Entrusted to a Highlander (Highland Promise Trilogy #2) - Donna Fletcher Page 0,115
his face that sent a chill through her.
Purity’s instinct almost had her running to him, but fear for Princess and Quiver’s safety had her turning to confront Freen.
He moved quicker than she did and grabbed her arm, slamming it against the table and forcing the knife to fall from her hand. Then he swung her around and she fell back against him. His arm went around her waist and his knife landed against her neck.
“Come close and I’ll slit her throat,” Freen warned, stopping Arran in his tracks.
She spotted Royden then. He had followed his brother in and stopped not far behind him and to his side, his sword in hand as well. She saw his mouth move, but couldn’t hear what he said. When she looked to her husband, she knew what his words must have been.
Arran looked ready to charge the man. Royden must have cautioned him against it. Freen would slice her throat before he could reach her.
Arran fought to control his anger, his jaw set tight as he spoke each word. “Let her go, Freen and I’ll let you go.”
Freen gave a snorted laugh and shook his head. “And where will I go? Once Wolf finds out what I’ve done he’ll hunt me down. My life is over, but before I leave I’ll finish off the last of this worthless clan that has caused me nothing but misery. Whatever seed you’ve planted in her will never see fruition and that is a satisfying thought. Unless you want to exchange your life for hers.”
“NO!” Purity shouted, Arran’s words drowning hers out.
“AYE, I WILL!”
“NO!” Purity shouted again.
Freen pressed his cheek next to Purity’s. “Worry not. I’d rather see the look on his face as he watches me slice your throat and your life spill away.” He kissed her cheek roughly. “And I won’t even let him have the pleasure of taking my life. I’ll see it done before he can reach me.”
“Are you ready to watch your wife die, Arran?” he tormented with gleefulness.
“I love you, always,” Purity called out, trying to remain brave but her heart broke, shattered completely, that she wouldn’t live to share a life with the man she loved.
“I swear I will let you go, Freen, and I will tell Wolf to leave you be,” Arran bargained, willing to do whatever it took to save his wife’s life.
“Wolf wouldn’t care what you asked of him,” Freen said. “A warrior who goes against his orders dies. His warriors would see to it before I took a step off this land.”
“I will have you escorted safely to wherever you want to go. You have my word,” Arran pleaded.
“I like that you beg. It makes taking your wife’s life that more satisfying,” Freen said.
“NO, KING!” Arran shouted, seeing the cat ready to attack Freen and fearing it could cost his wife her life. If he could keep the man talking, there was hope he could somehow keep his wife alive.
“Wise move,” Freen said, seeing the cat stay where he was but not taking his eyes off Freen. “My knife already cuts into her skin.”
Purity felt the trickle of blood as he pressed the blade against her throat. She was going to die and there was nothing anyone could do to stop it.
Arran saw it then, the flash of satisfaction in Freen’s eyes and he knew he was about to slice the blade across his wife’s neck. He’d never make it in time to stop him. He saw the resolve on Purity’s face that she knew she was about to die, and she smiled at him.
He went to move, thinking he had to try. He had to do something when Freen’s wrist was suddenly grabbed from behind and yanked away from Purity.
She ran and Arran ran… right into each other’s arms and hugged each other so tight it felt like they almost became one. They both looked to Freen, wondering what had happened. His eyes turned wide in shock, his chest expanded as his shoulders drew back, and his mouth fell open in a silent scream as the blade of a sword emerged from his chest. The knife, he still held, was jabbed into his throat. His eyes were spread wide and he gagged as his life dwindled away, then his lifeless body dropped to the floor.
A dark figure emerged from the shadows and shoved his hood back revealing his face.