Closing the siege

Cassie glared at him, her eyes narrowed in fury.

-You put guards behind me? she asked in disbelief. - What is your problem? Did you decide that you were going to destroy my life? You've already managed to drive me out of Scarlet. It was not enough?

-No. You bet not! - Richard yelled out of his mind. He ground his teeth in anger.

And he could very easily rant. Except that all his attention was focused on the door, fighting to keep it closed. Outside he could hear the commotion and furious orders to break in. They wouldn't take long to get in.

-I didn't expel you from the castle. Try the window. Might...

She sighed ecstatically as she pulled back the curtains without any delicacy exposing the iron bars. Why all the windows on the first floor were screened.

-Like this one? - she cut provocatively.

He stared at her impatiently, shaking his head. grids? It was all that was needed.

-IT'S. It might be! - he replied dryly. Perhaps it was possible to force them. - See if they are anchored to the wall.

Cassie rolled her eyes impatiently again.

-But of course, they're sinkers. If they weren't, what would they be good for? You'll be able to kill us that way. She-she complained about blood rushing through her veins. - Or maybe he just wants to kill me.

-We're going to have to resolve this once and for all...

-Oh, hold my hand.

Richard replied sullenly as he noticed the girl's eyes gleam silver.

-What are you going to do? The damn place is full of hunters!

She didn't respond as she held his hand tight. It was sudden.

And Rick took a deep breath as if something had hit him hard until he finally realized that the ground was disappearing under his feet. It was like an unstoppable current of air. He found himself pulled toward her the instant the door gave way under furious kicks. Everything around him whirled in a kaleidoscope of intense lights as the wind howled in his ears.

The sensation lasted only an instant. Then his feet hit the ground hard again and he collapsed awkwardly, his stomach churning between gulps of air. The serenity of the night brought cold and the first signs of rain, near the forest that surrounded the limits of the village.

-God! - he muttered sickened. He had the impression that he had been dragged along by an invisible gnawing in his stomach.

The cold was terrible.

He was shivering as he stifled the gags. The girl simply used magic in front of humans! Sure! What's wrong with a small detail? He had already been arrested. Loose. And he was weighing who would be more troublesome: hunters or Successrium sentries. Again.

He was going to make sure he and the girl were safe in the lands beyond the border.

- Cassie! - He shouted looking around.

The air around him smelled strongly of cinnamon and jasmine. Just like in the castle.

- Hell, Cassie! Reply. - He ordered worriedly. - Ah, you little brat. This time it won't run away...

Not far away an unexpected figure watched and waited. Its red eyes gleamed expectantly and hungry at its prey.

Richard dropped to the ground alone the minute the hand slipped between his fingers and the wind howled around them. Damn Philip! A low moan reached his ears, though the darkness made it difficult to see through the bushes and vegetation. On Garonne, he could easily transform and assume animal form. But far from the source of magic, his abilities were limited. He tried to ward off the cold wind, letting his animal instincts emerge and advanced toward his little runaway.

- Cassie! - he screamed again worried.

She was barely aware of his presence, shivering frozen in the damp vegetation. Cursing, Morgan thought about what to do. It had been a terrible mistake not to ask the privateers for help.

Was the girl a Primordial? Heavens!

"You're just despicable," Cassie complained about absolute certainty that she wasn't able to take another step.

The complaint was furious and the rain was pouring down miserable. They were close to the forest and there was so much anger that she stomped on her way through, inflamed despite all her exhaustion.

Of course, she was going to ignore the damn cold, the clothes that didn't warm her body and how her hands were in such a sorry state. She would also ignore Richard Morgan. It was almost half an hour's walk to the cave. The slippers she wore were sodden and balanced more precariously than a ship's quarterdeck. She slipped on the wet ground, oblivious to his raging curses.

-Come on, keep walking! - Rick roared more annoyed noticing her face and seeing her stop breathless. The cold blue lips worried him.

-I'm going to train my aim on your damn brother!

It was clear that she had every right to demand explanations. It was his wife. His wife for weeks worked in a tavern. His furious gaze fell murderously on her hands in astonishment. They were cut and burned no matter how hard she tried to hide them.

-Go to hell! She was just fine on her own! - Cassie protested.

It was a huge lie, but she clung to the pride in front of him like a drowning man.

-You made me lose my job! - her anger increased as the complaints continued. - How do you think I'll survive here? Do you realize how hard it is to find honest work on this damn island?

Honest?

