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“Always brothers,” Varrick agreed and grabbed hold of his hand to tug Argus against him and give him a firm slap on the back.
Fia watched the heartwarming exchange and realized that both men had known love through their brotherhood, yet neither had ever realized it.
“I do not know if it will matter to you, Argus, but I give you my word that I am no witch and I did not in any way kill Brother Luke. It would go against all I believe in as a healer to take a life. I save lives. I do not take them. And as for bewitching Lord Varrick? I love him with all my heart and then some. I would give my life to see him safe.”
“NEVER will you do that, wife!” Varrick admonished, his anger soaring.
“Would you give yours for me?” Fia asked.
“Without question, but it is my duty as your husband to protect you and for you to obey me and you WILL obey me on this.”
“I have a duty as your wife as well—”
Varrick didn’t let her finish. He grabbed her and pulled her to him. “Aye, you have a duty to bear me children and to always protect them and you cannot do that if you are dead. So, you WILL obey me, and I will have your word on it.”
You will grow old together. Worry not.
A tender smile surfaced on Fia’s face upon hearing that. “I will give you my word for I know we will grow old together.”
Varrick hugged her tightly, silently blessing her knowing.
“How do you know that?” Argus asked, a questioning scrunch to his face.
The door rushed open and saved Fia from answering.
Marsh hurried in. “You need to come to the Great Hall, my lord, and do not bring Lady Fia with you.”
“You stay with my wife, Argus,” Varrick ordered and rushed out of the room with Marsh.
Fia walked to the hearth and stretched her chilled hands out to the heat to warm them.
“You do not answer me, my lady,” Argus said, remaining where he stood.
Fia turned, hugging herself, a deep chill having set into her. She was at a loss as to what to say to him, fearing the truth would only further confirm his belief that she was a witch.
“I will not demand an answer, my lady, but I will say this… if you are a witch and cause Varrick harm, it will be me who ties you to the stake and sets the flame that burns you.”
* * *
“ENOUGH!”Varrick roared when he entered the Great Hall to see his warriors fighting among themselves, many bloody and bruised.
Every man froze.
“You disgrace yourselves fighting among yourselves. You fight foes, you do not fight one another. Division brings defeat and is being used as a weapon against our clan. You are being made to doubt and fear so that you surrender without even knowing you are doing so and without even raising a sword. You were warned of this and still you let it play you for fools. Ask yourselves why you doubt my ability to lead you wisely when it has never been a doubt in your mind before now.”
“The witch,” one warrior bravely said.
Varrick had a choice here. Did he condemn them for believing his wife a witch or assure them they had nothing to fear? His only thought was to keep his wife safe until the truth could be found. But he had to choose his words carefully.
“Do you honestly believe I will not set the witch to burn if she truly proves to be a witch?”
“You set a trap,” a warrior called out.
“I wait for the truth to reveal itself,” Varrick said, which was exactly what he was doing, only he would see his wife proven innocent of any wrongdoing.
“Then you will burn the witch without remorse as the legendary Highlander would do,” another warrior joined in.
Cheers filled the air as they cried out. “We stand with you, my lord!”
