Thats pure nonsense"

Before Artair could finish, the bishop held up his hand for silence. I will decide what is nonsense and what is not.

Speak to the witch, Neil insisted. Speak with her soon or she will bewitch you too, just as she did to everyone in our village. If it were not for the strength of our leader, Harold, to fight her powers, we would have all been doomed.

The man you speak of is the one who sold her to me? Artair asked.

The bishop raised a brow as he regarded the messenger from Lorne. This is true, is it not?

Neil pointed an accusing finger at Artair. She bewitched him into trading coins for her release.

Did she then bewitch the man to take the coins? Artair asked with a sneer, growing annoyed with such nonsensical talk, and meanwhile concerned that the bishop just might agree with the ridiculous man.

Aye, she did, Neil said firmly. She even commanded it to rain so that we couldnt light the wood to burn her.

Artair wanted to reach out and strangle the idiotic man, but that wouldnt help his cause. Calm rationality would.

Bishop Aleatus, he said calmly, my wife is not a witch. She is a remarkable healer schooled in the art by"

Other witches, Neil interrupted with a trembling voice. They all live in a village together. A village no one can get to for they have cast a spell around it to keep it invisible.

Lachlan laughed.

You find this humorous? the bishop chastised.

Lachlan was wise enough to a.s.sert otherwise. No sir, it is just that I have watched my sister-in-law heal many, and she uses no such witchcraft to do it.

What of James? the bishop asked.

What of him? Artair said.

He survived a severe wound. He claims Zia worked a miracle to save him.

Artair knew James meant only to help but his choice of words had done the opposite. Hard work by my wife is what saved Jamess arm.

I have found no one who speaks harshly of your wife, the bishop noted, nodding.

She is loved and respected by all, Artair said with pride.

It seems odd that not even one person"

Neil interrupted the bishop. Shes done it again, bewitched the whole village.

Artair almost lunged at the man, ready to beat him unmercifully. It took great willpower not to do so. Instead, while inwardly fuming, he retained a calm exterior composure.

She has not, he a.s.serted.

That will be for me to decide, the bishop said curtly, and looked directly at Artair. Tomorrow I will speak with your wife so that this matter can be settled. And you have two days more to produce a wedding doc.u.ment. If you fail to do so, I will a.s.sume she is not your wife and take matters from there.

Artair stood. Conduct your investigation, Bishop Aleatus, but know this. Zia is my wife. She is not a witch and I will not see her condemned and punished because of ignorance and lies.

He stomped off, his hands fisted, itching to punch someone. He swore beneath his breath until he realized he was swearing aloud. One last oath and he clamped his mouth shut, taking the stone stairs two at a time.

He was furious and couldnt calm himself down. Because of some ignorant, foolish, selfish men he could very well lose Zia. And he would be d.a.m.ned if hed let that happen.

He burst into Cavans bedchamber without knocking, and his temper cooled in a flash when Zia jumped up off the chair where she sat with a firm finger pressed to her lips.

He saw that Honora and the babes were asleep, and from where Zia had sat, it looked as if she and Bethane had been talking. She walked over to him and took his arm, turned her head to give Bethane a nod, then headed out the door with him.

You look as if youve lost your temper, but knowing you, that would make no sense.

He caught her smirk and shook his head, realizing the stupidity of his actions.

She placed a gentle hand on his arm. Who was the unfortunate recipient of your seldom exposed temper?

He wasnt only reluctant to tell her, he was reluctant to admit it. The bishop.

Really? Zia asked, stunned.

His nod turned quickly to a shake. I may have just made the situation worse.

But you did it anyway.

Stupidly.

No, she admonished softly, and smiled. Pa.s.sionately.

Artair took hold of her face; her lovely green eyes glistened as if ready to tear. You sound proud of my foolishness.

She laughed softly while a single tear drifted down her cheek. You werent practical.

That I wasnt, and still you sound proud of me. A smile crept over him and he gently wiped the single tear away, and at that moment realized he loved her even more. I cant believe that youre proud of my foolishness.

Another tear slipped down her cheek. Love produced your foolishness. Love for me. She giggled. I love a fool, how wonderful! She threw her arms around him.

He hugged her tight and laughed. You forever make me smile, and over the most senseless things.

They were about to kiss when they heard footsteps on the stairs. Artair hurried her into the bedchamber. Closing the door on her smile, he said, We will talk later. I love you.

Lachlan appeared in the hall, his anxious footfalls slowed when he spotted Artair, and he looked as if he approached with a cautious grin. Are you my brother?

Artair clipped him on the shoulder when he got close enough. Have I made a mess of things?

Cavan handled it.

He soothed the bishop?

