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

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    “Garrick is a man at war with himself.  To gain power he must have the men under him who can do horrible things.”
    Alena moved to Ryann’s head and sinking to her knees, began to gently wet her hair.  She added the soap that was left with the clothes, working it gently into her scalp.  “My family was killed by Emir Ghalib in Jerusalem, and he took me as a slave.  One day five knights and one squire were brought to the Emir’s prison.  They were Englishmen, Garrick and Marcus was among them, and I found a way to take them food.  When they escaped they took me with them.  I had no one and nowhere to turn, so I thought using my body would be the only way I could survive.  I made a deal with Garrick I would be his mistress.  But we fought and I landed halfway into the fire.  My arm and face were immediately burned, such excruciating pain.  He lets his people think it was my punishment for rejecting him, not an accident.”
    “I have never lain with Garrick,” the woman hurriedly said , as if she just remembered she talked to the man’s future wife.  “Garrick told Marcus he could have me, because I would be forever scarred.  Marcus took me to his chamber, healed me, and has refused to relinquish his claim on me.” 
    “Is it bad?” Ryann asked.  Marcus was a handsome man in his own right, he looked as kind and gentle as Garrick looked foreboding, but that did not mean she would like being shackled to a man she could not get away from.  Her mind flicked to the rea lization that was her plight when the King gave his blessing to the match with Garrick.  Nothing but the death of one of them could break the chain that would hold them together once they took their vows.  She did not feel it was the same however, for she decided if there were men like Stroud, she was content with Garrick.
    Alena laughed.  “Marcus hasn’t touched me, not like that.  The only man I have ever known is Ghalib.”
    The lithe beauty before her laughed again, a soft tinkling sound.  “Marcus likes to pretend I’m his woman.  I share his chamber, but servants wait on him.  His only demand is that I stay away from the other men , and never let them know what Garrick did was more accident than revenge.”
    “I’m not saying Garrick’s a saint.  He leads an army of brutal cutthroats and does not tolerate his orders being disobeyed by anyone.  That is why it is safest to stay away from the other men as they ask , and to allow Garrick to take the blame for this,” Alena said, motioning to her own face, “and for you.”
    Ryan n didn’t respond, how could she?  Once the bath was complete Alena helped her out of the tub and dressed her in a soft robe, then set to work massaging salve into her cuts.  The door burst open and Garrick stalked in, his face pressed into a scowl.  Alena and Ryann’s eyes locked on his intimidating figure as he advanced on them.  Too late Ryann realized her robe was draped around her shoulders, dipping dangerously close to revealing her breasts to him.  He nudged Alena out of the way, at the same time taking the small bowl of salve from her.
    His eyes were locked on Ryann’s, the bleak darkness she saw left her cold.
    “The priest waits downstairs.  Lena,” he said, and waited for her response, his eyes still not leaving his soon to be bride.
    “Yes ?” she questioned near his shoulder.
    “Lower the candles so her face will not be seen during the ceremony.”
    Alena left with a nod, leaving the lord and lady staring at each other.  The swelling went down considerably in her face, but the bruises would take days to heal. 
    “The time nears when you will join yourself to me,” he stated , with no inflection in his voice.   
    “Do you tell me this should I wish to be free of these bonds?” she asked in a whisper.  As it always seemed , this man was close enough to her she did not need to strain her voice.
    Garrick shook his head, “Freedom from me is not an