Total pages in book: 107
Estimated words: 99593 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 498(@200wpm)___ 398(@250wpm)___ 332(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 99593 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 498(@200wpm)___ 398(@250wpm)___ 332(@300wpm)
The fire crackled in the silence that followed. Esme quickly tended to the wound on his arm, placing a cloth around it to still any blood that flowed, then she got busy cleaning the blood off his head wound so Brenna would have a clear view of it when she arrived.
Her touch soothed and Torrance closed his eyes relishing her tenderness. He felt an ease begin to wash over him and soon he found himself free of worry and turmoil. He felt—content. How long had it been since he felt at such ease?
“You should’ve taken someone with you,” she said, not accusingly but with concern.
He kept his eyes closed as he answered her. “This task was for me alone.”
She wanted to ask what task, but he looked so content with his eyes closed that she didn’t wish to disturb him any further. She did, however, reach for his hand, her fingers brushing his, and found he didn’t pull away.
“Whoever they were… they meant to kill you,” she said, her voice barely a whisper.
Brenna’s voice rang out. “I am here, my lord.”
Torrance almost yelled at her to leave, preferring his wife’s hands to tend to him, but he held his tongue and let the healer work. It was better this way. He couldn’t allow anything to interfere with the plan.
The warmth of the fire did little to ease the ache in Torrance’s arm as he stood near the lone window in his solar, watching as dusk settled over the snow-covered hills beyond. A fresh bandage circled his upper arm, Brenna’s work, though it pulled as he drew the shutters on the window closed, the tapestry falling over it, keeping the cold at bay. He barely noticed the tug to his wound. His thoughts were elsewhere—dark, tangled, and unwelcome.
Brack stood near the hearth, arms crossed, eyes fixed on him like a hawk, intense. "You should have taken someone with you. You may think yourself invincible but today proves otherwise.”
Torrance didn’t turn. “I didn’t need a guard to instruct me.”
“Nay. You needed one to keep you from getting killed.”
Torrance finally turned and looked at him, one brow raised, eyes hard. “They failed miserably in their pathetic attempt.”
“This time.” Brack stepped forward, his boots heavy on the wood floor. “But what if the next blade finds your heart? You go wandering off again without a word, and I’ll be the one telling the clan their chieftain died alone in the woods like a fool.”
“Some of them might welcome that,” Torrance scoffed.
Brack found his response odd. He expected Torrance to threaten suffering on any who would dare speak against him. It confused him and left him speechless.
A long silence settled between them. The fire crackled behind Brack, its light flickering across the worn stone walls.
Finally, Torrance said, “There are things I must do that I cannot speak of… yet.”
Brack gave a snort. “Secrets have a way of biting the man who keeps them.”
“And betrayal hides in the open just as easily as in the dark,” Torrance countered. He moved to the table and reached for the pitcher of ale, filling a tankard with a steady hand. “Which brings us to Chieftain Stuart.”
Brack grimaced as if the name tasted sour on his tongue. “As I’ve warned, he has a thirst for power. He’s not to be trusted.”
“His son’s betrothal celebration is in three days,” Torrance said, then took a swallow of ale.
“And you mean to go?”
Torrance nodded slowly. “Aye, I plan to attend. It’s better to stand in his hall and smile with a blade hidden than leave him wondering why I didn’t come at all. Besides, I can see who attends and learn who leans his way.”
“You’ll go with a sizeable escort,” Brack ordered.
Torrance’s eyes narrowed. “Is that a command?”
“I meant no disrespect, my lord,” Brack said with a bob of his head. “I have a duty to keep you safe, and I do not intend to fail you.”
“I know I can always count on you, Brack.”
Brack studied him for a long moment. Something wasn’t right. Torrance never praised or complimented anyone… not ever. “You’re not the same,” he said at last. “Since you returned.”
Torrance’s jaw tightened. “Maybe a day or two in the stocks would have your tongue being more respectful.”
His response was more like he expected from Torrance. He let it go—for now—but he would keep his gaze sharp and see if there was anything to his observation.
“I will see to the escort,” Brack said. “And double the guards around the keep until then. Whoever came at you today may not be finished.”
Torrance inclined his head. “Agreed. See to it.”
Brack strode to the door, pausing only once, needing to have his say. “One day, you’ll trust me with whatever truth you’re hiding. Just don’t wait until it's too late.”
The door shut behind him with a dull thud.