by Donna Grant
“I’ll do whatever I need to in order for the Varroki—and you—to remain alive.”
She had never pointed him out so blatantly before. Armir might hope that she cared for him, but how could she not? As she’d said, he was the only one she saw, the sole person she’d known for months after she had been first brought to Blackglade.
“We’re lucky to have you as our Lady,” Armir said.
Something moved in Malene’s face as if his words hadn’t been exactly what she’d wanted to hear. But he couldn’t tell her that he couldn’t imagine a life without her. That the very thought of something happening to her made him want to destroy everything.
He couldn’t tell her that he loved her.
25
After Synne had told Lachlan about the First Witch’s bone in his sword, he hadn’t said a word. He’d finished his oatcake, then mounted his gelding. Synne realized that she had told him quite a bit, so she didn’t push him to say anything, just as he hadn’t pushed her earlier. It had taken her hours to digest it all, and even then, she wasn’t so sure she knew what to do with the information.
They continued riding, hard and fast. The horses seemed to sense something in the air as well because there were times both she and Lachlan had to hold their mounts back when they wanted to run, even over dangerous terrain.
By the time they stopped for the night, Synne was exhausted both mentally and emotionally. She glanced at Lachlan, but he was as closed off as she had been that morning. Before she could head off to hunt their dinner, he came to her and held out his hand.
“Can I use your bow?” he asked.
She handed the weapon to him. “It’s my turn.”
“I’ll be back,” he said and turned away.
Synne blew out a breath after he’d left. Then, she scavenged around to find wood. When she couldn’t find that, she went looking for peat. She got lucky and returned to their camp. It wasn’t as hidden as their others, but it was the best they could do, given the fact that there were no woods anywhere close. The glen they’d chosen was small, but all it took was one person atop a mountain or a connecting hill to spot them. Thankfully, there weren’t feet of snow in this particular area, making it easy to clear a spot for their camp.
She was about to start the fire when she recalled what Asrail had said about the roots of the trees in the ground. Synne removed her gloves and placed her palm flat on the earth. The cold seeped into her skin instantly, but she ignored it as she closed her eyes and listened for the trees. Minutes ticked by with nothing.
“Can you hear me?” she whispered. “My beloved trees, I need your assistance. Do I have enemies approaching?”
When there was no response, she searched deep inside herself to try and hear them. She wasn’t sure it would work since she’d always had to touch the trees to sense what they wanted to tell her.
Her eyes snapped open as she realized that wasn’t true. She had heard the trees when she was little, and the Gira had been coming for her. She hadn’t been touching any tree then. If she could do it once, she could do it again. The difference was, she’d been in the middle of a forest then. Now, there wasn’t a tree anywhere near her. But their roots were everywhere, just as Asrail had said.
Synne closed her eyes again. “I’m listening.”
The force that went through her palm had her snatching her hand back in surprise. Then, she hastily put it back on the ground as trepidation rushed through her. She reached for her bow, only to remember that Lachlan had it. Whoever was coming wasn’t here yet, but they were close. Closer than she’d expected, especially after they had traveled such a distance that day alone.
Was it Sybbyl? No. Surely, the trees would alert her to that. They were the ones, along with Edra’s magic, that had kept her from the abbey.
Synne lifted her gaze and found Lachlan standing before her. She slowly rose to her feet. “What’s wrong?”
“I’m no’ sure. What were you doing?”
“Listening for the trees.”
“And?” he prompted when she didn’t elaborate.
She licked her lips. “An enemy is close.”
“Sybbyl?”
“I can’t say for sure, but I definitely felt something. We should keep moving.”
Lachlan shook his head. “For once, we know they’re coming. We can set a trap.”
She opened her mouth to argue, then decided against it. “All right.”
“One of us should stay out in the open, and the other should hide.”
“I’m usually the one hiding. I can again.”
He thought about that for a moment before he walked to her and handed her the bow and arrows. “I’ll hide this time. I found a spot no’ too far away. It’ll give me an advantage since I’ll be up on that ridge.”
Synne followed his finger and saw where he pointed. It was a good vantage point and still close, but also high enough up that he could see someone approaching as long as they didn’t come from behind. “Good spot.”
“Are you all right?”
His question surprised her. “Me? I’ve been worried about you?”
“Why?” he asked, shock lining his face.
Synne’s brows rose on her forehead. “Because you’ve not said anything since I told you about the bone.”
“I’ve no’ even thought about that. I’ve been thinking about what you told me regarding your parents. You fear the Gira, and now you’ve learned that you are half-Gira.”
“I…” She stopped, unable to find the right words. “I’m not sure how I feel, really. I have no idea whether Asrail told me the truth or not, and I don’t know how to find out. Yet there was much of what she told me that…felt…right. I wanted to dismiss everything she said, but I couldn’t. It’s like I knew it. Here,” she said and pointed to her chest.
He nodded slowly. “And being part Gira?”
