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)
Escape, if or when necessary, would be nearly impossible.
The village that surrounded the castle bustled with activity that came to a partial stop when Lord Varrick was spotted. All acknowledged him with respectful bobs of their heads before their glances fell on Fia, though not for long. Heads turned quickly away from her, and whispers soon began circling while some crossed themselves in protection.
So, they were expecting a witch, but Fia wondered how they would feel once they learned the witch was the legendary warrior’s wife.
The castle sat at the far end of the village, two stone buildings extending from both sides of it. Warriors appeared to patrol everywhere, keeping watch over everything and being helpful when needed.
As large as the area was, Fia felt imprisoned. She was used to roaming free in the forest. It was where she felt most at home. Even in the winter there was life in the forest, and she worried about being shut off from it.
That disturbing thought had Fia lifting her chin enough to show her determination as she turned her eyes to Varrick. “I think it is time you tell me what you want from me and what fate I might expect from you.”
“You will learn soon enough,” Varrick said as they stopped in front of the keep. “You will be shown to your room, provided with food and drink, and you may rest until called upon.”
“First, I will see to those I have tended settled and give instructions for their wounds.”
“Lloyd will see to them,” Varrick ordered.
Fia disagreed. “Not as well as I will.”
“It is not for you to decide,” Varrick commanded and was surprised by her response at first.
“You are right. It is not for me to decide,” Fia said with a bob of her head, then continued. “It is for the wounded to decide.”
Varrick brought his face so close to hers that their noses nearly touched. “I make the decisions here.”
The man could easily intimidate, but she would have none of it when it came to her healing. And even though her stomach churned a bit at the thought of confronting him, she did so anyway.
“So, you fear they may choose differently than you and choose a healer over a warrior only familiar with battlefield wounds? Or do you fear a witch somehow marking them?”
“You admit you’re a witch,” he accused.
“I admit that you foolishly believe me a witch.”
“If you are not, then I have no use for you.”
“Which you have reminded me of often, but I am a healer and perhaps a healer would benefit you more than a witch.”
“Do you challenge me, Fia?”
A sudden thought came to her, a thought that might prove beneficial to her and give her what she feared she had lost… her freedom.
“Aye, I do,” she was quick to say. “If my natural skills prove successful in solving whatever problem you seek me to solve, then you will free me. Let me leave. Dissolve our marriage.”
“I would do that,” he said without hesitation, knowing full well it would be impossible for her to do so.
“May I have your word on that, Lord Varrick,” she said softly.
“Aye. You have my word. If no witchcraft is used, then I will have our marriage dissolved and free you to leave unharmed.”
A sense of relief and peace flowed through Fia. At least now she had a chance to free herself, though she would be wise to keep an escape plan in mind just in case she was left no choice.
With one arm around her waist, her husband eased her off the horse once they stopped in front of the keep. She felt it then, a sudden shift, and knew what had caused it when she saw people greeting the returning warriors. They had learned that Lord Varrick had wed the witch and were not pleased with the news.
Varrick grabbed hold of her arm as if he feared she would somehow escape him and turned her to enter the keep.
“The wounded,” Fia reminded, forced to keep her steps quick as he hurried her to the door.
“Argus will see them settled, then I will take you to see them.”
Fia knew it was the best she could hope to get from him, so she did not argue. Again, there was a double entrance to the keep as there was beyond the stone wall. Doors upon doors, keeping people out or were they keeping someone in?
The room beyond the first door was of a good size with benches running along the walls, making Fia wonder if people were made to sit there before they were granted permission to enter.
She was swept quickly through the next door and was surprised by the vastness of the Great Hall that greeted them. Beautifully crafted tapestries hung from the walls and banners hung from the high ceiling. Trestle tables and benches ran down the sides of the room leaving a direct path to the dais that was draped in a clean white cloth and lit candles were everywhere.