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When she had said that to him, her stomach had fluttered, and a delightful twinge settled in her heart. She had not only let him know, but herself as well, that she cared for him in a way she had not realized, had not recognized, and yet she had acknowledged it.
She shook her head to clear her thoughts, as if she could, her husband always on her mind, but she needed to focus on the task at hand, those who required healing. She was surprised to see Brother Luke be the first to enter the cottage.
“You are needed. A warrior has had an accident,” he said.
Fia grabbed her cloak and healing pouch and went with Brother Luke, though stopped a few feet from the cottage. “I need to get word to Marsh as to where I will be.”
“I will see to it as soon as I get you to the gate and have you escorted to the fallen warrior,” Brother Luke said.
Once they arrived at the gate, a warrior stepped forward.
“Brock, you need to get Lady Fia to the injured warrior,” Brother Luke said. “I need to get a message to Marsh for her.”
“Aye, I will see to it,” Brock said.
Fia followed the young warrior, eager to reach the injured man. It was not until they were a good distance into the woods that she realized something was amiss.
She stopped. “Brock, tell me what goes on here.”
The warrior turned around appearing confused. “Brother Luke told me that you did not want to wait for Lord Varrick’s return. That you asked him to help you escape into the woods and battle the God of Death, help save the clan. You just needed a way to avoid the guards at the entrance.”
“I never agreed to that. I would never break my word to my husband and enter the woods without his permission. And you, his warrior, should know the importance of following his word,” Fia said, an uneasiness crawling over her.
“Others agreed. They are tired of waiting for something to be done and frightened the God of Death will claim their loved ones. Brother Luke says it is the only way or you may soon have Lord Varrick completely under your spell.”
“We will return to the village, and I will return to the forest with my husband just as I gave him my word I would.” Fia turned and stopped abruptly upon hearing the snarling sounds of hounds not far off.
CHAPTER14
Varrick lost the battle with his churning thoughts. No matter how hard he tried, he could not quell them. It disturbed him that the imminent attack on Clan Macavoy turned out to be nothing more than a misunderstanding. It had even baffled Chieftain Thumford. He was, however, grateful that Varrick had responded so quickly to his urgent request. He invited Varrick to stay the night so he and his warriors could share in a feast.
It was something he would have once done, allowing the chieftain to show his appreciation, but he was anxious to return home. He had far too much to deal with and a wife whose departing words had continued to repeat themselves in his head since hearing them.
Nay, but I care for you and that does work magic.
Did she mean that? Why would she say it if she did not mean it? Or was she using what he had told her that no one ever cared for him to make him believe that she did care, so she could save herself?
His never-ending questions made him realize it would be difficult if not impossible to ever trust her. And yet? Something inside him wanted to believe differently.
He glanced at his arm, recalling the tingle of her touch that had lingered with him. He had grown annoyed when it finally faded away. He missed it, wanted it to return, wanted her to touch him again. He tried not to imagine how it would feel for her to touch him intimately since every time he did, the thought aroused him. He wanted his wife with a passion that shocked him and there was no reason not to couple with her… except if he did… she would forever remain his wife. And if she should prove to be a witch that would be a problem.
“I see your thoughts have been heavy since leaving Clan Macavoy,” Argus said, riding up to draw his horse alongside Varrick. “Mine have been troublesome as well. Something does not set right with our summons of an imminent attack that turned out to be nothing more than a misunderstanding.”
“Aye, I thought the same,” Varrick said.
“Too many strange things of late.”
Varrick agreed again. “Aye, there have been.”
“I wonder what started it all.”
Argus made a good point and Varrick added his thought. “And when?”
“I suppose that would be with Toddy’s death,” Argus said. “He was standing talking with Corwin and Toddy simply dropped to the ground dead. Granted, he was old, but to simply drop, no clutching in pain or crying out. The God of Death had a hand in it for sure, snuffing the life out of him like the flame of a candle.”
“It began before that,” Varrick said.
“Before that?” Argus questioned and then realized what Varrick alluded to. “The day before when the hell hounds howled for the first time.”
