Flame Thrower (26 page)

He completed the kiss, smiling at her when their foreheads touched. “I’ll not just hand you over. I love you, Tillian. The faster you understand and accept this, the easier this will be.”

Just like that she forgave him instantly and smiled. “I won’t accept that, but I believe you love me.” She was lost in his brown eyes that begged her trust him, but she still couldn’t allow him to go through with this plan of his.

“You’re forgetting I’m a Mage. A
very powerful and overprotective
Mage. Two of my favorite women are in trouble and you want me to ‘just hand you over’? You need to embrace the word no.” Ryan turned to Wallace without releasing her face. “Have you sent scouts out yet?’

“Yes. We have confirmation he is camped about half a day’s ride from here. He must have ambushed her just outside the safety of the city guards.”

“How many men are with him?” Ryan asked in a formal inquisition without moving his forehead from Tillian’s and returned to staring into her eyes while he talked with Wallace. His gentle touch soothed her, but still she cringed at hearing them discuss the strategy of the situation.

“Two hundred soldiers, Sir. From what we can see, they are fanned out in a circle around a huge pavilion in the center, where we think Crysin is being held,” Wallace reported back.

“So, he sent two full companies with him.” Ryan whispered to Tillian. “Is that normal?”

“Yes and no. He usually doesn’t travel because he is the Crown Prince and doesn’t leave the city very often. When he does, he takes protection.” She looked into his eyes deeply and saw determination. “So, you are going to fight him?”

“Tillian.”

“Please, answer me. You are still going to fight him?” Tears threatened to crack her voice but she didn’t break her eye contact, pleading with him to listen to reason.

He felt her fists grip his tunic and couldn’t resist pressing his body closer to hers in comfort. Being this firm was hard and up to this point, she was strong. He felt like he was breaking her down. What forced him to crumble were her tears. The appearance of her sadness was too much for him.

“Tillian,” he whispered softly into her ear, “Please, love, no tears. Please don’t cry over this. Trust me.”

She sniffed loudly before she could find her voice, but when she did he stilled instantly. “Your two favorite women are in trouble and you are going to start a war over it. Well, my two favorite men are about to engage in that war and you want me to accept that without argument. I can’t. Just let me go and avoid this. I can’t risk either of you getting hurt, regardless of what Gareth has done to me. He’s still my brother, Ryan. My brother that I love tremendously. I won’t accept your choice to just kill him.” She paused. “I can’t take the chance his ruthless fighting strategies won’t bring you to harm either. I can’t lose you.”

“I will kill him, Tillian. I’m sorry about that, but he dies. He made his choice and he chose poorly.” Ryan rubbed his bearded cheek against hers and then collected her into his arms tightly. “I’m sorry for that, but his crimes must be punished. This is how it has to be.”

Gareth dead? Gareth never to laugh with her or tease her about something stupid?
Tillian felt a cold hand grip her heart because in that one moment, she saw with absolute clarity. If she had to choose between him and Ryan, there was no denying who’d win. It still didn’t change her mind about what had to happen. Fighting Gareth wasn’t the answer and she couldn’t take the chance of Ryan getting hurt.

Tillian pushed against his chest and tried to shove away in order to see his face. Ryan wouldn’t budge. “No, you have choices too! You could try to find another way,” she cried, not ready to accept the new realization she just stumbled across. If Ryan did succeed and Gareth died, she’d be all right. Sad, but all right. That was disturbing, but when faced with the alternative of losing Ryan, there was no question.

“There is no other way. He’s brought harm to my family and on my land. End of discussion. If you are going to continue to argue, sweetheart, I need you to leave. I have plans to draw up and I’m not enjoying arguing with you any longer.” Ryan placed his lips on her forehead again and just held them there for a moment, then released her. “I have to get back.”

Ryan turned his back on her and began talking with the generals about tactics that she knew nothing about. Tillian watched him go and felt helpless in this. She was going to lose one of the men she loved and there wasn’t anything she could do.

