Free Arissa's Fate (Redemption Trilogy) by Amanda Daul Page B

kidnapped you to use as bait because they knew they would never be able to catch me on their own.”
                  “Looks like they couldn’t catch you even with the best leverage they could get their hands on,” Cayl added, quietly.
                  Arissa leaned forward without wasting another moment, pressing her lips against those of her lover that she had spent so long yearning for, wishing that she could feel his touch just one more time. It was almost like a first kiss between them, as if unsure how to advance. The last thing on Arissa’s mind was what would have happened when they did find each other. Obviously, after what had just happened to them, something would change and it would certainly feel different.
                  However, the same strong connection that had always kept them together before was still evident and it was obvious Cayl could feel it too. He gripped the back of her neck, pulling her closer and deepening the kiss. When it grew even more intense, Arissa could feel him flinching from the pain he felt from the wound, but when she tried to back away, he gripped her tighter and wouldn’t let her go.
                  Even after the kiss broke, Cayl gripped her in a crushing hug around her shoulders, holding her tighter than she could ever remember. Her arms fit perfectly around his torso, resting her forehead against his strong chest. His skin still felt slightly warm from the fever, but definitely a lot healthier than the night before.
                  Neither attempted to break the embrace, Arissa just let herself sink into the moment of feeling his hand curl around the nape of her neck, his heartbeat in her ear. She traced her fingers on his bare skin and allowed herself to feel her love for Cayl deeply enough, that yet another tear broke free from her dark eyes.
                  It wasn’t until they heard the sound of slow, approaching footsteps when they finally broke the intense hold, but even after Yasmine entered the room, Arissa made no attempt to back away from him and Cayl wouldn’t have let her go even if she tried.
                  Yasmine spoke in a soft, delicate voice, almost sheepishly. “I couldn’t help but notice earlier, Arissa, that you are also injured.” She gestured to her arm. When she looked down, Arissa saw that it had begun to slowly start bleeding into her already ruined cloak. Without a word, she nodded, not wanting to risk her voice sounded choked up.
    Arissa had only met Landon’s wife a few times, but from what she knew about Yasmine she could tell that she was an incredibly gentle and loving person. Her soft brown hair framed her petite, heart-shaped face and it seemed that a small, comforting smile was perpetually fixed into place, enlightening her pale blue eyes. Arissa had no idea where she had originally come from or how she had met Landon, but her medical skills were outstanding.
                  In only a few minutes, Yasmine had Arissa’s knife wound cleaned and bandaged. After Arissa kindly refused any pain medication, Yasmine vacated the room again to give them privacy.
                  “Okay, we won’t go for a day or two, but what happens after that? We can’t go home. We can’t do anything until we clear your name.”
                  Arissa nodded. “I’ll admit I don’t know where to even start. I’m sure it has something to do with what I was working on with the General. The only person who I knew of that might have been able to shed some light was the Captain and that’s shot to hell now that he’s dead.”
                  Cayl’s head snapped up, his eyes burning with intense surprise. His expression nearly startled Arissa. “Captain Lovett is dead?” his voice was high and too loud, filled with disbelief.
                  “Yes!” Arissa gasped, incredulously, feeling winded. She had