An Oath Broken by Diana Cosby Read Free Book Online Page B

of the way down, the roll of snow that’d accompanied them from their initial impact grew.
    With a curse, Sir Knight pulled hard on the reins. “Saint’s breath, I was afraid of this.”
    “Afraid of what?” she yelled as she clung to him.
    “We have started an avalanche.”
    Terror swept her as she turned.
    Within the building rumble, a churn of angry white was engulfing all within its path, including them.
    The valley floor below grew dim.
    “Whatever happens,” he ordered as his horse started to slide, “do nae let go of me!”
    The churn of snow snuffed out the light.
    The horse screamed.
    Then, a sense of falling.
    Snow and icy clumps battered Sarra as she struggled to maintain her hold. “Sir Knight!” Something hard jabbed into her side, then her world went black.

    “Sarra!” Giric reached for her, but the rush of snow threw him back. Lost to the blur of white, he started to roll, then his body slammed to a stop.
    Stars shattered in his skull and every inch hurt. For a moment he lay there, gasping for breath, stunned that somehow he’d lived. With a groan he peeked out. Sunlight, warm and blinding, greeted him.
    Sarra!
    Pain slammed his head as Giric tried to sit up, but from the waist down, his body was trapped in snow. “Saint’s breath!” Several feet away his horse struggled to dislodge himself from a mound of snow. After several unsuccessful tries, his steed broke free. With a snort, his mount shook his head.
    Sarra! Breaths coming fast, Giric scanned the haphazard mounds of snow.
    Naught.
    Blast it, where was she? He furiously dug at the snow trapping his body. “A blasted mess,” he grumbled, but couldna ignore the fear edging through him like a knife. If he didna find her soon, she could die.
    If she wasna dead already.
    Nay, she was too stubborn to die. The blasted woman would cheat death and then some. And at this moment, he prayed he was right.
    As Giric threw out another handful of snow, a movement from above caught his attention. He shielded his eyes. Glints of steel from the cliff reflected in the sun.
    Blast it, ’twas Léod. Nay doubt he was trying to decide on the safest descent. That Léod, a man he’d reived with in the past, had set up an ambush to capture Sarra when he knew who escorted her, assured Giric the Scot wouldna negotiate.
    One man gestured his way, and Léod shook his head. After several more moments, the riders wheeled their mounts and rode out of sight.
    Giric didna delude himself. By daring to descend from the cliff, he’d bought himself and Sarra a bit of time. Once the Scots retraced their steps, they would round the base of the craig to where he now lay. And before then, he must find Sarra and escape.
    He braced his hands on the bank, and his body trembled. With a grunt, he shoved. Pain streaked up his arms, and then they gave out. He collapsed. Blast it! Giric lifted his hand toward his steed. “Here, lad.”
    His horse gave a soft nicker.
    “Come here now.”
    With a twitch of his ears, his mount picked his way toward him through the uneven ground. A pace away, he lowered his muzzle.
    “There you go, lad.” Leaning forward, he caught the reins. Giric wrapped the leather straps around his hand. “Back!”
    With a snort, his steed lifted his head and stepped away.
    The reins grew taut.
    Pain hammered him like the blow of a mace, but he held tight.
    His body inched forward.
    “Back,” he urged, and prayed he could keep hold of the reins without passing out.
    Snow groaned.
    His body shifted. “Back, lad!”
    With a nicker, his mount took another step back.
    Hands trembling, he clung to the taut reins, then his body slipped free. Now, to find Sarra! He struggled to his feet. Sweat soaked his brow as he stepped forward. Pain shot through his body. Giric leaned over, sucked in one deep breath, then another.
    His horse eyed him and gave a soft snort.
    Giric shot him a cool look. “Nae a word from you. The lass is enough trouble.” And had been from the