Willow peered at Christian in concern. If his father knew about it, it wasn’t safe for them.
“So what?” Marcus demanded. “What does your father have to do with anything?”
Willow pulled the red book from her armor. She displayed it. “He will come after this once he figures out the book that I gave him is fake.”
Raven rolled her eyes, and her shoulders sagged. “Not another book!”
Sage’s eyes lit up, and she reached for the book hungrily.
Willow handed it to her. “Brother Nicolas gave it to me before he died.” As Sage opened it to look at the parchment pages, Willow explained, “It’s just maps.”
Sage scowled. “A book of maps?”
Willow nodded.
“We need to depart,now,” Landyn insisted. “We’ll find somewhere to rest, catch up and discuss what to do.”
Landyn and Raven started to walk around to the back of the barn.
“Christian and I have one horse,” Willow stated.
Sage grasped her hand in excitement and gave the book back to her. “Landyn went to le Bezu and got our horses. Mercy’s with the others.”
“Mercy’s here?” Willow asked with eagerness. Her horse, the one she had raised and trained and loved, was here? She couldn’t contain her happiness and bobbed from foot to foot.
Sage nodded, smiling.
Willow tucked the book into her armor and raced to the rear of the farm, passing Raven and Landyn.
Christian returned to their horse and took the reins as Sage hurried to the back of the barn, following Willow.
Marcus waited for Christian and walked beside him. “I deserved that blow,” he said.
“You deserve much more than that. You have hounded me since I received that book.”
Marcus nodded. “That was a mistake. I was on the wrong side.”
“You killed Brother Nicolas,” Christian said, stopping and facing him. His fists tightened.
“I didn’t mean to harm him and I’ll regret it for the rest of my days.”
“You should,” Christian snapped.
“I don’t expect you to forgive me. But I want you to know that I love Sage, and I would do anything for her. So, for her sake, for Willow’s sake, we should work together.”
Christian stepped close to him, snarling, “Don’t ever,ever, pretend as if you know Willow. You don’t. I will refrain from giving you the beating you deserve, but I don’t trust you. Know that I will be watching you.” He turned and continued around the barn after the others.
