said Berenice.“I checked the riverbanks near the castle first. I’ve been up to the mill, and I was on my way down to the bridge,” Gareth replied.“Did you see any sign of Jessamine?”“None. I don’t expect to find any, either,”“I suspect you’re right. We saw nothing, no sign of anyone on the forest paths.”“Well, I’ll walk you back to the castle. I won’t leave you alone here. I can fetch the boat later.”“We were headed to the a ford near the monastery when my horse bolted.”They walked, Gareth leading the horse.“You should never have come here, not even with William’s men.”“I know this forest, Gareth. I used to come here a lot, once.”“But something frightened you here today, and frightened you badly.”“The forest itself, I think. It’s as though the forest is alive, as though it’s more than just trees and bushes and brambles. I felt something here, something old, something – evil.” She shuddered and crossed herself.He longed to draw her into the protective circle of his arms and hold her and keep her safe.And never let her go.She stumbled on the rocky path, and in the next instant, at least part of his wish came true.This time, she didn’t move away from him.“Gareth,”