“I can communicate with trees,” she said with a smile. It faded quickly, however. “I’ve seen for myself how vicious the Gira are. I know if they find out who I am, what I am, they’ll come for me. What about you?”
Lachlan reached behind his head and grasped his sword to pull it from its sheath. He looked at the pommel. “If there is a bone beneath the leather wrapping, no one told me. I’m fairly certain my grandmother would have said something.”
“Maybe not. You were still young when she died. She might have told your father, though.”
“I can no’ imagine him not passing that information on to me.”
“Unless no one knows. It could be that it was done when the sword was first forged. It might have been hidden there by the blacksmith without them telling anyone.”
Lachlan thought about that for a moment. “Hmm. That’s a definite possibility. The sword is over a hundred years old. It’s been strengthened a few times with new metal, but the pommel hasna been altered. At least, that’s what I was told. The truth is, I can no’ know for certain if there is a bone there or no’ unless I look for myself.”
“I saw you kill that witch when my arrows couldn’t find their mark. That in and of itself tells me there is something special about your sword. My bow and arrows were spelled by witches. I’ve fought a witch before and defeated her. But what you did, that was something more. It makes me think there is more to your weapon than just it being spelled.”
“If Asrail can be believed, then why did the witch Elin no’ take it?”
Synne wondered that herself. “That’s a good question. I’d have loved to speak with her, but I didn’t see her again after I left.”
“I tried to follow her, but she disappeared.”
“She was with Asrail, I think. And Asrail spoke of working with a witch to help my father change to become human. I knew Giras liked Witch’s Groves, but I didn’t know they joined forces.”
Lachlan walked to her and pulled her against him with his free arm. “I wanted to spend this night with you in my arms.”
“I like the sound of that. As soon as we reach Blackglade, we�
��ll make sure that happens.”
“Aye,” he murmured and lowered his head.
The brush of their lips t sent heat spiraling through her. Synne wrapped her arms around his neck, realizing for the first time how much she’d missed such contact with him. And now that she had it, she didn’t want to release him.
“I don’t suppose we have time for—”
He chuckled, shaking his head as he said over her, “Nay, lass. I’d never forgive myself if our enemy found us naked while pleasuring each other. As much as I hunger for you, I can wait.”
“I’m not sure I can,” she replied honestly.
His groan rumbled through his chest. “You do know how to make a man ache.”
“Only because I feel the same.”
“You’ve got to stop talking like that,” he told her, but there was no heat in his words.
She lifted her head for another kiss. “I can’t help it. That’s what you do to me.”
His mouth settled over hers as his tongue slipped past her lips. She sagged against him, his arm holding her tightly as the kiss deepened, and flames of desire had her firmly in their grip. This was one time she wished she’d worn a gown so she could just lift her skirts and straddle him.
It was Lachlan who ended the kiss. He brushed his knuckles down her cheek and stared into her eyes. “When we reach Blackglade, I need to speak with you. There is much I need to say, and while I want nothing more than to do that right now, we need to keep our minds focused on what’s coming.”
“You think I can focus now that you’ve said all of that?”
“Aye,” he said with a smile and a wink. “You can, and you will.”
“Then just tell me what it is you want to say.”
Lachlan was silent for a moment. “Survive this night, lass. You hold my heart in your hands, and we have many years ahead of us.”
She was so shocked by his words that she gaped at him. He kissed her forehead and turned to walk away. Synne stared after him, confused, happy, and excited all at once. She hadn’t dared to dream that he might want her after this.
“You have mine, as well,” she called out to him.
He halted and turned back to her. In the fading light of day, she saw his brilliant smile. He lifted his hand in a wave and continued on.
Synne felt as if she were floating on a cloud, she was so happy. She had to remind herself that there were still many dangers about, and one that was coming their way. She made the fire and took care of the horses before she found the last oatcake in Lachlan’s knapsack. She would’ve split it with him had he been there. Instead, she broke it in half and put the remaining bit back into the bag.
Then, she went to sit by the fire to wait. Synne ate the oatcake and put her hand on the ground. “I’m listening,” she told the trees.
A smile pulled at her lips when they answered.
26
Need pounded through him like fire. It scorched him, urging him to return to Synne and give in to the desire. Lachlan wanted it more than anything. Walking away from her after seeing the hunger in her eyes had been the hardest thing he’d ever done.
But he would do it again and again as long as it meant that he’d have her for the rest of his life.
It was a gamble Lachlan took because he was aware that one or both of them may lose their lives in the upcoming fight. He didn’t know if his sword was spelled or if it did indeed hold a bone of the First Witch. Frankly, he didn’t care as long as it killed anything that came after him or Synne.
Just thinking about her made him smile. Lachlan had never thought he’d find a woman who matched him so completely, but then he’d stumbled upon Synne. Or rather, she had come into his forest. It didn’t matter how they’d found each other, only that they had. He couldn’t wait to introduce her to his family. His sisters would adore her, and his father couldn’t help but be impressed by her skills.
