Page 9 of The Guardian's Witch

“You feel it, too.” Jamie peeled away from the gnarled tree trunk as if he were an extra layer of bark.

Alex stopped mid-step, amazed by the Scots’ ability to blend in. “I didn’t think you were one for charms and wards.” He raised his eyebrow in amusement. “Fairies perhaps,” he teased Jamie. The big redhead took it well and gave it even better. He was as large as Alex’s brother Cameron, the Viking of the seven Stelton boys.

Jamie’s face lit in a smirk. “You noticed them too, I thought so. Lisbeth’s out to protect us. Surely you’re used to them. She puts them everywhere.”

Alex refrained from touching the stone amulet around his neck.

Jamie fingered the charm hanging from a nearby branch. “Congeniality and agreement. We shall see.” He abandoned the trinket and rubbed his hands together, eager to begin. “Well, I think we need more than charms to resolve this. We have some serious talking to do.”

“What do you know about the attack?” The two warriors sat on a fallen log.

“Only what I’ve been told. You’re lucky Lisbeth knew what to do to rid you of the poison.” He gestured to Alex’s side. “And the devil left the tip of his dirk in you. Poison is a sophisticated way to kill. This wasn’t your ordinary raider. This has the stench of intrigue and politics. Did you see who stuck you?”

Alex shook his head. “I’ve turned the attack over in my mind several times. I didn’t worry about my back during the ambush once I knew someone familiar was behind me.” His elbows rested on his knees with his hands clasped. He brooded over the events. “There are more times than I can count when I’ve relied on that sensation. I couldn’t be wrong?”

Jamie looked thoughtful. “From the description of the wound the assassin attacked from behind.”

Alex gave a nod and eyed Jamie under heavy brows. “Others want me to believe the Scots are at the bottom of this.”

“Alex, no Scots lifted a hand against you.” Jamie straightened his relaxed posture.

“How can you be sure?” Alex muttered uneasily.

“The kirk clans confirmed it. Besides, none of the dead bore the mark.”

“Mark?” Alex dropped his hands and gave Jamie his full attention.

“I thought you knew? Well, I suppose you’ll be family soon enough.”

“What does that mean?” He shot up off the log.

“Alex, I’m not a naïve babe. Your king didn’t remove Lisbeth from Glen Kirk before awarding the castle to you. What else could be his intent?”

“In truth, we’re already married. By proxy at the king’s...delight. Are you put out you weren’t consulted, the man of the family?” Alex gave the Scots a challenging look but he could read nothing in the man’s expression, although somehow he got the idea Jamie laughed on the inside.

“No, I’m fine with your king’s decision. If I weren’t you’d have something to worry about. I just left her at the lodge. She’s vulnerable if she stays there.” He stopped, his brow wrinkled. “You haven’t told her she’s your wife yet?” Jamie’s voice rose in surprise.

Alex wanted to wipe the grin off Jamie’s face. How he hated Edward for putting him in this position.Just because he’s happy and besotted with his queen doesn’t mean everyone entertains his views.“What would you have me do? Tell her she’s my wife, then whisk her off to the marriage bed?” His stomach roiled. She’d made it pretty clear she wanted nothing to do with him. Faith, he didn’t need a wife. “I’ll tell her when the time comes. Now, tell me about the mark...brother.”

Jamie shook his head. “I hope you know what you’re doing. I suggest you tell her soon. Your union would be greatly accepted by the villagers.”

“I appreciate your brotherly advice but I can manage the villagers without them knowing my personal affairs.” Alex fought to keep the bite out of his voice. “About the mark.”

Jamie leveled a stare at him. “We each carry the mark of our clan. Some believe the talisman protects them. Others say it gives them the strength of their brothers. Everyone knows the braid identifies them as a member of a Scots clan.” Jamie lifted the hair at the nape of his neck and exposed a small single braid tied with a bead. “When we looked at the dead, none had the mark.”

“So why the attack?” Alex mumbled to himself and searched for a plausible explanation. “Wesley’s men are all in my service. They are reserved but cooperative, soldiers through and through. I see no dissension among the troops. Crops are good and the farms flourish. My men help with repairs when they are needed. The village market does a good business and attracts tradesmen from the surrounding area. Disputes among the villagers and farmers are limited. There are no signs of discord anywhere.” He sized up Jamie. The realization of the answer came with a heavy weight. “This does have the stench and intrigue of politics, but whose politics—Scotland, Wales or France? To say nothing of London infighting.”

“Glen Kirk sits tucked in the hills on the border between Scotland and England. For the last few centuries it has been in the care of the Reynolds. Their impartial council on both sides of the border has always been met with respect. Without leadership at Glen Kirk there is fear it will go to someone who will not maintain the neutral position. Some fear your king would use Glen Kirk in some way against us. In addition, without a king on our throne there is concern about succession. The Scots lords have contemplated inviting your Edward to arbitrate the succession dispute. Some fear he will take advantage of our situation.”

“Wales could be involved,” said Alex. “Many Welsh lords suffered at the hands of the English. No one is happy with either the castles Edward built or the Englishmen he put in them. They could align themselves with the Scots. Both have similar issues with Edward’s expansion policies. As for the French interest, Edward is willing to fight to retain the Duchy of Gascony. Stoking a war here might deter him.”

“All well and true, Alex, but there is intrigue in your king’s court too.” Jamie picked up a handful of stones and worried them. “I don’t know why someone attacked you, but I do know this—you and Lisbeth must be careful until we find out the whats and the whyfors.”

“Someone convinced the villagers the attack was the result of a curse. They fear my disappearance. They’ve brought me all sorts of magic amulets to ward off the curse. The feel of the knife in my side didn’t feel like anything magical.”

“The history of Glen Kirk goes back centuries, to heathen times. The particulars of an old legend, a curse they say, has been lost over time. Now when things are amiss or cannot be explained, someone dusts off the curse and heaps the blame there. We’ve heard the rumor too. It started when the king’s soldiers went back to court and reported the missing protectors,” Jamie said. He sat back on the log. “It’s not just the two protectors. Their men at arms are missing too, a total of six. I’ve been waiting to see the English army ride in to try and find them.”

“Edward didn’t seem all that upset about these missing men. He told me he expects to receive a ransom in due course.” Alex’s eyes narrowed and his brow wrinkled. “A moment ago you mentioned Lisbeth was vulnerable. Why do you include Lisbeth in this threat?” A flash of anger roared deep inside him. He protected Lisbeth. Who dared to threaten her? The thought startled Alex as soon as it surfaced.

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