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)
“I think it is love that found us.”
“And I intend to cherish that love and you forever and all eternity.”
She rushed a kiss across his lips, leaving him aching for more, then nibbled at his ear and whispered, “I ache for the feel of you.” She let her hand slowly travel down his chest to settle intimately over him. She squeezed ever so lightly, then slightly harder, lighter again, then harder until he enlarged in her hand. She laughed softly in his ear. “You ache for me too.”
“You play with fire, Ree.”
“That is good,” she said with a nibble at his ear. “I like when you are heated.”
His reaction was so swift that she did not realize what he intended until she was flat on her back on the bed, he looming over her.
“Now to heat you to a fiery blaze.”
He had her naked in seconds, his own garments following with the same speed. And then he touched her slow and easy, running his fingers over every inch of her naked flesh and setting her soul on fire.
It was a torturous pleasure she never wanted to end.
His lips followed the same path in the same lazy manner, driving her completely insane with the want of him.
“Now,” she insisted. “I must have you now.” Her hands clung to his shoulders, her fingers digging into his hard flesh.
“Not yet.” He moved down over her to taste her sweetness.
She grabbed at the covers on the bed, bunching them in her hands as her cries of pleasure radiated throughout the room. Finally she pleaded with him to satisfy her ache. “Please, Magnus, I want to feel you inside me.”
He obliged her, his own desire to the point of eruption. He moved over her, slipped his arms beneath her back, and held her close as he entered her slow and easy.
Their passion took over and they held on to each other while the fiery inferno grew hotter and hotter and hotter and erupted in a blaze of blinding fury.
Their cries of pleasure swirled in the air and settled down around them in a breathless silence. They lay quietly clinging to each other, their bodies wet with the aftermath of lovemaking while the last ripples of pleasure faded away.
And as was their way, they both at the exact same moment whispered, “I love you.”
They were dressed and looking over sketches of maps Reena had made of Dunhurnal land when a sharp knock sounded at the door.
“Enter,” Magnus called out.
Thomas walked in. “A messenger from Peter Kilkern waits for you in the great hall.”
“He is alone?” Magnus asked.
“No one was seen traveling with him, nor has anyone been seen since his arrival. It seems he carries nothing but a message.”
“Where is Brigid?” Reena asked.
“With the weavers discussing a bridal veil.” His words could not help but bring a smile to his face regardless of present circumstances.
Magnus grinned and walked over to him to slap him on the back. “Are you ready to be a husband?”
Thomas nodded vigorously. “Aye, and a good husband I will be to Brigid.”
“Then let us go settle this thorn in our sides before the wedding so the celebration may be one of pure joy.”
Reena smiled at the thought, for she and Magnus would wed the same day as Brigid and Thomas if all went well. She hurried to trail after them.
Magnus stopped outside the bedchamber. “Why do you not join Brigid and discuss your own bridal veil?”
Reena planted her hands on her hips. “You cannot get rid of me that easily, and besides, Brigid does not yet know of our plans to wed.”
“Then this is a perfect time to tell her,” Magnus urged.
She remained firm in her intentions to join them. “I want to know what goes on.”
“I will tell you.”
“I prefer to hear for myself.”
Magnus stepped in front of Reena. “I am sorry, but I must insist. It would appear strange for my mapmaker to stand beside me while a message is delivered.”
Thomas added his opinion. “He is right and we waste time.”
Reena nodded, knowing there was no use in arguing. She turned to walk the opposite way.
“I will tell you all later,” Magnus said. Reena simply waved as she kept walking.
The two men hurried off, their footsteps heavy on the wooden stairs. Reena turned in a flash and rushed after them, though she kept a safe distance behind so they would not see or hear her approach.
She crept slowly down the stairs, and once at the bottom she slipped around the stone wall that led to the great hall. Once there, she blended with the shadows along the wall and concealed herself in the dark corner of the hall where she could hear yet not be seen.
She thought of the Dark One and how he used the shadows and darkness to his advantage. She felt the comfort of the dark ease around her to conceal and protect her, and she felt safe.