Free Angie Arms - Flame Series 03 by The Darkest Flame Page A

happen tonight , or why Garrick wanted to lay claim to her abuse.  They were to have a large wedding, opulent enough the King would be attending.  Wouldn't he at least be angered by the change in plans?  Though he tried to do it gently, pain shot through her body when he laid her on the bed.  She adjusted to the new position and sank into the softness of her bed.  When Garrick pulled the furs over her, she felt the wariness seep away.  She did not know how much time passed with Garrick watching over her before she was awakened by the chamber door being shut quietly.
    “You sent for me Garrick?” the woman’s voice questioned.  Through swollen eyes she watched her come near to stand beside Garrick , who she suspected had been pacing back and forth like a giant cat prowling, the entire time she slept.
    The woman was tall, nearly as tall as Garrick.  Her hair was black as midnight flowing over her shoulders, a stark contrast to the light green of her gown and white cloak.  Her skin was glowing perfection in its creamy radiance, until she turned her head and Ryann saw the burn that marred one side of her perfect face.  Could this be the woman Una told her about?  The witch?
    Addressing Ryann as he quickly crossed to the bed , he said, “This is Alena, Marcus’s woman.”  The woman who had still not reached the bed snorted, receiving a scathing look from Garrick.  “She’ll help you clean up for the ceremony.”
    Just then Alena reached the bed and the woman cried out , sinking onto the edge and taking Ryann’s hand.  Her touch was gentle as she reached up to brush a lock of hair from Ryann’s face.  “Who did this to you?” Ryann just stared at her, so the dark headed woman directed the same question to Garrick.
    “I did,” he said in a voice turned cold .  To Ryann his voice said there was no room for argument.
    “You did not,” Alena scoffed.
    With a quickness that surprised them both, he reached out seizing her face in his large hand and turned it to expose her scarred face to him.  “Just as I did this to you I beat her and took her.  That is why we must wed tonight.  I must leave on the morrow and I will not have a bastard born while I’m away.  Clean her up,” he shoved her away and turning, left the chamber.
    Within a few minutes the tub was brought in , along with steaming buckets of water.  Quietly Alena let down the curtains around the bed and pulled herself inside with Ryann, holding the other woman’s hand gently, while stroking the hairline at Ryann’s forehead.  Once servants left, she opened the curtains again and bounced out, pulling Ryann from her slumber.
    “Come, I’ll help you up.”  With pain shooting through her back and hips , Ryann raised to a sitting position.  Gently Alena helped move her, so her legs hung over the edge.  As soon as she slid to her feet her legs screamed at her and threatened to buckle.  “I’ve got you,” Alena said, supporting her.
    With Ryann using the bedpost for support , Alena removed her tattered tunic, gasping at the cuts and bruises covering her body.  “Who did this?” Alena asked again, as she helped her shuffle to the steaming tub.
    “Stroud and his men,” just using her voice was taxing.
    Gingerly Ryann settled into the warmth of the water, as it bit into some of the cuts, but soothed her at the same time.  “Who?” Ryann asked, nodding at Alena’s face.
    “Garrick.”
    Fear began to knot inside Ryann’s stomach.  “Why?” she croaked.  Each time she talked she could feel big hands wrapped around her throat, taunting her with her own life, as they did horrible things to her.  She shuddered and closed her eyes tightly, as if it could block it from her mind.  She was glad the woman broke into an explanation of how she came to be with Garrick and his men, it gave Ryann a reprieve.  She concentrated on the woman’s words so that she might move her mind from what she had just been through, and onto something