Total pages in book: 105
Estimated words: 97306 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 487(@200wpm)___ 389(@250wpm)___ 324(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97306 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 487(@200wpm)___ 389(@250wpm)___ 324(@300wpm)
Argus went on talking, warning him what not to do when it came to the witch—Fia. Her name was Fia, Varrick had learned that during the signing of the marriage document.
She was far different than Varrick expected. He had expected an older woman, her face wrinkled and her body bent with age. She was far from that. She was young and of fair height and not a stoop to her shoulders, and from what he could spy beneath her worn cloak, she was slim, her breasts ample, and her face and hair mired in grime, and he was curious to what lay beneath the filth. Surprisingly, her dark eyes had captivated him. The deep color reminded him of the earth when it was at its ripest and ready to receive the seeds for planting. It made him wonder if the earth itself had created her since there was such a richness to the dark color.
“Is she fair to look upon?” Argus asked, breaking through Varrick’s musings. “It is no good if she is, for it will be more difficult for you to resist when she plies you with her wiles and traps you in a spell.”
“How is it you know so much about witches, Argus?”
Varrick looked at Corwin, who had asked the question that had been on his own mind as well. He was a man of decent size, but then most of his warriors were. He was, however, the only warrior with bright red hair and a beard to match—and a teasing nature.
“I have heard tales.”
“But are they true?” Corwin challenged with a grin.
Argus leaned his thick arms on the table. “Let us find out. Lord Varrick can have you stare into the witch’s eyes, then we can see what happens.”
Corwin’s grin vanished. “I think your knowledge of witches is enough for us to heed your warnings.”
That Corwin did not continue to tease and bait Argus warned Varrick that his warriors were concerned about him wedding the witch.
“The witch will do what she is told and what is needed,” Varrick declared.
It was the first time he spied uncertainty in his warriors’ eyes. They always followed him without question, trusting his every decision.
“Unlike others, she has powers,” Argus said.
“And she will use her powers as I command,” Varrick said with the confidence of a man accustomed to obedience. “Now eat and drink while you can. We leave soon enough, and we will keep a good pace since I know you all wish to get home as soon as possible.” He nodded at a warrior, gray strands heavy in his dark, shoulder-length hair yet no noticeable wrinkles, who sat at the other end of the table and appeared lost in thought. “Especially you, Marsh.”
Marsh raised his head, hearing his name. “My lord?”
“You wish to get home soon, do you not?” Varrick asked, knowing full well he did.
“Aye, my lord, as soon as we possibly can,” Marsh said, nodding and looked as if he would say more but held his tongue, then changing his mind, words hurried from his lips. “I do not want the witch near Ella, my lord.”
“I will make sure the witch goes nowhere near Ella,” Varrick assured him.
“I am grateful, my lord,” March said, appearing relieved.
Varrick stood and went to make certain his wife would be ready soon, eager to take his leave.
Fia gazed longingly at the wood tub filled with hot water, though it would not be hot for long if the two servants continued to argue by the door. Neither wanted to stay and help her as ordered and Fia did not care if they did. Her only concern was to climb into the tub and chase away the chill that had buried itself in her bones since arriving here.
Tired of their bickering and longing for the heat of the water-filled tub, Fia said, “I can see to myself.”
The two women could not leave the cottage fast enough and as soon as they did, Fia rushed out of her garments and into the tub. She sighed aloud just before she sunk beneath the hot water, head and all, letting the heat soak into every part of her.
When she finally sat herself fully up, she smiled. The water continued to lap at her breasts, just above her nipples and at her bent knees. She wished she could linger there for a while, forget her woes and empty her thoughts so she would be fully cleansed and ready to face whatever was to come.
Unfortunately, she had no time, and the water would cool fast enough, leaving the chill to return to her body. She hurried to reach for the soap sitting atop folded towels that rested on a tall stool beside the tub. She was eager to scrub the grime from her hair and her body and slip into the clean garments left on the table for her.