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)
Argus scrambled to his feet, making sure to swipe up the coins.
“I will bring you food,” Coline said, a tremor in her voice.
“Nay, we need nothing from you but shelter,” Knox said and turned to Dru, stretching his hand out to her.
She didn’t hesitate—she took hold of it. His fingers closed around her hand firmly and he held tight as they made their way to the barn, his mare trailing behind them.
Dru lowered herself to a pile of fresh hay as Knox tended to Star. Many would believe, like Argus, that she was a fallen woman, leaving her that more vulnerable once she was on the road alone again.
“Your true friends will know the truth. Those who condemn you were never a friend,” Knox said, dropping down beside her in the hay.
She shook her head. “It is all different now. People will not see me the same and once we part, I will be to blame for it, and face scorn.”
“I will see that you are safe before we part.”
She scoffed. “Believe that if you will, but I know better. I have seen how women are blamed while men remain blameless even when it is obvious it is the woman who was wronged.” She shook her head. “There is nothing that can be done to fix this.”
“There is always something that can be done, and I will see it done. Now worry no more on it. We eat, sleep, and leave at first light.”
Dru didn’t argue with him. She had learned that some things couldn’t be fixed and when that happened, one choice was left to you… survive however possible.
The rain drummed steadily against the barn’s roof, the scent of hay and horses thick in the air. Dru shifted on the pile of straw, enjoying a piece of bread and cheese from the sack of food that was still plentiful. She passed the sack to Knox, who sat close, his arm nearly touching hers and his legs stretched out in front of him.
She chewed slowly, letting the quiet settle for a moment before saying, “Dugan and Hannah were more helpful than I expected.”
Knox took a bite of bread and chewed considering her words before he spoke. “Aye. Travelers talk when they think no one’s listening. And Dugan listens more than he lets on, though I don’t blame him. It’s better to be guarded than let your mouth run to just anyone.”
Dru traced her finger absently over the worn fabric of her cloak. “Hannah heard the same as Hennie that Autumn was dead.” The words lingered in the air, heavy despite the casual way she had spoken them.
Knox didn’t react right away, finishing another bite before replying. “A tragic ending is always an easy story to spread and for people to believe.”
She met his gaze, brow lifting. “You don’t believe it?”
There was an edge to his tone when he said, “If she were dead, Phelan wouldn’t be hunting her.”
Dru considered that. It made sense. Bounties weren’t placed on the dead—unless, of course, someone wanted proof. “You think someone’s trying to make sure people think she’s dead.”
Knox nodded, his fingers idly turning a piece of bread between his fingers. “The question is—why?”
Dru leaned her head back against the wooden slats behind her, staring up at the dim beams overhead. “Maybe to keep people from searching for her.”
“Or to cover up something bigger,” Knox suggested.
“You think there may be more to it than marriage as to why Lord Torrance searches for his half-sister?”
“Someone wants her alive and someone wants her dead.” He turned quiet for a moment, rolling around a thought in his head. “What if they are somehow connected?”
Dru’s eyes turned wide. “Then the question isn’t just who wants her alive or dead. It’s what either stand to gain from it.”
Knox nodded, agreeing. “Dugan mentioned a healer who was close to Autumn’s mother.”
Dru nodded, shifting to sit more comfortably. “Hannah said the same and so did Hennie. But neither woman knew her name.” She pulled her knees up, resting her chin on them. “The healer may be the only one who knows the truth.”
Knox ran a hand over his face, his weariness showing in the tight set of his shoulders. “Then we find her.”
Dru huffed a quiet laugh. “You say that as if it’ll be simple.”
“It’s simpler than chasing rumors.”
She couldn’t argue with that.
The rain outside continued, the steady rhythm filling the silence between them. Dru let her eyes drift toward the barn doors, the edges of her mind turning over everything they had learned.
After a long pause, she said, “Many will join the search for Autumn with a bounty on her.”
Knox didn’t answer at first, but when he did, his voice was grim. “Phelan will eliminate them easily enough, either convincing them Autumn is dead, or threatening them.”
Dru shivered despite the relative warmth of the barn, a feeling settling deep in her gut. “Will he try to eliminate us?”