Total pages in book: 125
Estimated words: 114917 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 575(@200wpm)___ 460(@250wpm)___ 383(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 114917 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 575(@200wpm)___ 460(@250wpm)___ 383(@300wpm)
“When I am healed, I will do my best,” she said, scooping up a sizeable dab of honey and spreading it over the wound. “Until then, I am sure you can ease your ache yourself.”
Her unexpected response surprised him, and he grinned. “Would you like to watch me?”
Bliss’s heart thumped madly against her chest, but she kept a false smile on her face. “If you would like me to.”
“Tonight, before we go to bed,” he said.
How she managed to bandage his finger without trembling, she did not know, nor did she know how she kept a tremor out of her voice. “As you wish. Now I must clean the table then gather what is needed for supper.”
Rannick remained where he was on the bench, leaving her to clean around him. It was easy to see that he had startled her, but she had not shied away from his remark. She had responded, showing him no fear, not a tremble escaped her, but he saw it in her eyes. Why he had remarked as he did, he couldn’t say, but now that he had, the idea of pleasuring himself in front of her took root and wouldn’t let go. She should see what she would face with him and what he would demand of her while she was with him. It was sure to make her dislike him, not favor him in the least, and keep her safe from the curse.
Rannick stood abruptly and Bliss jumped.
“I make you anxious?” he asked, knowing full well he did.
“You can be unsettling at times,” she admitted.
“At least you are truthful.” He grabbed a basket from the two by the door. “Come. I will stack the wood while you get what you want from the garden.”
“Be cautious of your finger,” she said and snatched the basket from his hand and was out the door as soon as he opened it. She needed the chilled air to cool her cheeks and the chore of harvesting to ease her mind.
She was relieved Rannick left her to herself while she saw to gathering what she needed. And she needed a separation from him if only briefly. She had worried how she would get him to couple with her and now she worried he would want to couple far too frequently. But wasn’t that what she needed if she was sure to conceive?
“Survive,” she whispered to herself. “Survive to see your sisters again.”
“Stop where you are!”
Bliss turned, fear racing through her that more men had come for him and was relieved to see an old woman, stooped from age or exhaustion a short distance from the edge of the woods.
“Drink and food, I beg of you,” the old woman managed to say.
“You will find drink at the stream beyond the cottage,” Rannick said briskly.
Bliss hurried out of the garden. The old woman looked as if she could not take another step. Her long white hair fell loose from its braid and patches of dirt marred her face while a fine dust covered her cloak, signs she had traveled a distance.
“Stay where you are!” Rannick ordered, his hand shooting out to point at Bliss.
Bliss paid him no heed and she let Rannick know why. “She needs help.”
“Bless you,” the old woman said when Bliss’s arm went firmly around her.
“Come sit and rest. I will bring you drink and food,” Bliss offered.
The old woman looked to Rannick as she walked past him. “I mean you and your wife no harm.”
“She is not my wife!” Rannick snapped.
Bliss helped the woman to sit on the bench beneath a tree. “Rest. I will be right back.”
Rannick approached the woman. “Have your drink and food and be on your way.”
“I mean you no harm,” the old woman said again.
“And I mean you none,” Rannick said. “Be wise and move on.”
The old woman nodded. “As you say, Lord Rannick.”
“You know who I am, yet you do not avoid me.” His brow narrowed. “Why did you come here?”
“I had no choice,” she said, licking her dry lips.
“Be on your way soon,” he warned.
“She needs rest,” Bliss said, having heard her husband when she stepped out of the cottage.
“Feed her and send her on her way,” Rannick commanded and walked over to Bliss and grabbed her by the chin. “Do not disobey me on this.” He released her and returned to stacking the logs.
Bliss handed the woman a tankard of cider and the bread left from the morning meal. “There is a stream not far beyond the cottage. It will provide you with drink and I will give you a blanket to keep you warm and some food to take on your journey.”
“You are kind, but I do not have far to go. This drink and food will sustain me till then.”
“You travel alone?” Bliss asked, worried for the woman.