But what lesson could possibly be learned from the Slayer going around marking and killing people?
“Tell her the rest,” Snow urged.
“I didn’t know if it was worth telling, since I didn’t know how true it was. It had been something Sister Agnes had heard through others, though she claimed it true. The Slayer didn’t only kill men. He killed women as well, or at least one woman. Snapped her neck he did, or so said Sister Agnes.”
This time Willow shuddered, a deep chill rushing through her.
“Did you know how a person who wanted help from the Slayer got in touch with him?” Willow asked.
“That’s the part I found so strange,” Eleanor said. “Sister Agnes said the trees in the woods delivered the message. That the deep roots delivered it to the devil himself.”
“Eleanor.”
Willow had to smile at the way Eleanor’s face lit with delight at James’s voice and her eyes expressed even more joy when they settled on him.
“I have need of your help,” James said as he approached the table.
“As you wish, sir,” Eleanor said with a smile and stood.
“I believe it is time you call him James, Eleanor,” Snow said with a chuckle. “It’s also time to stop hiding how much you favor each other and let it be known, since all in the keep and most of the clan know it already.”
Eleanor blushed and James smiled.
“I agree,” James said and reached his hand out to her. “It’s time we talk more seriously.”
“As you wish… James,” she said, her smile growing as he closed his hand around hers.
“He took her hand,” Willow whispered to Snow as the couple walked off.
“She’s perfect for him,” Snow said. “Hopefully, we’ll be celebrating a wedding soon. There’s no reason for them to wait if they love each other. I’m so pleased for them and you and Slatter. Soon the keep will be full of bairns I can spoil.”
It always broke Willow’s heart to hear her sister talk of others’ bairns. That she no longer spoke of having bairns of her own. It was as if she accepted she would be blind forever. Willow hoped beyond hope that that wasn’t true.
“You sound happier today,” Snow said. “Did you have an enjoyable evening?”
Willow laughed. “I don’t know how it is that you claim to be blind when you can see more clearly than others.”
“I’m right. You and Slatter sealed your vows,” Snow said with glee.
Willow had told her sister everything, but then there was little to nothing they kept from each other.
“When Sorrell learns of this she’s going to be mighty miffed at missing it all,” Snow said. Her smile faded some. “I do so miss her.”
“I do too, very much, but she’s happy with Ruddock and he loves her beyond measure. She told me it won’t be long before she visits, but I fear the snowy winter will keep her away until spring.”
“I don’t want to lose you, Willow,” Snow said, reaching her hand out across the table.
Willow was quick to grab it and give it a squeeze. “I’m not going anywhere. My home is here.”
“That isn’t what worries me,” Snow admitted. “It’s what you plan to do that frightens me and don’t try to deny it. I know you too well. I don’t want you beholden to the devil.”
“You do know me well and you know that I would do anything to protect those I love,” Willow said.
“Which is why I knew as soon as Eleanor said that a message was left with the trees that you planned to leave a message in the woods for the Slayer.” Snow shook her head. “You can’t do that. You’ll owe the devil.”
“That’s nonsense just as it’s nonsense that the trees will pass the message to the Slayer. And that’s how I’ll prove it. I’ll go into the woods, whisper to the trees and when nothing happens, I’ll at least prove that false.”
“What will you whisper? The Slayer seeks to kill. Who will you sacrifice?”
“None. I will leave a message saying I need the Slayer’s help and nothing will happen.”
And if it does,” Snow challenged.
“Then I’ll ask him to protect my husband.”
“He doesn’t protect. He causes harm.”
“We don’t know that for sure? Maybe there is more to the Slayer than we know,” Willow argued. She gave her sister’s hand another squeeze. “Don’t worry. You know I don’t take foolish risks.”
Snow gave a hardy laugh, though lowered her voice when she spoke. “You never did until you wed Slatter.”
“In some ways, he opened my eyes to things I never bothered to see.”
“I’m truly happy for you, Willow, but please, please be careful and don’t go into the woods alone,” Snow ordered.
“I’m just going to the edge of the woods where the oak trees appear as if they’re hugging each other.”
“Where we played when young bairns while Mum collected plants. And you won’t be long,” Snow ordered again.