Richard Morgan arched his brow ironically.

-Are you afraid of losing your place in the monsieur's bed or do you think you will find someone more fortunate? -He teased.

-Perhaps I can arrange that your brother does not survive until the end of the year. Any spell...Bloody bastard. And you...

She became possessed as she raised her arm. Rick had easily immobilized her. It was the most disastrous rescue of her life. The helpless girls were kind and grateful to be rescued so that he could find an angry cat ready to pounce. Cassie could kill him with her fierce eyes. She was taking full credit for Philip's antics!

-You will be quiet!

-Perhaps! She swallowed hard. No one can believe that she had been working for weeks at the tavern and that her occupations were limited in the kitchen.

The arrogant wretch believed she was doing what in the tavern?

- Cassie! Want to explain to me how? I still haven't heard explanations, hellish woman. How are you tired?

-Let go of my arm! How much have you been around listening to conversations? - She screamed more inflamed as she struggled and anger drew painful moans. - It might be! So what if I am?

Rick rolled his eyes.

-Where were you raised? In a damn abbey or monastery? "So what if I'm sick?" - He crunched repeating her words.

He growled like a rabid animal as he faced her. Unintentionally her hand bumped against his strong chest and a loud groan of pain was followed by more curses. This time she couldn't hide her hand.

Richard had greater agility to stop her from slipping and held her tight. He watched the hands in amazement.

-Try to explain this to me! he roared more possessively, ignoring all her protests to hide his hands. And you haven't even seen the city jail accommodations.

-You tore my dress!

- I'll buy others. You're not going to stand there showing off like that. - He replied with all naturalness. You could at least be wearing a damn corset, you know? Do you want to explain the damn seasickness to me now?

-No! What do you mean jail?-Cassie stopped the stunning complaints staring at the man in front of her.

-Philip is a damn...

-I fully agree. Scoundrel, a crook. Shameless. Bastard. opportunist Unhappy. unloved. Isn't it amazing for a couple to have things in common? Could even practice marksmanship on the wretch.

- Honey, I think we're going to have to fight for the honour.- Rick sighed. - Forgetting the tempting idea of ​​target shooting... I'm going to file a complaint against him.

-...because I could... could...

-Is pregnant? Curse. Has your blood already come down? What the hell Philip....?

-I don't want his damn help. I don't care that the world is ending... It'll be lucky the humans get rid of it. At least I'd be very lucky. I don't want him around. I don't want advice. No guesses in my life. -Cassie enumerated an endless list of complaints.- I don't care to know either...

He stared at her wordlessly.

-But why... Ah, the usual disgusting old Philip with the damn empathy.

-Because your arrogant and freeloading brother...

Rick shook his head. Heavens! What a breath. She hadn't at all sent Philip after her. He was beginning to think seriously about the pleasure of punching his brother.

- But as for nausea... Beautiful little creatures that develop in a woman's body, sweetness. If you're feeling sick... Do you want to tell me what Philip's been up to...

-Besides entering the damned tavern's yard without an authorization? Or to call me by name? Or think you can arrive as the absolute master of slaves giving orders that must be obeyed as if leading a bunch of imbeciles?

- I know he may have passed a little...

-A little bit? A LITTLE BIT?! Just a little? Well, I don't care if the world has ended. I don't want your dresses. I do not want your money! I don't need anything from you. Can you understand this? And don't you dare ask otherwise! I don't want your brother near me.

Rick shook his head. Nothing like charisma with women. Philip had outdone himself. At least that time. He noticed Cassie protect her hand and...

The inflamed cuts were repetitive and some were deep. Her palm had burst blisters and was red and covered in burn marks. He raged with enviable fury, but even so, he softened his steely grip, hurling even more curses, heedless of her shame.

The other hand was in no better condition. Maybe more swollen. Grumbling, he tore at her skirt and tugged at the fabric, oblivious to her new complaints.

-Now I ripped your dress, petit loup. You can complain, baby. At least of that, I'm guilty. And I didn't tell Philip to step in and decide...

-There, no... don't touch it. - She moaned, forgetting the provocations. - It hurts.

The man was angrier than ever. He forced her to remain still and still as feather-light fingers bandaged cuts and bruises with makeshift bandages. Muttering even louder every time she's cringing.

God! It hurt. How it hurt. She would never heal.

-Are you trying to kill yourself? Or decide to test my patience? You will find that it is quite short. - He muttered acid. - What have you been up to for Philip...

