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)
“How far to the horses, Penn?” Larkin asked.
Lynall’s grip tightened on Dawn’s arm hearing that. Dawn understood. If they reached the horses, more distance could be gained, delaying a rescue or worse, preventing it.
“We have a way to go yet,” Penn said, not breaking his stride as he remained in the lead.
“Keep moving,” Larkin ordered.
They had taken only a few steps when a scream was heard. It brought everyone to an abrupt stop.
“Call out, men,” Larkin ordered and all, but one man responded.
“The wolves,” one man said.
“I heard no growl,” Larkin said.
A sudden thud was heard but no scream.
“Call out!” Larkin ordered again.
Only Penn and another man responded.
“It’s no wolf,” Larkin said and yelled out, “Take your wife, Lord Cree, and leave us be. We had no intention of keeping her.”
“I will not raise a sword against you,” the one man called out.
“You raised your sword when you took my wife,” Cree shouted with snarling anger. “And you will pay for it. Lynall, have you or my wife been harmed.”
“Nay, sir, though Lady Dawn is in pain from a shove she received and being forced to walk.”
A raging roar more frightening than any wolf growl pierced the fog and when it was done, Cree called out, “Dolan is moving toward you, Lynall. He will bring you and my wife to me.”
“You can have your wife, Lord Cree, but not Lynall. She comes with us,” Larkin called out.
“I think not,” Cree shouted.
“Lord Clouston sent us to get her. She is his niece. I caution you on making him your foe,” Larkin said.
“And I caution you,” Cree called out with a warning that no fool would ignore. “Stop Lynall from leaving and I will see you all dead.”
“I’m done. I want no more of this,” the one man said and ran off into the fog and a thud was heard after he took only a few steps.
“You’re not going to let any of us live, are you?” Larkin called out.
“Your men are not dead… YET,” Cree shouted. “Now let my wife and Lynall go.”
“It’s not worth it. Let’s go,” Larkin said, seeing a shadow emerge from the fog. “We leave now!”
Penn turned, grabbed the dagger at Larkin’s waist and slit his throat, then he turned back and reached out, giving Dawn a powerful shove as he ripped Lynall away from her, and sent Dawn tumbling to the ground.
Dolan hurried to help Dawn up as a furious roar broke through the fog once again.
“I’m going to kill you!” Cree screamed as his shadow rushed through the fog toward Penn.
Dolan threw out his arm to stop Cree from going any further and Cree turned a furious glare on him.
“Leave him to Lord Tiernan,” Dolan said. “They are old friends.”
“I will not leave Lynall with him,” Cree said, his wife’s eyes pleading with him to help the healer.
“Lynall has served her purpose. Penn no longer needs her,” Dolan said, easing Dawn into her husband’s arm. “Leave the wolves to deal with him.” He nodded, looking beyond Penn.
Cree saw endless pairs of yellow eyes and one pair of green eyes glowing through the fog right behind Penn.
Dolan looked directly at Penn. “Let her go. You got what you wanted.”
“When I lead this pack, Dolan. You will be the first to go.” Penn sneered.
“You always were a fool, Penn,” Dolan said. “Release Lynall so you can have your fabled victory.”
Penn shoved Lynall toward Dolan as he stepped forward to catch her before she could fall.
“Time for all of us to return to the keep,” Dolan said, keeping hold of Lynall. “Follow me.”
“Where is Sim?” Lynall asked anxiously.
“Gone to end your problem once and for all,” Dolan said.
Cree lifted his wife in his arms and kissed her brow. “I cannot wait to go home.”
Dawn nodded and patted her chest, then rested her head on her husband’s shoulder.
They hadn’t taken that many steps when the snarling and growling wolves in a vicious fight could be heard echoing through the woods.
CHAPTER 11
Dawn snuggled suggestively against her husband, the thin shift she wore barely a barrier to her nakedness.
Cree snagged his wife in a tight embrace, keeping her pressed flat against his side. “We will not couple even though my shaft disagrees and continues to ache me. It has been too long for us both and that will result in my giving you a good pounding—”
She smiled and nodded, the thought appealing.
“Nay, we will not take the chance. The fog has lifted these last two days, and you have healed nicely thus far. I will not take the chance of disturbing your wounds and delaying our departure. I want to go home and once home I will pound you until you are well satiated.”
She shrugged and traced a cross on her chest.
“Aye, I promise to pound you relentlessly,” he said with a chuckle.