by Donna Grant
“Thank you for your help,” he told her.
She continued to stare at him.
Carac looked down at the arrow in his hand that he hadn’t gotten to use. “You were convincing. I do not believe the Coven will be back for a while.”
“Their damage to Randall is already done. The line of Bryce will end with him.”
“Maybe not. But you will remain to protect the staff?”
She looked around the chamber. “I will.”
“Is this where you tell me you are going to take my life?”
“I thought about it,” she admitted. “But too many have died this day. I also realized that you did not seek the staff on your own.”
“Neither did the other knights who died.”
Her gaze grew stony. “Do you pass judgment on me?”
“Nay,” he said, shaking his head. “Just stating a fact.”
“The truth, Carac, is that whether you intended it or not, I saw many things in you. First and foremost, honor. You remind me of my eldest brother, who was loyal and as solid as an oak. I see the same attributes in you.”
He was stunned by her words.
But she wasn’t finished. “Not once did you attempt to draw a weapon on me. You used your head and your heart in our discussions. Yet, it was not until the Hunter came that I saw a side of you that I believe you have kept hidden for years. You love Ravyn. Deeply.”
Carac bowed his head at the ghost. “I am flattered by your words. I believe I would have liked your brothers. If they were anything like you, they were fair individuals. And, aye, I love her deeply.”
“Then go find her and the life that awaits.”
He bowed again and turned to go. But just as he took a step, she said, “Forget the Coven if you wish to live a long life.”
Carac halted and looked over his shoulder at her. “Ravyn is a Hunter. Braith, the one who found the Blood Skull, asked me to join their fight against the Coven. And there is nowhere else I would rather be than beside Ravyn as we battle this evil.”
“You never asked which one of the staffs was the one you sought.”
He sighed and faced her once more. “Because I understood why Ravyn sought it, and I recognized why you protected it. In the right hands, the staff can do good, but in the wrong hands, it can be devastating. As long as it is out there, the Coven will seek it.”
“All of that is very true, but there is something I did not share with you or the others.”
Carac frowned, wondering what it could be. He waited expectantly.
She smiled then. “The staff was never in the tunnel.”
He blinked, thinking he must not have heard her right. “I do not understand. You gave me the impression that it was. Even Randall led the witch here.”
“Of course, he did. Everyone, from my brothers on, has believed the staff was where they put it in the tunnel with all the others. But in the weeks that I was dying, I moved it.”
Carac’s brow furrowed. “But you were walled up. You could not leave.”
“Exactly,” she said, a small smile on her lips.
His gaze went to the arch. “Why do you tell me this?”
“I know not.”
He ran a hand over his jaw. “You will move it now. It is logical that you are the only one to truly know where it is hidden.”
“Farewell, Carac.”
“Wait,” he called.
But the ghost was already gone. He looked at the archway again. Then he turned on his heel and hurried up to the great hall only to find it empty.
Sounds from outside drew his gaze to the open door of the castle where sunlight was pouring in. Carac walked to the entrance and looked out into the bailey where Randall had John on his knees along with his knights. Surrounding them was the remainder of the servants and people who lived at the castle all shouting for John’s head.
Randall had his sword at John’s neck, but he didn’t kill him. Instead, he lowered the weapon. “What would you do to save your own neck?” he asked John.
John shook, sweat running down his face. “Anything. Name it.”
“Sign over your land and castle to me.”
Carac smiled and crossed his arms over his chest as he leaned a shoulder against the door. He wasn’t surprised when John readily agreed, asking for ink and parchment.
While the items were brought to him and John used the ground to write out his agreement, something caught Carac’s attention out of the corner of his eye. It was Ravyn, looking at him while a dozen of his knights stood behind her.
Carac pushed away from the door and dropped his arms as he went to her. Her smile was bright, her eyes clear. And she looked amazing in the morning sun.
“There is much I would say to you,” she said.
He raised a brow. “Is that right?”
“Aye. But I think you need a bath first.”
He laughed and pulled her against him for a quick kiss. “I agree. As well as some food.”
“Your men have been searching for you. A group has already taken Simon and Margery back to your camp, and there are more standing guard to make sure things do not get out of control here.”
“They are good men,” he said, nodding to his knights.
Ravyn pulled his head down so their gazes met. “They have a good leader.”
He kissed her forehead and took her hand as he faced his men. “I believe our time is finished here.”
“Your and Lady Ravyn’s horses are waiting,” one of the men said.
Ravyn grinned. “I am not a lady.”
The men all looked at her with frowns before one of them replied, “You are to us.”
Carac walked her to their horses, smiling at how he had managed to get out of another tight spot with the witches and Rossamond. One day, his luck would run out.
“How do they know my name?” Ravyn leaned close to whisper.
He shrugged as he released her to grab the reins of his horse. “Simon, probably. Or Margery.”
They mounted and rode through the bailey. Carac met Randall’s gaze, and they nodded to each other. With his men at his back, Carac and Ravyn rode to his camp.
