Flora handed it to him with a smile.
Torin felt as if his heart slammed against his chest. Her smile made her all the more beautiful and he found himself looking forward to having her as his wife. And perhaps, just perhaps, if a demon did not frighten her, then a ghost wouldn’t either.
“If she is a demon or witch, can she not heal her wounds herself?” Argus asked after Cree finished explaining about the torture, though making no mention of what happened to Dawn to Newlin’s relief.
“A question everyone asks but no one has an answer to,” Cree said.
“A good reason to burn her,” Newlin spat, tired of the continuing argument.
Argus turned an annoyed glance on the man. “Lord Varrick will take her and settle your worry.”
“My worry will be settled when the flames devour her completely,” Newlin argued. “Then I know she cannot return to harm my clan.”
Argus had enough. “I will see my troop settled and return later to talk with the prisoner.” He sent a respectful nod to Cree and with rapid strides left the room.
“I must protect my clan,” Newlin said as if explaining himself to Cree.
“Then find a way without making an enemy of Lord Varrick and placing Lord Bhric in a difficult situation to have to defend you against the legendary warrior.”
Newlin paled. “I have no wont to do that, but why does he want her and what will he do after he is finished with her?”
“Newlin!” Torin called out as he and Flora entered the Great Hall, and he handed the bucket he carried off to a servant. “It is time for the marriage documents to be signed. An old cleric travels with my troop. He can perform the ceremony.”
Cree wondered over another bit of information Torin had kept from them.
“Why did you not tell me this?” Newlin demanded. “He may be of some help against the demon.”
Torin explained. “He is far too old and his sight far too poor to battle any demon. He travels to a monastery to safely live out what days he has left to him.”
Flora had not expected this. Had her words to him hastened his decision to wed her? She thought she would have time to see if there was possibly an alternative to her plight. When she first learned that she had to come live with her uncle, she trusted that it would only be temporary and that she would one day return to Edinburgh where last she and her parents had made their home. This marriage destroyed any hope of that happening.
Newlin smiled. “Then send for the cleric and come to my solar and we will see this done. I will send for Tavia. She will want to be there for this.” He turned to Cree.
“Enjoy the occasion with your family, Newlin,” Cree said before the man was able to ask if he would like to attend. “I go and talk with Henry and my warriors to see if anything more has been found.” With a slight smile he turned to Torin. “May your marriage be filled with good fortune and,” —he glanced at Flora— “much luck.”
Flora smiled, realizing he had repeated what he had wished Torin and her once before—much luck—and he had heard her whisper right afterwards, “He’s going to need it.” She felt he had purposely reminded her to keep her courage strong and she was grateful for the reminder.
Newlin rubbed his hands together with joy. “I am happy to see this done.” He smiled at Flora. “And I know that your da would be happy as well.”
Flora did not agree, her da having always told her the choice was hers as to who and when she wed, if she wished to wed at all. She returned her uncle’s smile with a half-hearted one of her own, not that he or Torin noticed.
Cree did though and since Flora had a nature similar to Dawn’s he hoped all would go well with her marriage to Torin and she would find some happiness with him.
He stepped outside, the cold stinging his face and warning of more snow. Winter had settled in, and he did not plan on wintering here with Newlin. If he found nothing more in two days, and with Newlin certain the demon resided in his dungeon, then Dawn and he would take their leave.
He shook his head. He did not like leaving a problem unsolved and he felt that was what he was doing. He went off to find Henry, hoping he might have found something that would help settle the unease about this troubling situation. But first he had to see to something he had waited to do when alone.
Auda gasped when she opened the door and Lord Cree was standing there.
Cree did not wait to be invited in, he walked right past the startled woman into the cottage. He glanced around and seeing it empty asked, “Where is your brother?”