Artair had lost all sound reasoning, and while somewhere his mind reminded that he should pursue questioning her about Ronan, another part urged him to a.s.suage his aching loins.

Zia settled it by throwing the covers off him and crawling over him with a s.e.xy grin that promised paradise on earth. Then he surrendered to her with each tantalizing touch and intimate kiss.

Artair paced in Cavans solar.

Everyone tried to help, Cavan said.

And made it worse, Artair spat. The village makes Zia appear a saint, which only fuels the bishops perception of her as a witch. And that fool Neil gloats over what he a.s.sumes is a victorythe witch will burn.

We both know that will not happen.

How do we stop it? Artair asked desperately, looking to his brother as the powerful laird who could do the impossible.

I dont know, but we will stop it, Cavan said with a firm grasp of his brothers shoulder.

Artair calmed and nodded. He and Zia werent alone in this. His family was on his side and would do all they could to keep Zia from being taken away.

A knock interrupted their concerns and forced a different set of worries on them.

You will be kind to her? Artair asked of his brother, knowing Bethane waited beyond the closed door.

I want my brother home, Cavan said sharply, and called out for her to enter.

Bethane entered with a flourish, her cheeks dashed pink, her green eyes aglow and her smile generous.

What an honor to be invited to your solar, Cavan, she said, and extended her hand to his.

He took it, and she held firm to it with both hands for a moment, then smiled wider and released his hand.

Bethane nodded. You will serve your people well.

I am more concerned at the moment with finding Ronan, Cavan said, and directed her to one of the chairs in front of the large hearth where he stood.

She stretched her hands out to the warm flames. Winter will be upon us soon.

And I would like my brother home for the solstice.

Your brother is a strong one. I have no doubt he will find his way home, Bethane said.

Artair stepped forward and sat in the chair beside Bethane. Why did Ronan leave your village?

Someone followed him, she answered.

Why didnt you tell me this when I first asked? Cavan asked, bewildered.

I had given my word.

To who? Cavan demanded.

Your brother, Bethane said softly.

Both brothers shook their heads.

Yet you tell us now? Artair asked, as confused as Cavan.

Enough time has pa.s.sed to ensure Ronans safety, which was what he had asked of me.

But were his brothers, Cavan said.

Yes, you are.

Cavan and Artair stared at each other, shaking their heads until Artair looked at Bethane and glared at her.

Ronan was protecting us!

She nodded, smiling.

From what? Cavan demanded.

That Im not at liberty to say, Bethane said regretfully.

Cavan began pacing in front of the hearth. This makes no sense.

Did Ronan know of our victory against the barbarians? Artair asked Bethane.

Yes, he did, she confirmed.

Then why not simply come home? Cavan asked with annoyance.

It isnt that simple for your brother, she said. And I would suggest that you let him be, for his own safety.

Ronans in trouble? both brothers asked at once.

He will tell you all of it when he sees you, she said.

Thats not good enough, Cavan said curtly.

Im afraid it is all I can offer you.

Do you tell me you refuse to answer any more questions? Cavan demanded.

Of course not, but I doubt my answers will satisfy you, Bethane said firmly.

You speak in constant riddles, while I want facts, Cavan said.

Bethane stood. Riddles lead to facts. Think about it and you may learn something. Now I must go see how my people fair.

She had dismissed Cavan rather than him dismissing her.

I should be furious with her, Cavan said after she left. I should lock her up in the dungeon until she decides to tell us what we want to knowand yet I cant, for I feel I have something to learn from her words.

Besides, we dont have a dungeon, Artair said, grinning.

Shut up, Cavan warned, and dropped into the chair beside his brother. Dont tell me this doesnt disturb you. It sounds as if our brother is in more trouble than we first thought. But with whom and how, and how the h.e.l.l do we help him?

According to Zia, we cant. It would appear that our interference would only make it worse.

We cant just leave him, Cavan said, exasperated. We must do something.

Then let us find out what is going on before we rush into anything, Artair suggested. Once we know what were dealing with, well be better able to formulate a plan of action.

