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)
At the forefront of the approaching warriors rode a figure cloaked in commanding dignity, his grey beard a stark banner of age and authority. He brought his horse to a stop in front of Brack.
“I am Callan, chieftain of the Northern Clans,” the older man announced, his voice clear, resonating with the gravity of his station. His glance shifted, searching the crowd. “You harbor someone who belongs to me… my granddaughter.”
Knox’s muscles rippled with tension as he stepped from behind Dru to stand at her side.
“What makes you think she is here?” Brack demanded.
“She was seen entering the village. She calls herself Dru, but her mother named her Autumn.”
The crowd’s eyes turned to Dru, not so Torrance’s warriors. Their eyes remained on the ten warriors whose eyes followed the crowd’s and landed on Dru.
If Brack was shocked, he didn’t show it. “Autumn is Lord Torrance’s half-sister. She remains here under his protection.”
“She is of my blood,” Callan protested as if that made a difference.
“And of Lord Torrance’s blood as well,” Brack reminded.
“And she is my wife,” Knox shouted for all to hear.
“That makes no difference to me,” Callan called out and turned a glare on Brack. “We will bargain.”
“I cannot speak for Lord Torrance, but I can present your offer to him,” Brack said. “Have your men stay here and we will talk in the keep.”
“Two of my men come with me,” Callan insisted.
Brack didn’t argue, he turned and issued orders to his warriors. “Keep eyes on them at all times.” He strode through the crowd that parted for him and, spotting Knox, ordered, “You and your wife come with me.”
A breath Dru didn’t realize she’d held escaped and when her husband slipped his hand around hers, she clung to it tightly.
Whispers surrounded them as they headed to the keep, Dru hearing one word over and over again.
Autumn. Autumn. Autumn.
There was no more hiding. Autumn had to reveal herself.
Knox not only felt but saw a change in his wife. She tilted her chin up, drew her shoulders back, pressed her lips in determination, and her green eyes shined brighter. Autumn was no longer going to hide away.
That Brack even chose to hear what Chieftain Callan had to say troubled Knox, though no bargain could be reached without Lord Torrance’s word. He hoped that Brack was just appeasing the man so that he could learn more about his intentions.
Drink and food were brought to the tables, but none sat.
Callan didn’t take his eyes off Dru, finally saying, “You are the image of your grandmother, my Sophia.”
He said it as if in fond remembrance and Dru wasn’t sure how to respond to him. She kept her voice strong as she said, “Forgive me, but my mother told me nothing about her family, so I know nothing of Sophia.”
“My Sophia was a good and honorable woman—”
Knox interrupted him. “Autumn possesses the same trait.”
That he acknowledged and defended Autumn with the same tenacity and love as he did Dru touched her heart. And she loved him even more if that was possible.
“That is yet to be seen,” Callan said and glared at Dru. “And unfortunately, your mother chose to runaway rather than do the honorable thing. She fled from duty, abandoning her people to ruin for a selfish love.” His voice darkened with bitterness. “Lord Randall was married, bound by vows she willingly ignored. Her folly brought war, death, and dishonor.”
A murmur rose among the two warriors with Callan, whispered curses laced with decades-old grievances.
One of the two warriors stepped forward, his expression hardened by memories of pain. “Your mother’s betrayal cost me my family,” he spat, eyes blazing with raw accusation. “You carry that legacy now.”
Dru’s chest tightened, sorrow and defiance warring within her.
Knox took a quick step forward. “My wife bears no guilt for her mother’s deeds.”
“Honor demands it,” the young warrior spat.
Dru recalled her mum mentioning how she left a bad situation only to discover she had stepped into a worse one.
“What did you ask of my mother that she would choose dishonor over duty?” she demanded.
“Duty and honor come before anything,” Callan said, and his two warriors nodded.
“Enough of this nonsense,” Brack said. “Dru—Autumn—whoever she is will remain here until Lord Torrance returns and can decide her fate. Now, what do you propose?”
“Lord Torrance wants fealty from two northern clans, I can make sure he gets that in exchange for surrendering my granddaughter to me,” Callan said.
It was Knox who said, “Lord Torrance doesn’t surrender.”
“He’s right about that,” Brack agreed.
“And you both forget that Autumn is my wife, bound to me by law and I have no intentions of releasing her from our marriage.”
Brack rubbed his chin in thought. “Did you wed her as Dru or Autumn?”
Dru’s heart felt as if it stopped.
“That makes no difference,” Knox argued. “She is my wife, and she carries my child.”