Free Not Magic Enough and Setting Boundaries Boxed Set (The Coming Storm) by Valerie Douglas Page A

stock - if these didn’t take them, too - barring a miracle they would simply starve the next winter instead. And Kort would still be out there between waiting for more…or coming back for what little remained.
    There was nothing else to do but brazen it out.
    “I repeat,” she said, “there is nothing for you here. Just go.”
    With a shrug, the leader said, “There is always you. Better a bird in the hand. Sell you to the slave markets and we’d get something at least. You’re a little thing but bold and pretty enough with that red hair. If nothing else, you’ll fetch a hefty price.” He smiled. “I’d be first in line to break you in. You’ve got spirit.”
    Just the thought sent a shudder through her although she didn’t show that either. Or how utterly terrified she was.
    She would fight, though, because she must.
    With a shake of his head the bandit signaled to his men.
    “Get the doors down,” he commanded. “Take her.”
    Delae looked at Dan, holding one hand low, praying he’d listen as his muscles bunched.
    It was likely they’d both die here but those they loved might not.
    The riders dismounted, pushing their horses out of the way. Delae never took her eyes off the leader as two of his men headed toward her. The others gathered together laughing and shoving each other as they turned toward the doors to the great room.
    If they did break in, they’d be sadly disappointed to find only two old men and two old women inside. Kort’s mother and Delae’s servant.
    But they were Delae’s. Her responsibility. She set herself as the two men neared and then she nodded.
    Dan charged with a shout, mallet and heated iron swinging.
    It was a distraction and all she needed.
    Delae ran and spun, her wrists locked as Dorovan had taught her. She felt the impact of steel against skin and bone, as sharpened steel sliced effortlessly through flesh. Her mind shied away from the thought and from the shower of blood that drenched her skirts even as she turned to the next, ducking beneath a swing that might have taken her head off.
    A blade flashed in the late afternoon sunlight as the second drove his sword down at her head. She took it on her own with both hands. The force of the blow made her hands sting but she didn’t drop the blade, only her shoulder as she slid out from beneath it and danced away. Even as she spun and turned she drew the sword after her and felt it bite into flesh as the man shouted in pain.
    It was the movement of mass – the sudden beat of hooves that made her turn – spinning and ducking as the leader spurred his horse at her, grabbing for her hair.
    He missed.
    Setting his horse on his heels, the leader turned it and swung even as a third man charged toward her.
    Her long hair flowing around her like liquid fire in the sunlight, Delae fended off one blow even as she arched to avoid another, the smith Dan swinging his mallet mightily, encircled by swordsmen.
    As Dorovan rode toward the gate that was what he saw - he set heels to Charis’s ribs unnecessarily as the sound of battle rang in the air. Charis was stretched full out but the gallant Elven-bred reached farther.
    His heart nearly stopped even as a part of him admired the wonder and beauty, the grace of Delae, her courage as she fought, always, against impossible odds.
    Then his swords were in his hands. He spun the blades around them, bright Elven steel sending shards of light coruscating to splinter against the buildings.
    It was that light that startled the raiders; it caught their attention, even as he shouted, “Delae!”
    Hope against hope, Delae heard Dorovan’s familiar deep voice and cried, “Dorovan!” even as she spun away from the third raider, dodging the leader as he rode down on her.
    The leader turned at the shout, his eyes widening as he looked up to see an Elven warrior bearing down on him.
    In an instant, two of his men fell to the Elf’s swords as the Elf’s horse spun, its feet lashing out to send one of