Free The Scourge of Muirwood by Jeff Wheeler Page A

die, Kieran Ven.”
    The look he gave her was full of pain and fury. “It was my time to go to Dahomey. I had a duty to perform and you thwarted it.”
    She shook her head. “It was the Medium’s will that we journeyed to Lambeth.”
    “You say it as if you could command it. As if you did command it to summon me to that burning tower.” He frowned with fury. “I have never done anything so foolish in my life. I deserve to be dead. I was careless. But there was a need drawing me after you. I could do nothing but worry and pace after you left. Almost at once I regretted it. So I left the laundry maid in the shadows, climbed the wall like a thief and ran after you. Someone saw me, of course, and summoned the servants and the guards. I had to knock down four men just to get to the tower door, and then the flames!” He winced with a spasm. “You nearly got us all killed.”
    The door opened and Marciana entered, her face smudged with soot, her gown ruined by the smoke. “I heard voices. He has come around?”
    Lia had never seen Marciana look so disheveled, but some of her strength had returned. The weeping child from the tower was gone now. The only gown she had was the one Dieyre had left her, and she clutched at the bodice with one hand to guard her modesty. There was fire in her eyes, especially after she learned from Lia that Reome was carrying Dieyre’s child.
    “Ah, the reason for our delay,” Kieran said gruffly, still muttering in Pry-rian. “And my downfall.”
    “Be civil,” Lia advised back. “She is the sister of an earl who is Demont’s ally.”
    Marciana held up her hand. “Please…do not speak in a language I cannot understand. Lia, please, I insist. I owe you my gratitude, Kieran Ven. I wish to express it myself. You saved my life today.”
    Kieran looked at her coldly. “Your gratitude is of no recompense to me, my lady. You were not my mission. Permit me a little disappointment that I cannot stand to greet you properly. I do not want or require your sympathies.”
    “I said be civil,” Lia said thickly.
    Marciana looked at him, surprised at his tone. “You were injured on my behalf, like it or no. I owe you every courtesy, despite how you treat me.” She looked at Lia next. “It is all arranged. We have secured room aboard a small fishing vessel which will take us upriver in the morning. There, we will hire out a carter and return to Muirwood.”
    Kieran interrupted. “I do not want to go to Muirwood. Send me to Pry-Ree.”
    Marciana shook her head. “Impossible. It is too far and you need a healer. You will convalesce at Muirwood.”
    Lia set her hand on Kieran’s shoulder as she saw him ready to argue. “We all understand your desire to return to your homeland. Muirwood is the gathering point. They will better be able to care for you there.”
    “I do not wish to be cared for, nursed, or in general, pitied. Who are you to control my destiny in such a way? I would rather be tossed in the cargo of a ship headed to Bridgestow and take my chances amidst the vermin.”
    Marciana looked at Lia and then back at Kieran. “Men are insufferable when they are hungry. Have you eaten since this morning? You have not. Reome, my dear, can you see to some food? Thank you so very much. I will not forget your role in freeing me. I will safeguard you. Thank you.” After Reome left, Marciana folded her arms and squinted at Kieran. “Did my brother treat you any worse than this after you saved his life, Lia?”
    Lia also folded her arms and glared down at Kieran. “He has not retched on you yet, Ciana, but give his stomach a moment after he is eaten, and I will hazard he just may.”
    “I am doomed to never walk again and you mock me,” Kieran said, closing his eyes and shaking his head. His face contorted with pain and he writhed on the bed.
    Marciana approached and grabbed his hand and squeezed it fiercely. “Then I shall be your crutch, your stay, your helper. If you cannot walk because of