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

as much as his grip allowed .  “Christopher and the rest of your guard are going with me.  I’m leaving men to protect you.”
    “You’re leaving your men?” she asked , and she heard the fear in her own voice.
    “Yes,” he replied .  “They listen to my orders, and my orders are to hold this keep and guarantee the safety of all that reside here.  They will do nothing else as long as you stay put.  Do not provoke them.”  He gripped a little harder, making her eyes lock with his so close.  “Do you understand what I’m telling you?  If all remains as I leave it, all will be well.  Do not give my men any decisions to make.  Do not provoke them.”
    Again she nodded , and he released her. He dismissed her and swept from the room.  Just as quickly as he came into her life, he was gone. 
    He left Marcus in charge , and like Garrick, he ruled with an iron fist.  Punishments for the men were harsh and swift.  He was lenient with her people, so she accepted what she had to. 
    She saw to the welfare of the people and her daily presence among them within and without the walls of the keep , reassured them, and gave them reason to continue with their lives.  Daley became her shadow, and she knew he feared for her among Garrick’s men.  Ryann missed Christopher, and the presence of the men Garrick left behind made her nervous, but she could almost forget what they all waited on.  Each day they waited on Garrick to return, a part of an army suspended, a bride to be on hold.

Chapter 3
     
    They came out of nowhere, dozens of them.  They swarmed around Ryann, her five guards and Daley.  Daley moved toward her, but he was pulled from his saddle before making it.  One of their attackers grabbed her horse’s bridle, then dragged her from the saddle.  She hit the ground hard, tried rolling to her feet, but the man was on top of her, grabbing her by the hair and dragging her up.  She struggled with him, not a very valiant effort considering she was held at arm’s length. 
    “Hold,” an authoritative voice called , and all around her fell quiet.  She stopped her struggles, saw that all her guards lay dead, and her knees went weak.  One of the men stood before Daley who held a dagger futilely before him, a sword ready to be driven into the young man’s chest. 
    “Countess Ryann , so nice of you to join us,” the man commanding them said, before directing his attention to the boy.
    “What fascinating eyes you have,” the man said, admiration clear.  “Take them both.”
    Daley put up a fight, inciting Ryann too as well , but both were short lived.  She watched the boy trussed up as pain shot through her head, and darkness blanketed her.
    When she became aware of her surroundings it was as she was being pulled from the back of a horse none to gently.  A hood was pulled over her head , but she was able to hear Daley threatening the men who dragged him up the steps ahead of her.  The place they were taken into felt darkly menacing.  She was carried between two men, one at her feet and one at her shoulders.  Once inside the structure she was dropped unceremoniously onto the stone floor. 
    “Easy with her,” Daley said , and she could hear that he struggled with the men.
    Ryann sat up , but a big hand came out and clamped on her shoulder, making her remain seated on the floor.  Once she settled back down, the hood was yanked from her head.  They were in a giant hall, the cobwebs and crumbling walls was testimony this place was abandoned long ago. The man giving the orders had his attention riveted to Daley.  He was a tall man, but rather small, and she was startled to realize it was only because she compared him to Garrick.  He was actually quite a handsome man, but the way he watched the boy made her uneasy.
    “Who are you?” she asked.
    The man walked to stand in front of Daley, who immediately quieted his struggles.  “I am Lord Daniel Stroud.  You are Countess of Kilkenny, and that