She hoped he was right.She’d heard the king.He intended to attack Galloway ere breakfast.That seemed rather dishonorable for a king so devoted to chivalry.
Eve prayed she hadn’t given away too much, mentioning the convent.She planned to never have to reveal that part of her life to Adam.It would be much easier for both of them if he never knew he’d swived a nun.
To be fair, she supposed she shouldn’t be angry with Adam for hiding the fact he was a Rivenloch.His minor transgression paled in light of Eve’s glaring and ongoing deceit.
Their church garments afforded them some protection as Adam led her along the path.But loose soldiers roaming the forest could be as unpredictable as a pack of wolves.So they made their way toward Darragh in silence.
A few hours into their journey, Adam stopped in front of her.
She collided with him.Then she went quiet.
There was a sound coming from the trees up ahead.Sobbing.
Ignoring Adam’s cautious “shh,” she passed him on the trail to follow the sound.
He bit out one annoyed, “Eve!”and then followed her.
A young woman lurched toward them on the trail.She wore only a torn leine, which hung off one shoulder.One of her boots was missing.Her hair hung down over her face.There was blood smeared on her hands and across her front.Her eyes were glazed, as if she’d seen unspeakable horrors.And the sound of her sobbing struck at the core of Eve’s heart.
Eve rushed toward her.
The woman glanced up.Her eyes widened at the sight of a priest and a nun.
“Help!”she cried.“Thank God, ye’ve come to help!”She fell on her knees and clasped her hands before her.“I prayed for the Lord’s help, and He sent ye.”
Sister Eve’s compulsion to be of assistance drove her to enfold the woman’s bloody hands in her own.
“What’s happened?”
“’Tis my husband,” she gulped out.“He’s sore wounded.”
Eve frowned.Her husband?It was the woman who looked like she’d tangled with wolves.“But what about ye?”
“I’m…fine,” she lied, her voice shaky.“But my husband was injured tryin’ to protect me.”
“Protect ye from whom?”Adam’s voice dripped with a vengeful hunger Eve had never heard in him before.
The woman shook her head.“Two men.I don’t know…”
“What’s your name?”Eve asked.
“Fonia.”
“Fonia, take us to your husband.”
Fonia nodded, wincing in pain as she got to her feet.Then she motioned them to follow her.
Adam caught Eve’s arm and spoke under his breath.“Are ye certain this is wise?”
Eve whispered back, “We have to help her.”
He grimaced.
“I know ye’re in a hurry,” she murmured, “but if we can be of assistance—”
“’Tisn’t that.’Tis only…we’re not physicians.”
It was clear he was remembering the infant they’d lost.And to be honest, she too was haunted by the prospect of failure.