- Absolutely nothing! I couldn't even chase away the plague with a broom. Or smash the wine camphor on his head. Can your brother's imbecile understand the meaning of the word NO? Or stay away?

The girl's appearance wasn't much better. Her haggard face showed deep circles under her eyes. He couldn't remember that she was as thin as before. He doubted she fed. u slept right. Philip and his courtesies. Nothing like being nice.

-What the hell, Cassie! When you decide to do your spells, choose a better way to leave us. I can't believe you chose to stay here alone! This place...

Cassie looked at him, bravely fighting weariness. Unpleasant drowsiness made the eyelids feel heavy. She let her eyes close, taking a deep breath, and was startled when Rick shook her vigorously. She was too tired even to be cold. Her throat was also starting to bother with thirst and dryness.

-CASSIE! - Richard nudged him unnerved.

Garro's words irritated him tremendously. They were too far from the gipsies' village to seek shelter, only not far from there their chief kept the village's stock safely for winter provisions. He was going to arrange for a healer to take care of the girl.

-Where did you use to stay? Otherwise, stay in the tavern... - He let out a resigned sigh. God! Tell me your blood has already come down! I'll explain our situation, love. bankrupts! Me away from the Armada until the investigations are over...

-And you're complaining? Philip wouldn't even let me take my savings. Oh, of course. Let me see if I remember? He offered money! A huge amount! Is your brother not sympathy personified?

-There is a cave not far from here...And your clothes... I'll provide clothes. For both of us. I just need

-Will I guess? Philip was such a nice brother that he decided to leave you too...

He gritted his teeth promising he wouldn't scream. Everything should be normal. With Cassie, he was learning very quickly that nothing should surprise him. Sir! It didn't cost that much for her to answer his questions! Curse! Of course, all of Philip's confusion had created a lot of confusion for him.

-All right. So we both lodged charges before the Successrium's court... - Rick shrugged his shoulders in displeasure. - Isn't that an interesting idea?

It was to be expected that with the temperature dropping with the arrival of winter that she would have found a place. The girl was undoubtedly reckless in her antics. Rays! A mestizo? Her anger rose to apocalyptic levels towards the Clan Council. It was clear the elders knew. He equipped himself with infinite calm. At least it still had Gaia. Where were they going to stay?

-Did you think for a moment that there is no security here? You sure don't have a pistol! Do you even know how to use one? - he tried not to be harsh. That nonsense would end. She wasn't going to take chances the way she did.

-I would have if your esteemed brother...

- I managed to do better than you! At least I kept the branches for our protection.

Cassie bristled. She wouldn't have had to put up with the horrible work if it weren't for that man. She walked hard again, up the clearing. Damn, he was. Men! Bah! It was clear that she knew how to handle a pistol. Philip had better stay far away...

-Would you be safer in Monsieur's bed? - Rick returned the insulting answer. Oh no. Did I forget to mention the auction bet? Philip has followed up the honours of taking you to bed...

-Me ...me...

Rick realized the temerity of provoking the girl further...

-I did not say that! What a curse, woman! - Richard growled again. - I'll fix it. All within the law here in this place.

She was making everything difficult. She watched as she stumbled wearily, keeping him from helping her around a fallen tree with a sigh. Not even when she arrived at the cave did she seem to notice the state of the dress that marked with absurd perfection the curves of her body, outlining the nipples of her breasts swollen by the cold and he cleared his throat awkwardly. Morgan shook his head.

They advanced between the rocks and were finally inside the cave. He knew the place well, for in the summer he had helped the gipsies tidy the place with provisions. At least he wouldn't worry about the cold. There were wooden crates set aside with jars of canned food. The village cooks were adept at making canned sweets, and a stock of salted meat was protected from animal attacks. There were even warm clothes stashed for the colder weather and the firewood they needed.

Shelter in that situation was providential. He was cold and his clothes were soaking wet.

-Want to tell me how we're going...?

-Survive with your admirer surrounding you from all sides? I'll still wonder how... For now, we're both safe here.

-I'm tired. Cold. Hunger... God! I could sleep for a week.- She moaned desolately.

"I know what to say, girl!" he groaned in frustration.

Rick stared at her without many words. He felt the same. He looked into the cavern with resignation. It was at least a shelter. At least until the authorities took the investigation forward and Philip was arrested.

He hugged Cassie, taking a deep breath. They didn't know what to expect for the day to dawn...

-I still don't know-how. But we'll both get through this, baby.