Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 90574 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 453(@200wpm)___ 362(@250wpm)___ 302(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90574 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 453(@200wpm)___ 362(@250wpm)___ 302(@300wpm)
Rogan watched her run, skip, and laugh with joy. She was happy, but for how long?
He sat by the river’s edge lost in his thoughts.
Was what he was doing fair to Aliss?
Should he have told her the truth before accepting her marriage proposal?
He would chance losing her that way, but either option could mean loss.
He would be bound to her once he wed her and no one could separate them. There was a chance that with time she would come to understand and forgive him for deceiving her.
What else could he really do?
He had a debt to settle and nothing would stop him from settling it. He had waited too many years for this moment.
“So you wed her.”
Rogan turned slowly, not surprised that Derek sounded as if he accused him.
“She is a good woman,” Derek said, his arms crossed. “She enlightens the people of the sudden nuptials with sheer happiness.”
Rogan walked up to him. “Spit out what you have to say, Derek.”
“She has been unselfish with her skills and has healed us. Is it fair to use her like this?”
“I have no choice.”
“Don’t you? Or have you convinced yourself you don’t so that you don’t feel like such a bastard for lying to her?”
“Wedding her was never part of my plan,” Rogan said.
“Then why is it now?”
“Why do you defend her so?”
“She healed me when I thought for sure I would die.”
“You never told me you thought you would die,” Rogan said.
“There were nights I thought that if I closed my eyes I would never open them again. Aliss held my hand and convinced me that I would live to love many women.” Derek laughed. “She understood each and every one of our fears and helped us combat them while she fought the enemy within us. She never gave up on any of us. She did everything to ease our suffering. I wish to do the same for her.”
“I would never hurt Aliss.”
“You do by marrying her,” Derek argued.
“She must wed, you know that. Should I let her wed someone who would forbid her to heal?”
Derek shook his head. “I would not wish that fate on her.”
“Then trust my decision.”
“Do you?” Derek asked.
“It is the decision I arrived at and the one I will see through to the end.”
“I hope it is a wise one, for Aliss’s sake and for yours,” Derek admitted.
“Finally, words I want to hear,” Rogan said with a slap to Derek’s back. “And ones that I wholeheartedly agree with.”
“As does most of the village. You should know a large celebration is already being planned.”
“I am pleased,” Rogan said. “I want the day to be special for Aliss. One she will always remember.”
Derek looked about to protest once again.
“You have always stood by me. Do I need ask if you will continue to stand by me?”
“No,” Derek said firmly. “That is a question you need never ask me.”
Rogan nodded, pleased that his friend remained his comrade. “Let us go share some ale, and while preparations are made for the celebration, we shall also prepare.”
The two men walked off, not noticing the pair of green eyes in the shadow of the woods that watched them depart.
Chapter 17
“I cannot believe we are wed,” Aliss said, staring at her hand locked firmly in Rogan’s.
“How can you not?” Rogan laughed. “Just look at this celebration.”
Aliss smiled and glanced around the village. Tables and benches had been moved outside, a summer’s bright blue sky provided the perfect canopy, and everyone had supplied enough food for double the people.
Music, chatter, and laughter mingled as the whole village celebrated the joining of the Wolf and the healer. Gifts were even given to the couple, to Aliss’s surprise—especially since many of the gifts were for her in particular.
Laurel and Peter had presented them with a beautifully crafted twig basket. James had carved her a small jar with a lid for her herbs, Anna had sewed a wool pouch, and a robust Ivan, with tears shining in his eyes, had presented her with a stunningly carved cross.
She knew the gifts were meant for more than just her wedding and she was grateful for each and every one of them.
What nagged at her, however, was the fact that the villagers assumed she would now be residing with the clan. It was not that she disliked the idea. It was that she desperately missed her sister.
Aliss had always assumed that Fiona would witness her wedding and enjoy the celebration to follow. She had never dreamed of getting married without her sister present. She had felt their forced separation more than ever preceding her vows, wanting so much for her sister to be there with her. She had half expected to see Fiona appear, so strong was the thought of her.
Aliss hoped that Fiona would understand the need for her to wed so quickly. She also hoped that her sister would accept Rogan as family with little difficulty. If she did then Tarr would also accept him.