He continued to talk as he finished cleaning her face and moved the bucket away from the bed when he was done. It was growing late. Dusk would be on them soon and she still had not woken. The only thing he could think to do for the moment was to slip in bed beside her and take her in his arms and hold her. And that was what he did.
He closed his eyes against the million thoughts and fears that rushed through him and thought only of how his wife slept comfortably in his arms and how she would wake, and the nightmare would end.
Wake up, Annis. You need to wake up. You cannot leave us. Elysia and I need your help. Please, Annis. Please do not abandon us. Do you hear me, Annis? You must wake up. Wake up now before it is too late. WAKE UP NOW!
Annis’s eyes opened and for a moment fear gripped her. Where was Elysia and Bliss? Why did they need her help? Then she felt the strong, warm arm that cradled her against the solid, warm body and her fear calmed. She was in her husband’s arms.
Everything rushed back at her at once muddling her thoughts and she buried her face against her husband’s chest.
“Annis?” Brogan whispered, waking, not sure if it was a dream that he felt his wife move.
She looked up at him, her heart overflowing with joy and relief to be in his arms. “I knew you would rescue me.”
He pressed a kiss to her brow, keeping his lips there, while he silently thanked the heavens that she finally woke.
She moved her head when his lips left her brow and winced.
“You have a bump on the side of your head.”
“Rudd,” she said anxiously, it was all coming back to her. “He and Skelly argued, and Rudd slammed me in the head with a rock.
“We got him, thanks to the ravens,” Brogan said, furious the man had dared to harm his wife.
“I remember now, but why?” she asked.
“He told me that someone, who he refused to name, has a plan, and your death is part of that plan.”
“Elysia! She almost lost her life as well.” She gasped. “Bliss must be warned. Her life is in peril as well, not only being wed to Lord Rannick but from this mysterious group of insane people.”
“I will send a message to Rannick first thing tomorrow,” Brogan assured her.
“This is not done, is it?” she asked.
“I wish I could say differently, but it is not done.” He ran his hand softly along her arm. “We must find who is responsible before you or either of your sisters are harmed.”
“It would do us well to break the curse, then this group will have no reason to come after any of us.” His questioning eyes disagreed. “You do not think so?”
“I cannot be sure of anything. I am only glad we managed to take Rudd alive. He knows much about this mysterious group and the leader, and I intend for him to tell me.”
“Troy and his men?” she asked.
“I had them return here so that Una could tend the wounded and you can talk more with him and hopefully he trusts us enough to reveal where we can find Gunna.” His hand shot up when she went to speak, knowing she would have endless questions. “Before anything else, I want Una to see how you do. After that we can continue to talk.”
“Aye, husband,” she said, knowing it was pointless to argue.
It wasn’t long after Una examined Annis and asked several questions that she advised, “You should remain abed.”
“She will remain abed today,” Brogan assured Una as he stepped out of the shadows where he had waited impatiently to know his wife did well. He scowled seeing that one of her wrists was wrapped with a clean cloth.
“A closer look showed that the one wrist was worse than the other,” Una explained, seeing where his glance had landed. “I put a yarrow salve on it. It should heal well. I will brew more of the ragwort root which will help with any bruising inside and out. Other than that, rest is what will serve her best, my lord.”
Brogan sat on the edge of the bed after Una left and leaned down to brush his lips lightly across hers. “There will be no argument about it. You will stay abed today and rest.”
Annis sighed, content with her husband there beside her. “No argument, husband. I am tired and my body aches. I will do as Una advises and rest.”
It troubled him that she did not argue with him, which meant she suffered more than she would admit. And that she did not reach out to rest her hand on his chest or rest it against his arm was also proof that she was in pain.