“Why do you not heal yourself?” Argus asked.
“I have not what I need,” Fia said.
“Tell me what you need, and I will have it brought to you if you promise not to harm the one who brings it,” Argus bargained.
“Why would I cause someone who offers help harm?” Fia asked.
“You are a demon or a witch and both cause harm,” Argus said with a conviction that would not be swayed.
“I am a woman,” Fia said, “Of course, there are some who think that is just as bad.”
Argus laughed. “You are right about that. I’ve had my share of demon women.”
“What does Lord Varrick want of me?” Fia asked, worried over her fate.
Argus turned an annoyed frown on Cree. “Why was she told about Lord Varrick?”
“Lord Torin made note of it,” Fia was quick to explain.
“That is for Lord Varrick to say,” Argus said.
Fia had much to say, but she held her tongue, having learned it was better to do so. The man was here out of curiosity, nothing more. He was here to see that she remained here until Lord Varrick’s arrival. It brought her a modicum of relief since he would see that she would not be harmed, at least until Lord Varrick’s arrival. But what could the legendary warrior, a man known for his fearlessness and exceptional fighting skills, want with her?
“Can you harm with words?” Argus asked.
“Everyone can harm with words,” Fia said.
“True enough, but I mean harm beyond the ordinary,” Argus explained.
Fia defended herself. “It is not my will to harm anyone.”
“Then whose will is it, the evil inside of you?” he asked.
“You need not look far for evil,” Fia said. “I have killed no one whereas both of you have killed many. Who then is the evil one?”
“We kill out of necessity,” Argus argued.
“So say you,” Fia shot back. “Now leave me be, I have nothing more to say to you.”
She would not waste her breath on this man. He could tell her nothing and she needed to rest and heal and try not to worry what fate had in store for her.
“Tell me what you need to heal and, as I offered, I will have it brought to you,” Argus said.
“You cannae give me what I need to heal,” Fia said.
“I can get whatever you need,” Argus insisted as if insulted she thought otherwise.
“You cannae give her what she needs,” Cree said.
“Few would understand what I meant,” Fia said. “You are a wise man and leader, Lord Cree.”
“Come, Argus,” Cree ordered. “We leave her to rest.”
It wasn’t until they reached the top of the stairs that Argus asked, “What is it she and you assume ah cannae get her?”
A slight smile curved at the corners of Cree’s lips. “Her freedom.”
CHAPTER 24
“I will give it one more day, if we find nothing we leave,” Cree said as he walked through the village with Dawn the next morning. “That is if the snowstorm does not linger.”
With the way the snow was falling so heavily, she doubted they would be able to leave in a day’s time and she worried they would be stuck there far longer than either of them wished.
“The young lass has not shown up again, and Henry has found no signs of the missing people. The snow has hindered us but has helped whoever is responsible for their abductions.” He shook his head. “It annoys me that I cannot solve this troublesome mystery.” He gave his wife’s hand a loving squeeze when he saw the upset in her eyes. “I know you worry about the small lass, but no doubt she was the sister of the lad who spoke with you and she and her brother moved on and took safe shelter somewhere.”
Dawn furrowed her brow not sure she agreed with him, but there was little she could do about it. She did, however, agree it was time for them to take their leave. With Fia’s capture and no one else having gone missing most believed the problem solved. Or it would be when Newlin gave his clan what they wanted—Fia burned at the stake. How he would manage that when the legendary warrior was on his way to take charge of her was a puzzle in itself.
“The snowfall worsens,” Cree said, his arm going around his wife to keep her steps steady. “I will get you in the keep before I speak with my warriors so they prepare to make ready to leave in a day or two, hopefully no more, though this snowstorm might say otherwise.”
Dawn nodded, eager to get out of the snow and cold and warm herself by the hearth with a hot brew.
Cree’s arm shot out and around Dawn when they went to climb the stairs, her foot catching on a patch of ice buried beneath the snow. She knew his thought as soon as it happened. He would delay their departure until he felt it was safe for her to travel.