Total pages in book: 105
Estimated words: 97306 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 487(@200wpm)___ 389(@250wpm)___ 324(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97306 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 487(@200wpm)___ 389(@250wpm)___ 324(@300wpm)
“Have the sentinels spotted any hounds?” Varrick asked, his hand slipping down along his wife’s arm to close his hand around hers in a strong grip.
“Nothing so far,” Argus said and followed Varrick and Fia out the door and into the village.
Fia moved closer to her husband, her free hand going to his forearm to hold on to it, shivering in fear at what she saw as they entered the heart of the village.
“Do not worry. You are safe with me, Fia,” he whispered, feeling her hand dig into his arm and the tremble that ran through her.
She was not sure about that as she watched numerous torches flicker in the cold night air as people crowded together and hearing anxious voices cry out that death was near. Fear was tangible as was the danger that came with it.
“Give him a soul and be done with it!” someone shouted.
“Are you offering your soul, Hagen?” Varrick called out as he approached the crowd while Argus disappeared into it.
Hagen paled and opened his mouth, but no words were forthcoming.
“I did not think so,” Varrick said, his voice powerful and strong enough for all to hear. “There will be no sacrifices. This will be resolved.”
“Before another life is claimed?” someone in the crowd yelled.
Another responded, “We have a witch healer. She will know what to do to save us from death.”
Death will strike.
There were some things Fia preferred not to know. This was one of them, for she knew that death could not always be conquered.
“Send her to the forest to battle Death and free us from his evil,” someone called out.
“Aye!” sang out another. “Let her do what Lord Varrick brought her here to do.”
“Ayes,” echoed through the crowd.
Fia knew of only one way to calm the fearful crowd… give them hope. She raised her voice for all to hear. “I go tomorrow to the forest.”
Cheers rang out and smiles broke loose.
Varrick turned his head to her. “I should have ordered your silence as well.”
“This is good, very good,” Argus said, his grin wide as he stepped out of the crowd.
Varrick was not feeling as joyous and his shout was harsh as he ordered, “Go to your homes and stay there until dawn or face my wrath!”
No one hesitated. They all hurried off.
“I will have a troop ready in the morning to escort Lady Fia into the forest,” Argus said.
“I will take her myself and I will hear no argument about it,” Varrick commanded.
“She has worked her evil wiles on you, my lord, I can see it,” Brother Luke said, stepping out of the shadows of the night. “You believe her kind when she is nothing but evil. Do not let her trick you. Do not let her feed your soul to the devil.”
“The devil does not want me, Brother Luke, for when I find myself in hell, I would take command of it and it will be the devil who serves me,” Varrick said with such conviction that Brother Luke shivered and hurried to bless himself.
“I will pray for you, my son,” Brother Luke said.
“I am no one’s son. Save your prayers for others,” Varrick snapped.
Fia thought on his words as they returned to the keep.
“You will sleep in my bedchamber tonight,” Varrick ordered just before reaching the stairs.
“You worry I will slip out and go into the woods alone, since you hesitate about sending me there?” she asked as they climbed the stairs.
“Do not question my decisions,” was all he would say, annoyed that she had assumed right. Once in his bedchamber, he ordered, “Sleep, dawn will come soon enough.”
Fia walked to the bed and sat. “What did you mean that you are no one’s son? You must have had parents.”
“None that wanted me,” he said with a bitterness he could not hide.
Curiosity and sensing the hurt he tried to hide made her want to know more. “Who raised you?”
“A heartless woman and a cruel man who worked me from the day I could hold an object in my hand. Then when I was barely nine years, they sold me to a man who worked me just as hard. After only a few horrific months I ran away and survived on my own—” He stopped abruptly, not knowing why he spoke of his past to her when he had never shared it with anyone.
Fia’s heart filled with pain for him, and she hurried to him and rested a gentle hand on his chest. “How horrible for you to never know a caring touch, to never have anyone show you kindness, to never have anyone love you.”
He lowered his head until his brow almost rested against hers. “I do not need love, nor do I need to give it. I do what is necessary. That is enough.”
“Until it isn’t,” Fia whispered softly and tapped his chest. “Your heart will want more one day and fate will leave you no choice.”