The Hellion (The Lady Knights of Barony Book One ) Read Online Free PDF

twice her size. There are others around her with similar skills.”
    “I don’t think a few women playing soldier will be a problem,” Julian scoffed.
    Blake grinned, a sickening pull of lips away from teeth. There was nothing cheery about the expression. “Très bien. Don’t say I did not warn you,” he replied, his eyebrows raised. “Do whatever you must to subdue her without harming her.”
    “Oh, and one last thing,” he added as Julian turned toward the door. He stopped and glanced at Blake over his shoulder.
    “Yes?”
    “I am convinced that my little angel is pure and untouched. She will be delivered to me that way, yes?”
    Julian’s jaw tightened and annoyance flared in his chest. There was nothing appealing to him about some black-haired harridan swinging an axe. Even if there were, he was a professional. It was why people asked for him by name. His ability to see the job done without a second thought or blink of an eye had earned him his reputation. Rather than remind the fool of this, Julian merely nodded.“Of course.”
     
    ****
     
     
    “I won’t have it! Women being kidnapped from their homes? I won’t stand for it!”
    Ava watched in silence as King Serge thundered his rage. It was the reaction she’d been expecting. Barony’s newly crowned king had an explosive temper and a great sense of duty and honor. Though not a native of Barony, he considered the province his home. This kidnapping of women was personal.
    She sat beside Isabelle, watching as he paced silently, his hands clenched behind his back. He limped slightly, an old injury that showed when he was tired or agitated. As he turned to pace the other way, Ava caught site of the scar slashing down the right side of his face from just below his eye to his jaw line, just one of the king’s many battle trophies. Anxious hands raked through shoulder-length golden brown hair and cobalt eyes flashed angrily.
    “I want them found,” he said. “I want them found and the man responsible punished. Do we know his name?”
    “Dorian Blake,” Ava responded. “The man we took prisoner called him by that name. He warned that he is powerful, not a man to be trifled with.”
    Serge’s jaw flexed and his mouth tightened into a thin line. “I don’t care if he’s a damned sultan! I want him brought to me, alive if possible. I want to know where he’s been taking these women. I also want a messenger sent to Cardenas.” This he said to Primus, Barony’s Grand Vizier. The distinguished man was at least thirty years Serge’s senior, but still carried the handsome features of his youth and dignity befitting his station.
    Primus stood and nodded. “To whom will the message be going, Your Majesty?”
    “Damien of course,” Serge responded, his pacing finally ceasing. “I need to know of any reported kidnappings in Cardenas in the last few months. Also, find out about this ship, The Raven. I want it seized and its occupants arrested. I want those women found.”
    Damien, Serge’s younger brother and king of Cardenas, the neighboring province, would do everything he could to aid his brother. Ava had seen the two united in battle before and knew them as a force to be reckoned with.
    “You might tell them to hurry,” Ava interjected. “Our prisoner has informed us that The Raven sails for the West Indies in one week, which is how long the journey to Cardenas could take if they don’t get a move on.”
    “You heard her,” Serge added.
    “As you wish, Your Majesty,” Primus said with a bow before exiting.
    “Serge,” Isabelle spoke for the first time in minutes. “If I may...“
    “No, Isabelle, you may not,” he snapped, his eyes flashing as they narrowed in on his wife. “We will talk about your foolish and reckless behavior in private.”
    Isabelle fell silent, but Ava could see the fire burning behind her venomous glare. The two would be at each other’s throats the second Ava left the room. Moments after that they would be in