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)
When she caught a glimpse of one, a twig of the blackthorn tree tied with sprig of lavender, her suspicion was confirmed. It was meant to ward off evil but since she was not evil, she had no worries. At least it would keep evil from them while on their journey, or she hoped.
Fia turned when Varrick let loose with a whistle, and her eyes followed her husband’s eyes along with others to glance up at the sky. It was not long before a bird was spotted circling overhead.
The closer it got the larger it got, its wingspan wide, and Fia watched as the bird dropped down closer and closer, and she smiled at its beauty. It was a red-tailed hawk, having become familiar with the lovely species in the forest. She wondered if it was one known to her and instinct had her extending her cloaked-covered arm out. She did not see that Varrick did the same.
The bird circled overhead, its wingspan impressive, then without warning it swooped down and to everyone’s shock landed on Fia’s arm.
“You are a beauty, my friend,” she whispered to the hawk, failing to see the anger that tightened Lord Varrick’s face and when the bird answered her with a squawk his anger doubled.
Silence descended over the crowd, no one moved, breathing seemed to still, and fear grew.
Consumed with whispering gently to the hawk, Fia did not realize that everyone stared at her in utter silence.
Varrick found it difficult to hide his fury that his hawk had ignored him completely and perched on Fia’s arm. If he had any doubts that she was a witch, they fled after seeing Sinead go to her so easily.
He whistled again and the hawk’s head turned away from Fia, her wings spread, and she took flight to land on Varrick’s arm.
Only then did Fia realize how it must have looked to all there that the hawk had come to her and not Varrick. She had lived her whole life in the woods, more comfortably with her friends, the animals and birds that made their homes there, rather than humans. None would understand that, and there was no point in explaining it.
“Home!”
Fia heard Varrick command the bird and she took flight, circling overhead, waiting to follow him home.
Varrick walked over to her, and she almost backed away from him, his anger was so palpable.
He leaned his face close to hers. “Never, ever, stretch your arm out to my hawk again.”
Fia kept her voice even and gentle, though her insides quivered as she said, “As you say, my lord.”
His hands were suddenly at her waist and with one swift lift, he set her atop a horse. “Do not try to escape me or I promise you will live to regret it. You will stay at my side unless I command otherwise.” He did not wait for a response. He went to his horse, mounted it, and rode off.
Fia followed, keeping at his side as he had ordered, and it was not long before Clan Strathearn was in the distance, and not long before she noticed that Varrick wore no talisman.
It was not until they settled into a steady pace, Argus taking the lead with a few warriors that Fia spoke to her husband.
“You wear no talisman like your warriors. Do you not fear me?”
He did not look at her when he answered, “I fear nothing.”
“We all fear something,” she said, though the tight set of his jaw made her wonder if he was too stubborn to fear anything.
“What do you fear?” he asked, again not looking at her.
Her response came easily. “What you plan to do with me.”
That he did not respond said more than if he had spoken.
When the silence lingered, she said, “You believe me a witch so, therefore, you must think I can help you with something beyond your power.”
Again, he remained silent.
“I am no witch. I am a healer,” she said with pride, though she doubted anyone would believe her.
Varrick turned to her. “Where is your home?”
His question surprised her as did the bold blue of his eyes. She had never seen such striking eye color. It truly captured one in its intensity, making it difficult to look away.
She forced herself to turn her head for a moment. “Why do you ask?”
“You will not respond to any question I ask you with another question,” he ordered.
“Knowledge cannot be gained without curiosity,” Fia said, turning to look at him once again. “As a healer, I am compelled to learn as much as I can so I may tend those in need of healing.”
“It is not your healing skills I seek. Now tell me where your home is.”
Fia remained reluctant to say. If she did have a chance to escape him—she shut her eyes a moment against the sudden thought that hit her. Did he plan to make sure she had no place to go if she should escape him? The thought of escape was already on her mind.