Slatter dressed just as hastily as Willow had while she hurried a bone comb through her hair and plaited it with fast fingers. They were done in no time and with the same haste made their way to Sara.
Slatter was relieved to see his grandmother’s head had been elevated on two pillows and her gray hair had been combed and braided. And best of all she had a bit of color to her otherwise pale complexion.
“Slatter,” she said, tears gathering in her eyes as she stretched her hand out to her grandson.
He hurried to her, his hand smothering her fragile one with tenderness as he sat on the edge of the bed.
“I knew you’d come and help me,” she said, tears running down her cheeks.
“Always, Seanmhair, I will always be there for you,” he said and kissed her hand. “You are safe now and you have a new home here with me and my wife, Willow.” He turned to his wife standing behind him and Willow stepped around him.
“You feel well?” Willow asked and rested her hand to the old woman’s brow, pleased it held no significant heat.
“Some pain and I fear I have little strength,” his grandmother said.
“Rest and food will help grow your strength and I will give you a brew that will ease the pain some,” Willow assured her.
“I am happy my grandson has found such a good and skilled woman,” Sara said. “I wish you both much happiness. But I don’t wish to intrude on your life together. When I am well I will return home.”
“No,” Willow said before her husband could. “Your home is here with us. You are family. Besides who will help me with the little ones when they come along?”
That brought a smile to the old woman’s face and another round of tears to trickle down her cheeks.
Slatter wiped her tears away with his thumb. “It is settled, Seanmhair. Here you are and here you will stay.”
“You are a good man, Slatter,” his grandmother said.
Willow looked at her husband and tilted her head with a defiant smile, daring him to deny what his grandmother had said.
He grinned that cock-sure grin of his. “You’ve always known me better than I know myself, so I won’t argue with you, Seanmhair.”
Her husband truly could charm, and she’d learned a thing or two from him.
“You’ll have to tell me all about Slatter when he was young. I want to be prepared for when we have a son and he turns out to be just like his father,” Willow said, looking to Sara.
The old woman laughed. “Heaven help you if he does.”
“I wasn’t that bad,” Slatter protested playfully.
Sara laughed harder, but it was abruptly ended with a sharp wince, her hand going to her side.
Slatter looked with haste and worry to his wife.
“You still have much healing to do,” Willow reminded, “and rest will help you do that.”
“Before I leave so you can rest and grow strong again, tell me who caused you harm,” Slatter said.
“I don’t know who the two men were. I never saw them before. They burst into the cottage and demanded to know where you were.” She cringed. “The big one pulled out a dagger and threatened me.” She shook her head. “How could I tell him what I didn’t know? He thought a stab to my shoulder might change my mind.”
Slatter’s hands clinched, wishing he had the man, both men, in front of him. He wouldn’t be swift to kill them. He’d make them suffer, which was exactly what he intended to do.
“I kept telling him that I didn’t know where you were, not that I would tell the ignorant fool where you were if I had known. Doesn’t the idiot know that a grandmother protects her grandchildren regardless of the cost?” She shook her head. “I think he stabbed me again out of anger.”
“I would not want you to suffer for me,” Slatter scolded lightly.
“Would you suffer for me?” she asked.
“That’s different,” Slatter said, though knew it wouldn’t be to his grandmother.
“No, old or young, you protect those you love,” his grandmother said and yawned.
“You need to rest,” Slatter said and rested his grandmother’s hand on her chest.
She grabbed his hand when he moved it off hers. “Who chases after you, Slatter, and why?”
“I can honestly say, I don’t know. But I will find out.” Slatter kissed her brow. “Rest and worry not.”
His grandmother laughed. “That’s like asking the heather not to grow on the hills.” She turned her eyes on Willow. “Would you mind if I spoke with my grandson alone for a little while?”
“Not at all,” Willow said. “Take all the time you want.” She kissed her husband’s cheek and she could see worry spring in his eyes as to what she might be up to when alone.
“Wait in the keep for me,” Slatter said, turning to watch his wife saunter out of the room.
When she raised her hand and, without looking back, wiggled her fingers as if waving, he knew she had no intentions of doing as he said.
“I’ll find you,” he warned.
“I won’t be hiding,” she said with a laugh and closed the door behind her.
“She’s a strong woman. She will be good for you,” his grandmother said. “Now tell me what goes on and don’t bother to run circles around me and convince me of any nonsense. I know all too well when that tongue of yours charms and when it lies. I’ll settle for nothing less than the truth.”
Slatter hadn’t intended to burden his grandmother with his problem, but she had suffered because of him and it was only fair that she knew what was going on.
“Settle comfortably, Seanmhair, I have a tale to tell you and it has a puzzle that perhaps you can help me solve.”
Chapter 19
Willow entered the Great Hall to see Eleanor talking with Snow, both women wearing worried looks. Snow had left Sara’s bedchamber when she and Slatter had arrived, leaving them to talk privately. She wondered what could be disturbing the two women and went to them.
