That wasn’t enough for Magnus. There was something about the unhinged look in the man’s eyes that said he was not a threat because he wanted to exploit the women, he was a threat because he feared them. That was worse. Fear caused men to lose their wits resulting in unpredictable actions.
“We will not remain in this castle one more moment while that man has access to it,” Magnus said. He had no idea where he would go, but he would not stay here if Elspeth and Freydis’ security could not be assured.
“My brother is no danger to anyone,” Giric said. “He likes to stir trouble, but he would never harm the women.”
“Are you certain of that? Would you trust your Viking child in his care?”
“Saga is not due for many months. Donnan will have plenty of time to reconcile his mind to our marriage.”
“And in the meantime, his words poison your servants. Do you not see from where the fear stems? You’ve lost servants. Do not tell me you have not considered your brother sowing the seeds of hatred and loathing against your wife, Freydis, and anything having to do with us.”
“I agree with him,” Freydis said. “Do you not recall when you introduced Saga to everyone? Who was the most upset? I will remind you,” she said. “It was not the servants, they were in awe of your wife. Nay it was not until Donnan put ideas in their heads about her being dangerous that any of them grew concerned. I have been pacifying those concerns for weeks and now I see they’ve stirred again. I am telling you, your brother is the source of rumblings in your castle amongst the serving staff.”
Giric shook his head and strode out of the hall. Magnus turned to Freydis and Elspeth. They should leave. Right then and there, they should go somewhere, anywhere away from this place and any place that still held danger. But where could that possibly be?
* * *
The fire spread warmth, but her bones were like ice. Hours of Freydis’ probing and the accusations from the laird’s brother were enough to wear on anyone. Elspeth wasn’t sure if she needed rest, nourishment, or Magnus’ strong arms around her. As if he sensed her thoughts, he pulled a chair toward her and sat with her near the hearth holding her hands. Strength seemed to seep from his body and into hears, as if blood flowed from his veins into hers.
“You need not worry,” he said in a deep, low voice that made the back of her neck tingle.
“I know that. This is all a little overwhelming.”
“Do you feel that it is helpful?”
“Aye. I do. I have a better understanding of what I see now.”
“How so?”
“Freydis and I have determined there is always some kind of trigger to my visions and the more closely the future event is linked to my wellbeing, the stronger the reaction. She and I are connected because we share a similar gift, though she is convinced mine is much stronger.”
“But what is the source?”
Elspeth smiled. That was the part that would give her comfort when her emotions eventually caught up to what her mind was trying to process. “The source may not be as important as I originally thought. Whether Freydis believes it is from Odin, or I believe it is from God, the result is the same. It is a gift we must figure out together and use wisely. Mayhap Odin and God are working together,” she said with a grin. She was not one to possess blind faith, but she was certain her current situation had a reason and until she understood it fully, she was content to continue to work with Freydis.
“If you are sure you wish to continue, I will help you in any way I can. But if you wish to leave here, I will make that happen for you.”
“I believe you. Perhaps our paths were meant to cross as well.”
She didn’t want to say too much, but there was no doubt that Magnus’ presence gave her comfort and strength she did not possess when he was not near.
His smile was warm and the lines around his eyes crinkled. His expression could be welcoming or deadly and she counted her blessings she was on the receiving end of the former. What did she really know about this man besides an invisible connection that she couldn’t define or understand? But it had been there right from the start. Now that she was more in tune with her body’s triggers and warnings she was better able to determine a safe forewarning from that which denoted danger.
Freydis left the hall with Giric stating she would meet with her again later on. The woman looked drained and Elspeth hoped she would be able to contribute more to their sessions going forward. She understood enough about how tired she was and could only imagine the toll such an effort took on Freydis.
“I would like to leave this hall,” she said to Magnus.
“Where would you like to go?” he asked with a light tug on the corner of his lips.
“Do you think it safe to go for a ride?”
“No. I agree with Giric there. You are safer within these walls. But I have an idea.”
Elspeth had an idea too, but she was not about to tell him that, nor was she about to let her mind linger down paths that would lead to her ruination.
“What do you have in mind?” she asked, not trying to sound wanton, but somehow he grinned as his eyes drifted from her mouth down across her breasts and slowly back up again.
“What I have in mind is different from what I will suggest,” he said in a low voice she knew was meant only for her.
