The Girl of Dorcha Wood (Daughter of Erabel Book 1) by Kristin Ward

Author:Kristin Ward [Ward, Kristin]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2021-04-12T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

On a bright morning, Gideon knew it was time to leave. He felt it, and he had always listened to his instincts. Too many days had passed, and the blight persisted. The villagers would become restless, and they could perceive any unusual illness or death as the work of Riona’s daughter. Her safety was in jeopardy, though she refused to see it. Gideon decided he would take her with him, his heart lost among her smiles and compassion. Now, all that remained was convincing her to leave this place before it was too late.

“Fiadh.” She turned to look at him, her apron filled with eggs from the small coop. “We must go.”

“Oh, not this again,” she sighed. “And where do you wish me to go?”

Setting the eggs in a basket, she joined him on a large tree trunk that lay on its side in the small clearing. A layer of moss blanketed the bark, adding a cushion of softness to the rough surface. Thinking of the times she had sat on this very spot with her mother was bittersweet.

“To Belfirth. I want you to come with me.”

She looked around, agonizing over the choice facing her. She wasn’t ready. This moment had come too soon. “I’ve told you I can’t leave. This is my home.”

“You’re not safe here, Fiadh.” Gideon took her hand, momentarily marveling at how small her fingers were within his grasp. She was too innocent of the ways of the world, too sheltered in this infamous wood her mother had raised her in. “They’ll come for you, too.”

Staring into him, she watched a play of emotions in his face. There was genuine worry, but she saw a possessiveness that was new to her within that. It made her uneasy.

“The people of Felmore know nothing of my existence.”

But she knew that was not true. Soldiers had come. And they would come again, and when that happened, she would call on the Cú-Síth. But… if she summoned them, it would lead to blood. Death. Already, four men had been killed because of her. If she stayed, more would die. Is that what I want? she thought. Could I live with that?

“I know you believe they do not know of you,” Gideon said, “but you told me your family once lived within the village. Do you honestly feel it has been forgotten?”

Fiadh made a face. “I haven’t been seen in years. They will think I am dead if they remember me at all.”

Gideon shook his head. “The elders will know of you. Their memories are long.”

She huffed. “Why do you want me to leave with you?”

“I want to keep you safe, and I can’t do that here. With the strength of my family, you will be protected and want for nothing.”

“Are you so certain they would welcome me? An outsider?”

He muttered blackly, “I will ensure they do.”

Laughing at his mumbling, she stood, walking the span of the clearing. Every piece of this place was part of her, her history, who she was.

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