Total pages in book: 31
Estimated words: 30228 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 151(@200wpm)___ 121(@250wpm)___ 101(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 30228 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 151(@200wpm)___ 121(@250wpm)___ 101(@300wpm)
“I never gave thought to learning. I thought my life was what my father deemed it to be, but you inspire me to think differently,” Purity said, a smile returning to her face, a little less forced this time.
“We could learn some things together, even teach each other things we already know,” Raven suggested.
Purity actually laughed softly. “I doubt there’s anything I can teach you.”
“That’s not true. You know the woods between our land and maneuver it with ease. My father will only let me go so far into the woods alone and with not being that familiar with the land and no knowledge of direction, I would get lost.”
“The sun, the moon, and the stars tell you much, but trees impart much knowledge as well,” Purity said, realizing she was knowledgeable about something.
“Tell me,” Raven urged, eager to learn.
“If you look to go north in the woods, then look for the side of a tree where the bark is dull and dark. That side faces north. The tips of the trees look to the sun so they point south. If there is one thing you should remember about the woods over all else, it’s how the woods alert you to danger. The animals and birds fill the forest with delightful sounds, but when the forest turns silent—beware. Something is there that frightens them silent. Something that doesn’t belong, something unnatural to them.”
“That’s amazing. How did you learn those things?”
“Mostly from the forest itself, some from a tracker who took pity on me when I got lost in the woods one day and my father beat me with a stick for my foolishness, and—” Purity turned silent as if afraid to say more.
“I won’t tell. You have my word,” Raven said, knowing Purity had another secret.
“You must not ever tell,” Purity begged.
“Never, ever, you have my word.”
Purity leaned in close to Raven. “There is a woman who lives alone in the woods—”
“The witch,” Raven whispered. “You visited her?”
“No,” Purity said, shaking her head vigorously. “Father would punish me severely if I did that. I’ve come across her a few times and she told me some things about the woods I didn’t know.”
“She’s knowledgeable,” Raven said. “I’d like to meet her.”
“One day if we walk in the woods, we may cross her path,” Purity said.
“Or we could hunt for her cottage,” Raven said excited at the prospect.
“That could bring her harm and I wouldn’t want to do that.”
“You’re right. Hopefully our paths will cross when we walk in the woods,” Raven said agreeing, not wanting to bring the woman harm, though hunting for her cottage would be much more exciting.
“Raven!”
Raven cringed at her da shouting out her name.
Purity turned pure white hearing her brother shout out.
“Purity, you better show yourself now.”
Purity rushed to her feet, disturbing the sleeping kitten who hurried to cling to her.
“Don’t,” Raven warned, grabbing Purity’s arm. “Give me King and go home.”
“But Bayne knows I’m here,” Purity protested.
“No, he doesn’t. He’s guessing. Hurry home, stop and gather some plants, and when he returns tell him that’s what you were doing.”
“If he finds out I’m lying—”
“He won’t. We’re the only two who know and I’m not telling.”
“Raven!” her da shouted again.
“I’m warning you, Purity,” Bayne called out.
Raven held her hands out for the kitten.
Purity kissed the top of the kitten’s head. “Go with Raven, I’ll be back to visit soon.”
The kitten meowed softly and didn’t protest when Purity handed him to Raven. It was as if he understood her.
“Go!” Raven urged again and Purity took off.
Raven made her way out of the woods to hear Arran arguing with Bayne.
“Purity has not been here. She has not asked me to wed her again,” Arran said, exasperated at repeating it.
“Raven, have you seen Purity?” her da asked as soon as he spotted her, which had Bayne and Arran turning her way.
“No, I haven’t,” she said.
“You’re lying,” Bayne snapped. “You’re holding that kitten I caught Purity with one time when I was here.”
“King is my kitten,” Raven said and the look Arran sent her told her he knew she was lying. At least he didn’t betray her, but Arran wouldn’t do that to family. “Purity may like the kitten, but King’s mine.”
“You lie easily,” Bayne accused again.
“That’s enough, Bayne,” her da threatened. “I won’t permit you to call my daughter a liar.”
Raven could have sworn she saw a storm brewing in Bayne’s blue eyes and when they narrowed, she knew he was trying to keep hold of his temper.
Bayne settled his stormy blue eyes on Raven, and she rushed to speak before he could.
“Purity and I have become friends and she is welcome to visit here whenever,”—she settled a defiant glare on Bayne— “she wants.”
The storm brewing in his eyes looked about to burst and the way he clenched his hands, Raven imagined he wished he could strangle her.