An Oath Sworn Read Online Free PDF Page B

willing to share. In a day, two at most, we will never see each other again.” Her voice began to break.
    Colyne stepped closer, but she shook her head.
    As if erecting an impenetrable wall between them, she moved back. “You are a stranger to me,” she whispered. “A fact I have no wish to change.”
    â€œIs it so wrong to offer friendship?”
    â€œMonsieur, can we not go?”
    â€œAnswer me. Please.”
    Sadness shadowed her face. “And if I did, will you answer any questions I have about you as well?”
    â€œA sword’s wrath!”
    Alesia’s eyes narrowed. “How dare you expect answers when you will give me none!”
    At her regal tone, Colyne started to laugh, helpless to do otherwise.
    Red slashed her cheeks. “ ’Tis good one of us finds humor in this situation.”
    â€œOch, lass.” He caught her hand and pressed a tender kiss upon her knuckles, pleased when she didna try to pull away. “I was only seeking friendship, naught more. ’Tis the request too much to ask?”
    Except when her gaze moved to where his lips had touched her skin, he knew he lied.
    As if reading his mind, she trembled. “Do not.”
    He released her hand, shaken. By the desire darkening her gaze, she wasna as immune to him as she would like, which helped naught. “Come.” The tall grass brushed against his legs as Colyne strode forward. At his side, her soft steps matched his, but he didna turn. If she hadna stopped him moments before, he would have kissed her.
    A mistake. What did he know about the lass? Little, a fact she ensured. Though born within the ranks of the gentry, for whatever her reasons, she had discarded the status her nobility offered and worked to help those less fortunate.
    Her choice.
    One that changed nothing.
    He should be pleased by her withdrawal. At least she didna have the brain of an ass. That honor belonged to him.
    â€œMon Dieu!”
    Colyne turned, startled by the fear in her gaze. “What is wrong?”
    Her hand shook as she pointed in the direction in which they were heading. “Look!”
    Beyond the next hill, a thick, black column of smoke billowed into the sky.
    Dread ripped through Colyne. Stephano! Please, God, nae them. “Wait here!”
    She caught his arm. “I am coming with you.”
    Furious she’d defy him, he tore her hand free. “You will stay!”
    Alesia’s face paled. “What is it?”
    He refused to admit his suspicions. If he was right, she didna need to witness the carnage spewed upon the other side of the glen.
    She stared at him, her troubled expression breaking down his resistance.
    â€œI will be back.” Before she could offer further objections, he bolted toward the black churning cloud at a dead run.
    And prayed he was wrong.

Chapter 4
    M arie raced after Colyne, the stench of smoke growing with each step. As she crested a mound, she broke through the trees. Stopped. The horror before her stealing her breath.
    Near the base of the angled slope, Colyne knelt amidst the blackened rubble. Bodies lay scattered around him, some butchered, others with arrows protruding from their backs. The cloying stench of charred flesh almost drove her to her knees.
    A sob tore free.
    Colyne’s gaze riveted on her. His face a mask of outrage and grief, he shoved to his feet.
    But his eyes.
    Merciful Lord. His eyes held the horrors of a man who’d witnessed too much death.
    She wrapped her arms across her chest as her body began to shake.
    He stormed toward her, his mail smeared by blood. “I told you to stay!”
    â€œI . . .” The crofter’s hut was engulfed in flames. Livestock lay mutilated in a twisted mass of hides and horror. Not even a lamb was left unscathed. And the people. Her chest tightened with pain. “Who could have—”
    â€œThe English.” Condemnation carved through his words like an angry blade. He caught her