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)
Snow!
Of course, the cold snow would numb her giving her relief enough to make it home with not too much discomfort. With the men occupied in talk, their backs to her, Fia searched for a spot that would do and with easy steps so not to attract their attention made her way to a deep enough patch of snow that would serve her purpose. She hoisted her garments beneath her cloak as discreetly as possible as she lowered herself down, then as soon as she felt the snow brush her backside, she plopped down the rest of the way, spreading her legs enough for the cold snow to seep between her legs.
She sat smiling with relief as the soreness began to numb. That was until she caught sight of her husband walking toward her, a scowl on his face and Corwin walking away shaking his head.
CHAPTER 22
Fia’s smile faded when Varrick came to a stop in front of her, towering over her like some predator ready to strike.
“I can explain,” she said.
“I would suggest you do since I was not expecting to see my wife sitting in a snow drift.”
“I am a bit sorer than I expected and the snow—”
“Bloody hell!” Varrick snapped as he crouched down beside her. “Why didn’t you tell me? I should have never touched you that second time.”
Fia smiled again. “For that very reason… you would blame yourself when it was my own fault since I seem to have an overpowering hunger for you.”
“While it pleases me to hear that you strongly desire me, it does not please me that you were not truthful with me and now suffer for it.”
“I was truthful. I had only a twinge of soreness, nothing to take note of and, besides, I wanted you and no twinge was going to stop me.”
“You can confuse me at times, wife. I do not know whether to be angry with you or be pleased beyond measure,” he admitted.
She chuckled. “I would choose the pleased beyond measure one.”
His smile bordered on a chuckle, and it caught him by surprise at how good it felt.
Fia loved his smile and wished he would smile more often, but perhaps her love for him, and the love he had yet to discover for her, would give him reason to.
“The snow helps the soreness?” he asked.
“It numbs it and will make the short ride home less uncomfortable.”
“You will make sure to tell me if you grow uncomfortable and, if necessary, we will stop for you to sit in the snow again,” he ordered.
“I am grateful for your concern.” She was more than grateful that her husband was proving to be more of a kind and loving man than she had first thought.
“No need to be grateful. You are my wife, and it is my duty as your husband.”
Not true.
She did not need a voice to tell her that. She felt his love when they had made love. It seeped inside her and hugged her tight and was the most amazing feeling… a feeling he did not understand.
“My lord, is all well?”
Varrick stood and turned to see Corwin had returned. “Aye, Corwin, all is well.”
“The men grow anxious. They wait for you to take the lead, my lord.”
“I’m ready,” Fia said in a whisper only her husband could hear.
“We will be right there,” Varrick called out.
Corwin nodded, a pleased smile on his face. “Aye, my lord.”
“You are sure?” Varrick asked, turning to his wife, and when she nodded, he leaned down to hook his hands under her arms and lift her up gently out of the snow.
“You must be chilled,” he said once he had her on her feet.
“Chilled enough to keep me comfortable,” she said with a satisfied sigh.
“Then we leave and get home where you can properly tend to yourself.”
It should have been a brief ride but the substantial snow that had fallen overnight slowed it considerably as did the decision to skirt the troubled area of the forest, adding a bit more time to the ride.
The chill dissipated faster than Fia would have liked, and the ride jostled her about, inciting her soreness. She held her tongue, not wanting to delay their return home. But the short distance seemed to stretch on forever until she had to smother her discomfort with locked lips.
“You are in pain, I can feel it,” Varrick said as the castle walls came into view.
“Aye,” she said, not able to contain her discomfort any longer. “But we are not far from home.”
“I can stop—”
“Nay, please, Varrick, I just want to get home,” she pleaded.
“Aye, but it is in our bed where you will spend the rest of the day,” he ordered.
“Some rest will help,” she said with no intention of spending the remainder of the day in bed.
“Bed. The rest of the day for you,” Varrick said, making sure she understood his command.