Flame Thrower Read Online Free PDF

Captain leaned against the weathered door and watched, but that was as far as he came. Again, he noted the odd attachment these two shared, and made a mental note to discuss this with Ryan when they were alone. He still didn’t trust the situation and it was his job to ensure his liege was kept safe. That also included keeping his heart safe. Falling in love with this woman was a bad idea. He dipped his head when Ryan approached, every muscle tense with pent up worry. Wallace read the danger and chose to remain silent on the topic. Now wasn’t the time to set Ryan off. Through experience and time, he knew this false calm he showed was his exertion to control the powerful magic that boiled just beneath the surface. The slightest thing could unleash it.
    Tillian paled and stared at Ryan. His eyes radiated his concern at the same time they urged her to trust him.
I’m safe,
she said to herself over and over. She flinched when the older woman gently grabbed her chin and turned her head to the right and to the left, never taking her eyes from her face.
    Edda saw something of concern in Tillian’s green eyes and took charge. She pointed at the door with the issued order. “Men, wait outside.”
    Tillian broke away from this woman’s grasp and turned to Ryan with an outstretched hand pleading for him to stay. He failed at restraint and flew back to her side, gripping her hand tightly. “She needs to examine you.” He searched her face for any reassurance and found little. Raising her hand to his lips, he placed a kiss to her palm and exhaled before looking deeply into her eyes. “You can trust her. Will you be all right?”
    Tillian gulped and stared at him in blind panic. She really didn’t have a choice. She knew the alternative was worse. She couldn’t handle Ryan being exposed to all the healer would find. Because he was the one safe thing in her world at the moment, she was still close to asking him to stay regardless.
    “I won’t go until you tell me you’ll be fine,” he added.
    Tillian swallowed her fear and finally nodded firmly. “I’ll be fine.” Her voice trembled but relayed enough confidence that he smiled.
    “I won’t go far. I promise you that,” he whispered, kissing her palm one more time.
    Ryan waited for a moment longer, watching her with a growing unease. He loathed to leave her presence and didn’t want to be the cause of any more fear this glorious woman felt. If his leaving meant that, he’d stay. Ryan looked at the healer and found her glaring at him. She clearly was annoyed he’d not heeded her order to leave and delayed her evaluation. “I’m going,” he added and rose. He walked halfway to the door before turning, ready to override her.
    “Out,” the healer ordered without shame. Ryan laughed at her boldness and with one final look to Tillian, he departed but true to his word, he didn’t go far.
    The woman snorted in amusement. “He is taken with you, my dear,” she said. She and the younger woman helped Tillian to the larger of the beds in the room. Edda frowned at how weak the woman was. Both healers had to support her to get her there as she shuffled her feet across the wide planked floor.
    It amazed Tillian that even with that little effort, she was short of breath and felt as if she’d run a fast sprint. While she waited for the healers to get set up, she dangled her feet over the side of the bed and searched the windows for any sign of Ryan. Her nervous eyes kept scanning each pane, hoping to catch a glimpse of him. Soon she was too distracted to care, however when Edda finally set to work.
    The matron healer watched her closely with crossed arms. “I would wager to say you are equally taken with that man as well, no?”
    Tillian’s head snapped to meet the old woman’s milky stare and couldn’t hide the blush that spread across her cheeks, announcing the truth of that statement.
    “Yes, I think you are,” the matron added matter-of-factly. “Are you tired?”