Flame Thrower Read Free

severe scrutiny of the situation. He watched Ryan look back to the creature in his arms, finally pinpointing the cause of his concern. Ryan oozed with emotions he’d not seen on his liege’s face in uncounted years–compassion, tenderness…love. All dangerous when they didn’t know who she was.
    What he saw matched the depth of emotion that he heard layered in Ryan’s voice. “Aye, Sir. I’ll send someone immediately.” Wallace delivered a half bow and slipped from the cabin, leaving his liege alone holding the broken woman who slept cradled in the security of his arms. In his heart he knew this was wrong, but King Ryan claimed her and there wasn’t anything Wallace could do about it.
    Once more alone, Ryan looked back down and a sad smile curved his lips. She looked so gentle, so tiny laying there. How could she be anything other than a scared woman who was pushed well beyond her limits? She wasn’t a vile criminal and Ryan would not treat her so. She slowly crept into his heart and he knew the longer he held her, the more she claimed of his soul.
    Ryan realized that from the moment he laid eyes on her, he was infatuated. As time crept by, he knew that it was turning to obsession. She bewitched him with each breath she took and each beat of her heart. His sight traced the long strands of her hair that were in a wild array around her face. With a gentle touch, he swept them aside, reveling in the sensation of his fingers caressing her cheek in comfort.
    After a moment of such contact, he felt her body stiffen and all breathing ceased as if she held her breath. She held perfectly still and the only sound that could be heard was the crackling of the fire next to him. Ryan knew she woke up and didn’t move other than to whisper, “You are safe, Milady. No one will bring you harm.”
    His only reply was the strangled sound of her crying, but she said nothing. He didn’t move, fearing he’d wake her more, thus breaking the peaceful moment. Within a few heartbeats, he heard her rhythmic breathing indicating she was asleep once more, generating a release of pressure off his heart. Relieved, Ryan relaxed against the stone hearth and let the warmth of the fire keep them for the time being. He’d wait this out and decided to remain where he was for the time being. At least for now, she had peace.

    * * * *

    Tillian awoke in a panic. The first thing she registered was the smell of wood smoke from a fire. The next was the warmth of those flames against her skin. She felt something warm and soft underneath her and knew she was in someone’s arms. That at first reassured her, but then she remembered where she was and a panic infused her being. Terror instilled her mind when she realized she had no idea where she was or who the man who held her was. It wasn’t her brother Gareth and it wasn’t her captors. They were not this gentle with her. They kept her naked and only allowed her to sleep without a blanket on a mattress away from the fire. No, this gentleness couldn’t be from them. Her brother would also never hold her like this, which raised the question of who it was.
    Tillian froze, holding her breath, trying to keep from giving into the panic. She feared they had found her after having second thoughts about dumping her where they had. It wasn’t until this new man spoke, and she heard the tenderness in his voice, that she was able to release the air in her lungs. It was most wonderful sound because the strong voice didn’t match any of her assailants, and reminded her of the man she vaguely recalled coming to her rescue along the road. The sound soothed her and made her feel safe. It immediately calmed her enough to accept he would not bring her harm.
    Tillian let the soothing sounds of the wind outside and the crackling of the fire lull her to the oblivion of sleep. Under her cheek, she felt and began to count the strong heart beat that thudded in the chest of whoever held her. The sound pulled her deeper into