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 camp awaits just ahead.”
Sky recalled the voice. It was Ross and his words worried her. Soon she would open her eyes. What then? She pulled the blanket tighter against her as she heard Ross ride away.
“Are you cold?”
That he thought to ask could mean he was not completely unkind. “A slight chill, nothing more. And thank you for the blanket. It was most kind of you.”
“I am not kind. I gave my word that I would keep you safe. You were chilled and required a blanket. I gave you what you needed,” he said matter-of-factly.
It was difficult carrying on a conversation with only a voice, no face to put to it. So much could be learned from a simple look and what was reflected in a person’s eyes. But then one paid more heed to the words when there was only a voice to speak to.
I gave my word that I would keep you safe.
To whom had Slayer given his word?
“We camp by a creek,” Slayer said. “You can wash your face to help ease your eyes open.”
It was an order, not a suggestion, but then he expected obedience as he had warned her.
The scent of campfire smoke struck her nostrils, letting her know that they were not far from their destination. It would not be long now. He would see for himself, and she wondered and worried what would happen when he looked into her eyes.
Sky’s stomach roiled when he brought the stallion to a stop, removed the blanket from around her, and dismounted. His hands settled at the sides of her waist, and he gently eased her off the horse and released her once she had firm footing.
“I am going to take you to the creek,” he said, closing his hand around her arm. “It is nearly dusk so you can open your eyes once we are there and let them adjust to the twilight before sitting in front of a low-burning fire.”
Once again, she was reminded of his strength, the way his fingers dug into her arm just enough to keep her from tripping or falling as he guided her steps. She wished she could run, but her legs were not strong and how safe would she be on her own? And with his many warriors, she was bound to get caught. Before Leora had escaped the abbey, she had told Sky to rely on her courage and stay strong until she or Elsie came for her. She did not know what courage Leora was talking about, but if she did have any, she certainly could use it now.
“Stand here while I spread the blanket for you to sit on,” Slayer said when they came to a stop.
Sky’s heart began to pound in her chest and no amount of trying to calm herself helped.
His hand returned to her arm, and he helped her to sit. “The creek is in front of you. I will return shortly.”
She listened as he walked away. With the creek in front of her that meant the camp was behind her, leaving her a modicum of privacy. She did not waste the time she had alone. With a soft flutter, she opened her eyes slowly.
Everything was a blur, but she had expected that. She focused her eyes on the edges of the brown blanket beneath her and her sight slowly began to clear. She allowed her eyes to linger on the blanket until she believed her sight strong enough to shift her focus to the creek. The water flowed gently and was too tempting to ignore. She leaned over and scooped up a handful of water and drank. She had forgotten how refreshingly delicious drinking from a stream could be and she scooped up two more handfuls.
The chilly water invigorated her and though it first stung her raw wrists, it did not take long to soothe them. She eagerly set to scrubbing her face and cleaning what felt like grit from her eyes. She wished she could scrub her whole body but that was not possible. She scrubbed and scrubbed as if she could scrub away the horror of the last few weeks, until she finally took a deep breath and stopped.
She raised her head, and a soft gasp left her lips as she gazed upon the sky. She had forgotten how beautiful the sunset could be. A deep orange and blue mingled in a dance across the sky as it heralded the night.
“A cloth to dry your face.”
His sudden appearance startled her, but she kept her head turned away from where he stood by her side, not looking up at him. She stretched her hand out to take the cloth.
“Look at me, Sky,” he said, ignoring her waiting hand.
The timbre of his voice made it clear she was not to refuse him.