Total pages in book: 112
Estimated words: 101336 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 507(@200wpm)___ 405(@250wpm)___ 338(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 101336 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 507(@200wpm)___ 405(@250wpm)___ 338(@300wpm)
The hounds appeared to understand her and waited patiently as she handed a bone to each of them. The last hound sniffed it, turned, and walked away. His reaction puzzled Sky. She wondered if he was trained not to accept food from anyone but Slayer, or perhaps he simply wasn’t feeling well today. She would keep an eye on him.
While the hounds lay enjoying their treat, she lifted Angel out of the shawl pouch and held her cupped snuggled in her hands for the hounds to see.
“This is Angel. She met two of your mates yesterday. She is my friend and helps me bring the bones to you. She means you no harm, so please cause her no harm.” Angel meowed and one of the hounds growled. “Nay, you must be nice to her. She helps me gather the bones.”
The mention of bones stopped the hound from growling.
“It is good you understand since Angel and I enjoy visiting with all of you.”
The way the little kitten trembled she doubted that was true, but she hoped as their visits continued the hounds and the kitten would become friends. This way they could protect Angel if ever necessary.
“We will leave you to enjoy your treat and see you tomorrow,” Sky said and tucked Angel into the safety of the makeshift pouch to nestle there once again.
She smiled, seeing the brilliant hues that painted the sky. Sun would warm the land today, hopefully longer than only a couple of hours. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath of the fresh morning air, scents of burning wood from the early morning cooking fires beginning to mingle with nature’s own scents. She wished she was in the undisturbed woods where nature’s vibrant scents welcomed, and where her mind could be free of troubling thoughts.
“I gave you no permission to leave the keep?”
Sky jumped, turning quickly to find Slayer standing directly behind her. A fresh scent from his recent bath drifted off him and she thought, for just a moment, that she caught a faint scent of their coupling from last night. Or perhaps it was only that it had lingered in her nostrils to remind and tempt her. And it did. It almost had her throwing her arms around him and hugging him tightly. But she refrained with great difficulty.
“I expect to see you first thing in the morning,” he said, letting her know he was not happy to wake and find himself alone in bed.
“Aye, my lord, I will make certain I make myself available to you then.”
“Make sure of it,” he ordered with a gleam in his eyes that quickly turned to a scowl. “Were you by the wolfhounds’ pen?”
“I wanted to make sure they were all right after yesterday’s incident.”
“They are dangerous animals, not cuddly kittens. Stay away from them and I will not warn you about that again,” he said.
“But—”
“Not another word, Sky. You will obey me on this. Find other friends. The wolfhounds will never be your friends. They are not even mine. They obey me because of my strength, my leadership.”
“Not fear?” she asked, knowing how easy it was to fear him.
He stepped closer to her. “Not fear, wisdom. They, like my warriors, know I am the stronger one, the alpha male of the tribe, and none will dare challenge me.”
His brow scrunched and Sky thought for a moment he was going to reach out and touch her and was disappointed when he didn’t.
He kept his voice low when he asked, “Do you fear me, Sky?”
She tilted her head, not sure how to answer at first.
“How many times must I tell you I would never harm you?” he asked annoyed.
“I am sure of that, my lord,” she rushed to say and watched his annoyance flare and knew it was because she addressed him properly. “But that does not stop me from fearing you at times, though I should clarify that.”
“Aye, do clarify it.”
“It is the Gallowglass warrior in you that I fear sometimes—” She hesitated briefly. “He can be vicious, snarling and biting, like the wolfhounds—” She hesitated again. “Unpredictable.”
He leaned closer to her and whispered, “The very thing that makes a powerful leader powerful. Your foe never knows what to expect of you. Whereas my wife will never need to worry about that.”
“It might take her time to get used to,” she suggested, careful with her words in case anyone heard, the village having come to life for the day.
“Unfortunately, I am not a patient man.”
“Something that she would surely learn upon meeting you and do her best to handle.”
“That would be wise of her.”
Sky smiled. “I am sure you will find yourself a very wise woman to wed, sir.”
Slayer had to keep himself from smiling, seeing that people were watching them. “I will settle for nothing less.” He took a step away from her and made his voice known. “You are safe here, Sky. No one will harm you. I will speak with you later.”