Total pages in book: 105
Estimated words: 97306 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 487(@200wpm)___ 389(@250wpm)___ 324(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97306 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 487(@200wpm)___ 389(@250wpm)___ 324(@300wpm)
“Bloody hell,” he mumbled.
One delicate touch of her hand and he’d surrender to her, he was that hungry for her. His one consistent thought was to grab hold of her, toss her down on the bed, enter her swiftly, and ride her fast and hard to finally satisfy the aching need that tormented him and her as well.
“Bloody hell,” he mumbled again and warned himself to stop thinking about his wife or he might just return to his bedchamber, and… he shook his head, chasing away the vivid image that rushed into his head.
He needed to keep his wit about him. There were more important things that needed his attention, though he found his wife to always be at the top of the list. He shook his head again to clear it. Ever since he had discussed the possibility with Argus, Corwin, and Marsh that it could be someone who intended him harm, the idea had taken root, and tongues had begun to wag.
Sinead squawked, letting him know someone was nearby and took off in flight.
Varrick turned annoyed he had allowed his thoughts to grow so heavy that he had not heard who approached. And Sinead would not squawk at someone she knew.
“My lord, I did not mean to disturb, but I have had no chance to thank you for your generosity in helping me and my wife,” Seth said as he approached cautiously.
“It is my wife you should be thanking,” Varrick said. “Lady Fia has a far more generous heart than I do.”
“But I am wise enough to know that it is you who commands, my lord.” Seth smiled. “Age does have some value to it.”
Seth fell into step beside Varrick as he walked. “Were you a warrior, Seth?”
“I participated in my share of battles, when necessary, but it was the land, the earth itself, that I favored. One can feel the life pulsate in it.”
“You sound like my wife, connected to the land,” Varrick said, and noticed that his fine features held evidence of one who had toiled many years with the soil, his face weathered and wrinkled in some areas more than others.
“It is a special few who can come to know the earth so well,” Seth said.
Varrick halted abruptly. “Do you imply my wife is a witch?”
“Nay! Nay, my lord,” Seth said, shaking his head. “I would never suggest that. I have met women like your wife through my many years and have come to respect their wisdom. Much can be learned from them and the same with elders. Years lived earns wisdom.”
Varrick resumed walking, Seth once again keeping step with him. “Not to all.”
Seth laughed. “Only the lucky ones.”
Varrick smiled. “On that I can agree.”
“If I may offer some advice learned through the years, my lord?”
“You may,” Varrick said, curious as to what advice the older man would offer him.
“We often look to what we know, what is familiar to us when trouble strikes, but sometimes it is the unfamiliar, the unanswered that we should seek.”
“Like the God of Death suddenly visiting the area?”
“Death is something none of us can avoid.” Seth scratched his head. “But if he does visit here, would you not ask yourself why he lingers?”
“Seth. Are you disturbing Lord Varrick with your never-ending chatter?” Dysa scolded as she hurried to her husband’s side to slip are arm around his.
“My wife seems to think you need to be rescued, my lord,” Seth said with a chuckle.
“Seth!” Dysa scolded again and her husband chuckled even more.
“It was a pleasant talk we shared,” Varrick said, intrigued by the way Dysa looked at her husband. One could see how much she cared for him, worried over him, loved him. He had never noticed that before now, before Fia. What amazed him even more was that Seth looked at his wife the same way. They did not hide their love. They let it shine with pride.
“Very pleasant,” Seth concurred. “And may the rest of your day be as pleasant as well, my lord.”
Varrick watched the older couple walk away arm in arm, Dysa lying her head against her husband’s arm now and again as their laughter rang out. Their love had survived the years together, had grown stronger through those years. Could he and Fia have such a powerful love?
He sensed his wife before he saw her, and he did not stop the smile that rushed to his face when he spotted her. Her cheeks were flushed, her auburn hair loose and a bit unkempt as if she had rushed from their bed to find him. And her dark eyes held a spark of annoyance and damn but if he didn’t want to toss her over his shoulder and hurry her to their bedchamber.
Fia waited until she reached him to speak, her words meant for her husband’s ears alone, not that there were that many people about, but still, she would have no one hear her words but him.