Total pages in book: 40
Estimated words: 36428 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 182(@200wpm)___ 146(@250wpm)___ 121(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 36428 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 182(@200wpm)___ 146(@250wpm)___ 121(@300wpm)
She nodded.
Cree gave her a gentle shove to move over and make room for him and once she did, he slipped in beside her and eased her against him to snuggle close. “You must get all the rest you can so you will be well enough to leave as soon as possible.”
When she didn’t answer him, he glanced down and saw she was asleep. The wound to her head had taken more of a toll on her than she would admit. He should have never taken her exploring tonight but he hadn’t wanted to leave her alone and it had proven helpful. They now knew that some type of beast roamed the keep, proving they weren’t safe here.
Cree let himself drift in a light sleep, alert to slightest noise and knowing the distinctness of each one. It had proven helpful often as it did now when he caught a distant sound that was unfamiliar… until it got closer.
It was the sound of claws on the stone floor and it came to a stop just outside the bedchamber door. Then he heard the sniff and the rustle of the latch, and Cree imagined the animal poking at it with his nose. A low rumbling growl sounded, then once again he heard the sound of claws being dragged along the stone floor. The animal was finished with them for the night.
The question was… what did he want with them?
CHAPTER 7
Cree woke with a start realizing his wife wasn’t in his arms or in bed with him and that he had fallen asleep. He jumped out of bed ready to tear the keep apart to find her only to see her sitting in one of the two chairs in the room, combing her hair, and to his relief looking better than yesterday.
She smiled and gestured.
“So, you think I am getting old that I did not remain awake all night, do you?” he asked with a playful scowl as he walked toward her. She laughed, though it couldn’t be heard, but to Cree her laughter rang in his ears, having imagined how it would sound time and again. With one arm, he caught her around her waist and brought her up on her feet. He was about to teasingly take her to task for her comment when she kissed him.
The strength of her kiss told him that she was feeling better and for that he was grateful, but he also felt the tenseness in her slim body. Her concern remained and rightfully so. A beast stalked the keep and after last night, Cree wondered if it stalked them.
A rap sounded at the door and Cree released Dawn to step in front of her, instinctively shielding her before calling out for the person to enter.
Olwen stepped in. “The morning meal awaits.”
“Thank you. We will be there shortly,” Cree said and when she turned to leave, he asked, “Has the fog lifted?”
“I’m afraid not,” Olwen said, shaking her head, “if anything it has worsened.”
“Is that usual for this area?” Cree asked.
“It happens from time to time, but it passes,” Olwen assured him.
“And the wolves? They are more brazen in where they wander when the fog is heavy?”
“This was their land long before it became ours, so we are the trespassers. Do not take too long. The food is hot,” Olwen said and walked out, closing the door behind her.
Cree turned a scrunched brow at his wife. “She defends the wolves.”
Dawn shivered as she gestured.
“Aye, this is a strange place. I should have brought Beast then—”
Dawn interrupted him with a frantic wave of her hand, then gestured.
“You’re right. With so many wolves about, he would have been in danger and would have fought to the death to protect you.”
Dawn rested her hand on her chest and shook her head, letting him know how much that would hurt her. Then she hurried to gesture again.
“You want me to go check on my horse?”
Dawn nodded as he spoke, then talked with her hands once again.
“True. I am told my horse is safe, but I have not seen that for myself.”
Her hands continued to gesture.
“I will not leave you alone to explore the village and see what I can learn. Besides, you heard Olwen, the fog has grown denser. I won’t be able to see anything.” This time he was the one who shook his head. “But I don’t know that for sure if I don’t see it for myself.”
Dawn nodded, her hands once again speaking for her.
“We agreed we wouldn’t separate, and you should know where the stable is located just in case—”
She shook her head slowly but waved her hand vigorously in front of her face to remind him of what they discussed last night and that she would not leave without him.
He grabbed her hands to stop her from arguing with him. “I remember well what was said last night. It is my concern of leaving you alone that disturbs me.”