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)
“My lord, are you all right?” Sky asked, resting her hand on his chest and worry filling her eyes.
He did not like it when she referred to him as my lord, even if it was the proper thing for her to do. He enjoyed hearing her say his name, gently, caringly.
Caringly.
He spoke without thinking. “I am not a caring man.”
She chuckled softly and, as insane as it sounded, he thought he heard the birds chuckle with her.
“I believe you are a more caring man than you know.”
He grabbed her other arm and yanked her against him. “Do not make the mistake others did and think I have a heart. I do not. And you forget you are my wife and meant to obey me.”
That he held her a bit roughly did not trouble her nor did the fierceness in his eyes disturb her or that he reminded her to be an obedient wife. It was that he genuinely believed he had no heart that hurt her own heart the most.
“Everyone has a heart, Slayer, but it depends on what you feed your heart that makes a difference. Your heart has known little to no caring,” —she smiled broadly— “but no more. I am going to care for you whether you want me to or not.”
Joy snuck up to squeeze at his heart, but rage followed quickly behind it. He was a mighty Gallowglass warrior who led a large troop and reigned over a clan. A caring heart would not serve him well nor would a wife who did not obey him.
“I have no heart and care for nothing, and you, dear wife, need to learn a lesson.”
CHAPTER 10
Sky felt her body clench anxiously as Slayer swung her up into his arms. He easily carried her to the cottage, and she wondered what lesson he was about to teach her.
Slayer lowered her to her feet as soon as they entered the cottage and ordered, “Disrobe.”
She eased away from him. “Why?”
“You do not ask why, wife. You do as I say,” he ordered.
He could not mean to consummate their marriage now. He had given his word that he would give her a few days, and, besides, it was only late afternoon. Nightfall was hours away. Weren’t wifely duties done at night? And how was consummating their marriage a lesson in obedience?
“You gave me your word that you would give me a few days before we consummated our vows,” she reminded, to see if that was his intention.
“Aye, I did, and I will keep my word to you.”
“Then why do you want me naked?” she asked, gripping the large shirt she wore at the neck.
“That is not for you to ask, but to obey,” he said, intending she learned her lesson of obedience well.
Sky shivered. “I have never been naked in front of anyone.”
The thought that anyone other than him would view her naked sparked an unexpected anger in him and he snapped at her. “And you never will be… except in front of me. Now obey me and disrobe.”
Obey.
Obedient was something she had been from an early age. Though it was fear that made her so. Fear of the consequences of her affliction if she did not obey her parents. But since arriving at the cottage and having been able to enjoy the freedom of the forest once again, and help any animal in need, she had not given thought to seeking permission. But marriage had changed that.
Having no recourse that she could think of Sky slipped her shoes off, then hesitated, turning away from him. She felt vulnerable now in bare feet. Once she slipped the shirt off, how would she feel?
Terrified.
Nay, she could not do that. She could not do what she warned Slayer against. She would not feed her heart terror or fear her husband. If she did, she would forever fear the intimacy of marriage. They were wed and they would remain wed. If she did not take some control of her fear now, it would forever haunt her and their marriage and that was not something she wanted. It was not how she wanted to live her life.
With a silent prayer on her lips for courage, she slipped the shirt off and turned to face him.
His back was to her. He was completely naked. She turned her eyes away, thinking it was wrong to look upon him even though she had done so recently, but she could not help but sneak another peek. His back was broad with muscles, his waist slim, his backside taut and his legs long and muscular. There was power in his every simple movement. She could only imagine the power he exuded when in the throes of battle. And she wondered what kind of power he would have over her when they coupled.