Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 92771 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 464(@200wpm)___ 371(@250wpm)___ 309(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92771 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 464(@200wpm)___ 371(@250wpm)___ 309(@300wpm)
“If our paths ever cross again—”
Cyril shook his head. “I don’t know you and I don’t care to know you.”
“You are wiser than your brothers.”
“Which is why I am alive and they’re not.”
Quint watched as Cyril disappeared into the woods and it wasn’t until he heard the tinkle of a talisman in the distance that he turned around and saw Shade standing by the cottage. He walked over to her, seeing the confused look on her lovely face and, keeping his sword in hand, he snagged her around her waist with his other arm.
She pressed against him, his strength always a source of comfort to her. “He walked away. What happened?”
“He is a wiser man than his brothers and chose not to die,” Quint said and felt a shiver rush through Shade. It could have been the chilly wind that whipped around them, but he sensed it was more of a relief that Shade felt. “Let’s go inside and warm ourselves with a hot brew.”
Shade got busy fixing a brew and keeping a tight hold on her tongue. She wanted to ask him if he would take his leave now, but she worried over his response. She didn’t want to hear that he was leaving her.
Silence hung heavily over them while Quint sat at the table and Shade kept herself busy, fearful of looking at him and seeing in his eyes that he had something to tell her. When she went to return to the hearth from where she was moving things randomly around on the narrow table under the window just to keep herself occupied, his arm hooked her waist and forced her onto his lap.
“I know what disturbs you and I will not depart just yet.”
Shade sighed at the reprieve and rested her brow against his. “But you will leave.”
He brushed his lips over hers. “I have no choice. I must see this mission done.”
Shade asked the question she feared to ask, “Will you return to me?”
“It depends.”
She raised her head. “On what?”
“On things we will discuss another time.” He moved her off his lap, not that he wanted to, but he had to. He had to think, and he couldn’t do that with her on top of him. “I am going to hunt for supper and to make sure Cyril left.” And to make sure no one lurked about, but that he didn’t tell her.
He kissed her, grabbed his cloak and sword, and left without saying another word.
Shade stared at the door a bit baffled. What did he mean it depends? What could his return depend on? With some of her worry abated, she fixed herself a hot brew and sat to spend time with her thoughts.
Three days and Quint had yet to mention that he would take his leave and while Shade was pleased that he stayed with her, she wondered what was keeping him here. They settled into a comfortable routine, never lacking for talk or laughter or making love. She realized now that it was love she felt for him, and she wished he felt the same, for if he did, he could never leave her. His heart simply wouldn’t let him. She often caught him looking into the woods as if he was expecting someone. Or could it be that he was aching to leave?
Shade glanced over her garden. She would be harvesting the last of her plants soon and she expected her mum to arrive any day now with extra plants from her garden to share. She would bring candles as well, her mum and other women making them to share with the surrounding farms.
She picked up the basket she had filled with enough kale and onions to add to a hardy rabbit stew that was already cooking in the cottage and hurried her steps. She stopped abruptly when she came upon Quint speaking with a cleric.
Clerics who came to the Highlands believed healing was their domain and did not take kindly to women healers. It was something her grandmother warned her about and what Brother Emmett had confirmed. So, she approached them with caution, even though she knew Quint would never let anyone harm her.
“How wonderful, the bride is here,” the cleric said with a warm smile.
Shade stared at the man, average in height and his brown robe too large for his slim frame, his rope belt proving a necessity, while wondering if she had heard him correctly.
“A moment, Brother Peter,” Quint said.
“A hot brew would be good while I wait,” Brother Peter said, smiling and rubbing his hands together as if he could use the warmth.
“I will get that for you,” Shade said.
“Bless you,” Brother Peter said and went to sit on the bench under the oak tree.
Shade hurried into the cottage and heard Quint follow her. She turned on him as soon as he closed the door. “Did I hear him say bride?”