Total pages in book: 105
Estimated words: 97306 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 487(@200wpm)___ 389(@250wpm)___ 324(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97306 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 487(@200wpm)___ 389(@250wpm)___ 324(@300wpm)
She understood better now why Argus was so protective of her husband. They had survived a horrendous ordeal together when young. Their bond was the only love either of them had ever known.
Varrick glanced around the silent woods, wondering if his wife used dark magic on him, leaving him to speak so easily of his past when he never discussed it with anyone. He and Argus had agreed to keep their past to themselves. So, why had he spoken of it to her now?
“You have been a brave man since you were young, having fought such evil and being victorious. Not many can claim victory against evil. It is strong and often people do not realize that evil has captured them.
“You believe evil is that strong and capable?” Varrick asked.
“My grandmother warned me that evil is only as strong as we allow it to be. That those who know the difference between good and evil will never fall prey to it, but those who only profess to be good will be fodder for the devil. You are a good man. You recognized evil when you saw it and you banished it, saving others from suffering.”
Varrick halted his steps to gaze over her face as if, somehow, he would see the truth written upon it. “Witches serve the devil, serve evil. Do you serve the devil?”
“I come from a long line of wise women, not witches. If anything, wise women fight evil. We cast light on it so it has no place to hide, no place to survive, and can exist no more. My grandmother battled the God of Death many times and kept people from his grasp, though I never recall her saying that he was evil. She told me dying was part of life, and Death comes for us all one day. But, she insisted, you could argue with him, and she did. I follow in her footsteps and will do all I can to battle Arawn as my grandmother did. I only hope I am as victorious as often as she was.”
“You say that, but lies come easy to evil,” he challenged.
“I told you I speak the truth, but you wonder if I truly do. You have only one choice.” She smiled softly as she said, “But will you make the right one?” Fia walked off, leaving him to decide.
Varrick knew well he had only one choice—trust her or don’t trust her. But which one was the right choice?
The cold felt as if it had pierced down into her bones by the time they reached the shelter. It was a small dwelling, and she was glad of it since it would not take long for the fire to heat the sparse space. A single, narrow bed, folded blankets piled on it, was pushed against one wall and a small table, a bench tucked beneath, sat against another wall. A chest sat braced against the bottom of the bed and baskets filled with root plants sat atop a narrow bench that occupied the wall across from the small yet adequate hearth.
Varrick got a fire going quickly, then grabbed the bench from beneath the table and sat it in front of the fire. “Sit and warm yourself,” he ordered.
Fia hurried to do as he said, since she was eager for the fire’s heat.
“There is no need to always order me when all that is necessary is to ask,” she said, stretching her hands out to the warmth.
“I am in command, therefore, I command,” he said, annoyed that he offered her an explanation.
“That must be burdensome at times. It is not necessary for you to always command me—simply ask me.”
“And if you argue with me?”
“I would not argue. If I disagreed with your request, I would explain why.”
“And so, we circle back to why I command,” he said as if it explained it.
“You will not be questioned,” she clarified, her brow pinching. “But surely you cannot believe you are never wrong.”
An unexpected smile broke across Varrick’s handsome face. “Nay, I don’t. I believe I am always right.”
Fia looked at him oddly, then laughed and was surprised when he chuckled as well. She had never seen such a smile on his face, and it highlighted his fine features, which caused a rash of flutters in her stomach once again. Was this what falling in love felt like? If so, it was quite enjoyable. Still, she had to be cautious. He did not trust her and if he did not trust her, how could he love her?
“I should go linger in the forest a bit,” she suggested, thinking some time alone would do her good.
“You have spent enough time there today and it grows cold. Time enough for you to do that tomorrow.”
She heard no demand in his voice and yet there was a strength to his words that warned she was not to argue.