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)
Bhric did not need to think on her words since he felt them in his heart. Their love was not conjured by a witch or touched by evil. It had been born of them both through trial and error and with much courage.
“I will be truthful, wife, as you have been with me.”
That he believed her truthful touched her heart. She had feared it would take far longer for him to believe that of her and it made her love him even more.
“I questioned it briefly, thinking myself foolish if I did not consider it. But it was difficult to imagine, especially since I found you appealing when I saved you from being trampled on and sat you upon my horse.” He frowned briefly. “Giving it thought, I got angry with you after that for not revealing who you were to me and what I presumed as weakness without even getting to know you. Besides, you had yet to visit the witch, yet to gather any spells, and that means I found you appealing of my own accord.”
Truth slipped from her lips as well. “I visited with Fia many times before you arrived and never once did she speak ill of you. She told me you respected strength and courage, and I should show you the same.”
“And you have, far more than I expected or thought possible,” Bhric said and went to kiss her.
She rested her fingers to his lips. “Others might think differently, what then? Will they condemn me and call for me to be burned at the stake as so many did for Fia?”
Bhric took hold of her hand and kissed it, seeing worry swirling in her soft blue eyes. “I will not let that happen to you.”
“Fear, especially fear rooted in lies, can cause frenzy among the people and provoke them to make demands.”
Bhric took hold of her chin. “Listen well, wife. My tribe knows to obey me since they fear more of what I will do to them than they fear the witch. You are safe with me never doubt that. Now I will have what I presently desire most… a kiss from you.”
Tavia reached her arms up and her husband lifted her around the waist, so she could easily slip them around his neck, and he could easily reach her lips.
His kiss never failed to send a thrill through her, never failed to light her passion, never failed to make her realize how much she loved him and never failed, at this precise moment, to let her know how much he loved her.
Bhric rested his brow to hers when the kiss ended and let a moment pass for his breathing to ease before he said, “I would bend you over the table, toss your garments up and take you here, but having been interrupted too often of late, I will not chance being deprived of you again. Tonight, wife, nothing will stop me from making love to you.”
“You peak my passion with such words and the image it sets in my mind, so I hold you to your word that you will make love to me tonight, husband.”
“You have my word,” he said and went to kiss her again when a knock sounded at the door.
“The messenger is ready to leave and wishes to speak with you, my lord,” a servant called out.
They both grinned, her husband’s concern having proved true.
“I will be right there,” Bhric called out.
“Tonight, husband,” Tavia said with a smile before kissing his cheek.
Bhric set her on her feet and took her hand mumbling all the way to the door and beyond.
After seeing Bernard off Bhric and Tavia made their way through the village to Lath’s mother’s cottage so she could see how the young man was faring. They had almost reached it when Sven suddenly appeared and rushed at them.
“Looks like more bad news,” Tavia whispered to her husband when she saw Sven’s face puckered with concern.
“Tell me,” Bhric said when Sven reached him.
“Another dead animal in the forest,” Sven said.
“You will return to the keep while I see to this, Tavia,” Bhric ordered.
“Nay,” Tavia said. “I will not run and hide as if I have done something wrong. I will visit with Lath then return to the keep.”
“As a Northman I admire your bravery but as your husband I worry over your foolishness,” Bhric said and kissed her quick then turned to Sven. “Have a warrior keep watch on her.”
“She has Fen,” Sven said as if a warrior was useless. The scowl Bhric set on him had him saying, “I will assign a warrior to watch over her, my lord.”
Whispers started as soon as her husband left her side and Tavia did her best to ignore them. It was foolish to believe that she had anything to do with the dead animals since the only time she had been in the woods and barely a few short steps in, was when she had found Fen. She was beginning to understand how Fia must have felt hearing what people assumed about her and fear began to poke at her as she made her way along the path.