Dragonblade Trilogy - 02 - Island of Glass Read Online Free

her slipper, rubbing her
sore toes. It had been stupid to kick armor, but she had done it anyway. As she
was rubbing, the door to her chamber rattled and her heart leapt, startled by
the sound.  The panel finally opened and the earl entered, followed by a
serving woman with a tray in her arms. Behind the woman came Lucius.
    Aubrielle hadn’t seen Lucius in a
few years. He was a tall man, nice looking, his dark brown hair now tinged with
gray at the temples. His dark beard was neat and trimmed. When he smiled
apprehensively, she gave him a hateful look and focused on her uncle.
    “So you bring food to the
prisoner,” she said. “I suppose I should thank you for your humane treatment.”
    The earl’s pleasant expression
faded. “You are as lovely as ever, Aubrielle. A pity I cannot say the same for
your manner.”
    She lifted an eyebrow at him.
“What would you know of my manner? You make it a point of not being around me
whenever my mother and I visit. In fact, I would say this is the first time in
years you have addressed me civilly.”
    The earl rubbed a hand over his
face, glancing at Lucius, wishing to God he had never agreed to his sister’s
plea. The serving girl set the tray down before Aubrielle and quickly vacated
the chamber. As the woman left, another figure entered the room.
    Aubrielle knew it was the knight
who had captured her simply by his eyes. The rest of the man meant nothing to
her, even though he was without his armor. His enormous size gave him away as
well, arms the size of tree limbs and legs as thick as a horse’s neck. His hair
was a pale shade of blond, the thick curls close cropped against his scalp. He
met her gaze, feeling her hatred clear across the room. His only reaction was
to plant his thick legs and cross those massive arms across his chest. If she
were hoping to intimidate him, she would be sorely disappointed.
    Aubrielle felt as if she was
being ambushed. She pointed at Kenneth. “So you bring him to fight with me
again?” she looked at her uncle. “Why have you brought them both? To punish
me?”
    “No one is going to punish you, Aubrielle,”
the earl sat in a chair, slowly. “Everything in your life does not have to be a
battle. If you would only stop your belligerence, you would see that.”
    She didn’t know what to think.
“Then why have you come? Why are they here?”
    “Can I not come and visit my own
niece?’ The earl asked. “You are a guest in my home. Am I not allowed to visit
with my guests?”
    She fixed him in the eye. “Where
is my mother?”
    “She has gone home.”
    Aubrielle knew that, but still,
the truth hurt. She felt like an orphan. For the first time, her aggressiveness
slipped.
    “So she has left her burden with
you,” she murmured.
    Garson could see she was wavering
and he welcomed the opportunity for rational conversation.
    “She had hoped that a change
would do you good,” he said. “Your mother is not a strong woman. She is weary.”
    “Weary of me,” Aubrielle said. “I
know the truth, uncle. You need not spare me.”
    The earl tried not to validate
her too much. “I wasn’t aware I was sparing you anything,” he said casually. “Aubrielle,
your mother is tired. The death of your father has taxed her sorely and she
needs time to rest and recover. At this moment, your headstrong manner and
determination is simply too much for her to bear. She hopes that….”
    “She hopes that you will somehow
conquer the shrew that has made her life miserable and drove her husband to an
early grave,” Aubrielle stood up from the bed. “Do not assume that I am
oblivious of the truth, uncle. I know that she has left me here for you to put
some sense into my head. She cannot control me and bears the hope that somehow
you can.”
    Garson crossed his arms,
formulating his words. “You have had an unconventional upbringing, Aubrielle.
Though you are as beautiful as a new morning, you are without a doubt the most
unusual woman I have ever known.