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)
She turned. Her husband lay naked beneath the fresh bed linens she had dressed the bed with. The soft green wool blanket rested just below his waist and he held his hand out to her.
She had tried to stop admiring his nakedness, but it was no use. She enjoyed seeing him nude, his body ever so appealing to her eyes and her senses. And she feared if she climbed in bed with him at this moment, she would attack him and demand he make love to her.
Tired as she was, she still wanted him. It made no sense but there it was and she refused to surrender to her traitorous feelings. She had to remain aware of his betrayal. How he ever thought to convince her that his love for her was real, she didn’t know.
“I am enjoying the rain.” She hugged herself.
“You are cold.”
“No!” she shouted as he threw the covers back. “I am fine, stay where you are.”
Had she heard a laugh? She was not certain.
“Go to sleep,” she ordered. “I will be to bed soon.”
“Do not be long. I miss you.”
Aliss was glad when he blew out the candle on the small table beside the bed. The only light now was from the fire in the hearth, which granted her a modicum of solitude in her dark little niche at the window.
She stared out at the dark night, letting the steady pounding of the rain fill her mind. No thoughts, no wishes, no wondering what tomorrow would bring, just here and now with the rain.
She took a deep breath, when suddenly she thought she saw a greenish glow. She squinted, searching the darkness again.
Aliss strained her eyes some more, gasped and made a dash for the bed. She jumped in, pulling the covers nearly over her head and pressing her body against her husband.
He turned and draped an arm over her, his light snores telling her he was sound asleep. She did not care as long as he was there beside her.
She tried to close her eyes, but she popped them open as soon as they closed. She continued in that fashion until finally sleep claimed her and filled her dreams with two blazing green eyes staring at her from the woods.
Chapter 24
Aliss had been thrilled to find the remnants of a garden just outside the cottage. Wild onions grew between the weeds and she had even found fairy ring mushrooms. Of course, she would leave them undisturbed, not wanting to upset the wee forest people.
After the heavy rain, she intended to give the rich soil another day to dry. Besides, there was much to keep her busy.
The kitchen in the keep was being cleaned by a bevy of women. All would make use of it until the cottages could be fully repaired and their hearths made ready for cooking.
Aliss along with Anna located a cottage suitable to serve her healing needs and set to cleaning it. Presently, she used a corner in the great hall to see to minor ills and injuries.
She and Anna had been working since early morning at cleaning out the place and had taken a rest to enjoy the food the women had brought to them from the kitchen. A long bench in the shade of the front yard served as their table and chairs.
“It is beautiful here,” Anna said, taking a deep breath of the warm fresh air.
“It is heaven on earth,” Aliss said and watched Anna nibble at her food. Something was on her mind. She only nibbled when she needed to express her thoughts.
“What troubles you in this paradise?” Aliss asked.
Anna knitted her brow, chewed her lip, until Aliss wanted to pull the words from her mouth. Instead, she encouraged her to voice her concerns.
“Share with me what troubles you.”
Anna’s head went up and her shoulders pulled back as if a weight had been lifted off them, and words rushed forth. “Many of us worry we will need to leave here.”
“Why?”
“Rogan will leave in the allotted time if you and he do not mend the rift between you.”
“No one need leave with Rogan. The isle belongs to us all.”
Anna shook her head. “Do not misunderstand me, Aliss. The clan cares for you. You are one of us, and we do not want to lose you either. We all believe you and Rogan love each other and that is what we hope you will consider. But we would never abandon our chieftain. He has seen us through many difficult times.”
Aliss had known there would be talk and she had not doubted the clan would take their leader’s side. He had, after all, saved them from a ravaging illness and had found a new home for them. Unfortunately, she had been the key to achieving his goals. Did they not care at all about her feelings?