Total pages in book: 40
Estimated words: 36428 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 182(@200wpm)___ 146(@250wpm)___ 121(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 36428 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 182(@200wpm)___ 146(@250wpm)___ 121(@300wpm)
“Can I help you, sir?” Olwen asked. “You appear lost.”
Cree hadn’t heard the woman approach him and not only that, but he also wondered where she had suddenly come from since he stood in a narrow corridor with no other doorway than the one at the end.
“I was looking for the kitchen to get myself a brew.”
“I can have that brought to you,” Olwen said. “Would you like it brought to the Great Hall or your bedchamber?”
“Point me to the kitchen and I will fetch it myself,” Cree said, so he could discover the entrance to the kitchen and another exit in case it was necessary.
“It is my task to serve, sir,” Olwen insisted. “Now where shall I bring it.”
Cree could have demanded, confident he would get his way, but not sure it was the wise thing to do, so he said, “The bedchamber.”
“Very well, sir. It will be there shortly,” Olwen said. “Can you find your way back, sir?”
Cree knew a dismissal when he heard one. He was to return to his room. He wondered if she didn’t like him roaming the keep. Or perhaps Lord Tiernan had left orders that he was not permitted to do so. If so, why? What could they be hiding? Though considering it, he would not want a guest roaming his home without permission.
He hurried back to Dawn to find her pacing the floor, annoyed with himself for lingering too long and not being there when she woke. She frantically gestured to him.
“Slow down,” he said, taking hold of her hands and pressing them against his chest and holding them there. “It is obvious you are upset that I left you. I planned to return before you woke, but you woke sooner than I expected. I wanted to find areas that would allow us to make a hasty departure, if necessary, not that I worry we will need to do so, but you know how I prefer to be prepared.” She nodded, accepting his explanation without question or worry and that bothered him. “Something disturbs you.”
Dawn nodded, closing her eyes briefly and eased her hands out of his to tap her brow.
“You had a dream?”
She shook her head.
“A nightmare?” he asked, his annoyance with himself growing for failing to be there for her.
She nodded and snarled soundlessly, baring her teeth.
“About wolves?”
She nodded again, looked down, and with her finger created an imaginary circle around them.
“Wolves surrounded us?”
She nodded and clenched her fingers.
“We were trapped?” he asked.
She nodded again and her gesture that followed was clear to him.
“We couldn’t escape,” he said and spotted a hint of terror in her eyes.
Again, she nodded and shivered, rubbing her arms.
Cree stepped behind her and eased her back against him to share his heat and rub her arms to chase away her chill along with her fear.
A knock sounded at the door, causing Dawn to jump.
“I requested a hot brew,” Cree said, hugging her against him. “I will tell you about my fairly quick search of the keep once we are alone again,” and he called out in a commanding tone, “Enter!”
“Enough for you both,” Olwen said after entering and sat a jug and tankards on a small table. “I fear with the fog there is little for you to do while you are here. Feel free to sit in the Great Hall if you grow tired of this bedchamber. Though Lynall did advise rest for you, Lady Dawn, so you will be ready to take your leave when the fog lifts.”
Dawn smiled pleasantly and nodded.
“Ask and I will do my best to get you whatever you need,” Olwen said and with a bob of her head, left the room.
Dawn stepped out of her husband’s arms and pointed to the brew and shook her head. She then pressed her hands together as if in prayer and held them against her cheek and closed her eyes.
“You think the previous brew put you to sleep?”
Dawn nodded.
“The healer did say you needed rest,” Cree said, and her glare had him quickly revising his comment. “Though she should have told you the brew would put you to sleep.”
Her glare vanished when she nodded in agreement. She gestured, letting him know she was eager to hear about what he found while exploring the keep.
Cree detailed his brief venture. “I found little of interest or anything strange and I cannot be sure if what I heard overhead was animal footfalls. I could have missed the entrance to the kitchen in my hasty quest to find what exits I could.”
Dawn dismissed his claim with a wave of her hand, then gestured.
Cree smiled at his wife’s praise. “So, you think I am too wise of a warrior to question my own skills and confidence.”
She nodded and gestured again.
“I, not we, will continue to explore and learn about what goes on here,” he ordered firmly and when she did not acquiesce, he spoke even more firmly. “I mean it, Dawn. You will rest so you are well enough to leave when the fog lifts.”