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)
“Listen well, mapmaker.”
Her breath caught and her heart raced at the sound of the Dark One’s harsh voice. He blended with the night shadows so well that Reena had no idea where he was, and she did not care to look upon him and his ominous dark garb.
“Tell Magnus that he must look closer.”
“What do you mean?” she asked, curious and eager to help the man she loved.
“Tell him.” His response was harsh and firm and expected obedience.
She expected further explanation. “I cannot tell him what I do not comprehend.”
“It is not for you to comprehend, you are merely the messenger.”
She was fast to argue. “I will deliver no message I myself do not understand.”
“You refuse to do as I say?”
Reena thought for a moment, a mere moment, since it did not take her long to disagree. “You comprehend me clearly, now what say you? Do you explain, or do I continue on my way?”
A moment of silence was followed by a low rumbling laughter. “He will have his hands full with you.”
“Aye, and I will love him and understand him as no other can.” She raised her head in pride.
“He is lucky to have found you.”
“I intend to remind him of that often.”
He laughed again.
“Tell me of what you speak,” she urged, “so that I may help him.”
The Dark One obliged her, the harshness gone from his tone. “What is it that Kilkern seeks?”
“A map,” Reena replied, “to support his claim that Dunhurnal land is actually Kilkern land and that Magnus has no claim to this property.”
“So then if he seeks a map to prove his claim, who better than to provide him with one?”
“A mapmaker,” she said in a hushed whisper. “Kilkern needs a mapmaker to map the land for him, proving his claim.” It took a moment for her to digest the information and realize that she was in danger. “My friend Brigid has no need to worry?”
“Kilkern seeks Brigid for a different reason. He is a man that intends to get what he wants at any cost.”
“So he seeks Brigid for pleasure and me for mapping.”
“Aye, but at the moment the map is more important. He can find another woman to satisfy his lust; he cannot find another mapmaker with your knowledge of Kilkern and Dunhurnal land.”
“I am valuable to him.”
“More than you realize. Be careful and share this information with Magnus, for I am not certain he is aware of it.”
Reena remained silent.
“You hesitate.”
“Magnus will keep me confined once he learns of what you say.”
“For your own safety,” he assured her.
“He will worry over me.”
“He loves you and will worry regardless.”
She sighed. “Something does not make sense to me.”
“What do you mean?”
“I do not know.” She shook her head. “All this talk of the land and who has rightful claim to it.” She shook her head again. “Something is amiss.”
Magnus’s men began spilling out of the great hall, disrupting their solitude.
“Go speak with him now,” the Dark One warned her.
“I will tell him.”
“Now,” he reiterated firmly.
“As you say,” she said with a resigned sigh. “Can I offer you food and shelter for the night?”
“I have all I need, but thank you for your gen-erosity.”
“Be well,” she said in a soft whisper, but she knew that the Dark One had blended further into the shadows of the night and probably did not hear her.
She changed her direction and returned to the keep. She did not find Magnus in the great hall and went in search of him. She did not find him in his solar and decided to drop her cloak in her bedchamber before proceeding to his chambers. She was surprised to see him standing in the middle of her room looking perplexed and perturbed.
“Where have you been?”
“I thought to visit my parents.”
Magnus was beside her in two strides, his hands grasping her face. “Tell me when you leave the keep.”
“I was not going far.” She placed her hands over his to soothe him.
“If I do not know where you are, then it is too far.” He leaned down and kissed her, and the soft, gentle touch of his lips soon turned ravenous, along with his hands. It was as though he had to touch her, had to feel her warm, soft body and be assured that she was there with him, alive and well.
He stopped to take a breath and rested his forehead to hers. “I am a warrior used to fear, and yet when I am uncertain of your whereabouts fear rises in me like I have never known before. Damn, Reena, I love you so very much.”
Her heart swelled with joy. “I will do my best to not cause you fear.”
He laughed softly. “Why do I think that will be a problem?”
“I am adventurous; I cannot help it.”
He scooped her up into his arms. “Then you shall be adventurous with only me.”