Wallace saw her discomfort, so he leaned in casually but looked down as if checking his shoes. When he spoke, it was soft, just louder than a whisper. “I see your face when he speaks of killing your brother. You mustn’t stop him, my Queen. I’ve known Ryan a long time and when he hunts something, he doesn’t stop until his prey is his.” He raised his face to look flush at her. “He will destroy him one way or another so you should accept that and start grieving now. There is nothing you can do.”

Tillian shook her head at his confidence and assuredness in the matter. “Maybe and maybe not. I was raised with the mind that there are always choices. Everyone gets to choose what they are going to do. He could choose another path,” she said with conviction.

“Like they chose to whore you then allow you to be discarded? Yes, these are men who make wise choices, Queen Tillian.” He bobbed his head sarcastically. “Very wise.” Wallace touched his forehead in apology for he could see his words bit deep.

Tillian frowned and returned his evaluation with a look of confusion. “Why do you care so much?” Wallace flinched at her words. “You just met me over a month ago. Why do you care if I live or die? You probably know and cherish his sister, Crysin. Why care about me at all? You should be offering to hand me over yourself to get her back.”

Wallace couldn’t believe what he heard and stared at her dumbly for a moment, then said, “You are my Queen, Tillian, one I’ve been waiting for since Ryan came of age. He vowed not to marry; would not share his power, so Yorath suffered that loss. This country needs two to lead, two to keep the people loyal. We have that now and I’ll not willingly lose it.” He paused and hung his head in decision. “I’m not sure I should say this but I will. I’ll also protect you till the end because you make Ryan happy. For as long as I’ve known him, he’s been tormented by his powers for many reasons, but the worst has been how women used him. You would think that being the Crown Prince would be more seductive, but no. There are cruel women out there who wanted nothing more than to bed him in an attempt to get pregnant in order to carry a Mage child. This made him very selective, so much so that he will have months, sometimes years between any female relations. When the second woman used him, he vowed never to get married and have his throne stolen from him. He kept that vow for over twenty-five years Tillian.” The long heavy pause had her looking up sharply. “Until he met you.”

Tillian wasn’t sure how to comprehend what she just heard. Ryan resumed pacing and she watched his graceful gait as he moved from one end of the room to the other. Her stomach cramped in affection when she watched his muscles move under his tight tunic and how his breeches hugged his legs perfectly. “So, you would kill for me? You would sacrifice Crysin,” she added to Wallace while she watched Ryan.

“Gladly.”

Tillian looked at Wallace with new respect. Here in Yorath she was someone of worth. Back home she wasn’t and treated as such. Even the Lords found her to be worthless. This switch in attitude was going to take her a while to get used to. Sacrificing Crysin still weighed heavy on her heart, though and she wasn’t ready to give up on a woman she’d never met. Not when she meant this much to Ryan. Not to mention, she was the sister of a strong man too. She held the same hope that he’d save her. Snorting, Tillian looked down. She had to find a way to save the woman.

“What will Ryan ultimately do? You’ve been around him his whole life.” Tillian desperately needed to know if there was a chance he would ride to the fight himself.

“He’ll send in a minimum of two companies with him at the head. While his men are attacking, he will get Crysin out before they realize you are not there. Tell me something—from what I understand, the Folkyn army is pretty well-trained. Am I mistaken?”

“I’m not sure as I have nothing to compare it to, but if I go by what my brother has mentioned, yes. He has worked very hard over the past few years to up the ante so to speak. Our men are stronger and more skilled in the art of warfare, not to mention they are ruthless. Gareth bragged often at how they’ve become more than a normal army with their techniques, and I’m not sure all of them are gentile.”

