If The Shoe Fits by Shirley McCoy

Author:Shirley McCoy [McCoy, Shirley]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fantasy, Historical, Witches
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Published: 2016-01-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

Sometime later, after hours with no sign of civilization, they found an abandoned barn.

“This should suit our needs. We can stop here for the night.” Will said.

“Shouldn’t we go a bit farther?” Rosalind asked.

Will did not deign to look at her. “Not tonight. We’re all exhausted, Celina in particular. We’ll camp here.”

Soon enough they were settled, with horses tethered, fire built, and bedding unrolled.

As they completed the last of the preparations, Will drew Robert aside. “I’ll take the first watch. I’d like you to take the second.”

“Of course, sire. Do you expect trouble from our companions or some other quarter?”

“I’m not sure, but best to be safe, no? In my view, trust must be earned not given unquestioned and loyalty must be proved. Rosalind in particular must demonstrate hers.”

“As you say, majesty.”

Will snorted. “As I say? Hmm. Come now, Robert, you know me better than that. What’s on your mind? Speak freely.”

Robert’s shoulders relaxed a fraction. “My first priority is your majesty’s safety, second to that is Celina’s. Third is Juliette. I can admit to your majesty as I could to few others that Juliette’s well-being has become vital to my own. If Jonathan or Rosalind interfere in any way with those priorities, I won’t hesitate to do whatever it takes to remove them. What your majesty wishes to do otherwise, matters little to me so long as they don’t get in my way.”

“Fair enough.”

Robert nodded and made to turn away, but Will took his arm. “Don’t let Rosalind or Jonathan out of your sight, but be as subtle about it as you can. I’d rather not force a confrontation, not yet anyway.”

“Of course.”

“You needn’t worry. Neither of us is looking for a confrontation either. I promise you,” came a voice out of the dark.

Unobserved by either of them, Jonathan had approached.

Will gave him a calm, steady look. “Good. Please understand, while I will never forget that the two of you were instrumental in Celina’s rescue, the situation is precarious to say the least.”

“I do understand. Know that Rosalind has changed. She is a different woman now and her intentions are nothing but honorable. Besides, I won’t let any harm come to Celina, or indeed anyone here.” He shrugged, “Talk is cheap, I know. All I ask is that you allow our actions to speak for us.”

“You speak for her do you?” Robert inquired

Before Jonathan could respond, Will held up a hand. He acknowledged the other man’s statement with a slight inclination of the head. “I am willing to do that, but when it comes down to it, I’m not the only one the two of you have to convince, not by a long shot.”

“True words, majesty. Well, good evening.” Jonathan bowed and took his leave.

****

Celina had no desire to fully wake just at the moment. Continuing to drift in that world halfway between sleeping and waking was just fine. She couldn’t quite remember why staying asleep would be such a good idea, but the answer teased at the edge of her brain and the one thing she was quite sure of was she did not want to know.

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