“It’s raining,” he reminded, the fear she would run from him once she stepped outside squeezing at his heart.
“I need a moment alone,” she insisted and swung open the door.
Brogan let loose with a curse as he went after her. She was several steps ahead of him. The dark clouds rushed across the moon, leaving intermittent flashes of light.
“ANNIS,” he yelled, cursing his foolishness that drove her away from him.
She stopped and turned and just then light peeked through the clouds and his heart shattered seeing the sorrow on her lovely face. But what broke his heart even more was that she stretched her arms out to him, forgiving him, giving him another chance. He seized it and was about to rush to her when a dark figure emerged in haste from behind her and snatched her away.
23
“BROGAN! Annis screamed as she struggled against the thick arm locked tight around her middle as she was dragged backward.
The man’s hand slammed across her mouth but not high enough to completely cover it. It gave her time to bite down with force on the skin between his thumb and pointer finger.
His scream echoed through the hills and woods.
Annis drove her elbow back and stamped down on his boot with equal force. His grip on her weakened but he did not let go.
She screamed out again. “BROGAN!”
“ANNIS!”
He was close, but would he be able to find her in the rain and dark. She had to keep fighting, keep the man from dragging her farther into the woods, away from her husband.
She threw her head back and caught the man in the face.
He cried out and swung her around, his fisted hand heading straight at her face.
She ducked just in time and with his strong swing missing her, he lost his balance and stumbled. It gave her enough time to kick him hard enough in the leg to send him to the ground.
He cursed and spat as he struggled to his feet. “If you were not worth so much unharmed, I’d—”
He suddenly turned silent, his mouth dropping open, and his eyes bulged with fear. Annis swerved around expecting to see her husband, but it was not her husband that had frightened him silent. It was several pairs of red eyes glaring at them from the darkness.
“Wolves,” he said, his voice quivering, and he took a step back. “They can have you.”
“They are not here for her.”
Annis almost collapsed with relief hearing her husband’s commanding voice.
The large wolf that had kept Brogan company earlier stepped out of the woods snarling; his teeth bared. Two more wolves followed, flanking his sides.
Annis was not sure what to do. Thankfully, her husband did. He came up behind her, his arm going around her waist.
“Step back with me. They are not here for us,” he said.
Annis realized he was right. The witch had sent them to protect her and Brogan.
“Do not leave me to them,” the man begged.
“What do you want with my wife,” Brogan demanded.
“There is good coin to be had to abduct her,” the man said, keeping his eyes on the wolves.
Brogan continued to demand answers. “And do what with her?”
“I do not know. We have not received word of her fate yet.”
“We?” Brogan snapped.
“Mercenaries hired for the job.”
His wife trembled against him, and he asked what she no doubt thought herself. “Others are here with you?”
The man shook his head. “Nay, not here. I drew the short stick. None wanted to come here—home of the witch.”
“Where do they wait?” Brogan demanded.
“Keep the wolves from me and I will tell you,” the man bargained.
“They are not mine to command,” Brogan said.
The wolves’ snarls increased as did their steps toward the man.
“I beg you, help me,” the man pleaded.
Brogan clamped his arm firm around his wife’s waist and lifted her enough so that her feet did not touch the ground, then he took cautious steps back.
“You sealed your fate when you trespassed on the witch’s land,” Brogan said. He swept his wife up into his arms and rushed off, leaving the man to his fate.
The man’s screams filled the night and Annis buried her face against her husband’s chest, trying not to think of the man’s horrible fate.
After entering the dwelling, Brogan leaned back against the closed door, keeping his wife firm in his arms and allowing his breathing and fear to calm.
Annis kept her arms snug around his neck, not wanting to let go. That she had almost been taken from her husband sent a shiver of pure fear through her. The thought of never seeing him again, never feeling his hand close around hers, never enjoying another of his kisses, or the pleasure of his intimate touches made her realize the depth of her love for him.
“Our garments are wet,” he said.
Annis raised her head. “We should shed them so they can dry.”