Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 91416 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 457(@200wpm)___ 366(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91416 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 457(@200wpm)___ 366(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
“She is a married woman, Phelan, under the care of the abbey,” Brother Ewan said.
So, this was the infamous Phelan. The one who had made her husband’s life a living hell and the one he had gone to talk to.
“Are you sure her husband didn’t just dump her here? There’s not much to her. She’s a wee thing. She probably wouldn’t survive a good pounding, nor is she fit enough to bear bairns. I wouldn’t count on her husband returning.”
The six men who entered after him laughed.
“My husband will return,” Dru said with such firm confidence that Phelan and his men looked surprised.
Phelan grinned. “Well, if he doesn’t, I’ll take you with me.”
His men snickered.
Dru smiled sweetly. “Hell would have to freeze solid for that to happen.”
The monks crossed themselves.
“I hope you are all blessing her since I let no woman talk to me that way,” Phelan sneered and gave Brother Ewan a shove as he released him.
Brother Ewan stumbled but righted himself. “We have graciously provided you with food and drink when you’ve stopped here as we do for most travelers. But I will not see you harm someone under our protection.”
Phelan took quick steps to Brother Ewan and jabbed his finger in his chest. “And how will you stop me… with prayer.”
His men laughed and helped themselves to the wine on the large table.
“If monks are the only men, you have the courage to threaten, I have a friend you might want to meet,” Dru said, fighting to hide her anger at the way he was treating Brother Ewan.
“You can introduce him to me after I teach you to hold that tongue of yours and then I’ll teach your friend to mind his own business.”
Dru’s chin went up defiantly. “The Monk wouldn’t like that.”
“What monk?” Phelan demanded.
“The Monk,” Dru emphasized.
Silence struck the room.
Phelan laughed. “Lie. You don’t know the infamous warrior, The Monk.”
Dru grinned. “Do you really want to find out?”
“Why not?” Phelan said and stepped toward her.
Dru didn’t budge, though her legs trembled. “Then how about my husband… Knox.”
The name stopped Phelan dead but only for a moment. He burst out laughing as did his men.
“Now I know you’re a liar. Knox would never wed someone as small and skinny as you.”
It took great effort for Dru to remain calm. “Maybe you don’t know Knox as well as you think you do.”
“I know him better than anyone,” Phelan claimed.
Dru laughed. “You’re a man who thinks only of himself, so I doubt you truly know anyone.”
The monks blessed themselves again and a few closed their eyes in silent prayer and Dru was glad since she needed all the help she could get.
Fury raged in Phelan’s eyes. “You need a good beating.”
Dru remained defiant. “And what do you think Knox would do to you if you beat his wife, not to mention what The Monk would do when he found out what you did to me.”
Phelan’s fury simmered, considering the consequences.
“I may just stick around to see if Knox is really your husband,” Phelan challenged.
“Then do wait outside since the lot of you stink horribly,” Dru said, fanning her hand in front of her face.
That did it. Phelan’s face burned red as he raised his hand ready to strike her.
“STRIKE MY WIFE AND YOU’RE DEAD!”
All turned to see Knox as he tossed a man, his face bloody, aside before he strode into the room and went straight to Phelan, giving him a hard shove and sending him stumbling and falling to his knees.
“NEVER. Not ever, go near my wife,” Knox threatened with an anger that was palpable.
Phelan got on his feet and got in Knox’s face. “You think I fear you.”
Knox shoved him again. “You’re a fool if you don’t since you beat the fear out of me when I was nothing more than a frightened lad. Nothing affects me, meaning I can kill with ease and no regret or remorse. I’ve been waiting for the day to finally get my revenge for the hell you put me through. I thought of many ways to get that revenge but there is only one that would satisfy me… ending your pathetic life. And believe me when I tell you, Phelan, my patience is as slim as a fine thread.”
“You owe me,” Phelan said with a bravado that the fear in his eyes betrayed. “I saved your family from starving and made you the skilled and fearless warrior you are.”
“And I am going to give you exactly what you deserve for making me a man who cares for nothing—now—if you’d like.” Knox’s hand reached back to grab the hilt of his sword.
Brother Ewan stepped forward. “Not in the Lord’s house.”
Phelan stepped away from Knox. “I have better things to do than fight an ungrateful man who refuses to see what I’ve done for him. And good luck with that sharp-tongued, skinny waif of a wife who—”