Page 34 of The Irresistible Warrior
The man smirked. “We’ll see about that.”
Declan barely had time to warn Aura again. “Stay behind me.”
They lunged together. Declan caught the man’s blade in a clash with his own that jarred up his arm.
The woman darted past, reaching for Aura’s arm, only for Aura to twist away.
Declan pivoted, catching the woman’s wrist with the slap of his sword and forcing her back, but the man pressed forward again, his blade cutting dangerously close. But Declan managed to avoid it while delivering a surprising attack with his dagger he had pulled from his belt, slicing the man’s arm.
The woman grew furious seeing her partner’s arm drop to his side, blood pouring from it and slashed at Declan, but his dagger cut her hand, forcing her to drop her dagger.
Aura was quick to kick it into the underbrush.
Blood soaked the man’s dirty sleeve, and he groaned in pain. “We need to leave.”
“And fail him?” she said with wide-eyed fright. “He won’t accept failure.”
Declan’s gaze narrowed. “Who sent you? What was your mission?”
Neither answered, but their sudden unease was answer enough. The man’s grip tightened on his sword, though his stance had shifted—not to fight, but to flee—regardless of the fate that awaited him.
Through the trees came the pounding of footsteps and a fierce battle cry. Declan’s two warriors burst into view, weapons drawn.
“We’re done,” the woman muttered, and ran leaving the man to rush after her.
“Do we follow?” the one warrior asked with a quick look at Declan.
He shook his head. “Nay, they are not worth the chase. Stand watch while my wife finishes harvesting what she needs.”
Both warriors took a stance, their eyes alert to the forest around them.
Declan turned to Aura, a questioning look in her eyes. He knew what she thought without asking. “There is no point chasing after them. Their fear will keep their tongues tight. They will tell us nothing.”
Aura’s voice was steady, though her eyes flickered with unease. “Aye, they fear whoever sent them more than they fear you.” She hesitated, then added, “With that kind of fear, I cannot help but wonder if it involves dark magic.”
Declan sheathed his sword, his tone grim. “Then we’d best find out who’s weaving it since he obviously means us harm. And there is only one person who can help us with such evil magic… the witch.”
CHAPTER 15
Declan kept Aura close as they crossed the short stretch from the edge of the trees into the village. He hadn’t let go of her hand since they left the woods and though he hadn’t rushed her to finish harvesting, he had paced near her, worry in his eyes.
The two warriors who had accompanied them hurried off as soon as they stepped out of the woods. News would spread fast of the encounter with the man and woman and how bravely their chieftain fought and chased the pair.
Aura tugged at his arm to halt his steps when he went to walk past her cottage. “I’d like to drop my basket at my cottage, so I can see to crafting talismans later. It will take only a moment.”
He nodded and reluctantly let go of her hand. “I will wait out here.”
The incident troubled Declan, his mind so heavy with worry for his wife’s safety that he didn’t see Hamish approach.
“Everything all right?” Hamish asked.
Declan turned his head and saw that Hamish looked in much better shape than he had been earlier. “Freyda fixed you right up, did she?”
“She did at that, though you look like you could use some fixing up yourself. What happened?”
“A man and a woman surprised us in the woods,” Declan said. His voice was even, but there was a weight beneath it. “They weren’t there by chance. They were sent. And they failed at what I think they were meant to do—take Aura.”
“You’re certain?” Hamish’s gaze shifted to the cottage door that opened, Aura stepping out.
