Total pages in book: 109
Estimated words: 102424 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 512(@200wpm)___ 410(@250wpm)___ 341(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 102424 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 512(@200wpm)___ 410(@250wpm)___ 341(@300wpm)
“Promise,” she said, still reeling with fear from the dream.
“You have my word, wife,” he assured her. She might not have seen Brynjar in her dream but that was who frightened her and there was no way he’d let Brynjar get near his wife.
Purity relaxed against him, her heart no longer pounding in her chest and her fear easing. She was safe with her husband. He would always protect her and so would King and Princess. She looked around for the pair and saw them lying by the hearth, King curled against Princess. Even they knew she was safe with Arran.
She laid her head on his chest. “I will be glad when this is done.”
“So will I,” he said, though knew this could only end one way.
Brynjar had to die.
Chapter 20
Purity lay on her side in bed, fear stirring in her. Not wanting to disturb her husband sleeping soundly, she had quietly hurried out of bed to let King and Princess, both waiting patiently by the door, out. Quiver had taken to waiting in the Great Hall for them in the morning and walking through the village with them. It made the animals and him both happy.
Happy.
That was the crux of her fear now. She’d never known such happiness as she did with Arran, even more so now after making love with him. Something was bound to happen to snatch it away from her. She could almost feel it. Something was brewing, something wasn’t right, and she couldn’t bear the thought of returning to her old life—a life without Arran.
“I can feel your unease, wife,” Arran said as he wrapped himself around her naked body and nibbled at her neck. “What worries you?”
She should have known he wasn’t asleep. She turned on her back, her husband’s leg slipping over hers, nudging itself between her legs and his hand settling on her breast to squeeze gently. It wouldn’t be long before they made love again as they had each morning this last week and nights as well and even once in the afternoon. Purity had eagerly welcomed each encounter as she did now. Her husband did as well, since she felt his swollen shaft poke against her. And yet he waited, concerned for what worried her.
She reached up to stroke his lips with her thumb as she spoke, “What worries me is losing you, what we have together, what we’re yet to share.”
“Brynjar’s presence has put this fear in you. Don’t let him. This is not his land, his people. He will not succeed here.” Arran grabbed her thumb to suckle on briefly, releasing it with a gentle nip. “As much as I hate Wolf, he hates Brynjar even more, though no one speaks of it. I wouldn’t be surprised if Wolf has more men watching Brynjar than anyone knows about.”
“Then how could Brynjar kill one of Wolf’s warriors?” Purity asked, the warrior’s death continuing to trouble her.
“Brynjar could have left warriors behind to keep watch.”
“But why kill the warrior?” she asked.
“Wolf’s warrior probably discovered him.” Arran kissed her before she could say another word. “No more worries, wife,” he whispered close to her lips after ending the kiss. “More precautions have been taken and this matter will be settled soon. Besides, there is another matter that needs my immediate attention.”
Purity smiled. “Making a bairn.”
“Aye, wife,” he said and his lips settled eagerly on hers.
The pounding on their door had them both jumping and Arran swearing.
“The Abbott approaches, hurry and meet him so this mess can be settled,” her father commanded.
“I don’t know whether to bless or curse Wren for giving your father that brew,” Arran grumbled and gave his wife’s breast a quick kiss before getting out of bed and yanking her along with him.
“It’s good his pain has lessened and he’s feeling better,” Purity said, reluctantly reaching for her garments.
“That could be debated,” he said and grabbed her around the waist to pull her against him. “We could make it a quick one.”
She had no doubt he could with how hard he was, his shaft not only poking at her but her already mounted passion as well. She didn’t think twice, she grabbed his hand and hurried him to the bed, falling down on it and spreading her legs.
Arran didn’t waste a minute either. He took hold of her legs, lifting her enough to enter her easily and it was quicker than they both expected. A few hard thrusts and they both climaxed together. The short tryst bringing satisfied shivers and grins to them both.
They hurried to dress and before they left the room, Arran took his wife in his arms.
“Lord, but I love you, wife,” he said and kissed her.
Purity was stunned, though she had no time to respond. He rushed them out the door, though slowed their pace down the stairs.