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)
“And you are certain it was one of your own and not a mercenary for hire?” she asked, disbelief clear in her wide eyes.
“Without a doubt,” he said without hesitation.
“Why would one of your own men be so foolish to betray you?”
“I have repeatedly asked myself the very same. What hadn’t I seen? What had I missed? Had there been signs I ignored?”
“Had he fought beside you for years?” she asked. “Did you trust him?”
“As much as I could trust anyone,” he scoffed. “I am not foolish enough to think that the promise of coins cannot sway a man’s loyalty. But the dire consequences of such a foolhardy decision are something my warriors have seen, and it has kept them fearful enough not to betray me.”
Her look was puzzled. “But this one had no such fear, which means something else had driven him, something far more powerful.”
A dog’s bark brought him back to the present. He had been impressed that she hadn’t offered useless reassurances or rushed to false outrage to placate him. She listened intently and offered her own thoughts.
Her words about it being something far more powerful than fear of him had brought one word to mind… revenge. But who didn’t want revenge against Torrance, his evil deeds left many with a bitter, vengeful taste.
His thoughts drifted back to Esme and how she had dropped back on the pillow to continue to talk with him. She had fallen asleep, and he had let her. He hadn’t wanted her to leave. He wanted her there beside him. And when she turned and snuggled against him, her breath soft against his skin, he had wrapped his arm around her and fallen into a peaceful sleep.
He shook away the memory as he moved through the village with a warrior’s gait, his thoughts tangled. As much as he wanted to ignore the memory, he could still feel the ghost of her touch, and it unsettled him.
Had he been wise in confiding in her? Had she noticed the change in him? Was she far more dangerous to the plan than he expected? He shook his head. It wasn’t her. It was him and the feelings he always had for her that were now surfacing.
That realization sat heavier than expected in his chest, and he muttered a curse under his breath. Emotions made men careless. And careless men ended up dead.
A thought he needed to consider regarding the old woman Esme had told him about. It could be a trap he’d be walking into if he went in search of answers that the old woman claimed was buried in blood and vengeance.
Whose blood? Whose vengeance?
Would he find the answers? Or did death wait not only for him but Esme as well? The old woman having insisted that he’d find no answers without his wife.
Did he take the chance and go? Or did he have a choice?
He heard the crunch of footfalls not far behind him. His thoughts might be chaotic, but he kept his senses alert.
“Do not tell me that you bring me a problem before the day begins,” Torrance said without turning when Brack got close enough.
Footfalls were as familiar to Torrance as were voices. Each were unique and allowed him to know who approached without having to look. Brack’s thick body gave him a strong gait that was easily recognizable in his demanding footfalls.
“Nay, my lord, I but worried there was a problem when I spotted you walking through the village so early. Has your wife disappointed you that you rush from your bed?”
Torrance’s head snapped quickly to the side to glare at Brack. “How is that your concern?”
“It would be my duty to find you another wife if Lady Esme does not satisfy you, and I would want to begin the search sooner rather than later, if it should prove to be necessary.”
Torrance’s glare threatened. “You will conduct no such search, Brack.”
“As you say, my lord.” Brack said with a nod of his head. “Then it is something else that troubles you?”
Torrance turned his gaze ahead once more. “Esme told me of an old woman, long silver hair, draped in dark garments, who approached her and spoke of things no stranger should know.”
Brack stiffened beside him. “And you believe this old hag?”
“I believe there may be something worth discovering. The woman spoke of blood and vengeance buried in the past... and that I’d find no answers without Esme.”
Brack let out a heavy snort. “You see the trap then, my lord. You speak of blood and vengeance and think not that it could be your own?”
Torrance didn’t hide his annoyance. “It could be. But it could also prove beneficial. I will not know if I don’t go and see for myself.”
Brack wasted no time with hesitation. “And, of course, this old woman, you didn’t see, insisted you take Lady Esme with you. Is that so she can see her plan carried out… you dead.”