The Bond is Back

Ella

There’s a commotion outside of the cottage. It’s just after noon, from what I can tell, and the little village girl who follows the witch around everywhere has just dropped off a basket full of cold sliced meat, bread, cheese, and an assortment of fruits and vegetables for a quick lunch when the door to the single room cottage bursts open.

I rise from the pile of clothing and gifts we’ve been given from the nearby village, in the process of packing up for our journey home, when Ryatt strides in and shuts the door with a snap. He locks it and stares down at me absently.

“Uh, are you okay?” I straighten as he turns to the single window and pulls the curtains closed. “Ryatt, where’s the baby?”

“She’s with Westfall.”

“He’s here?”

“He just arrived.”

Something in Ryatt’s tone puts me on edge. ……