Total pages in book: 112
Estimated words: 101336 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 507(@200wpm)___ 405(@250wpm)___ 338(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 101336 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 507(@200wpm)___ 405(@250wpm)___ 338(@300wpm)
She went to lean her head closer to him when she saw two servants staring at them. “They watch us. Reprimand me.”
“Aye, I will and give good reason to send you to our bedchamber,” he whispered, then raised his voice. “You will heed my word or be sent to your bedchamber to do penance.”
Sky bowed her head as if repentant, fighting to keep a smile off her face, and whispered, “I believe I will be doing much penance.”
Slayer kept a stern expression on his face. “And make no mistake, I will thoroughly enjoy delivering it.”
The few servants there turned away, whispering while one hurried off, no doubt to let others know of Lord Slayer’s warning to the guest.
A warrior suddenly rushed into the Great Hall calling out for his lordship and wasted no time in delivering the news. “A troop of mercenaries have been spotted not far from the village. Your men await your command.”
Slayer stood. “Ready the men. We ride.”
He glanced at Sky aching to kiss her.
She spoke so low that she feared he might not hear her. “Come back to me.”
“Always,” he said and felt an ache so sharp in his heart at leaving her that he wondered if he had lost his heart to her.
CHAPTER 15
The faint light of dawn was just beginning to show itself as Sky made her way to the spot close to the wolfhound pen. She was not surprised to see only two wolfhounds, her husband no doubt having taken the other two with him.
Soft growls drew her attention and she realized she had stopped, and the two hounds were letting her know they were impatient for the promised treat. She was cautious in her approach, knowing they did not fully trust her yet and she had yet to trust them.
“Good morning to you both. It is good to see you again. I brought bones as I said I would,” she said softly as she approached. “I assume your other two mates are with Lord Slayer.”
Her remark had the two hounds glancing into the distance as if keeping watch for their return, which confirmed what she thought. He had taken the two other hounds with him. She glanced in the distance herself, wondering how long Slayer would be gone. She missed him terribly, though he’d been gone only one night.
She had found out where the discarded bones were kept and found four that would suit the wolfhounds. She didn’t want anyone to know what she intended to do with the bones, the reason she’d been secretive about collecting them. She would have been subjected to too many questions and speculations, and Slayer would not be happy that she disobeyed him.
The two hounds started growling when she got closer, and she looked down and saw why. Angel was peeking her little head out of the shawl she had tied around her neck and fashioned into a pouch to make it easier and safer to carry the kitten around.
Angel hissed, as much as a tiny kitten could, at the hounds, then ducked back down into the safety of the pouch.
Sky cast a soft smile on the hounds and kept her voice tender with a touch of firmness. “The kitten is tiny and frightened and you two are large and fearless. You must protect Angel, not harm her. She is my friend like you two are my friends.”
The two hounds tilted their heads as if attempting to understand and their eyes followed her every move as she slipped two bones out of the sack and walked closer to the fence. She had only met them yesterday, far too soon to think it was safe to get too close. So, she extended the bones out to each hound and each bone was quickly snatched out of her hands.
She spoke softly to them for a while, then said, “Enjoy your treat. Angel and I will visit with you again tomorrow.” She glanced up at the gray sky as she walked away. “No sun today, Angel.”
She wondered if the sour sky would bring on sour moods. She found people often mirrored the weather. Sunshine brought more smiles, rain brought dreariness, and snow brought worry of survival.
Clansmen were waking and beginning their morning chores as she made her way through the village. Glances were cast her way, whispers exchanged, and no doubt assumptions made, and she did her best to ignore them. A couple of dogs appeared ready to approach her but were shooed away by a man who kept his eyes turned away from her.
She wished she could escape to the forest, feel it slip around her like a shawl that warmed and comforted, and be among animals that would not hesitate to befriend her. But she would not be so foolish and take the chance with her life in danger.