If we are to die so be it," Jamie said bravely.

"Do not give up hope.  I will try to get Garrick to relent."

"How do you plan to do that wife?"  The voice behind her was
the unmistakable voice of her furious husband.

She spun quickly, a smile crossing her face when she laid eyes on him.  "By talking rationally to you
, so you might see their side."

Her response seemed to take him off balance.  He hesitated before responding, "Do you think that is all it will take to change my mind about spilling the blood of these traitors?"

"If it does not, then I will plead for their lives," she said, advancing on him despite his angry scowl, and the cold glare of his eyes.

"I do not wish to hear my wife plead for the lives of these swine."

She reached him, reached a hand to rest it on his hard chest, his breathing was rapid, mirroring his fury.  He looked down upon her, his face unyielding.  Rising on tiptoe she put her face next to his.  "Then I will remove my clothes and make the request of you again."

His eyebrows snapped together.  He grabbed her by the arm and yanked her from the prisoner's chamber.  All the way to their bed chamber he hurried.  She knew she should feel terror
, but she had waited too long for this moment.  Oblivious to her nearly running step beside him to keep up with his long strides, he did not slow all the way until he shoved her behind their tapestry and followed her inside.  As soon as he stepped through the doorway, she spun around to face him.

She studied his angry face and her already broad smile grew wider
, which seemed to add more confusion.

"What is your game wife?"

She began removing her belt that accentuated her tiny waist, "I would think that is obvious to you my husband."

He stood rigid, watching her as she slowly took each stitch of her clothing off to stand boldly before him.

"Will you turn to whoring for those men?" he asked, in the deadly voice that hid the rage.

"I don't care about those men right now husband," she said
, taking a bold step toward him.  "I do, but it is only for you that I want to whore myself out."

His face showed concern the closer she came to him.  He did not move a muscle
, as she walked all the way up to stand within arm’s length of him.  She reached a hand out to touch his chest, with lightning speed he grabbed her wrist and held it, staring down at her, studying her.

"These actions do not seem like you."

Ryann chuckled because he found himself not in control at the moment, and he could not wrap his head around it.  "What do you really know of me?"

His grip was firm, it could snap her wrist with the slightest effort on his part.  Looking up at him
, at his emotionless eyes, she felt excitement despite herself.  Her heart pounded against her ribs, she knew he would not hurt her, but the fact that he could excited her.  The knowledge that he was on her side and would vanquish all her demons, made her bold.

"I don't want to wait any longer husband," she said
, stepping forward until her body was pressed against his.

"Why do you do this?" he asked
, still holding her wrist away from him, suspended awkwardly over her shoulder.  He no longer had his inscrutable look, now his face was full of weariness.  It looked as if the Fenton Bastard might bolt from sheer fear.

"Why should I not?  You are my husband."  She tried pulling her wrist free
, but he remained unyielding.

"Because I am the Fenton Bastard."

"You are Lord Garrick of Fenton.  My husband." She stretched up toward him.  "Relax," she whispered.  "I won't bite."

Slowly as if he thought it was not a good decision, he released her wrist.  "Why are you not afraid?"

"Do you want me to be afraid?"

He shook his head and "no" whispered from between his lips.

"My lord," came the call from outside the chamber.

"Yes, Harold," Garrick replied
, not taking his eyes off Ryann.

"There is news.  Lord Damien requests you in the hall."

"I'll be there," he responded.  Then her husband was closed off from her, and a cold stranger was staring down at her.  She wanted to scream at him not to leave, but she knew it would do no good.  She had a sinking feeling this was something she must get used to, competing with the battlefields and the responsibilities one such as he would have.

~ ~ ~ ~

Along the long, cold corridors Garrick stalked
toward the hall.  The anger that came from him was a palpable thing.  He was a lion denied the glory of his prey and he was still hungry, but with the interruption he was no longer hungry for the flesh of his wife, but blood.  Apprehension filled his chest.  He knew Damien would not have disturbed him if it was news that could wait.  The only news that could not wait was always the bad news, and he dreaded what it was.