Not exactly, Lachlan said. Cavan told the bishop that you take your vows seriously and your duties to your wife even more seriously. And part of your vows is protecting your wife and you will do that no matter what the circ.u.mstances.

My brother defends me.

You doubted he would? Lachlan asked, surprised.

Artair hesitated.

Lachlan laughed. You gave thought to nothing but defending your wife, and I dont blame you. Everyone can see how madly in love you two are.

Even so, that doesnt help the situation.

True enough, which is why Cavan wants to see you in his solar, Lachlan said. Once we cant produce the marriage doc.u.ment He shook his head. Zia is no longer considered under our protection and the bishop"

Can take Zia from us.

Chapter 32.

Zia rejoined her grandmother, easing into the empty chair beside her only a short distance from the bed where Honora slept peacefully. She sighed softly, stretching out her legs in front of her.

Content, are you? Bethane asked.

Ever so much, Zia said, giving herself a huge hug.

Artair makes you happy?

I never imagined such happiness or that he would fall foolishly in love with me.

He is good for you, Bethane confirmed with a strong nod.

So you told me from the beginning.

You needed to find out for yourself, Bethane said, glancing at one of the babes, who stirred restlessly in his cradle then settled once again.

Zia sat forward in the chair and took her grandmothers hand. All will turn out well, will it not?

A problem with the bishop?

Im not sure.

The door creaked opened and Addie slipped in, closing it quietly behind her. Zia got up and plopped down cross-legged on the floor, leaving the chair vacant for Addie. She shook her head at Addie when the woman tried to protest, and Addie relented with an appreciative smile and sat in the chair.

There is some trouble, she whispered.

Bethane and Zia leaned in closer, not wanting to wake Honora or the babes.

Addie continued. The bishop insists on seeing the marriage doc.u.ments by tomorrow.

Shouldnt the cleric be here sometime today? Zia asked.

Addie shook her head. Hes been detained due to ill health.

Zia almost laughed for here she was a healer and out of reach of healing the man who could possibly solve all her problems. What happens now?

Addie shrugged. I dont know. Cavan will meet with Artair to talk over possibilities.

Can the bishops mind be changed? Bethane asked.

I dont know how, Addie said again. The bishop seemed adamant in his edict.

What is the bishop doing now, at this moment? Bethane asked.

He strolls the village again, visiting, or so he says, but it seems he investigates and interrogates without anyone realizing it. And while many offer praise, they unknowingly provide fodder for doubt.

Bethane nodded knowingly. Many do not realize that generous praise can be misconstrued to make an innocent healer appear a witch who works magic.

What am I ever to do? Zia asked, wishing she possessed a magical potion that would chase away ignorant notions.

Leave it to my sons, Addie said. They will find a way.

Addie is right, Bethane said, and reached her hand down to Zia. What say we talk?

Zia looked to Addie. Would you mind watching Honora and the babes for a short time? Well be close, in my bedchamber.

What a silly request to ask of a new grandmother, Addie said, grinning proudly as she got to her feet and shooed them toward the door. You have had no time alone to talk. Go, I will send for you if necessary.

Zia thanked her with an exuberant hug and a kiss on the cheek. I wont be long.

Take as long as you want, Addie a.s.sured her.

Zia eagerly ushered her grandmother into her bedchamber and fixed cups of their favorite brew, a mixture of herbs that soothed and relaxed. They settled in chairs she arranged in front of the hearth, the heat of the flames toasting their feet stretched out in front of them.

I have missed you so much, Grandmother, Zia said.

And I you, my child, but there is an important reason I wished for us to talkthere is a tale I wish to tell you.

Zia settled comfortably in her chair, tucking her warmed feet beneath her, ready to listen as she had when she was young. Her grandmothers tales never ceased to fascinate her. I am listening.

Many years ago in our village there was a young beautiful girl schooled in the Old Ways of the healers. She was an exceptional healer, always had a kind word for everyone and always generous with her time to those who required her talent. She traveled when necessary to different villages, just as you do. During her travels, she met and fell in love with a young man, and he with her, but there was a problem. The young man came from a n.o.ble lineage that expected obedience from their son, which included an arranged marriage. The couple dreamed of a life together, marriage and family, and when the young mans father denied him his dreams, he and the young woman wed in an old ceremony forgotten by many and acknowledged by few.

Unfortunately, the young mans family refused to recognize the ceremony as valid and forcibly took him from his bride. They sent him away, and try as she might, his young wife could not find him. She was brokenhearted and missed him more each day. She soon realized that she was with child, but her heart refused to heal, and hope died slowly with each pa.s.sing day, so that when she delivered a daughter, she smiled and took her last breath.

Zia had tears in her eyes. You speak of my mother.

Bethane nodded.