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It had been strange and unnerving when she had first found herself sharing his horse, feeling the strength of his body as he held her firm and, to her surprise, finding it pleasing. When, at all possible, she had avoided men as she had been warned to do. Troublesome and not trustworthy were words her grandmother often used when referring to men.
Fia had hoped to wed one day, a good man, an understanding one who could accept her for who she was… a skilled healer. Never had she thought she would be forced into a marriage, not only to a warrior but a titled man, and into a marriage that would have her fearing for her life. But how was it that she could find comfort in her husband’s arms and fear him at the same time?
She brushed her thoughts aside, it being more important to pay heed to her new home, so she could devise an escape plan if necessary.
She focused as they neared the door. It appeared to open of its own accord when they were not that far from it, then she spotted the warrior who had opened it as he nodded respectfully to Varrick. Her ears picked up the clink of metal churning and as they passed through the open door, she saw a gate up ahead finishing its climb. She cast a curious glance around at the space between the wood door and the rising gate. It was not a large space and did not extend that far to the sides being walled off at the corners of the stone wall that circled the castle and village. She tilted her head back to see overhead a walled area running along the sides of the gate, four sentries stationed along it. It was an area where anyone entering beneath could be trapped. It also made it that more difficult for anyone to leave.
Escape, if or when necessary, would be nearly impossible.
The village that surrounded the castle bustled with activity that came to a partial stop when Lord Varrick was spotted. All acknowledged him with respectful bobs of their heads before their glances fell on Fia, though not for long. Heads turned quickly away from her, and whispers soon began circling while some crossed themselves in protection.
So, they were expecting a witch, but Fia wondered how they would feel once they learned the witch was the legendary warrior’s wife.
The castle sat at the far end of the village, two stone buildings extending from both sides of it. Warriors appeared to patrol everywhere, keeping watch over everything and being helpful when needed.
As large as the area was, Fia felt imprisoned. She was used to roaming free in the forest. It was where she felt most at home. Even in the winter there was life in the forest, and she worried about being shut off from it.
That disturbing thought had Fia lifting her chin enough to show her determination as she turned her eyes to Varrick. “I think it is time you tell me what you want from me and what fate I might expect from you.”
“You will learn soon enough,” Varrick said as they stopped in front of the keep. “You will be shown to your room, provided with food and drink, and you may rest until called upon.”
“First, I will see to those I have tended settled and give instructions for their wounds.”
“Lloyd will see to them,” Varrick ordered.
Fia disagreed. “Not as well as I will.”
“It is not for you to decide,” Varrick commanded and was surprised by her response at first.
“You are right. It is not for me to decide,” Fia said with a bob of her head, then continued. “It is for the wounded to decide.”
Varrick brought his face so close to hers that their noses nearly touched. “I make the decisions here.”
The man could easily intimidate, but she would have none of it when it came to her healing. And even though her stomach churned a bit at the thought of confronting him, she did so anyway.
“So, you fear they may choose differently than you and choose a healer over a warrior only familiar with battlefield wounds? Or do you fear a witch somehow marking them?”
“You admit you’re a witch,” he accused.
“I admit that you foolishly believe me a witch.”
“If you are not, then I have no use for you.”
“Which you have reminded me of often, but I am a healer and perhaps a healer would benefit you more than a witch.”
“Do you challenge me, Fia?”
A sudden thought came to her, a thought that might prove beneficial to her and give her what she feared she had lost… her freedom.
“Aye, I do,” she was quick to say. “If my natural skills prove successful in solving whatever problem you seek me to solve, then you will free me. Let me leave. Dissolve our marriage.”
“I would do that,” he said without hesitation, knowing full well it would be impossible for her to do so.
“May I have your word on that, Lord Varrick,” she said softly.
“Aye. You have my word. If no witchcraft is used, then I will have our marriage dissolved and free you to leave unharmed.”
A sense of relief and peace flowed through Fia. At least now she had a chance to free herself, though she would be wise to keep an escape plan in mind just in case she was left no choice.