“What troubles you both this grand morning?” Willow asked, feeling as if the joy she had once known before her parents had died had finally returned. And it was largely due to last night with Slatter. They had sealed their vows. They would stay husband and wife and she couldn’t be more pleased.
“Eleanor has been telling me more about the man called the Slayer,” Snow whispered.
Willow took the seat opposite the table from her sister and Eleanor, Eleanor filling a tankard with hot cider and handing it to her.
“Tell me,” Willow said, taking the tankard as a chill ran through her worried for what she might hear.
Eleanor kept her voice low, though there were few in the Great Hall to hear her.
“It seemed strange to say what I heard, but then I thought you should know since Lord Tarass has sent the Slayer after your husband,” Eleanor explained.
“I appreciate that, Eleanor. Please tell me whatever you know.”
Eleanor nodded and hurried to say, “I remember hearing the older nuns talking about the Slayer being around for years far beyond what a human man could live. The one nun, Sister Agnes, old as the hills and has since passed, said that when she was young the Slayer had come for a man in her clan. All knew he had been marked, though I didn’t know what she meant by that, and avoided him. Even the chieftain had kept his distance. No one did anything to help him. Sister Agnes had said that afterwards many a parent warned their children to be good or the Slayer would get them.” Eleanor crossed herself. “Sister Agnes believed the Slayer was a demon who rose up from the depths of hell when called upon and did as the one who summoned him asked.”
“Wouldn’t that leave the person who summoned him obligated to the demon or the devil himself?” Snow asked.
“Demons are commanded by the devil, so if you call upon a demon for help, you owe the devil his due,” Eleanor said and shuddered.
“That means that Lord Tarass is beholding to the devil,” Snow said and shivered.
The Highlands were full of folktales and bel
iefs, some having a basis for them and others pure myths, not a truth to them. That was what her practical nature told Willow. Man didn’t need the devil to make him evil. He did that all on his own. Her mum, though, had warned her not to dismiss folklore too lightly. That she should consider it and see what purpose the tale served. That within it, there was a lesson to be learned.
But what lesson could possibly be learned from the Slayer going around marking and killing people?
“Tell her the rest,” Snow urged.
“I didn’t know if it was worth telling, since I didn’t know how true it was. It had been something Sister Agnes had heard through others, though she claimed it true. The Slayer didn’t only kill men. He killed women as well, or at least one woman. Snapped her neck he did, or so said Sister Agnes.”
This time Willow shuddered, a deep chill rushing through her.
“Did you know how a person who wanted help from the Slayer got in touch with him?” Willow asked.
“That’s the part I found so strange,” Eleanor said. “Sister Agnes said the trees in the woods delivered the message. That the deep roots delivered it to the devil himself.”
“Eleanor.”
Willow had to smile at the way Eleanor’s face lit with delight at James’s voice and her eyes expressed even more joy when they settled on him.
“I have need of your help,” James said as he approached the table.
“As you wish, sir,” Eleanor said with a smile and stood.
“I believe it is time you call him James, Eleanor,” Snow said with a chuckle. “It’s also time to stop hiding how much you favor each other and let it be known, since all in the keep and most of the clan know it already.”
Eleanor blushed and James smiled.
“I agree,” James said and reached his hand out to her. “It’s time we talk more seriously.”
“As you wish… James,” she said, her smile growing as he closed his hand around hers.
“He took her hand,” Willow whispered to Snow as the couple walked off.
“She’s perfect for him,” Snow said. “Hopefully, we’ll be celebrating a wedding soon. There’s no reason for them to wait if they love each other. I’m so pleased for them and you and Slatter. Soon the keep will be full of bairns I can spoil.”
It always broke Willow’s heart to hear her sister talk of others’ bairns. That she no longer spoke of having bairns of her own. It was as if she accepted she would be blind forever. Willow hoped beyond hope that that wasn’t true.
“You sound happier today,” Snow said. “Did you have an enjoyable evening?”
Willow laughed. “I don’t know how it is that you claim to be blind when you can see more clearly than others.”
“I’m right. You and Slatter sealed your vows,” Snow said with glee.
Willow had told her sister everything, but then there was little to nothing they kept from each other.
“When Sorrell learns of this she’s going to be mighty miffed at missing it all,” Snow said. Her smile faded some. “I do so miss her.”
“I do too, very much, but she’s happy with Ruddock and he loves her beyond measure. She told me it won’t be long before she visits, but I fear the snowy winter will keep her away until spring.”
“I don’t want to lose you, Willow,” Snow said, reaching her hand out across the table.
Willow was quick to grab it and give it a squeeze. “I’m not going anywhere. My home is here.”
“That isn’t what worries me,” Snow admitted. “It’s what you plan to do that frightens me and don’t try to deny it. I know you too well. I don’t want you beholden to the devil.”
“You do know me well and you know that I would do anything to protect those I love,” Willow said.
“Which is why I knew as soon as Eleanor said that a message was left with the trees that you planned to leave a message in the woods for the Slayer.” Snow shook her head. “You can’t do that. You’ll owe the devil.”
