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)
He was not about to tell her that he was tired from the journey and the drink. “It is you who owe me an explanation. You who attempted to seduce me.”
Fia sat up, her eyes turning wide. “I did not seduce you. I have no knowledge of such a thing. It was you who touched me, though I thought it a dream.”
Varrick had thought it a dream as well and he had not wanted to awaken from it. He had enjoyed the feel of her soft skin, her provocative woman’s scent that begged to be explored and tasted, but the urgency to slip inside her had been like no other and that was what he had ached to do… slip deep inside her and get lost in the mighty thrusts and immense pleasure of coupling.
Her response suddenly sank into him. “Are you telling me no man has ever slipped between your legs?”
“Do you forget I told you that I keep my maidenhead for my husband.”
“I am your husband!” he reminded.
“A husband of my own choosing. A husband who will love me,” she said.
He ran his hand through his disheveled hair, finding it difficult to believe her, yet wanting to, wanting her to only belong to him and him alone. Anger flashed in him. Where had such a foolish thought come from and why did it refuse to let go?
He shook his head and spoke his mind. “This does not bode well. All will think you have me under your spell.”
He went and snatched his garments off the floor where he had dropped them. This dilemma was partially his fault as well, but he would not admit to that.
“Tongues will spread the news, and all will think you hold me spellbound,” Varrick said, turning to face her as he tucked the edge of his plaid into place at his waist.
She had gotten out of bed so softly, he had not heard her, or his mind had been too occupied to have heard her, not a good notion either way. She was partially dressed, her tunic in her hand, a good thing since he had the overpowering urge to see her naked. He wanted to see for himself, since the hasty sight he had gotten of her after her bath in the cottage had been too brief and could not tell him what his hands had told him, that her skin felt like the finest silk and her body was near to perfection.
“I think it is time you tell me why you brought me here.” Fia hurried her tunic on, feeling the need to be fully dressed, her husband’s eyes sparking once again with the heated flare she had seen in them when she had woken to find him on top of her.
“Not here,” he snapped and went to the door while Fia hurried into her shoes.
Varrick was caught off guard once again when he flung open the door to find Argus waiting there.
Argus hurried to explain, seeing the annoyance on Varrick’s face. “It is important, my lord.”
Varrick turned to his wife. “We will talk in my solar. Merry will take you there to wait for me.”
Fia jumped when he shut the door harder than necessary and she found herself needing to sit, worry filling her. The voice in her head had never misled her but having heard it urging her to couple with Varrick, she now questioned it. But should she?
He is your fate.
That was what she had heard repeatedly while held prisoner at Strathearn. Did she start questioning the trust of the guidance she had received for so many years or did she do as she always did and pay heed to it? It had never failed her.
Let it be as it should.
Fia sighed and whispered, “But how should it be?”
She shook her head and decided to do as the voice warned. She would let it be… for now.
“The hellhounds’ howls were heard again. Someone will die,” Argus whispered afraid to speak aloud. “You must send her to do what you brought her here to do.”
Varrick stood on the highest battlement of the keep staring out over his land and cast a glance at the sky.
“Sinead refuses to leave her shelter just like before when the howls were heard. She hunts no more in that area, the animals having all but gone from it where once it teemed with life.” Argus pointed not that far from the castle. “You can see for yourself how the area suffers. The pines heavily shed their needles. Pines never shed their needles that much in winter. You cannot wait. You must see this done.”
Varrick and Argus turned, hearing footfalls rushing toward them. It was Marsh, his face pale, and his steps frantic.
“He’s come for the bairn. Ella is in pain. The bairn comes too early. Don’t let him take our bairn, my lord,” Marsh pleaded.