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“We will walk to Liam and Dee’s cottage. No need to wait for me, by then I am sure you will be anxious to return to your husband.”

“Maybe halfway to their cottage,” Ula said.

Shade stopped on the stairs. “People will begin to question why you are spending so much time with the chieftain. You don’t want to draw suspicion to you.”

“It is known that I help Ena, but you are right. Suspicion might grow.”

They continued to the Great Hall where Shade was hoping to find her husband, but he wasn’t there. She was pleased when she finally spotted him talking with Nug as she and Ula walked to Liam’s cottage.

Ula called out to Nug, and he hurried toward her. Shade was puzzled when her husband remained where he was, and she went to him. The closer she got to him, the more she felt something was wrong. There was something different about him and a chill raced through her, thinking it wasn’t her husband she approached, but The Monk.

“What’s wrong?” Shade asked when she stopped in front of him and went to rest her hand on his chest.

Quint stepped back, leaving her hand to remain outstretched. “Nothing.”

Shade lowered her arm and said softly, “That’s a lie.”

He glared at her. “And how would you know that? Unless, of course, you are familiar with lying.”

She drew her head back as if he had slapped her. What could possibly have happened to him to cause him to speak to her that way? She kept her hands at her sides and kept her voice low as she took a step toward him.

“I know my husband well and he would never speak to me so rudely, so I can only assume something happened that kept him from returning to me. I love my husband with all my heart whichmeans I also love you, no matter how difficult you may make it for me to do so. Whichever one of you speaks to me next better do so with a civil tongue.”

Shade went to turn away from him, but he grabbed her arm and yanked her against him.

He pressed his cheek to hers as if he was showing her affection as he whispered, “Never. Ever. Give me an ultimatum. You will regret the consequences.”

He released her and turned and walked away.

“Shade, I am going to walk with Nug for a bit,” Ula called out. “I will see you later.”

Shade forced a smile as she turned and waved to Ula. She was glad her friend would not finish the walk with her. She knew her too well and would know something troubled her and since she had just talked with her husband, Ula would guess they had some kind of rift.

With her thoughts troubled, she continued on her way. She had been in the presence of The Monk before now and while she had seen his rage, it had never been directed at her. Feeling his anger, she had taken the opportunity when he grabbed her and pressed her against him to see if there was anything amiss. His heart beat faster than usual and there was an uncomfortable stirring in him that was unfamiliar to her. It was almost as if he disliked touching her and that had left her feeling uneasy. If her husband loved her, how could The Monk dislike her?

She thought it might be better that he stayed away from her until he sorted out whatever it was that troubled him. But then she worried that if he kept his distance and they did not face the problem, speak about it, and see it settled, that it would damage their love and their marriage.

A soft sigh escaped her, and she glanced around to see if anyone saw it, but no one glanced her way. All were busy talkingwhile doing chores or chatting in groups and as Shade continued walking, she caught snippets of what had caught their attention.

“The Monk can help us.”

“We need his help.”

“He is fearless.”

“He kills without regret.”

“Without remorse.”

“He has no heart.”

“Nay, it is a soul he doesn’t have.”

“And we need a soulless warrior to help save us.”

Shade was glad when she reached Liam’s cottage. She could not hear another word, knowing they were speaking about her husband.

She sent a silent plea to the heavens.I need that miracle, Brother Emmett, since only a miracle will save Quint’s soul.