Angie Arms - Flame Series 03 Read Online Free Page B

throw the door open, and bolt. 
    Would Garrick really beat her, she wondered as she faced the door, ready to yank it open.  It did not matter it took her no time to decide.  She would rather take a beating than let her children die.  She felt hysterical laughter threaten, her a virgin, had countless children she considered her own.  This would surprise her husband at one point or another, either that she had so many children , or that his wonderful gift for their wedding night was still intact.  The thought sickened her, frightened her, and sparked anticipation for what she had waited her entire life for.  With a scowl she pushed those thoughts away.
    With one hand she drew the hem of her gown up to her knees , and with the other she yanked the door open and bolted.  She startled her two guards who leaned against the corridor’s wall.  She passed them before they could collect themselves, and hurtled down the steps.  By the time she searched the hall and courtyard and neared the kitchens she was out of breath, and the men who chased her grew in number, but by how many she couldn’t tell.    When Garrick appeared in the door with Helen in hand, she put the brakes on, sliding, nearly losing her balance and righting herself, just before colliding with him.
    She saw the rage jump immediately to his face , but at the moment she did not care, she only cared that the children lived.  “Have you harmed the children?”
    He flung Helen away from himself so hard she stumbled and hit the floor with a groan.  She heard two of the men behind her hastily explain how she came to be away from her chamber.  The fear in their voices sent alarm bells through her head.  He would beat her, she was sure of this.  The fact he had been beaten only frightened her more.  He would not have received such scars across his back if he had not.  She knew it would not make him stay his hand.  It only ensured he knew how to dole a beating out, by the look of his scars, a very thorough beating.   He advanced on her, his eyes promising swift and violent retribution.  He grabbed her by the arms and she saw stars as he jerked her sideways, to slam her back into the wall.
    “Why won’t you obey me?” he asked, punctuating each word with her body slamming into the wall. 
    “Let her go,” she heard Daley’s voice from behind Garrick.
    He did , with one final slam that knocked the breath from her, then turning drew his sword and advanced on him.  “Please,” Ryann gasped, taking every ounce of her strength to launch herself at Garrick.  She slammed into him, but did not accomplish her goal, which was to knock him off balance.  Marcus grabbed for Daley at the same time Garrick turned on her, grabbing her by the throat and slamming her back against the wall.  A chorus of disapproval rose from the children, led by Winford.  She watched them advance on Garrick and the soldiers jumped in, grabbing several and slinging them toward the others.  Ryann heard the scrape of numerous swords as they were pulled from their sheaths. 
    With a growl Garrick released her and turned quickly to the melee that was going on behind him.  “Put away…”
    A cry of horror and pain rang out, and Ryann watched in sickening shock as one of the children was cut down by a soldier’s blade.  “Enough!” Garrick screamed.  “Here’s your countess, now disband before any more of you die.  Go on about your duties, we’ll be feasting soon,” he ordered his men.
    “Cealie,” Ryann cried , charging forward to the fallen child.  She was dead, as quickly as that, the little child’s light had been extinguished by the large blade that drove into her chest.  By the time she reached her, Garrick grabbed her around the waist.  She screamed at him, beat on his chest, his head, until he grabbed her and flung her over his shoulder.  She continued her assault on his back, the tears streaming down.  She was filled with a rage so blinding she felt she