Page 26 of The Unencumbered Warrior
It was thewitch.
“What do you want?” he called out, his voice steady but taut with warning.
The figure did not move at first. It remained as still as a statue. Then came the whisper, like a breeze through the trees, low and commanding.
“You made a wish, warrior. Do you regret it?”
He clenched his jaw. “I wish I’d never made it.”
A faint laugh answered him, hollow and humorless. “Yet you’ve gained more than most men ever dream.”
“Gained?” Raff snapped. He stepped forward, fists curling. “I lost everything.”
“You got what you wanted… your freedom,” she said. “It isn’t my fault you didn’t give it more thought before you requested it.”
“You’re right,” Raff said, nodding. “It is my fault. I never gave thought to the cost of complete freedom, having no responsibilities, no family to care for me, no one to look after, keep safe, no one to love… until now.”
“You have fallen in love?” she asked. “What nonsense is this?”
His body tingled with a strange strength and a sense of hope. “It seems that love is stronger than evil.”
“Who is this woman who defies my power?” she demanded.
“If you so much as come near her, I will hunt you down. Witch or no witch, I’ll not rest until I see you gone from this land,” he threatened, with an intensity that left no room for doubt.
“You fear for her.”
“Your evil presence has already put her in harm’s way, some believing her a witch simply because she is a talented weaver. What brings you here? What evil deeds have you done that brings misfortune to the innocent?”
“So, it is Ingrid you love.”
His chest tightened hearing her speak the name. “Fair warning, witch, harm her in any way and you will die by my hand.”
“So bold. So foolish.” The figure tilted her head, the hood falling slightly to reveal a pale cheek and the shadow of a smile. “But I have already touched her fate.”
He surged forward a step, fury raw in his chest. “You’ll touch nothing of hers. She’s mine to protect. And I will protect her. Nomatter what dark bargain you struck, no matter what curse you carry, I will not let you take her from me.”
Silence fell like a blade between them. The stream babbled on, uncaring, while birds ceased their evening songs.
“Your wish cannot be undone, Raff of Clan MacMunn,” she said, her voice softer now, almost sorrowful. “But the shape of how it ends… that is still yours to choose.”
Then she was gone. One blink, and the shadows swallowed her whole.
Raff stood unmoving, breath harsh, muscles tight as a drawn bowstring. He wiped his face again, not to clean it but to compose himself.
He had no idea what the witch truly wanted, but he knew one thing, Ingrid meant more to him than any cursed wish, and he would fight fate itself if he had to.
And tonight, he’d sit at her hearth, and hold onto that peace he found with her, even if the darkness crept closer.
“Sit,”Ingrid said after Raff entered her cottage while filling two tankards with hot cider.
Raff settled himself at the table, the hearth’s warmth easing into his limbs or maybe it was the ease he felt when near Ingrid. She handed him a filled tankard, their fingers brushing in passing. He held onto that simple touch longer than he meant to.
“Smells good,” he said as Ingrid grabbed the wooden bowls off the table.
“Meat and root vegetables,” she said, a gentle smile pulling at her lips as she ladled a generous portion into one bowl.
“Your meals are always tasty. Believe me, I’ve had my share of bad ones,” he said, a hint of amusement lightening his voice. “But I’ve never had better company.”
