“A simple life does not offer the greatest rewards, lass”, Dirc commented.
“Ah! Stop doing that!” That had to be the tenth time today he had replied to a thought she was certain she hadn’t spoken out loud. It had gone from being creepy to just plain irritating. “Where are you taking me? To my brother?” It would be nice to see James and Maura… she missed them already.
“No”, came the curt reply.
“Where then?”
“No’ much further.”
“If we go too far, Drust will never be able to find me.”
Dirc snorted. “Of course he will, he’ll be able to sense yer fear. From leagues away. The two of ye are connected now.”
“My fear?” Shewasgrowing alarmed now... “My fear of what?”
“Och lass, ye ask too many questions. If I tell ye that, ye’ll ken no’ to be afraid and my plan willna work. Hush now.”
It was growing dark when finally they came to a stop in a tiny woodland glade. Dirc slid from his horse, motioning for Willa to do the same. She followed him into the clearing, where he stood watching while she walked slowly around the edge, looking at the thick stones nearly covered over with moss and vines. There was magic here, she could feel it. Old, old magic, as much a part of the Earth as the stones themselves.
“What is this place?” Her voice held a reverence that was born to her.
“A place of power. Long forgotten by most.”
Willa turned to look at the old sorcerer, who looked much like he belonged in a place like this.
“And what are we doing here?”
He smiled. “Ye will stay here and wait.”
“Alone?” Not that she was frightened, exactly, but neither had she been paying particular attention to the way they had come. She had been too busy stewing over Drust. She missed him already. She wasn’t sure she could find her way back, if it came to that.
“Aye. But not alone for long. A few days at the most.” He raised his hands up over his head, but then looked over at her once more. “Stay here!” he told her sternly. “Within this circle, ye’ll be safe. Dinna leave.”
Then he was… gone. She blinked. Yes, gone. And the horses, left standing just outside the glade turned as one and trotted away.
Pressing her lips together in either determination or annoyance, she wasn’t sure, Willa walked to the nearest stone and sat down.A few days? Really? Guilt ate at the edges of her mind. If Drust disappeared for that long, she would be beside herself with fear. Panicked. She would stop at nothing to find him. Even if he was an incorrigible arse. She loved him. She had loved him from the very beginning, if not before. She loved all of him. His strength and honor, as well as the fear and insecurity that had driven him to hurt her. All of him. He belonged to her, and she would keep him no matter how stubborn or irritating he was! Her hand moved to cover her stomach, and the barely noticeable swell there.
“Your father will come for us, little one. Then everything will be all right.”I hope. “He’s just a little lost, but he’ll come around.”
The sun had set, and the last of the light was filtering through the trees, casting long, deep shadows. Willa noticed a sack near the center of the clearing, and went to investigate. Dirc must have left it for her, because it was full of food: bread, cheese, and fruit, and two full flasks of water. Three days worth, at least. How long did he expect her to be here?Most likely, three days.
She ate an apple, then curled up in the darkness against one of the larger stones to try to sleep. The sounds of the night filled her ears, from the far-off call of an owl, to the sighing of the wind through the tree tops. It was beautiful, peaceful… and yet she felt as if a part of her was missing. Drust. The night would never be the same again without him beside her, his powerful body warming her, protecting her. In such a short time, he had come to be the center of her whole world, and when they were apart, she only wanted to get back to him. She could only hope that her time here would serve its purpose.
But what if he was still angry? What if he didn’t find her? Didn’t even look? What if he decided they were better off apart? Her heart clenched. Here, alone in the dark, her deepest fears began to surface. Still, she must have eventually slept.
It was the early morning chirping of the birds that woke her. Willa sat up and stretched, brushing the pieces of moss from her clothing. Still alone. Would he come for her today? She began to pace the small circular glade, and when it began to feel as if the forest was closing in around her, she decided to venture a little further and maybe find a stream to wash in. Walking purposefully towards a gap between two stones, she was stopped short by… something.
She gasped and stepped forward again, more slowly. Again, something stopped her, as if there were an invisible wall… Dirc! He had locked her in here somehow! Anger rose quickly to the forefront of her emotions.I never agreed to being locked in! I wouldneverhave agreed!She quickly tested the entire perimeter of the circle, pushing against the invisible barrier with her hands. There was no way out. If something happened to Dirc and he never came back for her, she would die here!Damnhim.
Willa felt the panic rising in her chest. She hated to be trapped, helpless…hatedit! The circle seemed smaller with each round she made, and she could see the forest beckoning to her with freedom just on the other side of the magical wall. She glanced furtively at the sack of food. Enough for a few days, no more. If I scream, will anyone be close enough to hear me? She knew the answer was no. She ran at the wall, shoving against it with all of her weight. Nothing. She sank to her knees in the grass, trying to calm her pounding heart.Breathe Willa… breathe…
Drust sank to his knees and dropped his head down into his hands. Willa was still missing. No one had seen any sign of her. He wanted to claw his heart out of his chest, it ached so badly. If he didn’t find her, there would be no way for him to live. He could never go on without her. Every time he closed his eyes, he saw her face. And then he saw her look of pure joy as she held a tiny baby to her breast.My child. The need to protect his child, his woman, began to claw at him almost as insistently as the need to breathe. They were both so helpless without him, and he had all but walked away, all but denied both of them his power to keep them safe and… loved.
I never told her I loved her. He had just expected Willa to know his feelings… after all, he had taken her as his wife when he had vowed never to marry, he had brought her to his home…
He had put a child in her belly and then cursed her for it. If only he had her back, he would not only tell her how much he loved her, but he would care for her every moment, do everything in his power to make sure both she and the baby would be all right… maybe find the very best midwives in the land… a whole army of midwives. And spell-casters too, anything and everything to make sure she was safe.
Three days! Three days Willa had been missing, and Drust was ready to do battle, no, to viciously kill whatever power had taken his wife from him. If only he could swing his sword, plunge it deep into an enemy’s heart, and have her back. And their child. Aye, he knew she had wanted a child… had seen the look of disappointment on her face the first time he had told her he would never consent. But fate had had other ideas, and if a child made his wife happy, she would have one. But he hadn’t really changed his mind on the matter, only accepted what had come to pass. And he was still going to live in constant fear until Willa was safely delivered of the babe. And if she died… God help him the world would know his pain and rage.
