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At that precise moment, she knew nothing would stop her from fighting for Quint, her husband. The Monk could not have him. Revenge could not have him. He belonged to her, and she refused to let go of him.

She turned around in his arms and kissed his cheek. “I love you.”

“Why?”

“Why not?”

“That is not an answer,” he admonished, needing to hear more, to understand how she could love him.

“Why isn’t it? Why can’t I simply love you without thought or reason?”

“There has to be a reason,” he insisted.

Laughter marked her words. “Love is unreasonable, unexplainable, and undeniable, or so said my grandmother. I believe I finally understand what she meant. Nothing makes sense, you can’t explain it to yourself or anyone else, yet you cannot deny it. It is impossible to deny it since it takes tight hold and refuses to let go.” She pressed her cheek to his and whispered, “I won’t let go.”

He brushed his lips over hers. “You may not have a choice.”

The memory of this morning’s departure was interrupted by her husband’s abrupt remark.

“We stop briefly.”

Shade was relieved, needing to stretch the aches out of her body and that was exactly what she did as soon as her husband lifted her off the horse and her feet touched the ground. She walked to the nearby stream needing a cool drink. His horse, Gillie, felt the same, already at the stream. She was surprised that he didn’t order her to stay close by, but he said nothing. All he did was stand rigidly still, staring in the distance.

She drank several handfuls of water, then splashed some on her face to refresh herself and dried it with the hem of her cloak. She turned her head thinking she heard something and was surprised when it turned out to be someone singing. It grew louder, bursts of laughter mixing with a raucous tune.

“Stay behind me,” Quint ordered when she walked over to him, “and do not hesitate when I give you an order.”

“Aye,” she said, knowing he was being cautious for many reasons.

“Ahh, fair travelers like me,” a man called out as he rolled toward them atop the seat of the cart he drove.

“What are you doing in these parts?” Quint demanded, taking stock of the man with a quick glance. He was short and slim and quick on his feet from the way he easily jumped down off the cart.

“I’m Burgess, a traveling merchant and I am hastily departing the area. It’s not safe with Lord Torrance’s warriors hunting down MacLeish warriors who managed to get away. You have heard, haven’t you? Lord Torrance is the victor in the battle between his clan and Clan MacLeish. And, Lord, help us, if that isn’t bad enough,” —he hurried to bless himself— “Tongues spread the word… The Monk is in the area. You should be careful. He’s a nasty one. He’s left his mark already, he has.” He blessed himself again.

“Left his mark, how so?” Shade asked, stepping from behind her husband to stand beside him.

Burgess lowered his voice as if afraid to be heard. “He killed a small troop of warriors who had taken shelter at Coggshall Abbey. Slaughtered every one of them just like he did to the monks who once lived there.”

Shade continued to question him. “You saw this for yourself?”

Burgess shook his head,“Nay, mistress, two monks are alerting the people, praying someone has the courage to end The Monk’s madness. One of the monks said he had corrupted a woman and made her his wife, but the other monk disputed it, saying the woman was of an age enough to know better and would not allow herself to be so foolish. I had best hurry andscoop up some water for me and my horse and be on my way. I hope to be well away from this area by nightfall. I have some fine wares if you’d like to have a look in the cart, mistress.”

“My wife has no need of anything,” Quint said and motioned for her to get behind him.

Shade did so without question, seeing anger flaring in his eyes and tension tightening his jaw. Something was wrong.

“How many?” Quint demanded.

Burgess scrunched his brow, confused. “How many what?”

Controlled anger could be heard in Quint’s every word. “You truly intend to continue to play the fool?”

“I do not understand, sir,” Burgess said, sounding confused.

“I always make sure fools die slowly,” Quint said.

Shade jumped and barely got out a gasp, shocked at how swiftly Quint reached out to lock Burgess back against him and rest a dagger at his throat.