“I spoke with James and he told me—”

“That many of the warriors believe me responsible for the attack on Walcott.”

Willow looked at him befuddled.

“I’m not deaf to the wagging tongues around me.”

“And do you know that many believe you sneak out at night and prowl the area?”

“I’ve heard that as well.”

“Do you?” she asked.

He didn’t answer and when he turned away from her, she felt a pang to her heart.

Slatter ran his hand through his hair and shook his head as he turned to face her again. “It is better you don’t know some things.”

“How can you say that?” she asked incredulously.

“Easily, since I don’t want you harmed in any way.”

She walked over to him, her hand shooting out to poke him in the chest. “You harm me by lying to me.”

“I didn’t lie to you. I just didn’t mention it to you.”

“So you keep secrets from me.” She turned away. “It’s time I do the same.”

Slatter grabbed her arm and swung her back around to face him. “You’ll keep no secrets from me, wife.”

“If you can keep secrets so can I,” she argued.

“I do it to protect you.”

“Or is it that you don’t trust me?” she challenged.

“What would you have said to me if I told you I was going to search the woods at night to see if I could find this culprit?”

“You searched the woods?” she asked.

“From the look in your eyes, it is more than a simple question you ask me, wife, and a good way to avoid answering my question.”

“I would have gone with you,” she said, “but then you knew that and tried to divert me from the real reason you snuck out of the keep at night.”

“And what would that be?” Slatter asked with caution, knowing his wife was not one who could be easily fooled.

“You were meeting someone. Someone you trusted. Someone who could do what you couldn’t, go wherever he pleased.” She gasped. “Walcott. He hadn’t just arrived. He’s been here for a while. He’s not someone anyone pays mind to. Doesn’t want to pay mind to because of his constant grumbling.” She paced, thinking, and stopped suddenly. “It’s why he warned me about the danger in the darkness. He found something in the darkness, didn’t he? That’s why he was attacked.”

Slatter went to her and gripped her wrists in his hands. “Listen well, wife. You’ll leave this be. I’ll not have you suffer Walcott’s fate.”

“You’re my husband and I love you. We’re in this together whether you like it or not,” Willow warned. “I’ll see you safe just as you do for me.”

His eyes smoldered with anger. “I’ll not lose you.”

“You think I feel any differently. The thought of never seeing you again, never feeling your touch, your kiss, frightens me something fearful. Your lies frighten me as well.”

“I lie to protect those around me,” he said.