Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 87731 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 439(@200wpm)___ 351(@250wpm)___ 292(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87731 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 439(@200wpm)___ 351(@250wpm)___ 292(@300wpm)
Kaelan’s arm went around Bria’s waist as he led her back into the cell, the lock falling into place.
“You will pay for this failure, you idiot,” Ogga shouted at the troll as her berating continued as they climbed the stairs.
It was not until the witch’s voice could no longer be heard that Bria looked at Kaelan, and said, “Explain.”
Kaelan’s arm slipped loose of her waist to take her hand. He walked over to a spot on the far wall where the light from the flickering torches gleamed now and again. He released her hand to sit, leaning his back against the stone wall, then he reached for her hand once again and eased her down to sit on his lap.
“Better than the cold, stone floor,” he said as he settled her comfortably against him.
“Tell me,” Bria urged, eager to know why they had to join here and now.
“First, are you all right?” he asked.
“Answer my questions first,” she said, annoyed that the Ogga seemed to know more than she did.
Kaelan dropped his head back against the stone wall. “I needed to get my scent on you before we met with Ogga. Driochmor witches are familiar with the Thornek Tribe and the power of the beast. It is known to those here the lengths the tribe would go to, to protect one of their own or to avenge one of their own. And though Ogga is a powerful witch, she is no match for a herd of angry beasts descending on her fortress.”
“If that is so, then why would the witch capture you?” Bria asked, but Kaelan need not answer, since as soon as the words left her mouth, she realized it on her own. “Oh, it isn’t you they are after, it is me. You protected me the only way you could.”
He traced his finger slowly over her lips. “Believe me when I say I would never have joined with you here if there had been any other way. It is not the memory I wanted to give you. But I will spend the rest of my life giving you better ones.”
Kaelan remained silent.
That silence unsettled Bria more than anything else, since if Kaelan did not know why Ogga wanted her… then neither of them knew what awaited them when morning came.
Chapter Twenty-One
The Dungeon
An Unexpected Turn of Events
Bria woke slowly, warm and comfortable despite the cold stone dungeon. For several moments she remained still, reluctant to open her eyes fully. Sleep had wrapped around her deeply during the night, stealing her away from thoughts she had not wanted to face. Now they waited patiently for her return.
She shifted slightly and immediately felt the steady rise and fall of Kaelan’s chest against her. Memories of a few hours ago returned; the troll, the fortress, Ogga, and the fact that she had fallen asleep cradled securely in her husband’s lap.
Husband.
The word lingered in her thoughts. It should have brought a smile to her face, but instead, a strange ache settled inside her.
Bria kept her eyes closed, trying not to think. She listened, trying to distract her thoughts with a sound, any sound. Somewhere beyond the iron door, water dripped steadily in the darkness. Occasionally distant footsteps echoed faintly through the stone corridors. Otherwise, silence surrounded them. And so, her thoughts wandered.
Kaelan had not moved. One of his arms remained wrapped securely around her waist while the other rested loosely across her legs. Through the long night he had held her, protected her, and loved her.
The realization brought warmth to her heart, but it also made the ache grow sharper.
Bria slowly opened her eyes. Darkness still filled much of the cell. Only the faintest glow slipped through the narrow opening in the iron door whenever a torch flickered somewhere beyond it.
She stared at the stone wall opposite her and finally allowed herself to admit what she had spent the night trying not to feel… disappointed.
The admission alone brought a sting of guilt. Kaelan had done what he believed necessary to protect her. Nay, not simply believed, he had protected her.
The moment he realized the danger, he acted without hesitation. He had sacrificed what should have been a cherished memory for both of them to ensure her safety. She understood and appreciated it and loved him all the more for it.
Yet understanding did not change how she felt.
She could not help but think how different it would have been if they had remained in the cottage where they could have taken their time. Where they could have come to know each other intimately, grown comfortable with each other, and spoken of the future that awaited them.
Never had she thought that joining with her husband for the first time would be shared on a cold stone floor while danger rushed toward them. Never with fear pressing at her from every side.