It felt as if it had been years since they left early the previous morning, not just a single day. So much had transpired, that he had yet to take it all in.
Once they reached the camp, they dismounted before his tent and handed the horses off to Rob. Then Carac said to Ravyn, “We probably could have stayed at the castle.”
“Which one?” Ravyn asked with a grin.
Carac chuckled. “Either.”
She shook her head. “I prefer this.”
“Then it is all yours.”
Ravyn licked her lips and looked around. “Your men are watching.”
“Aye.”
“I do not care if they talk about me.”
“But I do,” he told her. “The tent is yours.”
She put her hand on his cheek for a moment and smiled. “I will accept only because I long for a bath.”
“I could have some men fetch a tub from John’s castle,” he offered.
“The river is fine for me.” With one last look, she walked into the tent. A second later, she shouted his name.
Carac rushed inside and came to a halt beside Ravyn at the sight of a staff, twisted and slightly bent, lying in the middle of his bed.
“Is that...?” Ravyn trailed off.
He shook his head. “I have no idea.”
Carac turned and hurried to find his squire to make sure Rob hadn’t put the staff there. When Rob asked what staff, Carac questioned his men. No one knew anything about it.
He returned to the tent where Ravyn stood staring at the relic. Then he said, “I had another conversation with Rossamond after all of you left.”
Ravyn turned her head to him. “What did she say?”
“That I reminded her of her brother. And that the staff was never in the tunnel. She moved it.”
“To where?” Ravyn asked in shock.
Carac’s lips twisted. “Think. She was walled up with nowhere to go.”
“The arch,” Ravyn said with a laugh. “The one place a witch would not look. No one would think to look there.”
“I know. It was perfect.”
“Why tell you that at all? And is she the one who gave it to you now?”
He shrugged helplessly. “We can go back and ask her.”
“Nay. I would rather not.”
They both returned their gazes to the staff. Carac blew out a breath. “I am not sure how since the Coven had the upper hand, but we not only survived, we also have the staff.”
“And another elder is dead,” Ravyn added.
Chapter 32
With her stomach tingling with excitement and the hope of a future, Ravyn combed out her wet hair with her fingers. The bath had felt amazing, even if it was in the cold waters of the lake.
To her surprise, she returned to Carac’s tent to find him gone, but the gown she had worn at John’s had been laid out for her. No doubt, Margery was responsible for that.
She smiled as she thought of her friend. Ravyn had gone to find Margery before her bath to see to her wound, but it wasn’t a woman in pain she found. Instead, Margery and Simon were locked in a tight embrace as they kissed.
Ravyn had missed all the signs. She had been so wrapped up in her passion and concern over the staff that she neglected to see that Margery and Simon were finding a deep affection.
With her hair untangled, Ravyn glanced down at the gown she now wore. It wasn’t that she disliked such clothes, but after the freedom of trousers, it was difficult to be so...encumbered. However, it was also nice to be in something clean while her other attire dried after being washed.
She stood and found her gaze drawn to the staff. Upon her return to the tent, she had set it in the corner. It made her uncomfortable. Not just because she was baffled about why it was in Carac’s dwelling, but also because she knew the ghost hadn’t meant for her to have it. Rossamond had chosen Carac.
And quite frankly, Ravyn agreed with her.
There was no one else Ravyn would trust with such a weapon than Carac. That didn’t mean she no longer yearned to bring it to the abbey. It didn’t matter who delivered it, as long as the Coven did not get their hands on it.
“Cannot take your eyes off it, can you?”
Ravyn whirled around at the sound of Margery’s voice. She smiled at her friend and walked to her, taking her hands. “I wondered if you would tear yourself away from Simon.”
“I take that to mean you saw,” Margery said, a blush staining her cheeks.
“I am deliriously happy for you.”
Margery smiled widely. “I cannot stop grinning. And when Simon is near, I just want to touch him.”
“And to think, you both could have died at Sybbyl’s hand.” Ravyn shook her head. “I was overjoyed to see that you cut her.”
“Not deeply enough,” Margery replied with a frown.
Ravyn waved away her words. “It is over.”
“Is it?” Margery asked, her russet gaze filled with worry.
“You see the staff here. And the Coven is gone.”
Margery shook her head. “I have a bad feeling. It is why I came to see you. I cannot shake this worry that Sybbyl is not done with us yet.”
“And I am not done with her,” Ravyn stated. “I vowed to kill her for what she did to my family, and I will carry out that promise.”
“I know.”
Ravyn looked askance at Margery. “Do you think I will fail?”
“It is not that.” Margery glanced away and sighed. “You are like a sister to me, and while I do not have the heart to hunt witches as you do, that does not mean I am unaware of the danger.”
“Whether as a Hunter or someone at the abbey, the fact that we oppose the Coven puts everyone in danger,” Ravyn stated.
Margery swallowed. “But you did not see the way Sybbyl looked at you. She wants a seat on the council, and in her eyes, you took that from her.”
“It is payback for the slaughter of my family.”
“I fear that Sybbyl is not finished with you.”
