Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 91416 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 457(@200wpm)___ 366(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91416 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 457(@200wpm)___ 366(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
A younger man, barely more than ten and four years, leaned against a nearby post, his face half-shadowed by a mop of unruly brown hair. “Some say she ran off in the night. Others say she didn’t leave at all.” His voice held a note of unease.
Knox’s gaze sharpened. “What does that mean?”
Wilbur shot the boy a sharp look, but the young man only shrugged.
“Strange things happen in those woods,” the young man said. “Folks hear things—whispers in the trees. Some claim to see shadows moving where no shadows should be.”
Rona shook her head. “Enough of that nonsense, Owen.” She turned back to Knox, her expression stoic. “If you’re looking for her, I doubt you’ll find much more than an empty cottage.”
“Is her cottage empty or does another occupy it?” Knox asked.
“No one goes near it,” Owen, the young man, said as if in warning.
Knox looked at Wilbur, wanting to hurry this along and get back to Dru. “Where can I find it?”
Wilbur hesitated before nodding toward the tree line. “Follow the path that brought you to the village. Watch for a large, thick oak tree when you come around a bend. Turn on the path you see there, probably grown over by now. It’ll take you there.”
Knox nodded. “Thanks. Has anyone else inquired about Autumn?”
They all shook their heads.
“There is a reward offered for her,” Knox said, looking from one to the other. “Dead or alive, it doesn’t matter.”
That caught them by surprise, clearly upsetting them.
“Lord Torrance searches for her, doesn’t he?” Wilbur asked and when Knox nodded, he shook his head.
“He can’t find what’s not there,” Owen said.
“How well did any of you know her?” Knox asked, needing answers yet needing to get back to Dru.
Rona shrugged. “She didn’t visit the village often but when she did, she was pleasant enough. She and her mum stayed mostly to themselves.”
“Do any of you know about a healer who befriended Autumn’s mum?” Knox asked.
“That would be Mave, but she’s no longer here,” Owen said.
Knox sought clarification. “She died?”
Rona shook her head. “Mave moved on. Claimed trouble was coming this way and she didn’t want to be here when it arrived.”
“Do you know where she went?” Knox asked.
The three shook their heads as Owen spoke. “The woods whispered her up.”
Knox sensed that they were trying to scare him away. “Are you saying she disappeared like Autumn?”
“Gone suddenly, not to be seen again,” Owen said.
Knox didn’t believe him. “And where can I find her cottage?”
“Don’t know,” Rona said and the other two nodded, agreeing. “Mave showed herself when she wanted to, when she sensed she was needed. We didn’t need to know where she lived.”
“Then how do you know she’s gone?” Knox asked.
Wilbur was quick to answer. “She hasn’t been seen in quite a while even though some have needed her healing skills.”
Knox reached into the folds of his plaid and pulled out three coins, handing one to each of them. “I appreciate the help.”
Their eyes turned wide, and they nodded to him and thanked him profusely.
When Knox turned to mount his mare, Wilbur spoke up.
“Have your look and leave right fast,” he urged. “Mave was right. Trouble is brewing and it’s about to erupt.”
He rode out of the village, uneasy glances following him. They were hiding something. He could feel it. And he intended to find out what it was.
Dru cuddled in the blankets to chase away a chill that wouldn’t leave her. She had rid herself of the last of what was in her stomach and worried that she may have taken too much wolfsbane to purposely make herself sick. She was known in these parts, and she needed to avoid running into someone that could present a huge problem for her.
When she had no choice but to wed Knox, she had convinced herself that she would find a way to see the task done. That they would need to travel here was inevitable and here was where she hoped this would be settled, since here was where Autumn died. Once he learned of her death, it would be done—their agreement fulfilled. That meant their time together would be finished and her heart ached at the thought.
She was a fool. She had known Knox for barely half of a moon cycle and she believed she had feelings for him—could possibly love him. Her mum had warned her about love striking fast and hard, crippling the heart and blinding the senses. Only to wake up too late to the cold, hard truth. Besides, there was no way that she and Knox could ever be a true married couple. It was impossible and she had to accept that.
Tears that had gathered in her eyes began to slip down her cheeks and she let them fall. She let herself mourn the life she could never have. She hurried and wiped them away when she heard the approach of a rider. She fought back the tears and kept as silent as she could, hoping it was Knox and not a stranger.