In Love With A Warrior (Gunn Guardsman (Book 4)) by Kara Griffin Read Free Book Online Page B

would be in dire trouble if his mood grew darker. Her brother would end up in the dark-stall in the garrison, where her father placed those who dared refute his orders. David would do well to keep quiet, but she wouldn’t tell him that. She kicked him beneath the table to give him the silent message.
    “Owww, Emlyn, that hurt. What’d ye do that for?” He gave her a glare.
    “Sorry,” she muttered, keeping her eyes on her trencher.
    “I am not letting him get away with anything. I will attack when the time is right.” Her father’s voice took on that tone, gruff and undeniably fearsome.
    And yet she sensed he was concerned for she watched him closely and noticed his face downcast with worry lines, and his normally shining eyes staid. She knew well enough to stay away from him when he was in a mood.
    The rest of the meal passed in utter silence. Emlyn ate very little, but was sated. She caught the gaze of her mother and kept averting her eyes. Her sister, Suzanna, kept her mother busy with talk of garments and such nonsense. Goddess Arianhod love her.
    After supper, Emlyn snuck back out of the keep and went to find Branwyn. She’d been able to escape the keep before her mother asked after her or assigned her a mundane task. Branwyn was outside her cottage hanging launder behind the small home she shared with her parents and brother.
    Emlyn whistled their secret call to give alert. When Branwyn didn’t respond, she took a rock and tossed it nearby, and finally she turned. Her friend shook her head and Emlyn waved her forward.
    “Come,” she whispered loudly.
    “Shhh. I cannot. Go away.” Bran flapped her hand at her as if she was swishing away a fly. She hung up the last of the garments and picked up the basket.
    Emlyn hastened to her and pulled her arm, causing her to drop the basket and to run alongside her. When they were far enough away from the cottage, Emlyn veered off the path and took the secret trail deep in the woods.
    “You’re going to get me in trouble. I vow if I am punished, so shall you be.”
    Emlyn flashed a grin. “We need to meet Delyth. She said she would meet us by the waterfall. ‘Tis hot enough for a swim and the lake should be high enough what with the recent rains.” By the time they found their friend, dusk settled on the land. Emlyn couldn’t wait to remove her garments and did so as soon as she reached the large rock by the bank.
    The lake was small, but surrounded with lush plant life and a rocky incline. She always enjoyed being there, and rejoiced at the serenity it brought to her. It was rumored to be a magical place, where one’s soul could be soothed and injuries healed. Emlyn believed in such folklore for she’d seen it firsthand. Her grandfather proclaimed to be a close friend to the legendary wizard, Merlin. He’d performed magic of his own and verily impressed her.
    Emlyn jumped upon the rock and waited for her friends to join her. “Hasten, come on. I’m not awaiting you much longer.”
    Both Branwyn and Delyth added their garments to the pile and joined her on the rock. They clasped hands and jumped in together. The water was the deepest near the large rock and well over their heads. Emlyn rejoiced as the cool water took away the heat and sweat of the day.
    She swam toward the waterfall, and ducked her head under the fast-moving streams. “Ah, the cauldron of rebirth.” Emlyn loved this place and its enchanted aura. Pair Dadeni was said to be the place of the Gods and a person could be saved from death if placed in the water. Fortunately, they’d never had to test that forsooth.
    Delyth joined her and floated nearby, her long light-brown hair lay upon the top of the water. “It was a fair idea to come. I vow this day was the hottest yet.”
    Branwyn came up from beneath the water and used the waterfall to flatten her unruly hair. “I had to do chores all day, except when Emlyn stole me away to practice her archery. I vow this does feel good. But if we get