“Calling a witch forth can be dangerous,” he cautioned, worried for her safety. “The witch is sure to want something from you.”
“I was warned about that, but Bliss’s bargain was gained at a far higher cost—her life. I will do what I need to do to see her safe.”
“You will not do it without me by your side,” he ordered, his eyes turning stern. “And if you think to trade your life for Bliss’s life, that is not something she would want you to do.”
Annis turned quiet.
“Tell me you will not even consider such a bargain,” Brogan said with a tinge of anger. “It would defeat the whole purpose of reaching out to the witch if you were to die for your sister to go free.”
“But it would not only be my sister who goes free,” Annis said, and seeing the worry and anger in his eyes, kissed his cheek. “You would be free and so would the other two cursed lords. Four people free for one life.”
Brogan grabbed her face in his hands. “Listen well, Annis, your life isn’t less important than mine or anyone else. Bliss would never forgive you for trading your life for hers, and I would see the witch dead by my bare hands if you attempted to do something so foolhardy.” He was no sooner finished, then he kissed her.
The kiss overpowered Annis, it feeling as if he laid claim to her, marked her as his so another could never touch her.
He rested his brow to hers when he ended the kiss. “Give me your word you will not bargain with your life, not for any reason.”
His kiss had set her heart to pounding and left her a bit breathless. She nodded and whispered, “You have my word.”
Yet at that moment she knew that if it came to a choice of saving him, she might have to revoke her promise, and that was when she realized that she just might be falling in love with the condemned lord.
Brogan kissed her quick, relieved she had given her word, though knowing how willful she could be, he intended to keep a more cautious eye on her. “The village stirs. We will talk more when we are alone.”
The sun poked its face out for a short time before an overcast sky hurried over it and the two continued to duel for dominance as morning blossomed.
After the morning meal and Annis got finished explaining what needed to be done on the stone shelter, she and Brogan made ready to leave for the hills. All heads turned when thunder seemed to rumble in the distance, but with the sun having presently conquered the clouds, a storm seemed unlikely.
It took a moment for everyone to realize that it wasn’t thunder they heard, it was horses’ hooves pounding the earth. Fright filled the few faces there and Una hurried to her da’s side, his arm going protectively around her. And Annis hurried to Brogan.
Twenty warriors entered the village led by a man who sat his horse with pride and arrogance. The way fear grew on the faces there, it left little doubt to Annis as to who he was.
The man brought his horse to an abrupt halt in front of Brogan and pointed his finger at him. “You, son, will return home with me, and she,” —he jabbed a finger toward Annis— “will be taken to where she belongs—the dungeon.”
7
Anger smoldered in Annis, but she wisely held her tongue while she silently plotted an escape if things should go bad. She did not believe Brogan would simply turn her over to his father, but his father could command it and Brogan had no chance of stopping twenty warriors, no matter how superior his skill as a warrior.
He could, however, slow them down and hopefully it would give her enough time to run to the hills where the fog would devour her and where the warriors feared to tread.
Brogan took an abrupt step toward his father. “You and I, Father, will talk.”
His father dismissed him with a wave of his hand. “I have no time for talk. You will obey me.”
“Unless you want a bloody fight on your hands, leaving several of your warriors dead, I suggest you take the time and talk with me,” Brogan said, stunning his father and causing the warriors to cast worried glances at each other.
“YOU DARE THREATEN ME?” his father bellowed.
Annis thought the man would explode his face turned so red. Not so Brogan. He remained calm and in command.
“Aye, I do,” Brogan said, and his hand went to grip the hilt of his sword.
His father dismounted, his face continuing to glow red and his nostrils flaring in anger. “Make haste, we leave when you are done talking.”
“We will talk in private,” Brogan said, then turned his attention to the warriors still atop their horses. “Anyone dares to lay a hand on this woman,” —he pointed to Annis— “DIES!”