Annis’s smile returned and she chuckled. “It was our own words that did it. Remember how after you struck that bargain with Lawler, on behalf of Rannick’s father, to wed Rannick and save Brogan and me from being forced to wed, that Brogan and I quickly spoke up agreeing to wed to prevent you from making such a terrible decision? That is what did it. I made the choice of my own free will as did Brogan, sealing our fate.” She chuckled again. We are lucky it turned out so well. He is a good husband. He encourages me to be me. We are building the most wonderful village just as I always wanted to.” The few tears that had gathered in her eyes slipped out. “I am happy, but I miss you and Elysia. I worried more about you than Elysia. She had Saber—Lord Odran—to keep her safe. You had no one. You had to face the cursed lord on your own.”
Bliss reached out to give her sister’s hand a comforting squeeze. “Thankfully all worked out for the best and we will soon get to see Elysia again. Though something tells me you have plans to see her sooner rather than later.”
“Elysia’s husband needs to know what we have discovered and the final plan we decide upon, so he can make certain she is kept safe while we dig for more answers,” Annis said. “Brogan and I can take the news to her.”
“I am sure Rannick will send warriors with you to see you and Brogan kept safe,” Bliss said, a request she knew would not be necessary. “I can wait no longer. I am curious. Tell me about the witch.”
An image of the witch came to mind as Annis spoke. “She has an abrupt and commanding manner, but then she possesses wisdom far beyond the ordinary, and I imagine it is difficult for her to tolerate fools. She speaks, yet her words are not always clear. It is as if she wants you to ponder them and decide on your own. She has a regal bearing about her and I cannot help but wonder over her origin.”
“How did she come to know Gunna and Lady Aila?” Bliss asked.
Annis shook her head. “That is a question I never thought to ask.”
“I wonder if Gunna will recognize the bairn she hid all those years ago,” Bliss said.
“Perhaps she resembles her mum, though if that was so, surely someone would have noticed,” Annis said and bounced off the bench. “Let’s go ask Lady Helice about Lady Aila. Surely, she was familiar with her.”
“She will wonder why we ask,” Bliss cautioned. “And if I learned one thing while here, it is that Lady Helice is much wiser than anyone realizes.”
Annis sat. “At least you have a nice mother-in-law. Mine is a shrew.”
“Watch your words, Annis, she is Brogan’s mother,” Bliss cautioned.
“You saw for yourself what an ill-tempered woman she is and if you witnessed the beating with a stick I took to protect Damia, you would have done more than swear at her.” Annis grinned. “You probably would have thrown yourself over me as I did with Damia.”
“You are right about that. I would never stand by and see you or Elysia hurt.” Bliss turned silent for a moment. “I cannot imagine what it must have been like for Gunna to leave her sister knowing she faced death.”
Tears hurried in Annis’s eyes once again. “I worried every day that I was too slow in finding the witch and seeing the curse ended before it claimed your life. I still worry about it with Rannick having lost three wives.”
“His wives did not die because of the curse. They were murdered,” Bliss said and watched her sister’s eyes spread wide. She hurried to reassure her. “Rannick keeps me safe.”
“What makes you different from his other three wives?” Annis asked, shaking her head. “There is no rhythm or reason to the attacks made on our lives. Some hunt us for coins, others because they believe it is the righteous thing to do. They believe themselves warriors against evil. But who put this nonsense in their heads? Who convinced them to go after the cursed lords?”
“You have always told me a foundation is necessary when building. If you don’t have something firm to hold up the structure then it will not remain firm and secure. It will eventually crumble. We need to start there—with the foundation.”
“And the foundation would be?” Annis asked.
“The reason this person is pitting people against our husbands. This man pays the greedy ones, but the other men fight to destroy evil. This person is after something, and he does not care who dies for him to achieve his goal.”
“Power,” Annis said. “It seems the more power men get, the more they want. Isn’t that the true reason Lady Alia and Lord Brochan died? The King simply would not be denied gaining more power.” She wrinkled her face. “But who gains power if our husbands die? Their fathers still live. It makes no sense.”