Free Rachel Rossano - The Theodoric Saga by The Crown of Anavrea

way.” He pulled her into a massive hug. “Now put your mind at rest, little sister. I shall free you from this…” He uttered a word that Labren had only heard used by the roughest of the seadogs. Professor Olof’s eyebrows rose and Han coughed. “He has no hold on you.”
    Eve tried to speak, but Ruarc shushed her. “Now, villain…” He turned and pinned Labren with a frigid glare. “Will you release her or do I need to call upon the law to deal with you.”
    Han stepped forward and opened his mouth, but Eve beat him to it.
    “You don’t understand.”
    “No, sister, you are the one who doesn’t understand.” Without dropping his glare from Labren, Ruarc pulled Eve behind him and pulled out a knife. “You are coming with me.”
    Balancing precariously, white fire searing his thigh, Labren raised both hands to hip level, showing the man his palms.
    “She is not going anywhere,” Professor Olof interjected.
    “Would you attack an unarmed man?” Han asked.
    “Remember what Father taught you. Listen!”
    Ruarc ignored her, raising his knife slightly higher.
    Eve ripped her hand from Ruarc’s grasp. Frustration sparked green fire in her eyes. “Ruarc Ethan, you aren’t listening.”
    Ruarc swung to face her. The mask of focused determination slipped and wariness flickered across his features. “Listening.”
    “I am free.” Her voice weighed heavy in the room. “Look!” She pulled back the collar of her dress to reveal her bare collarbone. “He already freed me. I am his wife. It was my choice, Ruarc. I choose to stay.”
    A slow dawn spread across her brother’s face. “So, he didn’t steal you?”
    “From Mridle’s perspective, perhaps, he did. From mine, I was freed.”
    “But he is a criminal.”
    “Wrongly accused,” Han pointed out before Labren’s tongue formed a sound.
    “The man from the caravan said he abused you.”
    “Let me guess his name,” Eve offered, “Ulysses?”
    “He was the one harassing her,” Labren protested.
    Ruarc glared at him. Distrust still hung between them. Labren didn’t completely blame him.
    Eve crossed to Labren and slipped an arm around his waist. “You are pale. Sit before you fall over,” she whispered, guiding him back to the chair.
    “But…” Ruarc’s voice faded to silence.
    Labren wanted to protest and remain standing, but a sudden wave of lightheadedness cut off the possibility. “What a way to feel useless,” he muttered. “A brother-in-law I never knew I had threatens to abduct my wife and all I can do is struggle not to pass out at his feet.”
    “He becomes a bit intense at times.”
    “Intense?” The room shifted. Labren dropped his head between his knees, thankful for the gentle pressure of Eve’s hand on his shoulder keeping him anchored to the floor.
    “Perhaps Labren and Eve can explain everything at another time.” Professor Olof suggested from the other side of the room. “We have refreshment and a room to rest in if you should need…”
    “I am not leaving Eve with that man.” Ruarc replied.
    “I understand that. However, Labren needs her now.”
    “May I suggest a tray be brought here,” Han suggested.
    “Labren should be in bed,” Professor Olof pointed out.
    “What is wrong with the bloke anyway?”
    “Recent injuries are affecting his health.” Professor Olof pulled out a chair. “Will you please have a seat? I will gather something from the kitchen.”
    Ruarc settled in the seat, but Labren could still feel the steely pressure of his glare.
    “Are there any other family members of yours I should know about?”
    “No.” Slender fingers slipped through his hair, lulling him toward sleep. “Our parents are dead, we only have each other.”
    It was a feeling Labren couldn’t quite relate to. Ireic and he had never been particularly close, more from their parents’ choices than theirs. It was hard to have a relationship of any kind while physically miles apart. Besides, the price on his head