“You are wrong,” Bliss said. “Lord Rannick will find me, and it will be you who suffers for your evil deeds.”
Sheed shook his head. “It is a pity you will die without knowing the truth.”
“I know the truth. Lana was a good soul just like her sister until she met you and you convinced her otherwise. She worked in the keep, the perfect spot for her to be able to kill all three of Rannick’s wives at your command. Since you refused to surrender as others of your group did, I can only assume that when you did not return from your mission, Lana would come for you. Or is it this man you alluded to, who will bring me great suffering, the one who aided in your escape?”
“A bit of both,” Sheed said.
A loud moan had all eyes turned on Damia.
“Why did you bring her?” Sheed demanded of Lana.
“I did not want to leave her with those evil ones,” Lana said.
“She will slow us down and be a burden. We leave her here,” Sheed ordered and silenced any protest from Lana with a quick and painful grab of her jaw. “The decision is made. As soon as he arrives and we get our coins, we leave. And I will hear no more on it.”
“You meant to take me and my husband captive, though the men were not aware of that, were they?” Bliss asked, anxious to learn all she could, particularly who was behind the whole scheme.
“You know nothing of what truly is going on. That fool group who believes the righteous shall prevail are being led by someone who is anything but righteous. When I discovered the truth, I used it to my advantage. Now for once, I shall be the victor.”
“And who is this person who rained true evil down on all?” Bliss asked.
Damia cried out in pain, drawing all their attention.
Sheed sneered and pointed to Damia. “See to her and you,” —he turned to Lana— “wait in the shadows with the horses for me. This man is not known for his kindness.”
Lana nodded and did as ordered, though cast one last look toward her sister before she did.
Bliss turned to drop down in front of Damia and that was when she spotted the raven sitting on a low tree branch staring at her. Had the witch sent help?
“The bairn will not survive the cold,” Damia said, tears in her eyes. “But what does it matter… we will die.”
“We will not die and the bairn will survive. We will make sure of it,” Bliss assured her. “I will wrap the bairn snug in my cloak and once tucked in your arm beneath your cloak there will be no worry of warmth. We will see your bairn kept safe and we will not die. I left a good trail for Rannick to follow. Now worry no more. You have a bairn eager to meet his mum.”
It wasn’t long after that, that thankfully, the bairn slipped out easily and with a strong cry.
“A boy,” Bliss said gleefully, and Damia smiled broadly as tears of joy rolled down her cheeks.
After begging for a knife from Sheed so she could cut the cord, she wrapped the crying bairn snug in her cloak and once tucked in his mum’s arms, and her cloak wrapped around them both, he quieted.
While Bliss finished settling mum and son, she whispered, “You have strength and courage, Damia. You need to sneak off into the woods and follow the raven. He waits to guide you. These men care not about you and will not waste their time looking for you.” She could see Damia’s reluctance to leave her. “No doubt you will meet up with Rannick, his men, and most likely Bram. Tell my husband to let the raven guide him.”
“Raven?” Damia asked, confused.
“I spotted him only a few moments ago. He sits in the tree waiting. Follow where he flies. He will guide you well,” Bliss encouraged.
“I will do as you say, my lady,” Damia said, determined.
“Morning cannot be too far off. You need enough darkness to conceal you, so do not delay. I will go talk with Sheed and see if I can keep him distracted.” Bliss squeezed Damia’s hand. “Do not look back. Keep going no matter what, and when you see Rannick, tell him I love him.”
“I will, my lady, you have my word,” Damia promised, teary-eyed.
Bliss stood, praying that she would be able to tell her husband herself that she loved him, but she wanted him to know one last time if she never got to see him again. She went to walk to Sheed when a large man stepped out of the woods.
“Go now, Damia. Go and do not stop, and tell my husband that Jaffee waits for him,” Bliss urged in a whisper and remained as she was so no one could see Damia leave.