Wallace looked sideways at her with a sad look. “Nothing in war is gentile.” He nodded. “Then the fight will be even. Our men are skilled, always have been, and we can fight dirty if need be. We have an advantage though. Ryan’s magic will most likely see an end to any chance of a fight anyway. He won’t let his men come to injury any more than you want him to. Try not to worry too much on that. In all honestly, he could level all two hundred men by himself if he needed to.” Wallace now leaned back against the wall with his arms crossed and watched the generals discuss the battle details.

Tillian was desperate to find a solution that would avoid war, battles or the chance anyone, especially Ryan, was put into danger on her behalf. This news that he would send an equal number disturbed her. “Which direction did you say my brother was camped in?” He had not mentioned that but she needed to know just in case.

“East, along the plains passage.” He looked at her, suddenly suspicious. “Why?”

“No reason other than I was curious,” she replied with casual interest. “When will you all ride out, for I’m assuming you’re going?” Tillian turned her head to see his reaction.

“Actually, no. I’ll stay here with you. Ryan asked that I personally see to your safety while he’s gone. Any objections to that plan?” He lifted one eyebrow in challenge.

“Of course not,” she smiled. “It would be an honor and I’m flattered you agreed.”

“Get used to it, Tillian. You are our cherished Queen of Yorath. There are quite a few people who will die for you,” he said with sincerity and devotion.

Tillian eyed the guard from the side then decided to let any further arguments drop. Her mind was made up the moment he provided the location of Gareth’s camp. She would not allow this to transpire and exercised her own advice to make a choice. Yet for now, she’d remain silent on the topic and allow Ryan and his men to plan.

“Wallace?”

“Yes?”

“Is there a chance Ryan could get hurt?”

He harrumphed. “No.” He pushed off the wall. “Why don’t you get some rest while they finish this? I can have some hot food brought to you while you wait?”

She cast one lasting look at Ryan who was engaged in a conversation over a map and pointing furiously at one spot with his finger. “I can’t argue with that,” she smiled.

* * * *

Later that evening, Tillian approached the topic with Ryan again.

He groaned in response when she tried. “I’m not having this conversation with you again. My mind is decided. We will ride out tomorrow afternoon and rescue my sister. Enough discussion.” Since they were alone, both had changed into their night clothes and were sitting near the fire. He pulled her tight to his side and snuggled her against his frame. “I don’t want to talk warfare with you, Tillie. I would rather discuss trying for a baby again.” He looked down at her with desire blooming in his brown eyes.

“Don’t change the subject.” Her hand swatted his chest before she pushed off him. She wasn’t successful and he collected her again.

“I don’t want to talk about this anymore. I would rather love you and feel your body tremble with pleasure for one more night before I commit this act tomorrow.”

She stiffened.

“I accept it will take you awhile to forgive me, but I hope that one day you’ll understand,” he whispered with his lips pressed against the shell of her ear.

“Ryan.” She felt close to tears.

His hand stroked her scars along her back to highlight his point. “They hurt you, mistreated you and nearly killed you, Tillian. Gareth played a large part in that. Who knows what he’s doing to my sister at the moment, so any other choice would be unfair punishment.”

“Ryan—” Yet her words were cut off when his lips captured hers in a gentle but insistent kiss. He ravished her mouth slowly and with expert skills that soon had her so thoroughly distracted that Tillian forgot all about the sorrow, fear and worry on what the following day would bring.

Her response led to him pushing her back onto the couch and thoroughly kissing her until she couldn’t speak. He sensed her heightened state of arousal and slowly untied her robe, sliding the fabric seductively over her bare skin, earning a moan.

“Now, I’d like to discuss those babies,” he purred while using his thumb to trace the outline of her nipple a few times before he lowered his mouth to taste her skin.

Tillian bunched her hands in his hair and pulled him into her body, holding him tight while he devoured her slowly and very tenderly. She allowed him this, even if she was fearful of what was to come.

While he loved her, a part of Tillian’s mind planned. She couldn’t chance losing this man for any reason. Not for Gareth, not for her and not for Crysin. Allowing him to sweep her away in erotic sensations, she drifted but never lost sight of what her goal was.