“I would like to believe the same,” Roarke said. “But believe me when I say you do not know the reality of what you face.”
“Decimus?”
“Rest assured, he will stand in your way.”
“Then I will have to move him out of my way.”
“It is said he is pure evil,” Roarke said as though warning her.
“Do you not believe that love can conquer evil?”
“I would like to think it were possible, but I have seen Decimus’s wrath and what is left in its wake.” He shook his head. “I do not know if love is strong enough to deal with such terror.”
“Do you know much about Decimus?”
“Want to know your enemy?”
“How can a warrior enter battle and expect victory with no knowledge of his enemy? I have been protected since I was young and it has done me little good. I must know this man who chases after me if I am ever to be free.”
“The Dark One will make certain you get to freedom.”
“The Dark One,” she repeated with a sad smile. “Not Michael?”
“You must leave Michael behind to do what he must.”
She shook her head. “I cannot do that. I will not do that.”
“There is nothing you can do for Michael.”
“I believe there is. Will you tell me about Decimus?’
“I do not see what good it will do.”
“Then you have nothing to lose by telling me what you know of the man.”
“You are stubborn.”
“Nay, I know what I must do to free not only myself but Michael.”
“How will you, a woman with no battle skills, free Michael?”
Mary shook her head. “I do not know. I only know I must try.”Chapter 14“Decimus approaches the village.”
Magnus, earl of Dunhurnal crossed his arms over his broad chest. “Make certain the villagers see our force of strength so that they feel protected. I want every warrior’s presence known.”
The warrior gave a quick nod and left to do his lord’s bidding.
“What does Decimus want with us?” Reena asked as she walked up to stand beside her husband on the keep’s steps. Her constant companion, Horace, a large hound, followed behind her.
“Go in the castle. Your presence is not needed here.”
She tilted her head to look up at the infamous Legend, a feared warrior whose exploits were well known throughout the Celtic lands. She sent him a smile to remind him that issuing orders did not work well with her. She would not run and hide while danger was about to descend on the village.
He shook his head. “I should know better.” Magnus took her chin between his fingers and rubbed at a smudge. “If you intend to make an impression, which you always do, it would be best not to make it with ink on your chin.”
Reena waited patiently while he rid her of the mark and felt her heart swell with love. That he was the infamous Legend did not matter to her, that he was a handsome man whose features could steal women’s hearts, that he was a strong and courageous warrior were all unimportant compared to the fact that he loved her, Reena, a simple mapmaker.
“I love you.”
He kissed her. “And I love you more than you know.”
She laughed. “I know how much you love me.” She lowered her voice. “You show me every night.”
He spoke in a whisper. “And if the devil were not at my gate, I would show you how much I love you right now.”
She took hold of his arm, her smile fading. “What could Decimus want with us?”
He pushed a lose strand of her long black hair behind her ear and met her inquisitive blue eyes. “We will find out soon. Remember Decimus is a powerful man. He has the power of the Church and the king behind him and even they fear him. Tread lightly in his presence and hold your tongue.”
She nodded. “I will do as you say.”
Thomas approached, a giant of a man in height and width, a good friend to Magnus and husband to Reena’s best friend, Brigid.
Villagers drifted up behind him, gathering in a crowd, seeking the strength and protection of their lord.
Thomas joined Magnus on the step below him. “They are frightened and there is gossip that even the Legend may not be able to protect them from Decimus. Do you know why he comes here?”
“I have a thought and it concerns me, no other.”
Reena was quick to object. “What concerns you concerns us all.”
“She is right,” Thomas agreed. “We stand together.”
“This might be one time we have no choice but to stand apart.”
Thomas and Reena had no chance to respond. The crowd had swelled to include nearly everyone in the village; her friend Brigid was sneaking up behind her husband and sending Reena a fearful look.
Reena understood her friend’s apprehension. It was a day such as this when a new lord rode into their village and killed Brigid’s first husband. The suffering was behind her now thanks to Thomas, but she imagined Brigid worried that sorrow would befall the village once again.