Love's First Flames (Banished Saga, 0.5) by Ramona Flightner Read Free Book Online Page A

him. “I hope our uncle doesn’t take as long as those knights in the story. For whatever I have to do, we will not be separated.” He closed his eyes, weariness overcoming any despair at his current life with his brothers.

CHAPTER FIVE
    “POLISH UP YOUR SHOES, RICH,” Gabriel said as he sat at the foot of his cot. “You don’t want to give Aunt a reason today.”
    “Did you see the pile of gifts, Gabe?” Rich asked as he used a sock to wipe away smudges from his shoe, unable to hide the excitement from his voice. “Some of them have to be for us. They couldn’t all be just for our cousins.”
    Jeremy nodded, nearly jumping in excitement, as he attempted to tame his cowlick. He licked his fingers and patted at his hair, to no avail.
    “Well, let’s not keep her waiting. I’d hate for her good mood to change for any reason,” Gabriel said as he ushered his brothers out of their small room. He led the way upstairs to the formal parlor. A Christmas tree stood in one corner, glass ornaments hung on its branches. The smell of fresh pine filled the air, and Gabriel sniffed the scent appreciatively. A small mound of presents sat near the tree while the fireplace had been decorated with stockings and holly. Only four stockings hung over the crackling fire.
    “What could you possibly be thinking, invading my parlor, disturbing us on our most precious of days?” their aunt asked as she entered the room, her plum dress swirling around her ankles and a small bustle at her back giving her rail-thin frame an illusion of curves.
    “It’s Christmas, Aunt.” Gabriel looked from the parlor to the dining room, where the sideboard overflowed with delicacies. “You invited us to join you today.” He stood tall, in front of his brothers in an attempt to shield them from her spite.
    “If you think I will allow the fact that today is Christmas to prevent me from punishing you for your abhorrent behavior, you are sadly mistaken. You are not welcome here, not after one of you”—she pointed to Jeremy and Richard—“wreaked such havoc yesterday.”
    “We did our duties as you asked, Aunt. You can have no reason to complain, nor any reason to bar us from celebrating Christmas with you.” Gabriel stood tall, glaring at his aunt.
    “No reason? One of your worthless brothers broke a priceless china cup while dusting yesterday. And did he have the courage to tell me?” She stood with her hands on her hips, glaring at them. She attempted to reach for Richard and Jeremy, but Gabriel blocked her movement.
    “Jer? Rich?” Gabriel asked.
    “I’m sorry, Gabe,” Jeremy whispered. “I didn’t mean to.”
    “He’s sorry, Aunt.” Gabriel met his aunt’s glare with one equally as fierce.
    “ Sorry won’t allow me to serve my important guests in the manner in which they are accustomed, young man. Your brother has seen to that.” She took a deep breath. “Now, for your penance, you will have no Christmas dinner with us, and your gifts will be given to children who are in greater need of them than you.”
    “He’s nine, Aunt,” Richard protested.
    “That’s not fair, and you know it. My brother made a mistake because you’re having him do work he’s never been trained to do,” Gabriel said at nearly the same time. He watched his aunt’s calculating glance and was filled with impotent rage.
    “Well, at least now my family is spared the indignity of your presence on this wondrous day.” She nodded toward the staircase, used only by the servants and turned away from them, effectively dismissing them.
    Gabriel spun, grabbed his brothers’ arms and stormed away, down the stairs to their small room.
    He slammed shut their door and faced Jeremy, who lay huddled on his cot. Gabriel’s ire leeched from him as he beheld his youngest brother’s misery. “Why didn’t you tell me, Jer?” He moved toward him, rubbing his hand over Jeremy’s head.
    Jeremy burrowed into Gabriel’s side, sniffling as he fought tears. “I