Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 91416 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 457(@200wpm)___ 366(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91416 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 457(@200wpm)___ 366(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
“Wise choice,” Mave said. “There’s a stream not too far off. We’ll go there and I’ll tend to the three of you and you will rest for a bit and gather your strength. Then you can be on your way.”
“Star,” they heard Knox call out and they turned to see his back to them as he waited for his mare to answer his call.
Mave took hold of Dru’s arm and hurried her away to speak quickly with her.
“Do not be foolish. Knox is your fate. Do not run from it. Meet it head on.”
“What if—”
Mave scoffed annoyed. “The choice has been taken from you.”
“Like my mum,” Dru said with a touch of anger.
“Knox is nothing like Lord Randall nor you like your mum. She raised you to have the courage to do whatever was necessary. So, make her proud and do it. Stay with Knox. Now go. I can see to this.”
Dru turned then stopped. “Can you tell me if they will make it to Clan MacLeish safely?”
Mave nodded. “They will and they will have a good life there.”
Dru sighed softly. “One less worry.”
“Now bid them goodbye and be off with you,” Mave ordered, and she did.
Knox’s hands went to her waist as soon as she got close enough for him to grasp hold of her. With an easy lift, he had her on his mare and quickly mounted and settled her against him.
“Stay off the worn paths,” Knox called out in warning.
Shouts of gratefulness for his help rang out as he turned his mare and disappeared into the woods.
Knox said nothing, but the firm hold he had around her waist told her that he had no intention of letting her go. And the anger that lingered in his dark eyes warned she would be better off remaining silent.
That, however, lasted only so long. There was much that needed to be said between them, but she chose an easy question.
“Where do we go?”
Knox kept his eyes on the road as he answered her. “A place where no one will find us—for now.”
“We should talk,” she said.
“Not now,” he said. “My anger with you is too strong.”
She went to speak.
“Hold your tongue, Dru,” he snapped again. “You will only make matters worse if you pursue this now.”
As difficult as it was for her to do as he said, she held her tongue. Besides, cradled in his warmth combined with the steady rhythm of the horse had her eyes turning heavy. She rested her head on his chest and was asleep in no time.
It was well after midday that Dru woke, and she leaned her head back as her eyes fully opened. Her husband stared down at her, his anger having faded though not completely. A spark of it flared here and there.
“We’re almost there,” he said and looked away.
Making amends was not going to be easy but he did have a right to be angry. She only hoped he understood when she explained it all to him. And while she reminded herself to trust Mave’s words, part of her feared what might become of Knox and her.
Dru watched as Knox guided his mare along a narrow path that was barely visible. The forest was thick here and she wondered where he was taking her.
They came upon a narrow passageway through thick bushes, the mare protesting a bit, but Knox coaxed the horse through. She calmed once past them while Dru was shocked to see a small cottage.
Knox stopped in front of it, dismounted, then reached up and lifted her off the mare.
“Go wait inside while I settle Star.”
She nodded and went to the door but stopped to turn and see where he took Star. He headed to a lean-to with a roof and back wall while large bushes protected the sides. He was gentle with the mare after their long ride, and she wondered if he would be as gentle with her, or would his anger prevail?
She entered the cottage and was surprised at the scent of a kale and cabbage stew cooking in the cauldron in the hearth. Someone lived here. She looked around. There was a table and two benches, a bed that could fit two but not with ease. Shelves with various size crocks upon them and on the narrow table beneath that ran the length of one wall sat more crocks as well as a large pestle and mortar and a few smaller ones. Dried herbs hung from a branch hanging over the table and baskets were piled beneath along with larger crocks. She didn’t need to see more to know who lived here—Mave.
Knox entered, closed the door and stood there staring at her.
She removed her cloak and hung it on a nearby peg in the wall. She couldn’t delay this any longer. She had to tell him.