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“No, you cannot.”

“King John rules St. Biel now, and he will not get the treasure. I will keep it safe, and one day my daughters and sons will hear the story, and it will become their duty to protect it.”

Colm laughed again. “No wonder the statues are never placed inside the churches.”

“It is tradition.”

“Started by a king who knew it would be blasphemous.”

“I will let our children and their children worry about the church.”

“But you must pass the secret on,” he said as he gently pushed her onto her back. “And I will do my part, love, to make certain you have sons and daughters.”