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“Of course, dear child. Let me fetch some writing tools.”
Lady Frieda left and Kormac glanced at Fionna. “Do you know what it means?”
“Other than it’s bad?” She shrugged. “If I had to guess, it lost the body it had and needs a new one to rise again. But one of a specific type. I really want to know what that symbol means as it might help us ensure this Possessor never gets what it needs.”
“It’s not the word for witch?”
Fionna shook her head. “There is a symbol for it that is part of our emblem. This is something else…” She traced it with her finger.
“Do you think your library will know?”
“Perhaps. I will send it to Amelia once we return to the keep.” Fionna turned to face the room. “At least we’ve found some protection against the thing in the pass.”
He liked her use of “we.” As if they were a team. Strange, as he’d have never imagined having that with a woman.
“Here’s to hoping the Lady Frieda is open to a bargain.” He’d hate to have to use his authority to confiscate the artifacts.
“No need to bargain,” the woman said, entering with the writing implements. “If my collection can help, then, by all means, take it.”
“You will be compensated,” Kormac stated.
“I’ve already been paid enough.” Lady Frieda smiled at Fionna.
Fionna fidgeted. “You do know I won’t be staying in Srayth. Once my business is concluded I’ll be returning to Acca.”
For some reason, her statement bothered him, but Kormac didn’t understand why. She had no reason to stay.
Lady Frieda didn’t appear upset. “Perhaps it’s time I travelled further than this ranch. That is, if you’d be willing to allow me to visit.”
“I would like that. And I will return to see you before I go.” Fionna’s face turned wistful. “I would like to learn more about my mother.”
They left soon after, Fionna having transcribed the warning on the painting, him cradling his new sword in his lap and some of the medallions in his pouch. He’d send soldiers to fetch the rest of the collection and also drop off some gifts in return.
Fionna appeared sunk in thought on their trip back to the citadel, and that suited him fine because he found himself also contemplative. Not about the situation with Lomar or the Pass, but about Fionna. Fionna, who planned to leave.
Then again, why would she stay? Srayth wasn’t a kind place to witches. They didn’t hang them anymore, nor hunt them, but the sentiment remained negative.
What would she even do if she remained? Once they took care of this thing in the Pass, he’d have no need for her.
Didn’t need, but he wanted.
Wanted her as a man desired a woman.
Wanted her for more than a simple night of pleasure.
Wanted… the impossible.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Fionna couldn’t believe she’d met her grandmother. Of all the things she’d expected on this trip, actually finding family never even made the list.
She didn’t remember much of her childhood with her parents. Could barely recall their faces, just the feeling of being loved.
Amelia had told her that part of the reason why the magistrate contacted the witches’ keep was because they could find no family for the orphaned Fionna. Given what she’d done, placing her with the witches seemed the best solution.
While sad she’d missed out on knowing Lady Frieda because of a falling out over her parents eloping, Fionna also couldn’t deny being glad she’d trained as a witch. How horrible it must be to have powers and not understand them. To live in a place where people would condemn you just for being born different.
The warlord appeared quite taken with his new sword, stroking it as they rode, leading her to ask as they approached his citadel, “You appear to be in love.”
