Total pages in book: 112
Estimated words: 101336 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 507(@200wpm)___ 405(@250wpm)___ 338(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 101336 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 507(@200wpm)___ 405(@250wpm)___ 338(@300wpm)
“Was this area of land ever part of the kitchen garden?” Sky asked.
“Nay, this patch of land was for the healer’s use. Verina would not let anyone go near it, warning that some plants were too dangerous to touch. It fell into disrepair when she died, and the frigid winter had not helped the few plants she had.”
“Her healing garden was small?” Sky asked.
“Far smaller than our previous healer’s garden,” Euniss said.
“How did my father come by Verina?” Slayer asked.
Euniss shook her head and shrugged. “A question I asked him myself when she arrived. He told me that it was none of my concern. That we needed a healer and we now had one. That, of course, made me even more curious and somewhat suspicious of the healer since she did not seem a knowledgeable healer. But your father continued to dismiss my concerns, so I held my tongue.”
“Until my father took ill,” Slayer said.
“I did wonder over her healing skills when your father failed to improve no matter what Verina did, and when I suggested poisoning, she did pay heed to it.”
“Or so she made you believe,” Slayer said.
Euniss’s brow rose in surprise. “It did cross my mind, but I and others had expressed concern about Verina not looking well after your father took ill. Do you think Verina poisoned your father?” Her glance drifted off briefly.
“You recall something?” Slayer asked.
“I cannot believe I dismissed it,” Euniss said as if disappointed in herself.”
“Tell me,” Slayer ordered.
“I caught a servant wrinkling her nose at the bedding taken from your father’s bedchamber that she was about to wash one day. I went to ask her if the bedding had gone too long before being changed when I caught a whiff of the scent myself. I warned the servant to say nothing that it was none of our concern.”
“What wasn’t your concern?” Slayer asked already surmising what it was.
“Verina’s scent was potent on the bedding. It was an odd, overly sweet scent. I paid it no mind since I was well aware that your father was a potent man who slept with a variety of women and cared little for any of them.” Euniss looked with pride on Slayer. “It is good you have not inherited your father’s lack of honor and self-serving trait. Your mum had faith that you would be a good, honorable man, and she was right.”
“What about Warrand?” Slayer asked, her remark unsettling him.
“She prayed for him but could see from a young age that Warrand would be much like his father, though she was pleased that Warrand had formed a close bond with you. She hoped he might learn from you and become a better man.” Euniss turned her head and sniffed the air. “I must take my leave, sir, or your next meal will be served burnt.”
Slayer looked at his wife with a mixture of annoyance, concern, and need in his eyes.
Sky felt it more than saw his need for her and she did not hesitate. She spoke loud enough for those in the distance to hear. “Now go and leave me in peace to do as I please. I will not tolerate being dictated to any longer.”
Anger sparked in his eyes at her commanding voice until he realized what she was doing, giving him a reason to send her to their bedchamber.
He let his anger surface, knowing his wife would understand it was not directed at her. “Go to your bedchamber and you will remain there until I give you permission to leave it.”
The fiery anger in his eyes froze her for a moment.
“GO!” he shouted.
She jumped and hurried off, though not before scooping up Angel and calling out, “Come, Fane.”
The wolfhound did not hesitate. He hurried to his feet and with a snarl at Slayer, rushed to follow Sky.
CHAPTER 18
Slayer waited for a short time then entered the keep with a furious scowl on his face and issued an order for Euniss to bring ale to his solar. When the only two servants there fled the Great Hall, he went and hurried up the stairs to his bedchamber.
Sky rushed to him as soon as he stepped into the room, and his arms closed around her. They stood there silently hugging each other tight, savoring the moment and the warmth and strength of each other. A light rap on the door had them stepping apart.
Slayer opened it, expecting to see Euniss standing there and stepped aside for her to enter.
“I delivered the ale to your solar as directed so everyone believes you are there. However, I thought you could use some wine and a bit of food while you talk.” She set the tray on a small table. “There is much for you to consider, my lord, but do remember that your mum had great love for you and greater faith in you.”