Dark Warrior (Warrior 2)

He kissed her palm. “You took longer than I expected; I worried that something had happened to you.”

“I came upon your men,” she said quietly. “I thought only one at first and was ready with my bow and arrow. Then I spied another and knew I needed to hide and wait for them to pass. It delayed my return.”

Her near capture filled him with dread, and he silently swore he would never place her in such danger again. He would see her safe and free of harm. “Rest,” he urged and placed her hand on her stomach, his hand covering hers.

“I understand now.” Her eyes drifted closed.

“What do you understand?”

“Why the Dark One does what he does.”

“And why he must continue his work,” he said regretfully.

“Everything changes yet it stays the same.”

Decimus had to lean closer to hear her, her voicing drifting off to a mere whisper as she fell asleep. He did not understand the pertinence of her remark, but then she was tired and probably not making sense.

He waited by her side until he was certain she was asleep. When a soft knock sounded at the door, he hurried to see who dared disturb them.

Reena stood with her hands on her hips, Brigid behind her. He had to admire Reena, for a small wisp of a woman she had courage.

“Is Mary all right?”

“She is with child and has not been well.” He saw no reason to keep that information from them and it was time her pregnancy was known, time for their escape plan to begin.

Reena went to walk past him but he blocked her with his arm across the doorway. “She sleeps.”

Reena looked perturbed, but Brigid handled herself well.

“Would you like someone to sit with her in case she should wake and need assistance?”

Reena was more direct. “We heard that her personal servant was accused of stealing and had escaped before punishment. It must have upset her.”

“It was no concern of hers.” He had often wanted to cringe at his own arrogance, but it was necessary to keep up the façade. He was however grateful to Brigid for offering to sit with his wife. He would feel more at ease if someone he could trust remained with her.

He stood aside. “Do not disturb her.”

He forced himself not to smile when he saw Brigid grab hold of Reena’s arm. The tiny, thin woman looked ready to lunge at him. He was glad to know Mary had good friends. She would need them.

They walked to the bed and after seeing that Mary was asleep, Reena pulled a chair near the bed for Brigid to sit.

Decimus noticed then that Brigid was round with child and a sudden sadness rushed over him. He would have to send Mary away when she was heavy with his child. He would watch her walk out of his life never to see her or to know his offspring.

He wanted to scream and lash out at someone but he could do nothing, just as he had not been able to do anything about his family’s suffering. What good was love when it only brought more pain and sorrow?

He turned and hurried out the door. A scurry of footsteps caught up with him as he descended the staircase.

“Since Mary has not been well, I think it wise she return with us so that she may get proper care.”

Decimus stopped so abruptly that Reena smashed into his back. He turned, grabbed hold of her arm, and marched her down the remainder of the steps.

“Mary stays with me.” He felt his fury boiling. He had only a short time left with his wife and he was not willing to relinquish a moment of it.

“Take your hand off my wife.”

Reena froze along with Decimus. She had not heard her husband use that vicious tone often, but when he did there was not a soul who did not obey him.

Decimus released her slowly. “Your wife speaks when she should not.”

“A trait I admire in her,” Magnus said and held his hand out to his wife.

Reena took it and stood to his side.

“Your reason for being here?” Decimus asked bluntly.

“We came to visit Mary,” Magnus said, recalling how one day his wife burst into his solar and insisted they go see how Mary was fairing. She wanted to leave that day, that very minute. It was obvious she had been worried, then Magnus found out that Reena had received a note from Mary, requesting help. Help with what she had not specified. They left the next day.

“We can set up camp in the woods if we are not welcomed here,” Magnus said, receiving no immediate response from Decimus.

“You may stay,” Decimus said, his own thoughts on the note Mary had sent to Reena. “I will have rooms made ready for you.”

“Thank you for your hospitality,” Magnus replied, though he sounded just as grieved as Decimus. It appeared they both felt the same; Magnus did not want to be there and Decimus did not want him here.