Total pages in book: 110
Estimated words: 103370 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 517(@200wpm)___ 413(@250wpm)___ 345(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 103370 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 517(@200wpm)___ 413(@250wpm)___ 345(@300wpm)
“They could have ruined your plans and our husbands would have been lost to us,” Oria said with a shiver.
“But thankfully all went well with both your help and we are all reunited again,” Raven said, the joy of being home and talking with her friends filled her with warmth and, if only for a short while, contentment. “With Learmonth about to become my new home and with you knowing it well from being wed to the old lord for a short time, I thought you could tell me about the place. By the way, your da was wise in seeing you wed to Lord Burnell right after the attack to keep you safe until Royden returned.”
A tear slipped from the corner of Oria’s eye. “I didn’t realize that at first, but I did after a while. He knew Lord Learmonth didn’t have much time to live and being wed to him kept me safe. When he died I worried, but Royden came home not long after and though we had a bit of a rough start, our love managed to save us.” She wiped away another tear. “You wanted to know about Learmonth. It’s not a big keep. The rooms are small and drafty, the hearths always lit or you will shiver down to the bone. Detta is an old woman who oversees the keep. She probably can tell you more about the keep than I can. She is a quiet woman and keeps much to herself, but she is pleasant and was kind to me. They lacked a healer when I last was there, the old one that had served them well having died. There was also much building going on when I last saw the place, though what it was about I couldn’t say.”
“That helps much,” Raven said, though she already knew most of what Oria told her. She was hoping that Oria could provide something about Learmonth she didn’t know.
“You should also be aware that the walk, though it feels more like a climb the path is so steep, to the keep can be taxing,” Oria said, memories bringing a smile to her face. “At first, I dreaded leaving the keep, knowing the return home would exhaust me, but I proudly conquered that climb.”
Raven had no worry of the climb. She was more than fit and knew it wouldn’t rob her breath.
“You should also know that Wolf has settled many of his warriors there,” Purity said. “Your brothers had worried he planned another attack. But that was soon dismissed when it was learned the land now belonged to him as did the title, and he would soon make it his home. Though they didn’t know it would be with his wife—their sister.”
Raven learned a few missing pieces from her friends, but nothing that would change any of what she thought. She continued to talk with them, cherishing the moments of laughter they shared, recalling the past and even thinking that perhaps the future wouldn’t be as dismal as she had believed. She was among family now and that surely would help with the ordeal of being the wife of Wolf the Mighty Beast.
Supper filled her heart with joy. It was as if the troubling years had melted away, forgotten, and time hadn’t separated them. They were family once again, teasing, laughing, sharing happy stories of the past and promises of a bright future. Arran and Purity had remained, even though the snow had continued to fall lightly. They wanted to share in the reunion and so they sent word home to let their clan know they would return on the morrow.
Wolf arrived in the middle of supper along with his warriors. He took a seat next to Raven at the table by the hearth as he had done earlier. She once again had avoided the dais, preferring the warmth of the fire on her back. She’d been too cold far too many days and nights and she feared she’d never get warm again, so she kept close to a hearth when possible. She had confided that to her da when she had entered the Great Hall to find only him there at the dais. He had quickly moved to the table closest to the hearth and made it clear to all that was where they would have their meal.
She loved her da and had missed him terribly. It hurt her heart to know she would have to leave him so soon after only returning home, and make a home with a man that was more foe than husband.
Raven did notice that Wolf kept careful watch to all going on around him and his attention drifted to anything his sister had to say. He was learning about her, hearing how happy her childhood had been and the loving parents she’d had, and how she loved Royden from when she was just a wee lass.