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)
He leaned forward and caught her lips with his. He was about to taste more of her when his eyes caught sight of her drawing and he pulled back away from her, his hand reaching for the paper.
He was struck by the detail. Reena had captured the scene as if she had been there and had seen it with her own eyes. It took him back to when he was a little boy, and that little boy’s emotions came pouring forth. His heart pounded in his chest and he fought the urge to weep.
Reena watched his emotions war in his eyes and on his face. “I do not know why I draw what I draw sometimes. I had not planned on this drawing.”
Magnus shook his head slowly. “I cannot believe the accuracy in it. It was as if you saw it clearly with your own eyes and that you felt—my God, you actually captured her pain.”
Reena and he looked upon the drawing. Magnus’s mother stood chained to the wall of the secret room, her wrists tight in the shackles, her fingers holding firm a piece of metal she used to scrape words on the stone wall. Her long hair hung down her back and her head rested to the side on her arm. She resembled Magnus, though her beautiful face portrayed a woman deep in sorrow, strong in strength and fighting her fear.
Magnus kissed her cheek. “Thank you. I shall cherish this drawing forever.”
“But it makes you sad,” Reena said, her own heart as heavy as his, for the drawing invoked deep emotions.
“I cannot deny it brings back difficult memories, but your drawing proves to me what I thought as a child but now I know as an adult—my mother faced her ordeal with strength and courage, and no one, absolutely no one, could take them from her. So thank you again, you gave a little boy what he needed badly. You gave me the truth.”
Chapter 22
Spring rushed in, forcing winter away. The days turned sunny and bright, the air lost its chill, the skies seemed bluer, the birds hurried to build nests for their expected young, and the trees were budding.
The village was also a buzz of activities. Repairs were started on the cottages, the land was being prepared for planting, and the healthy farm animals were near to giving birth, along with several women in the village.
Life was good, though on closer inspection guards had been doubled around Dunhurnal land, people kept a watchful eye on strangers who requested to stop and rest before traveling on, and Thomas remained forever near Brigid’s side.
Spring had brought beautiful weather, and along with it a better chance for Peter Kilkern to make a move.
Reena hurried out of the keep, Horace close behind her. She did not have much time. She had already bade her parents and Justin farewell, and she had to see Brigid before she left. Early that morning Magnus had announced that they would take a few days to travel to parts of his land he wished mapped with more detail and that they would leave by midmorning.
She’d barely had time to pack a small satchel and say her good-byes. Brigid was the last one left to see, and then she would be ready to go.
Magnus and she would have collided had he not seen her rushing out the door. He braced himself and grabbed firm hold of her as she rushed into him, though Horace collapsed with a start against Reena’s legs. She was forever rushing. She was a small bundle of exuberant passion that simply could not be contained, and he found he did not wish to contain her; he wished her to remain free of heart and spirit.
“Are you ready?” he asked and frowned at the now sizeable Horace, who cautiously peeked out from behind Reena. “Still a coward.”
“I must bid Brigid farewell and then I am ready, and Horace is not a coward, he is a loving, thoughtful and true friend.”
“Do not take long, I wish to leave shortly, and Horace the cowardly dog will not be going with us,” he said and released her reluctantly. He watched her rush off, the dog taking a wide berth around him as he hurried along beside Reena. As usual, Magnus felt a sense of emptiness fill him. He had thought his pursuit of Reena would be easy. She was, after all, a woman, and women were not that difficult to understand. Show her interest, comment on her beauty, and a woman would respond. However, the more time he spent with Reena, the more he realized she was not like other women. Comments on her work meant more to her than comments about her lovely features. She grew thrilled when offered quills and paper but was less enthusiastic when offered fine gems. If the land needed scouting, she was quick to request permission to go so that she could accurately map the area.