Wed to the Barbarian (Barbarian Duet #1)

H e had to tell Jem.

Not only the truth about the disease, but all of it. The whole tale from top to bottom, as much as Cador dreaded it. He’d been the worst kind of fool to take Jem into his bed. To allow himself that glorious indulgence. He should regret it, yet he couldn’t.

While Jem fussed over Derwa in the barn the next morning, Cador paced the cottage, stone cold under his feet. Muttering, he threw another log onto the fire, welcoming the kiss of sparks on his bare toes.

Seeing Eseld’s agony was unbearable. A stark reminder of what was at stake. Cador hadn’t allowed himself to think of his nephew and the disease claiming him by inches like a bog of thick quicksand. Other children had had their legs amputated to halt the disease’s progression. It had failed.