Lachlan gave himself a mental shake. He had to stop allowing his mind to drift from the present threat that was descending on them. It had never entered his mind to question Synne about what the trees—or roots, this time—had told her. He’d seen the special bond she had with trees. Learning that she might be part Gira explained a lot.
Twilight made it difficult to see into the distance. It was why it was the perfect time to hunt, because it was hard for the animals to see, as well. Lachlan held his sword in one hand and his dagger in the other. Back and forth, his eyes scanned the horizon against the rise and fall of the mountains, looking for anything out of the ordinary.
Just like for the past several days, it was quiet. Too quiet. In some ways, Lachlan could almost imagine that this was a dream. But he felt everything too vividly for it to be anything but reality. He hoped that whatever was coming for them arrived before night had fully fallen, but he’d be prepared either way.
As the night darkened one side of the sky and began moving toward them, he frowned when he thought he saw what looked like mist. He was immediately on guard. Then he blinked, and it was gone. Lachlan’s gaze slid to Synne to see that both of her hands were on the ground. He watched her, knowing that she was communicating with the trees. The moment he saw her left hand wrap around her bow, he knew the threat had come.
The drop down from the ledge was significant, but he’d cleared away any loose rock so he wouldn’t slip. There was still a chance that he could hit the cold ground wrong or land on a rock buried just beneath the surface, but to go around the way he’d gotten onto the ledge would take too much time.
It seemed as if the darkness suddenly enveloped them fully as the last bit of light dipped behind the mountain. The sky was a beautiful pale blue with just a hint of orange on the horizon. And then, even that was gone.
Lachlan looked around for the mist, but it was now too dark to discern it from anything else. He might have fought against witches and had a witch for a grandmother, but he knew very little about them. What he did know was that he couldn’t underestimate them. If he could imagine it, then he had to be prepared for them to be able to do it with their magic.
Seemingly out of the blackness, a woman in a dark cloak appeared across from Synne. The woman moved so delicately that it almost looked as if she glided on air. Lachlan’s gaze was riveted. He prepared to throw his dagger since it appeared as if Synne weren’t going to defend herself.
Malene spun around from the roof of the tower and started for the stairs. She had to tell Armir that Synne and the warrior were close. It was time to send a Varroki after them. She hadn’t taken two steps before she looked up to see Armir coming toward her.
“I know,” he told her as he came to a halt.
Malene swallowed. “A witch is coming for them.”
“I’ll go.”
“Nay,” she stated. “We’ll both go.”
Armir’s blond brows snapped together in a deep frown. “You shouldn’t leave Blackglade. Especially not now.”
“You won’t reach them in time.”
Her second in command merely smiled. “I’ll be back.”
She wanted to call out to him, to ignore his words and go with him. Then she thought of the Varroki and everyone within the walls of Blackglade who were counting on her. Malene’s gaze dropped to Armir’s retreating form as he walked down the staircase on the outside of the tower that wound to the ground.
With the spell falling from her lips, she reached the bottom of the stairs and looked up as Armir ran down them. He didn’t seem at all fazed to find her there. His long strides ate up the distance as he came to stand before her in the fading light.
“Be careful,” she said.
He bowed his head. “I’ve still some things left to teach you. I’ll return.”
“You better.”
He grinned then, showing even, white teeth. “Is that a command?”
“Aye.” The sight of that smile made her heart skip a beat.
“I would never disobey the Lady of the Varroki.”
“I-I’m also asking as…a friend.”
The smile faded as he moved closer to her. “I am your friend. I’ve always been your friend. And I will return to you.”
He walked past her without another word. She waited until he was at the gates before she used the spell to return to the roof of the tower to watch him.
Lachlan was careful with his movements as he lifted his left arm to throw the dagger. Just before he let it loose, a hand came down on his shoulder. His head snapped to the side to find a man standing, his blond hair pulled back from his face.
The man squatted beside him and whispered, “You’ve found your destination?”
“How do I know who you are?”
The smile on the man’s face was wide. “I like you, Lachlan MacCullum. We’ve been waiting for your and Synne’s arrival for some time.”
“I’ll ask again. And you are?”
“A friend.”
Lachlan wasn’t going to just take anyone at their word. “If you’re who I think you are, then do something to help Synne.”
“She doesn’t need my help.”
“The hell she doesna,” Lachlan stated.
The stranger put a finger to his lips and pointed toward Synne. Lachlan found his gaze drawn to the woman he loved.
She was here. Synne didn’t have to look up to know the witch had found her, because the roots far below the ground had told her. Synne knew the location of the Gira all across Scotland and England. And she also knew where Sybbyl was. However, as soon as she got a lock on the witch, the connection vanished.
Synne let that go for the moment since another witch was standing before her. Synne slowly opened her eyes and met the brown gaze of the witch across the fire. There was something about her that seemed familiar.