Chapter 19

Sky sat in her husband's solar trying to digest the news and a soft smile suddenly lit her face. "Though this is sorrowful news for Elsie, it truly is wonderful news for the three of us. While before we had little information about our past, we now have a place to start. Elsie's mum must have left a trail of sorts that we can follow. That reminds me. I spoke with Euniss only moments ago." She reiterated what Euniss had told her about the cleric.

"You smile yet your brow wrinkles. Something disturbs you about this cleric?" Slayer asked, wondering how his wife was able to find a bright side to the surprising news.

"Euniss said he was a pious man, keeping his hands steepled in prayer and his hood pulled down over his head. What if he wasn't a cleric? What if he posed as one to meet in secret with Verina?"

It continued to amaze him that they thought so much alike. "A thought that came to me as soon as you told me. I will see what I can do to find him."

"Did your father share anything on his deathbed that might help us?" she asked. "Surely, if he was worried about the clan's survival, he would have shared all his plans, even his doubts and suspicions, with you to make certain they saw fruition."

"My father was a stubborn man. I truly believe that he did not think he was on his deathbed. He believed whatever ailed him would pass and he would live on as leader of Clan Ravinsher. It was only when he could barely talk that he attempted to speak with me and by then it was too late." He scowled and drew her into his arms. "Your brow continues to pucker. Something still troubles you."

"It all troubles me," she said and rested her head on his chest, though hard with muscle, served as the perfect pillow day or night. She reluctantly lifted her head to look at him and could not help but smile. Though it was not his fine features that brought the smile to her face, it was more than that. It was that he was her friend, her husband, and that she could talk freely with him. "It is a mystery that grows and defies solving and keeps us apart far too much." She stretched up to reach for his lips, but they were already descending on hers. A bolt of pleasure struck her and raced through her.

Slayer did not intend to linger in the kiss. That would be dangerous since it would not be long before he bent her over the table and satisfied them both. Instead, he held onto her, refusing to let her go, keeping her as close to him as he could. So close that she felt part of him. That was how the kiss made him feel—that she was part of him.

"Lord Slayer!"

The shout from just beyond the solar's door tore their lips apart and Slayer cursed beneath his breath, irritated that their kiss had been interrupted. His arm, however, lingered around her waist. He did not want to let her go. Not now. Not ever.

"Lord Slayer!"

There was a tremor in the shout and Slayer reluctantly released Sky to turn around and see Fane sitting in front of the closed door growling, warning the person beyond the door to stay away.

Slayer could not stop himself from grinning. The hound deserved a treat for protecting their privacy. His wife was right. It would be prudent of him to always keep Fane with him.

"We will finish this later, mo ghaol," Slayer said, reluctantly releasing her and going to the door.

Sky's stomach fluttered, hearing him call her my love for the second time. She loved the way it rolled off his tongue so easily and with such strength as if confirming it for himself, and she smiled.

"What is it, Reed?" Slayer demanded after opening the door.

Reed hesitated, seeing Sky there.

"Tell me!" Slayer ordered sternly.

Reed's head snapped to the side to look at Slayer, and he spoke quickly. "Two of our sentinels were found dead as were several mercenaries when it came time for our sentinels to change their posts. Fearing for the sentinels stationed further out from the castle, a troop went to warn them and came upon what was left of the mercenaries. They battled and returned with prisoners in tow. They have been secured outside the gate."

Sky had come to understand that her husband did not like losing any of his men. One glance at him now confirmed that. She could see that the news angered Slayer. He fisted his hands at his sides and his brow narrowed. But mostly, it was the way his body grew taut, intensifying his muscles, his chest expanding and his arms bulging. Any sane man would walk away from him, and any wise woman would hide.

As was the way of the Gallowglass, all captives were immediately questioned, defeat making for looser tongues in hope of being spared torture or death. So, Slayer asked with confidence, "Has any of the captured mercenaries provided us with any new information, something that we don't already know?"

"Nay," Reed said with a quick shake of his head. "The promise of abundant coin is what drew them to the mission. Though it was learned that some retreated when told it was the Gallowglass they would fight. More left when it became known that it was Lord Slayer and his warriors they would face. One other thing, I thought not to mention it, but you always said even the smallest detail should not be ignored."

"That's right. The smallest of details could be the most important, so tell me," Slayer urged.

"It could be nothing more than a mistake," Reed said. "Glen took count of the captured men, as usual, once we had them all secured. I counted them again once they were settled to confirm the number. I got one man less than Glen did. I had Glen count again and it agreed with mine."

"It is not like Glen to make a mistake," Slayer said, his brow pinched in concern. "Let's go count again." He turned to Sky to order her to remain in the keep. Her eager smile halted his remark, giving her time to speak.

"I am good with numbers. I will help with the count," Sky said, her smile brightening.

Reed's face lit with a smile and his cheeks flushed, Sky's lovely smile captivating him.

"Lead the way!" Slayer snapped at Reed, though he knew where the captives would be held. He wanted the warrior's eyes off Sky.

Reed jumped at Slayer's gruff command. "Aye, sir."

They reached the area where the captured mercenaries were being kept corralled in a circle surrounded by Gallowglass warriors. Some men lay on the ground groaning in pain, their bandages soaked with blood. Others had minor wounds, and a few had no wounds at all. But every eye there focused on Slayer as soon as he came to a stop in front of them. The groans soon ceased, some men paled and some trembled. Their fate lay in the hands of the man now looking from one captive to another until he had met all eyes there.

"We count now, Reed," Slayer ordered and once again looked from man to man.

"I counted twelve," Reed said when finished.

"I counted the same," Slayer agreed and looked to his wife.

Sky had waited to see if he would permit her to join in and she was pleased that he did. "I got twelve as well."

"You say Glen got one more than you," Slayer said.

"Aye, thirteen was what he counted," Reed confirmed.

Slayer looked over the captives and called out, "The first who tells me who escaped from your group will be freed."

They all started yelling out names and Slayer waited, not saying a word, letting them call out name after name until the voices died and no one spoke. They stood staring, waiting for Slayer to speak.

Sky watched fascinated. Her husband had to know they all would attempt to throw a name at him in hopes of being freed. Yet he stood there and did nothing but listen. She pondered what his plan might be, then one man spoke up.

"He snuck in and snuck out. He's not one of us."

All heads turned, their eyes going to an older, grey-haired man. A blood-stained bandage was wrapped around his leg, and another circled his arm.

Slayer waved him forward. "Come we will talk."