Total pages in book: 43
Estimated words: 39004 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 195(@200wpm)___ 156(@250wpm)___ 130(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 39004 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 195(@200wpm)___ 156(@250wpm)___ 130(@300wpm)
“If you know my sister isn’t here, then why are you here?” Elysia asked.
Clyde stepped toward her and she blocked the open door with her body, a warning that he was to go no farther.
Clyde’s face pinched in irritation. “I want to talk to you.”
Elysia was growing uncomfortable with him. “I have no time to talk with you.”
“Make time,” he snapped.
Elysia rarely was unkind or rude to anyone, but she felt being blunt with Clyde would be best. “I have no interest in making time for you, Clyde, now leave.”
He took a quick step toward her and she jumped back, her eyes turning wide when she felt an arm snag her around the waist and move her aside. The next thing she knew, Saber had Clyde by the throat, forcing him to walk backwards away from the cottage.
Elysia hurried out the door, seeing people already whispering to one another and pointing toward the two men and her. Worried the scene it created and what might happen between the two men, though she was sure Clyde didn’t stand a chance against Saber, she went to stop the incident from turning worse.
Saber’s actions brought her to an abrupt halt. He released Clyde with a forcible shove that had the man barely able to remain on his feet and he pointed, as if warning him to leave. Surprisingly, Clyde didn’t argue with Saber, though his angry scowl spoke otherwise. He turned and walked off, snapping at people he passed that stared his way.
Elysia was surprised herself when Saber returned to her side, took hold of her arm, and walked with her into the cottage, closing the door behind them. Her worry grew, knowing many had watched and would have something to say to Bliss when she returned.
Once inside, he returned to the chair, sat, and reached for an oat cake as if they had not been disturbed at all.
Elysia was not sure what to say, upset over the incident, and yet words fell easily from her lips. “You protected me. Thank you.”
He nodded and his eyes held hers for a moment and though he did not touch her, Elysia felt it more an embrace and a comforting one at that.
She turned away, feeling her cheeks heat with a blush and filled a tankard with the brew. She turned back, now having a plausible excuse for her blossomed red cheeks—the heat from the hearth.
She placed the tankard in front of him and instructed, “Sip slowly so it will soothe your throat.”
He nodded, then his head suddenly turned toward the door.
Instinct had Elysia hurrying to stand behind him, worried Clyde had returned, though she had heard no knock.
The door burst opened and Annis rushed in, her face red with rage. “What are you doing to my sister?”
Elysia hurried around to stand protectively in front of Saber. She should have realized someone would have informed her sister about the incident.
“Saber has been kind to me and he protected me from Clyde when he came here with no good intentions and knowing full well I was alone. I was busy seeing to the wound on Saber’s finger and preparing a brew for his throat when Clyde showed up. Now please shut the door before all the villagers gather to stare at us.”
Annis closed the door and tilted her head to look at Saber. “What is wrong with his throat?”
“He suffered an injury that caused the loss of his voice,” Elysia explained and turned to Saber. “Do not let the brew grow cold.”
Saber lifted the tankard and sipped.
Annis walked to the other end of the table and stared at Saber. He stared right back at her.
“Thank you for helping my sister,” Annis said.
He nodded, pointed to his throat and his finger, then to Annis and then patted his chest.
“You are grateful for her help,” Annis said.
He nodded.
“Make sure you behave around my sister,” Annis warned.
Saber nodded slowly.
“What have you been up to?” Elysia asked, her eyes traveling over her sister. “Dirt mars a good portion of you.”
Annis glanced down at herself, brushing dirt off here and there. “The idiots did not adhere to Duff’s instructions on the winter shed. If they had continued to construct it their way, the thing would have collapsed.”
“Do not tell me that you demonstrated how their efforts would fail?’ Elysia asked with a note of worry.
“What else was I to do? It took nothing more than a bump or two in specific places and the whole thing came tumbling down.”
“And covered you in dirt,” Elysia reminded.
“A little dirt saved our winter food storage from being ruined,” Annis argued. “I have to get back and make sure those idiots build the shed the right way. I rushed here when someone said there was a commotion going on. Duff left me in charge, which is probably why the men started building it their way. They did not think a woman would notice. I showed them how wrong they were.” She turned to leave, though swerved around before she reached the door and pointed a threatening finger at Saber. “Mind your manners with my sister or you will answer to me.”