Total pages in book: 126
Estimated words: 116749 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 584(@200wpm)___ 467(@250wpm)___ 389(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 116749 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 584(@200wpm)___ 467(@250wpm)___ 389(@300wpm)
She got out of bed and paced in front of the fire. There was something there on the edge of her mind, something that happened recently, something important.
Annoyed at herself, she dropped down on a chair and shook her head. What had she forgotten? Had she failed to include something in her message to Bliss? Did she worry that Cadell would fail to deliver her message as instructed? Annis would have had him repeating it to her over and over and—” She jumped out of the chair. “Annis!”
That was it—Annis. Why hadn’t she realized it sooner? Cadell had mentioned Annis getting Brogan into trouble. That meant Cadell had seen Annis but if he had, she would have given him a message to deliver to Bliss. She would have insisted on it and Brogan would have agreed. That meant that Cadell never saw Annis. Why lie? What had he been doing that he didn’t want Odran to know about?
She shook her head. Then there was Dugan and the coin. Time wise, the incident with Dugan would have happened before Cadell supposedly caught up with Annis and Brogan. Yet he knew nothing about it. Annis would surely have informed Cadell in hopes that he would confirm to Elysia that she did actually send the lad and she was doing well and not to worry.
Another shake of her head had her wondering where Cadell had been all that time and what he’d been doing. A chill ran through her again. What if Cadell had been watching, waiting for the opportunity to… she gasped recalling how shocked Cadell had looked seeing Lord Fergus on the table. Had it been because he realized he had stabbed the wrong man?
Her hand went to her mouth to stop another gasp from escaping as if someone may be about to hear it. Her eyes shot open wide. What if Cadell wasn’t headed home? What if he was waiting for another opportunity or created one to give him a chance to circle back and… she kept another gasp from leaving her mouth.
He would be here to kill her and the bairn and anyone who stood in his way.
She hurried into her garments but left her feet bare wanting to keep her footfalls as light as possible. She had to get to Rory in the Great Hall. He insisted on sleeping there while Odran was gone and she was grateful he had. But he would trust Cadell if he showed up as would any sentinel. He could walk right into the village and the keep without worry.
She thought of her husband’s words. Trust no one. Friend can become foe. Was Cadell ever a friend?
First, before she did anything, she needed to make certain that Lord Fergus and Lady Margaret were all right and alert them to the possibility of Cadell being a danger to them. She left the room and hurried down the stairs. Her bare feet grew chilled from the cold stone stairs and it sent a shiver through her, but at least her footfalls could not be heard.
Once at the door, she wasn’t sure if she should knock or simply enter. Before she could decide the door creaked opened and she took light steps to hide in the shadows fearful Cadell had already breached the keep.
She sighed with relief when she saw Lady Margaret and whispered her name softly.
“Good heavens, child, you frightened me half to death,” Lady Margaret said, her hand going to her chest.
“Quiet,” Elysia cautioned and Lady Margaret’s eyes grew wide.
Elysia explained everything to the woman.
“Fergus is in no condition to fight,” Lady Margaret said, alarmed.
“He sleeps?” Elysia asked and Lady Margaret nodded. “Then let him sleep and keep the latch firm on the door until I return. I go to Rory in the Great Hall. He will see the sentinels and Finch alerted. I’ll return as soon as I can.” Lady Margaret went to speak and Elysia stopped her. “The curse will not claim me or the bairn. I will do whatever is necessary to make sure of it.”
Lady Margaret nodded, but there were tears in her eyes.
Elysia slowed her steps as she approached the bottom of the stairs. She wanted to believe all was well, that Cadell had not returned yet and there was time to prepare for his arrival. She kept that belief strong as she quietly entered the Great Hall.
Her belief shattered and her heart pounded in her chest when she spotted Rory lying on the floor. She stopped herself from running to him, cautious that Cadell might linger in the room. She kept to the shadows as best she could, watching, waiting for movement in the dark corners. When none came, she quietly padded across the floor to Rory.
A quick look revealed a large lump on the back of his head. There was no blood, but the blow was strong enough to knock him out and there was no telling how long before he woke. She saw no weapon, but searched his boot. A wise warrior always kept an extra weapon tucked away. She silently thanked the heavens when she found a dagger in Rory’s boot.