“That’s nonsense just as it’s nonsense that the trees will pass the message to the Slayer. And that’s how I’ll prove it. I’ll go into the woods, whisper to the trees and when nothing happens, I’ll at least prove that false.”
“What will you whisper? The Slayer seeks to kill. Who will you sacrifice?”
“None. I will leave a message saying I need the Slayer’s help and nothing will happen.”
And if it does,” Snow challenged.
“Then I’ll ask him to protect my husband.”
“He doesn’t protect. He causes harm.”
“We don’t know that for sure? Maybe there is more to the Slayer than we know,” Willow argued. She gave her sister’s hand another squeeze. “Don’t worry. You know I don’t take foolish risks.”
Snow gave a hardy laugh, though lowered her voice when she spoke. “You never did until you wed Slatter.”
“In some ways, he opened my eyes to things I never bothered to see.”
“I’m truly happy for you, Willow, but please, please be careful and don’t go into the woods alone,” Snow ordered.
“I’m just going to the edge of the woods where the oak trees appear as if they’re hugging each other.”
“Where we played when young bairns while Mum collected plants. And you won’t be long,” Snow ordered again.
“I won’t be long since I’ve yet to eat this morning and I’m starving.” Willow’s stomach grumbled to prove it.
Snow chuckled. “I haven’t eaten yet either so we can share the meal together. Where is Slatter?”
“His grandmother wanted to speak with him privately. I’m sure he’ll be finished soon since she was growing tired when I was there and she needs to rest.” She stood. “Which means I have little time to get this done before my husband shows up. I’ll be back in a wink.”
“Be careful,” Snow called after her and Thaw raised his head where he slept at Snow’s feet and gave a yelp.
Willow loved the woods and the way it dressed for the seasons. Today she wore a light mantle of snow, the ground and bare tree branches dusted with it, except for the pines. The snow clung to the pine needles making them appear as if they flickered with light against the dull gray sky.
She had spent much time here with her mum digging up nettles, wild carrot, wild rasps, and more. Her mum taught her about plants and the woods itself. Her mum had told her that the woods was a safe place if people were wise to its ways.
She made her way to a spot where a group of oak trees appeared clumped together, though there was space for a person or three young lasses to squeeze into the center.
She smiled at the enjoyable memories the trees brought her, the laughter she and her sisters had shared, and the tears, the three of them having gone there after burying their da. They had sought solace together and the trees had given it to them. She had to shake her head at the thought that some believed the tree roots could in anyway reach down to hell and the devil himself. They were far too lovely and comforting to be touched by evil.
Willow had little time so she didn’t dally or squeeze between the trees. She simply rested her hand against the trunk of one of the oaks and asked for the Slayer’s help. She didn’t plead; she simply asked for help.
She let her hand linger on the rough bark as if drawing strength from it and found herself offering a silent prayer to keep her husband safe. She turned with a flourish when finished to hurry back to the keep, recalling she had assured her sister she wouldn’t be long, and stopped surprised to see her husband standing a good distance away. She went to smile and wave to him, wondering how he had gotten past her without her noticing him, when she quickly drew her hand close to her chest.
It wasn’t her husband who stood there.
A quick glance and one would think it was Slatter, but a second look warned his garments were different then what her husband wore, his dark hair slightly longer, and even from a distance there was an evil look in his dark eyes, one she had never seen in her husband’s eyes.
; He smiled and reached his hand out. “Come to me, wife. We finally have some time alone.”
“You’re not my husband,” Willow shouted firmly, taking slow steps back.
He laughed. “What nonsense do you speak?”
“I speak the truth, unlike you who poses as my husband.”
He lowered his arm to his side, his smile fading. “One look at you at the market and I knew there’d be no convincing you.” His smile returned. “Not so others though. Unless they see me themselves they won’t believe you.”
“Believe that at your own peril,” she warned.
His features turned harsh and she was reminded of her husband and how he looked when he got angry. How this stranger and her husband could look so much alike baffled her.
“You are the one in peril and you will learn that soon enough, leannan.” He walked off laughing.
His echoing laughter lingered like a strong, foul odor after he had long disappeared and Willow shivered as she turned, hoisted the hem of her garment, and ran toward the keep.
Slatter had hoped his grandmother might help shed some light on his problem. He had thought perhaps he had a twin that his mother never told him about. But his grandmother had attended his birth and she assured him that he was the only child born to his mother that night. She knew nothing about his father and his mother had spoken little about him to Slatter, except to say he was not important to their lives.
At the moment, he thought differently. His father could very well hold the key to his problem.
He entered the Great Hall expecting to see his wife there only to find Snow sitting at a table alone, a worried expression marring her lovely features.
“Where is Willow,” he asked, concerned his wife had gone off and done something foolish.
Snow didn’t hesitate to tell him the truth since she was upset that Willow had yet to return. “She went into the woods.”
“I would ask why, but she can tell me that when I find her. Where in the woods did she go?” he asked eager to go after her.
Snow explained, then reached her hand out to the shadow that was Slatter to her and he took hold of it. “She had said she would be quick and she’s been gone longer than expected. Please bring her home safe.”
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