Total pages in book: 104
Estimated words: 97127 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 486(@200wpm)___ 389(@250wpm)___ 324(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97127 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 486(@200wpm)___ 389(@250wpm)___ 324(@300wpm)
“Then that would mean another hunts you.”
“Or that another looks after me?”
“There is only one person who can answer that question,” Reena said.
“The Dark One,” they said in unison.
Chapter 25
The storm clouds that had gathered overhead upon Mary and Reena’s return dumped a heavy rainfall on the land just before sunset. Everyone ran for cover and the village settled in for the night.
Mary was tired, having slept little the night before. An early supper and sleep was the only thing on her mind. Could she escape for the night and cloister herself in her bedchamber without causing a problem?
Decimus had wanted to speak with her, though he had not summoned her since her return to the keep. She hoped to beg a headache and be left alone for the night. Tomorrow would be soon enough to talk with him, but then there was also the rest of her life to talk with him.
Reena helped to fashion her excuse intending to prevent anyone from disturbing Mary, if she could.
Mary had just tossed herself on the bed to wait for the light fare Reena was having sent to her room when a sharp knock sounded at the door.
“Mary! I wish to speak with you.”
She rolled her eyes at Decimus’s familiar voice.
“I am not feeling well, can it not wait?”
“Open the door.”
She sat up quickly, shivers racing through her upon hearing his tightly controlled speech. He was angry and she wished to cause no problems for herself or anyone else.
She went to the door and opened it, keeping her head respectably bowed.
He grabbed the door from her hand and slammed it shut, the force sending the sound echoing throughout the keep.
“I will tell this to you now, and you will remember it well.”
She looked at him, and there in his dark eyes that raged in anger she thought she saw loneliness. It was a brief sighting and one she was not fully certain she had seen at all, it so startled her.
“No locked doors will ever separate us.”
There would be no place to escape him, ever.
“We will talk now,” he said, letting her know he expected no reply, just obedience.
Though her head had not ached before, it did now. “Please, can this not wait? My head aches.”
“I will not tolerate excuses.”
She wanted to scream at him to leave her alone, to go away and never come back, but her silent ranting served no purpose other than to cause her head to throb more.
She held her hand to her head. “I speak the truth, my—” She suddenly felt dizzy and stumbled backward.
Decimus was quick to reach out to her, grabbing her arm. He had just lifted her up into his arms when the door opened.
Reena walked in with a tray of food and stood startled by the sight of Mary’s head resting against Decimus’s chest.
“You have a healer?” he asked, looking to Reena.
She nodded.
“Go fetch her at once.”
Reena left the tray on the table and hurried out the door.
Decimus carried Mary to the bed and laid her down gently. “From this moment on you will do nothing without my approval and I care not what anyone says.”
“Mary is still under my guardianship,” Magnus said from the open doorway.
“She is no longer,” Decimus challenged with authority. “She is my wife to be and, therefore, my responsibility.”
Magnus attempted to protest.
“Do not make me go to the king to make it official,” Decimus warned. “You may be in his favor, but he will not deny me.”
Magnus could not argue. He knew Decimus was right.
Old Margaret entered the room and seeing the two men about ready to battle, ordered them out. “Be gone, both of you, while I tend to her.”
“I will stay,” Decimus said.
“You will not,” Old Margaret said firmly. “I am the healer here and I know what is good for her. Now be gone. I will let you know when you can return.”
Decimus looked down at Mary, her eyes were barely open, he then looked to the healer. “Treat her well or you will suffer.”
“She is in good hands, my lord,” Old Margaret said then turned her back on him.
Magnus waited until Decimus left the room then followed him out, closing the door behind them after Reena slipped into the room.
Old Margaret heated water over the fire and mixed a special brew after Mary complained about her head.
“You are not well,” Reena said surprised, sitting by her side on the bed. “I thought it a ruse as we planned.”
“My head began to ache when Decimus knocked on my door. Then I grew dizzy and my stomach felt upset.”
“Has this happened before?” Old Margaret asked, returning to the side of the bed.
“Nay, it has not.”
“Drink this. It will help you rest.” Old Margaret handed her a cup of the steaming brew. “You will sleep well and your head will feel better when you wake.”