Sold Into Marriage by Sue Lyndon Read Free Book Online Page B

by the tent as Varron’s men prepared to slumber one last night before they awoke early for the return trip to Himma.
    “Varron?”
    “Yes, lass?”
    “Why did you buy me?”
    He ran his fingers through her soft hair, thinking this would be the perfect way to end his days, every day for the rest of his life. “I bought you because I wanted you, Meadow. I wanted you as mine. The thought of another possessing you drives me blind with rage. The thought of anyone hurting you makes me feel murderous.” His hold on her tightened for a moment as he imagined a powerful lord from the capital city putting her to work in his house, beating her savagely for the slightest offense, and possibly even breeding her with another slave. He doubted she understood the full severity of what could’ve happened to her in the city, and he loathed her stepfather for not caring if she suffered such an awful fate.
    “I should hate that you paid for me, but I don’t,” she said after a while, almost in a whisper. She sounded close to sleep. “Thank you for saving me, Varron. Thank you…” Her voice trailed off and soon the sound of her steady, slow and deep breaths, indicated she’d fallen fast asleep.
    He hugged her tighter and kissed her forehead. And then he thought about their future. He didn’t want to live with her in the capital city. He wished to retire from the king’s army and take her back to his homeland, to Geshema Providence. The large island was governed by King Baltus’ cousin, and the king rarely interfered in the affairs of those who lived there. It was a beautiful and sparsely populated tropical island, and not a day passed that he didn’t regret leaving.
    But as a young man he’d sought adventure and glory in battle, and his journeys had taken him to the capital city where he’d entered into King Baltus’ service and risen in the ranks, all the way up to a commander. The only thing that had tied him to Geshema Providence was the land he’d owned, land he had inherited upon his father’s death. The house he’d grown up in was still standing; his childhood friends kept an eye on it and sent him correspondences about the goings on in Geshema from time to time. He watched Meadow sleeping as he formulated a plan to retire from the king’s service and start a new life with his young bride.
    As he drifted into unconsciousness, he heard a noise on the other side of the tent. Blinking, he rose up on his elbows, assuming it was probably Norm rekindling the braziers. But the side of the tent glowed with flames. The heat hit him in the next moment, and then the smoke billowed toward him, burning his eyes and his throat.

Chapter Five
     
     
    Meadow blinked, trying to wake up. Her surroundings were a blur of colors. Why were men shouting? Why did her throat burn? Why were her eyes watering so much, making it difficult to see? Perhaps she was dreaming. She stopped trying to wake up and settled into the warmth surrounding her, but the shouts rose in volume and someone started shaking her.
    “Meadow! Meadow! Wake up, damn you!”
    Her eyes shot open, and she found herself staring up at Varron. She was bundled in the fur covering from his bedroll, but they were outside and he was carrying her. She looked up at the moon and stars. Judging from the moon’s position, it was after midnight. Why was everyone shouting? She tried to look around but found it difficult with Varron running so fast.
    “What’s happening?”
    “Several tents were set ablaze, including ours.” He finally put her down on the ground, just on the edge of the forest, amidst a gathering of armed men. She recognized Norm and several of the other young soldiers, as well as some of the men who had captured her during her attempted thievery. “Stay here. My men will keep you safe.”
    “Where are you going?” She clutched the fur around her and stared at the flames rising on the hill. At least a dozen tents had been set on fire. But why? She shuddered to