Ravyn snorted. “Then let her come after me. I do not care.”
“That is the problem. It is not just you. It is every soul in this camp, including Carac.” Margery smiled sadly. “Aye, I know about the two of you. It is hard to miss.”
Margery had a point. A very valid, concerning one. Ravyn looked over her shoulder at the staff for a long moment. Had the ghost also recognized the danger Carac would be in by associating with her? It was certainly a possibility.
“I have spoken to Simon about this,” Margery continued. “He does not believe that Carac will shy away from the risks of contesting the Coven. Especially when he is smitten with you.”
Ravyn wasn’t sure how to reply. Carac had given his word to fight against the Coven, but it was more than that. Ravyn wanted to be with him. His whispered words of love wrapped her in comfort and light. Now that she’d experienced it, she couldn’t just walk away.
The tent flap opened, and Simon stuck his head in. His dark gaze landed on Margery with a smile before turning to Ravyn. “Carac awaits you.”
She shook her head with a grin. Carac had been serious. He didn’t intend to enter his tent while they were unwed. Ravyn hurried past Margery and Simon, who held open the flap. Once her gaze found Carac, everything else disappeared.
Carac’s smile was wide as he looked her up and down. “By the stars, you are beautiful.”
She couldn’t help but laugh. She wanted to reach up and touch the golden strands of his damp hair. He hadn’t shaved his beard, and she found she quite liked it. He wore a simple white tunic and brown leather trousers with a white padded jerkin.
And he was stunning.
“I love you,” she said.
His green eyes widened before a sensual smile pulled at his lips. “You are all I can think about. And, you are all I want.” He took a step toward her. “I gave you my word that I would fight by your side for however long it took to end the Coven, and I will do it.”
Her eyes lowered, and she saw an emerald ring with a family crest upon his right index finger that hadn’t been there before. As if he were ready for everyone to know his true identity. She returned her attention to his face. “What of your castle and people?”
“We will visit as often as we can.”
She raised a brow. “If the Coven learns who you really are—and that is only a matter of time—they will destroy all of it.”
“Not if we stop them first. I know the risks involved by aligning with you, but I accept them.”
“And your men? Simon?” she asked.
Carac’s head cocked to the side. “Are you trying to dissuade me?”
“I am merely pointing out facts.”
“Simon and I have already spoken. We both agree that fighting the Coven is important. I intend to give my men the option of going their own ways or coming with me. I hope that Edra will be able to use her magic so that every man here has a way to kill a witch.”
“A Coven witch,” Ravyn corrected.
Carac frowned. “Of course. Braith asked me to join him because he knew I had an army. And an army is what is needed.”
Ravyn let her gaze move around the camp. Even if only a fraction of the men decided to fight the Coven, that was much more than what they had now. Yet she and the other Hunters had undergone years of training to fight the witches. It took much more than lining up on a field and standing behind a shield or riding toward an enemy with a sword drawn.
However...with more men that could be trained, no longer would the Hunters have to go out on their own to track the witches. They could lure the Coven witches into traps.
“I love you,” Carac said as he closed the distance between them.
She looked into his pale green eyes and reached for his hand. “I came to kill a witch. I never expected to find you.”
“I know we can have a good lif
e, Ravyn. I want you with me always. I want to share my bed, my home, and everything I am with you. So, I am asking you to be my wife.”
The joy within her was so consuming, she thought she might burst from in. She wasn’t nobility, but she didn’t care. When it came to love, there were no boundaries. “Aye.”
There was a shout of joy behind them from a group of knights she hadn’t known was there. Within moments, the entire camp knew of their engagement.
The others pulled her away from Carac as music began playing. Ale was passed around as the cheering continued. She was handed from one man to another, and each twirled her around to the music.
Until she managed to break free. Ravyn moved to the sidelines, laughing as someone pushed a cup into her hands. She caught sight of Carac on the other side of the camp, smiling as others congratulated him. He waved away a mug of ale, a reminder of the story he had told her about his father.
“He is one of the best men I know,” Simon said.
Ravyn looked to her left as he walked up. “I agree with that statement.”
“But there is something about him you should know. Do not ever betray him.”
“I know about his uncle and the betrayal,” she stated.
Simon shook his head. “Carac has much mercy and love in his heart, despite the fact that he leads such an army and fights many battles. He can forgive many things, but never betrayal. Once someone deceives him—however trivial or insignificant—he will never forgive. Ever.”
“You tell me that as if you expect me to betray him.”
“On the contrary,” Simon said. “I believe you would stand beside him always.”
She stared at him a moment. “Then why tell me that as if it is a warning.”
“Because it is. Never try to dissuade him once he cuts someone out of his life for a betrayal.”
“All right,” she said with a nod.
“I am glad he found you. He tried to hide it, but there has been something missing in his life. It was you.”
She turned her gaze to Carac once more, her heart swelling. “I need him, too.”
“I know.”
Ravyn’s head swung back to Simon. “If we are sharing, then let me say that I am delighted that you and Margery are together. She is amazing.”
