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)
He forced himself to close his hand around her wrist and slowly move her hand away from his mouth, much preferring to let it linger there but knew it was unwise. Though it was just as unwise to keep hold of her wrist since touching her fueled the lingering passion and surprisingly aroused him.
He released her hand as if it suddenly scalded him. “Never touch me without my permission.”
She thought his command wise, never having suspected she could enjoy his touch so much. “As you say, my lord.”
Needing to focus his thoughts elsewhere, he said, “You will collect no more people along our journey. It has been barely two days and I now have three new people in my clan. No more. Absolutely no more. I forbid it.”
“The elderly couple will slow us down,” Argus complained hours later.
“Do you suggest I leave them here in the snow and cold?” Varrick asked, not believing that once again his wife had managed to pick up more strays.
“How is it that we have made many journeys without acquiring people but since the witch has joined us, we have acquired five people?” Argus asked. “Does she gather her minions to help her?”
“Did you see the old man, Argus? He will be lucky if he survives the journey.”
“And where will we put the old pair? One can fit in the cart but no more than one?” Argus argued.
“Room will be made for the old man to ride in the cart, as tight as a fit that may be, and since our pace certainly will be slowed with our added burden, Brother Luke can walk, and the older woman can ride.”
Argus lowered his voice. “You need to be careful keeping the witch so close to you. She will have you spellbound in no time.”
“That will never happen,” Varrick snapped. “I have and always will be in command of myself.”
“I am sure other men thought the same when confronting a witch and found out differently. I worry what she may do to you and, if necessary, I will take my sword to her to save you, on that you have my word,” Argus said.
Anger twisted in Varrick’s gut at the thought. “You will do no such thing. It is my duty when or if the time comes to see to that chore.”
“What do you mean if?”
Varrick’s head shot up hearing Sinead’s cry and to see her flying overhead. “I want to make sure we do not take the life of an innocent woman.”
“You cannot doubt that she is a witch,” Argus argued, shaking his head in disbelief. “She cut a heart open to eat it.”
“To gain knowledge from what she explained,” Varrick reminded.
“And you believe her?”
A question Varrick asked himself. “We will learn the truth of that I have no doubt… as I have no doubt, I will do with her what is necessary.”
The strength of his words appeased Argus and he tipped his head back seeing that Varrick had not taken his eyes off Sinead as they spoke.
“She’s not hunting,” Varrick said, having watched her change course and settle in a high, wide circle not far from them. “She warns us,” Varrick said. “Alert the men. A troop of warriors’ approach.”
CHAPTER 8
Varrick split his men, moving half to an area that would give them advantage in an attack and the other half to shelter nearby, out of sight, to attack from behind and trap the troop between his warriors. He had the people his wife had acquired settled behind a large rock formation and his wife as well.
“I will be ready to help the wounded as soon as they fall,” Fia said when her husband was about to leave her there with the others.
He grabbed hold of her arm. “You will do no such thing. You will remain here until I come for you.”
“But it is imperative that a wound be treated immediately. It could mean the difference between life and death,” Fia argued, his grip strong yet she felt no malice from him, no threat of harm.
“Aye, your life or death. I will hear no argument from you, wife. You will do as I command,” he ordered and walked off, not giving her a chance to argue.
“He cares for you.”
Fia turned to see, Dysa, the old woman, a generous smile on her face that bore her advanced age well.
“Seth was that way when we were young, brash in his protectiveness of me, and he still is, and yet I could see how much he cared for me in his eyes just as Lord Varrick does when he looks at you.” Dysa cast a quick glance at her husband sitting up in the cart looking around anxiously. “He begs for a weapon, looking to protect me even now when he is too weak to do so.” A tear caught in the corner of her eye. “Please tell me death is not near for him. I cannot bear to lose him. He is all I have.”