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)
“A thief wise enough to take care of herself. Besides, she has never failed to gather information for me. She has proven herself trustworthy and her information accurate.”
Shade leaned against her husband, glad for the comfort of his tender embrace. “I cannot help but think how vulnerable she is, a lone, petite woman, and the dangers she faces. Dru cannot continue to survive like that. One day she will come against a situation she will not be able to escape.”
“You have survived on your own,” Quint reminded.
“Not entirely on my own. I have a home, family, friends, and my healing, and I still felt lonely at times, as if I was missing something—”
“I was what you were missing,” he said teasingly.
“Aye, it was you I was waiting for.” She smiled and spoke in a playful tone. “Though, I can honestly say that being wed to The Monk makes me yearn, at times, for a bout or two of loneliness.”
He gave her waist a playful squeeze. “Are you saying The Monk is too much of a challenge for you?”
She laughed softly. “He is more of an adventure that I find quite enjoyable, and I look forward to the life we will share together.”
“I will do my best to give you a good life, Shade,” he whispered near her ear then kissed her cheek.
“Together, we will make a good life for ourselves. Always together.” Her smile faded. “We have each other. Dru has no one. She is entirely on her own and I can only imagine how difficult that must be. She must grow lonely at times. She needs a home.”
“I have expressed the same concern to her, but she insists she will live her life as she pleases. Talk with her yourself when she returns. Advice from a woman might make her see things differently.”
“What if she doesn’t return?”
“Then I will go search for her which is exactly what I told her I would do if she doesn’t return in a few days.”
Laughter drew their attention and Quint smiled, seeing the two lasses chasing after each other in play.
“They are a happy family,” he said.
“Is that what you hoped for with Amara?” Shade could not help but ask.
Quint hugged her closely. “Aye, I had, and I may have lost it, but I am grateful I now found it with you. You are all I need, Shade.”
He kissed her and her heart filled with joy, though guilt poked at her that she might never give him a child.
“That is a ridiculous idea,” Quint said.
“I believe it is a brilliant idea,” Caleb said.
“I agree. Nug’s idea is brilliant,” Ula said, “and I am sure the clan would have no objections. What say you, Shade?”
“I would fear for my husband’s safety but then everyone’s safety in the clan is presently in jeopardy.”
“It will work,” Nug insisted. “Word, no doubt, is already spreading that mercenaries have been taken captive here by The Monk. If word followed that The Monk arrived here and took command of the clan in Lord Torrance’s name, few would dare venture here.”
“But what happens when word reaches Lord Torrance?” Shade asked, worried about her husband taking on such a dangerous task. “Surely, he will send his warriors after The Monk and take charge of the clan.”
“Not if The Monk sends word that he rules Clan MacLeish in Lord Torrance’s name and that he imprisons mercenaries who are trying to take what rightfully belongs to Lord Torrance. And The Monk will continue to do so until he arrives to establish his rule here,” Nug said. “Lord Torrance would have no reason to send mercenary thugs here after hearing that and it would give Ryland time to carry out whatever plan he has to free the clan from Lord Torrance’s rule.”
“Nug is right,” Caleb said. “Lord Torrance must have his hands full after the battle, appeasing the mercenaries and nobles who helped him see victory. He would probably be only too pleased to have The Monk siding with him.”
“I assume Lord Torrance wouldn’t mind giving Chieftain Ryland time to heal so that he could administer his own brutal punishment and eventual death,” Nug said. “And he would see it done in front of the entire clan so that they would fear him enough to obey him without question.”
“This is not an easy task you ask of my husband,” Shade said, her worry mounting that he might agree to it and if he did, what then would happen to the life they hoped to share? “He would risk his life to do this for you since once Lord Torrance discovered the truth, he would see The Monk dead.”
“Which is why we cannot remain idle or helpless. We need to find out where Ryland is and what he has planned and how we can help him defeat Lord Torrance,” —Nug turned to look at Quint— “We need to know if you will help us.”