Total pages in book: 126
Estimated words: 116749 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 584(@200wpm)___ 467(@250wpm)___ 389(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 116749 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 584(@200wpm)___ 467(@250wpm)___ 389(@300wpm)
“What are you doing out here by yourself? When you are my wife, you’ll go no place without my permission.”
Elysia stood and turned, making sure to keep her distance from Clyde. He had a demanding tongue and a brash manner. His thick arms and meaty fists always swung far too quickly when annoyed, but then he always seemed annoyed. Moray, a gentle soul of a man, bore a crooked nose thanks to a senseless punch from Clyde. Elysia wanted nothing to do with him. He, however, thought otherwise.
“I spoke with Chieftain Emory and he is considering my offer to wed you,” Clyde said. “Though he believes you should have time to consider it or any other proposals that might come your way.” He puffed out his ample chest. “There is no chance of that happening since I intend to make it known that no one better stand in my way of marrying you.”
Fear of marrying Clyde had her speaking up. “I will not marry you, Clyde, and I cannot be forced to wed you. Bliss made sure of that.”
He fisted his thick hand and shook it at her. “I’ll see about that. You will wed me on that you can be sure.”
Elysia did not want to engage in a senseless argument with him for fear of where it may lead. “I need to go.”
“Where do you go?” Clyde demanded.
Elysia always kept a truthful tongue and it troubled her to lie, though at the moment it was for the best. “I go to tend a woman with child.”
“You will be with child fast enough once we wed and you will submit like a good wife or you will feel the strength of my hand,” he warned, again shaking his fist at her.
Fear rippled through her. She had seen the consequences of what some women suffered at their husband’s hand and she wanted no part of such a dangerous union.
“I must go,” Elysia said and took cautious steps away from him.
“Mark my words, Elysia, I will have you as my wife,” Clyde said.
Elysia shivered at the thought and she hurried off, realizing now that she had to see this done or the consequence could prove disastrous. The problem was that she had no idea how to see it done. How did she ask a man to marry her?
Her legs grew heavier the closer she got to Saber’s croft and she wondered if something warned her away from what she was about to do. Or was it simply fear that weighed her down? She stopped a moment, trying to gather her courage. Her thoughts went to her sister Bliss. How would it be for her when she met her husband, the cursed lord? Would she shake with fright or cower in fear?
Elysia smiled softly. Bliss would do neither even if frightened. She would hold herself with pride and stay strong. She needed to do the same. If her sister could sacrifice so much to protect her and Annis, she certainly could see this done so that she was less of a burden. Then hopefully she could somehow find a way to help Annis save their sister before the curse claimed her.
She kept a tempered pace, needing to gather her courage as she went. It was there somewhere inside her or so Bliss had told her time and again. Annis had needed no such encouragement, nothing stopped her from doing as she pleased or voicing her opinion. There had been times Elysia wished she could be like Annis, but courage did not come as easily to her as it did to Annis. Now, though, she had no choice—she had to find her courage.
When Saber’s croft came into view, her feet stopped of their own accord and she worried she would not be able to take another step. She glanced around at the small plot of land. A pen held a couple of lambs and a small field looked ready for its last harvest to be picked. The cottage itself was small and she wondered how such a large man could fit in it.
She jumped when the door opened and Saber stepped outside.
He wore no cloak, only his plaid and shirt which were dark in color. He was built solid with thick muscle. His hair was dark, though when the sun caught it, it highlighted the auburn strands that ran through it and it brushed his broad shoulders in a gentle wave. That he was endowed with fine features was undeniable and that she found him appealing also was undeniable.
She definitely favored the man, though she had denied it time and again when her sisters had mentioned it. However, there was no point in denying it any longer. She did like Saber and while that should make her task easier, it did not. She might favor him, but what if he did not favor her?