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“I did not think I needed permission,” she said, the prospect of seeking his permission for various things a daunting thought.

“You need permission from me for everything,” he decreed.

Such a command truly sounded unreasonable, and she had to ask, “Why?”

“Because I say so,” he commanded, his heart pounding in his chest and his anger yet to calm completely, and worse was the spark of fright that had ignited in him when he discovered her missing from camp. Fright was not something he suffered from, so why then had he felt it?

“Nay,” she said softly, sensing something was amiss. Why would he threaten her with punishment for a simple wander in the woods? It made no sense. “There is more than you are telling me.”

The oddity of the colors of her two different colored eyes seemed more pronounced here in the forest and they captured him for a moment and would not let go until he forced himself to look away.

He did not respond and Sky wondered if it was because they had reached the camp or that he did not want to acknowledge her concern.

Sky was surprised to see that only ten warriors remained at the camp. The camp had been laid bare and the campfires doused. The warriors and horses appeared anxious to leave and with a nod from Slayer, they all mounted their horses.

He swung her up on his horse when they reached his stallion and he mounted with ease behind her. Two warriors took the lead, Slayer following behind them.

They traveled a distance in silence. It was unsettling, and Sky considered saying something, anything that would ease the tension she felt sitting tucked against him. His body was as taut as the string on a bow that she expected to snap at any moment. Which was what had her holding her tongue, fearing she would be the target if he did. By now, however, she had expected to feel his body at ease and that he would have at least said a few words to her even if he admonished her again.

Not able to sit in worry any longer, she tilted her head back to look into his eyes. “You are not an easy man to come to know.”

“You know what you need to know about me.”

She frowned. “I know very little about you.”

“That is more than most. Now be silent. We need to keep alert.”

“Are we in danger?” she whispered anxiously, not having considered the possibility. “Is that what you are keeping from me?”

She caught a flash of conflict in his eyes and sensed he debated about answering her, leaving her to believe the news would upset her.

She rested her hand on his arm, giving it a light squeeze. “Please tell me.”

Her voice was whispery soft, her touch tender, and the worry in her eyes disturbing, though more disturbing was the danger she had placed herself in earlier. He could keep it from her no longer. “You cannot go home. You and your sisters’ lives are in danger.”

It took a moment for Sky to digest and believe the shocking news, then questions spilled out of her. “Danger? Why would our lives be in danger? Are my sisters aware of this? Are they well-protected?”

“It is a puzzle that needs solving. Cavell and Elsie are aware of it, but with Leora unable to be found, I doubt she knows of it. All that is presently known is that someone wants one of you dead and since it isn’t known which one of you it is, all three of you have been targeted by any mercenary group willing to accomplish the mission.”

Concern for her sisters’ safety took priority over everything and forced her to speak. “Why didn’t you tell me this sooner?”

“Until there was more to share with you there was no reason for me to worry you needlessly.”

“Yet you tell me now. Why?” She shook her head, realizing the answer. “It is the reason you don’t want me going into the woods alone.”

“Aye. I need you aware and alert to your surroundings and for you to realize the severity of the situation.”

“Does the danger my sisters and I face have any connection to your brother and father’s deaths?” she asked, needing as many pieces as she could get to help solve the odd puzzle.

“I do not know, though I do not see why they would be connected.”

“It is a thought to consider since your brother died after visiting my da concerning the marriage arrangement.”

“But if it had anything to do with the arranged marriage, it would have been more likely that the attack on my brother would have taken place before arriving at your clan.”

“Unless the documents had yet to be signed,” Sky suggested and with worry for her sisters mounting she asked, “Do you think this man you sent to find Leora has a good chance of finding her?”

“No man is a better tracker than Noble. He will find her,” Slayer assured her.