Good idea, Cavan said. But where do we start?

Artair smiled. I will talk with Bethane and find out.

Lachlan burst into the room. You better hurry. That fool Neil is causing more problems.

Artair entered the great hall behind his brothers to hear Neil complaining to the bishop that the witch was working her magic on them and they would soon be under her spell like all the others there.

Zia helps my wife and sons, Cavan said.

We do not know that! Neil shouted. She could be hiding away mixing her potions, casting her spells He lowered his voice. bringing evil down upon us.

Im going to kill him, Artair whispered to his brothers.

Ill help, Lachlan offered.

What angered Artair even more was the way the bishop let the man rant on. In any other village or keep, Neil would have had others believing him by now, and if he were allowed to keep it up, he might just get a few in Caithness to start doubting, and that would be all they would need.

The bishop finally raised his hand for silence, then turned his attention to Cavan. When night falls, I will have the wedding doc.u.ments in my hands and speak with Zia, or I will inform the council of your reluctance to cooperate and have a troop dispatched here to take Zia into custody until further notice. And then the Sinclares would be investigated for harboring a witch.

Fury rushed through Artair like a raging fire, and he barely managed to contain himself. No options were left to him. How did he protect his wife?

See it done, the bishop ordered Cavan before retiring to his bedchamber for afternoon prayer.

Artair took a menacing step toward a retreating Neil, but Lachlan blocked his path. There are more important things to worry about. Save him for last.

Bethane entered the hall then, and Artair stared at her, as did his brothers, as if she might provide them with a solution.

She walked over and patted Artairs arm. Speak to Zia.

What good will that"

She shooed him away. Speak with her.

He didnt argue, and as he walked away he heard her order Cavan, though in a pleasant tone, to visit his wife and sons, and Lachlan to take his mother for a much needed walk.

Artair shook his head. He wondered how it seemed that Bethane always sensed how people needed healing even if they appeared well. She always knew the right thing to say or the right advice to offer or how to listen. He truly admired her.

He found Zia alone in the sewing room working on a tiny robe.

She laughed, patting the seat of the chair next to her. Honora just realized that she would need to double the clothes she had made, so Im helping her.

She and the babes do well?

They are wonderful, and ready to leave the confines of her bedchamber, Zia said, placing the garment aside and reaching for Artairs hand. But you didnt come looking for me to ask me about Honora. What has happened?

He covered their clasped hands with his other hand, hoping in some strange way that they would be bound together so no man or force could separate them.

Speak up, she ordered, for your silence frightens me.

He kissed her softly, brushing his lips across hers, then recounted in fine detail what had just happened in the great hall.

Zia sat silently for a moment and then spoke. For your familys safety, it is better I leave here.

Artair stood and yanked her out of her seat. Dont you dare let me ever hear you say that again.

But"

Never! he warned adamantly.

Zia pressed her hand to his chest. You tremble"

With anger that you could even think to leave me.

Zia gasped. I do not choose to leave you. I choose to keep you safe.

I, he said empathically, keep you safe.

I, she emphasized equally, keep you safe.

He lowered his lips to hers. Then we do it together, but never, ever, do we part. Promise me.

She did, and he captured her promise with a kiss.

They hugged each other tightly.

What are we to do? Zia asked.

I dont know, but your grandmother suggested I speak with you, and Im glad she did. Just holding you in my arms make me feel better.

Zia nestled closer against him. It wasnt until a few minutes had pa.s.sed that he realized she was crying softly.

Whats wrong? he asked, upset, trying to pry her burrowed face away from his chest. He finally managed to grab her chin and force her to look at him, and her tear-filled eyes broke his heart. Everything will be fine, dont worry.

She sniffled and shook her head, freeing her chin from his grasp. It isnt that. It is when I see your pa.s.sion flair that I know and feel down into my soul how very much you love me, and I know how lucky I am to have found you.

Were both lucky, and I intend for us to stay that way. As for how it happened? He shook his head. I dont know, but I believe the magic of love will find a way to help us now.