Total pages in book: 46
Estimated words: 43414 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 217(@200wpm)___ 174(@250wpm)___ 145(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 43414 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 217(@200wpm)___ 174(@250wpm)___ 145(@300wpm)
Now she did, though its joy had faded when he apologized and made an excuse as to why he kissed her. And now, knowing how a kiss felt, she would miss never being kissed again.
“Something troubles you?”
Aura turned to find her husband’s face close to hers.
“You look far away, wife, as if you do not want to be here,” he said, having watched her try to enjoy the merriment.
“There is much to be done, and we have barely talked since the incident yesterday—”
“Chieftain Declan,” the cleric called out boldly from across the room a slur to his words from the many tankards of ale he had enjoyed. “I just heard of your curse. Surely it is the work of the witch. She must be found and burnt to free you.”
Hamish, into his cups as well, called out, “Aura, his wife,” —he raised his tankard— “is wise in the ways of plants and will rid the chieftain of the curse.”
The cleric’s eyes narrowed. “Wise when it comes to plants? Do you practice witchcraft, Aura?”
The room went dead still, and Declan shot to his feet, fury in his eyes.
“Watch what you accuse my wife of, Cleric,” he warned, fighting to contain his anger. “She is a good and kind woman.”
“Women can hide their evil until it’s too late,” the cleric unwisely continued.
Declan smashed his fist down on the table. “My wife is not evil, speak ill of her again and I will have your tongue cut out of your mouth.”
Silence fell over the room so heavily that not even a breath was heard.
Declan turned to Aura and held out his hand and together they walked out of the keep.
CHAPTER 11
Declan closed the door to Aura’s cottage relieved to be alone with her away from the cleric and his dangerous words.
After hanging her cloak on the peg, she picked something up off the table, went to him and took his hand to place the object in his palm. “You need to carry this with you.”
He looked at the hag stone. “You should keep it. You found it.”
“Nay, it is meant for you, and do not argue with your wife,” she said with a soft chuckle.
He chuckled himself. “I suppose that isn’t a good way to begin a marriage.”
Her smile faltered and she turned away from him. “I’ll fix us a brew, and you can finally tell me what happened with the witch.”
Declan reached out and took hold of her arm, stopping her. “Is something troubling you, Aura?”
She laughed softly again. “Where do I begin? Leaving the home I loved, my garden I worked so hard to cultivate, a failed abduction, an unexpected marriage, and now a cleric who believes I may be a witch.” She didn’t mention the kiss. It was the least of her issues, yet it was at the top of her list.
“I am truly sorry for the upheaval I have caused you. If we cannot settle this soon, I will release you from the marriage.” His remark was like a punch to his gut. He didn’t want to release her from the marriage just yet.
Maybe never.
While that thought surprised him, it was not unwelcome.
“Let me tell you about the witch,” he said, and they sat at the table while he detailed what happened at the ring of stones.
“She appeared from the whirlwind?” Aura asked.
“It seemed that way and she was adamant about you and I never returning there. I got the feeling she didn’t want to be there herself.”
“That’s interesting,” Aura said, her brow scrunching.
“How so?”
“The ring of stones reeked of dark magic but if the witch was uncomfortable there then she does not practice dark magic.”
“Then why curse me as she did?”
She smiled. “You forget it was a wish.”
“It feels like a curse.”
“Or possibly a lesson.”
“And if I knew what that lesson was, I would learn it posthaste. If she shows herself to me again, I will ask her if it is a lesson.”
“She will not tell you. It is your lesson to learn.” She nodded to the hag stone he was absent-mindedly rubbing in his hand. “That is a powerful talisman of protection. Keep it with you at all times.”
A knock sounded at the door.
Declan motioned her to sit when Aura went to stand and answer it. He went to the door and opened it. He stopped the smile that rushed to his lips and kept a stern expression, seeing Hamish’s and the cleric’s arms entangled around their shoulders, one supporting the other as they swayed in front of him.
“The cleric has come to apologize,” Hamish slurred. “Everyone defended Aura and told him what a good woman she is and how happy they are that you chose her as your wife. And that she was unselfish in accepting your offer and saving you from a lonely, bitter life.”
“She is a saint,” the cleric said, slurring every word.