“We can talk here,” she said, letting her annoyance show.

“I’d rather we take a walk.” He grabbed her cloak off the peg.

“After we eat,” she said.

“The morning fare will not be available for at least another hour, which gives us plenty of time for a walk through the village.”

She went to protest.

“I insist.”

She knew than that he planned on abducting her, forcing Slatter to come to him. He had laid a trap for Slatter and she feared what might be waiting for him. Her husband was going to be furious when he realized his mistake. She only hoped it wouldn’t be too late for either of them.

“What if I refuse,” she said, glaring at him.

He turned a smile that was more a sneer on her. “I didn’t think I could fool you, but the keep begins to wake and if you don’t want someone hurt—badly—I suggest you come with me.”

What choice did she have? If she screamed and alerted the keep to his presence, how many would die coming to her rescue? James? Eleanor? Carna? Snow? She shivered at the thought. She’d want none to die for her.

“My husband will come for you,” she warned.

“My plan exactly.” He threw her cloak at her. “Unless of course he’s fallen into my other trap and he’s brought to me.”

The thought of that ran a shiver of fear through her as she swung the cloak around to settle on her shoulders, then she approached him with caution.

“Alert someone and that person dies,” Sterling warned.

And it made her wonder if he intended to keep her alive until Slatter reached her or if he planned on greeting her husband with her dead body.

They made it through the keep without an incident, but Willow tensed when they came upon Snow as they walked through the village. She had forgotten that Snow walked with Thaw through the village each morning. It was a quiet time when Snow didn’t have to worry about maneuvering through the people that were mere shadows to her.

Thaw started barking as soon as the pup spotted them and wouldn’t stop.

Willow’s heart slammed in her chest. Of course, the pup would know the difference between Slatter and Sterling.

“It’s me and Slatter, and I think Thaw is worried you will stop and talk with us and delay his breakfast,” she hurried to say.

“Our morning walk always makes him hungry,” Snow said with a smile and scooped the pup up. “I’ll see you upon your return.”

“See you then,” Willow said, knowing her sister understood something was wrong. Thaw always ate before his morning walk.

“You handled that well,” Sterling praised. “Continue to do so and I’ll make your death swift and painless.”

Once they reached the woods, Sterling gave her a shove. “Keep walking.”

“My brother will find out what you’ve done,” she warned.

“That fool will believe the tale my warriors will weave and I will emerge the hero, having tried to save you from your evil husband. Unfortunately, you died in my arms, begging forgiveness for being so blind to his wicked ways. Now keep walking, my men will make sure Slatter is brought to me.” He laughed. “The same men who left his grandmother for dead when she refused to tell them where he was. Dunn will enjoy telling him how he had stuck her just enough for her to die slowly.”