Total pages in book: 111
Estimated words: 102573 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 513(@200wpm)___ 410(@250wpm)___ 342(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 102573 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 513(@200wpm)___ 410(@250wpm)___ 342(@300wpm)
“You will not chain him,” Tavia called out when she saw the chain. “His neck wound will not heal shackled. He needs rest and care.”
“He is a hound,” Harald said as if that explained it.
“An injured hound who trusted no one or believed no one cared enough to tend him,” Tavia said.
“Hounds do not think that way,” Harald said.
“You think you send only foolish hounds into battle?” Tavia argued.
“Obedient ones,” Bhric said to Harald’s relief.
“So, you have no loyal dogs only obedient ones?” Tavia asked.
“Obedient or loyal, there is no difference,” Bhric argued.
“There is a tremendous difference,” she corrected.
Anger tinged Bhric’s command. “You will not argue with me, wife. Leave the animal now.”
A low, warning growl came from Fen.
“Not to worry, Fen,” Tavia said calmly, petting the hound’s head. “Lord Bhric may sound brutish, but he has a good heart.”
Bhric motioned to Harald and the man stepped forward with the chains once again.
Tavia stepped in front of Fen. “I told you his neck wound will not heal if he is chained.”
“He cannot be trusted,” Bhric cautioned.
“He was surly because he was in constant pain. He will do well now that his pain is gone,” she said.
“Until I am sure of that he stays confined,” Bhric ordered.
“Aye, confined will do,” Tavia said.
Bhric was relieved that his wife finally saw reason and was surprised that her face had lighted with a smile. His relief did not last long.
“Come, Fen, you can stay with me while you heal. It will make it easier for me to look after you.”
“Nay! Nay!” Bhric shouted as his wife went to take a step and, of course, Fen growled. “The animal will not stay with you. He will be kept in one of the empty storage sheds.”
Tavia gasped. “A cold, dark place will not help him heal.”
“It’s that or the chains,” Bhric said.
Tavia’s chin went up. “Then I stay with him.”
Bhric laughed. “Not likely. And do not think to tell me I cannot stop you since we both know I can stop you easily enough.”
She knew her threat was foolish as soon as she had issued it, but what recourse did she have? Her husband’s word ruled, and she had no choice but to obey.
Tavia spoke out of frustration. “I was mistaken, Fen. Lord Bhric does not have a good heart. He actually seems to have no heart at all.”
Though her remark stung, he did not let it show, saying, “You finally understand me.”
“Aye, unfortunately and with much regret,” she said.
Again, her words stung and again he refused to let it show, especially with Sven and Harald there. “As long as you obey it matters not.”
“As you say, my lord,” Tavia said and turned her head away from him to look to Harald. “Show me where he will rest so I may continue to tend his wound.”
Harald glanced to Bhric, and he nodded his consent.
Tavia’s annoyance grew as she settled Fen in the chilled, damp shed. He would not heal well here, and she made a decision there and then.
She crouched down by Fen in the guise of checking the bandage and whispered, “I will return when everyone sleeps to get you.”
The dog licked her face as if he understood.
“It is time for the morning meal,” Bhric said and offered his arm to her when she stepped out of the shed.
“I am tired and need sleep. I will eat later,” she said, barely glancing at him as she walked past him.
Bhric let her go, knowing his order had greatly upset her.
“She is angry at you,” Sven said, joining Bhric as she walked away.
“She will learn my word rules here.”
“I would not wager on that,” Sven said with a laugh. “She may be a wee one, but Ingrid believes she has strength to her. Not that she had thought that on first meeting her, but of late, your wife has demonstrated a courage one would never expect of one her wee size. She may turn out to be more than you can handle.”
Bhric grinned. “There is not a woman I haven’t been able to handle. Her size alone makes it easy.”
“Again, I would not wager on that,” Sven said though this time he did not laugh.
CHAPTER 13
“Five nights you say?” Bhric asked, finding what Sven just told him difficult to believe.
“Aye,” Sven said with a nod. “When the night sentinels reported it to me, I thought your wife did it out of frustration and anger and the one night would end it. But last night has been the fifth night that the village sentinels reported that Lady Tavia walked through the village late when all were asleep and took Fen out of the shed and returned to the keep with him. Then just before dawn, before anyone stirs, she returns him to the shed where she visits him at least three times a day, bringing him food. I waited to tell you because Ingrid told me to leave it be that Tavia’s anger would settle, and she would forget Fen. But it is obvious your wife is as stubborn as she is courageous, and she does not plan to stop her nightly abduction of Fen.”