Total pages in book: 108
Estimated words: 99206 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 496(@200wpm)___ 397(@250wpm)___ 331(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 99206 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 496(@200wpm)___ 397(@250wpm)___ 331(@300wpm)
“So you came to find me not only for me to help your village but also to help free you to follow your dream?”
Her smile turned soft and she nodded. “And I found what I never expected or sought.”
“Love,” he said and leaned down to brush his lips across her moist ones. “That will never confine.”
“Not so,” she whispered before she tasted his lips. “You confine me when you do not share your plans.”
“Try to understand, Reena,” he said as though he pleaded with her. “I watched helpless as Robert Kilkern abused my mother and could do nothing. I will not have the same happen to you. If by chance I should suffer at Kilkern’s hands, then it is me who suffers—”
“Nay,” she said adamantly, tears rushing to fill her eyes as she pulled away from him. “I suffer along with you.”
She silenced any opposition with a gentle finger to his lips. “Aye, for that is love. I feel what you feel. I fear what you fear. I ache when you ache. I suffer when you suffer. Love will have it no other way, for we are part of each other, you and I. So do not tell me I will not feel your pain if you are made to suffer, for I know you will feel mine, therefore it remains for us both to protect, for in protecting one, we protect the other.”
He eased her finger away from his lips and held her hand in his. “I understand what you try to say to me, but my way is to protect what is mine—”
“You are mine, can I not protect you?” She sounded impatient and a bit fearful.
Magnus kept his patience. “Reena, listen to what you say. How can you ever protect me?”
She stepped away from him and pounded her fisted hand lightly to her chest. “By making me aware of everything that goes on, by trusting me, by loving me.”
“I do trust you and love you, but I believe that there are things you should not know for your own safety, and that is the way it must be. You must understand that and accept it.”
She stared at him and refused to shed the tears that gathered like a raging storm in her eyes. She could not speak, the lump in her throat constricting her voice, her stomach growing upset. She shook her head, choked back her tears, and fled the room as if being chased.
Magnus did not try to stop her; when she calmed down she would come to understand his decision and accept it. He thought on the wisdom of her words and realized how deeply she loved him, and he hoped that when she thought on his words she would realize how deeply he loved her.
Her tears blurring her vision, Reena could barely see the steps down which she fled. She was grateful when she entered her room and latched the door behind her. She flung herself on the bed and let herself cry long and hard, hoping the tears would ease her aching heart.
She did not hear the first tap on the door. The second was more a knock, and she sniffled, coughed and wiped away the last remnant of tears before answering it. Her hand was on the latch before she realized it could be Magnus, and at the moment she did not wish to speak with him, especially after crying. She did not care if her eyes were swollen from her torrent of tears—she cared that he would know that their disagreement upset her terribly.
“Who is there?” she asked, keeping her voice as clear and calm as possible.
“Brigid. Let me in.”
Reena had never heard Brigid demand, and she immediately opened the door to her friend and stepped back, turning away toward the fireplace so that Brigid could not see her red-rimmed eyes.
“What is wrong?” The demand remained in Brigid’s tone. “Magnus entered the great hall only moments ago more temperamental than I have ever seen him, snapping and yelling at his men. He even became annoyed with Thomas, and I have never known him to do that.”
Reena turned with a flourish, a faint smile on her tear-stained face. “He was upset?”
Brigid rushed to her friend’s side. “You have been crying. What is wrong?”
More tears gathered in Reena’s eyes and she wiped at them with annoyance. “I am in love and about to wed.”
“And this causes tears?” Brigid shook her head. “You must explain, for I am confused, though happy.” She scratched her head. “Should I be happy for you?”
“Aye, you may be happy, but you can tell no one of the wedding. I am certain that all in the keep and village will know soon enough, but the wedding must remain a secret.”
Brigid reached out and hugged her friend. “I am happy for you and I will tell no one of the plans for you and Magnus to wed, but can you tell me why?”