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)
The cottage finally came into view through the rain. It appeared tucked amongst the trees, warm light spilling softly from the one window.
Once they reached it, Kaelan pushed open the door and guided her inside.
Warmth greeted them immediately, yet neither moved apart.
Bria remained tucked beneath his cloak, one of his arms still securely around her, while rainwater dripped softly onto the stone floor beneath them.
For several long moments neither spoke and neither stepped away.
Bria could feel the steady beat of his heart beneath her cheek resting on his chest, strong and reassuring enough that she briefly forgot every fear and confusion waiting beyond the warmth of his embrace.
Kaelan lowered his head slightly, breathing in the faint floral scent lingering in her damp hair. Every instinct within him urged him to tighten his hold rather than release her, and a silent warning stirred firmly through his thoughts.
Let her go… for now.
Slowly, and with visible reluctance, Kaelan loosened his arm from around her.
Bria almost found herself ready to throw her arms around him and not let go, but she stopped herself. Whatever was the matter with her for thinking such a thing? It was as if she could not resist him.
Nay, it wasn’t just desire she felt. It was an empty ache inside her when he stepped away from her as though he took part of her with him.
A fire burned strong in the hearth and food and drink waited upon the table as promised—bread, roasted meat, soft cheese, and a pitcher of hot cider, steam rising from the pitcher.
Bria recalled he hadn’t eaten and urged, “You have gone too long without food, eat.”
She slipped free of her cloak and moved toward the hearth, settling upon the small wooden bench nearby so the heat would dry her hair. An excuse she told herself to keep her distance from him.
Across the room, Kaelan sat on one of the two benches at the table. He tore off a piece of bread, though his eyes lingered on her rather than the meal before him.
Seeing desire still stirring in his eyes rushed heat to her cheeks instantly, and she focused on her hair, pretending sudden interest in untangling the damp strands she had already untangled in the cave.
The memory of the cave still lingered too vividly within her. The feel of him against her, the rough hunger in his kiss, and the sight of him naked.
Bria’s blush deepened and she swallowed softly.
Kaelan watched the color deepening in her cheeks and knew her thoughts had wandered in the same dangerous path as his own. The realization only fed the fierce hunger already burning inside him.
To distract himself, he reached for the pitcher of cider and filled his tankard.
Silence settled between them, broken only by the crackle of the hearth and the soft rain outside.
Bria forced her thoughts elsewhere, not as difficult a task as she thought, since Winnie’s words hurried into her head.
Welcome. One of us. The Wise.
She still struggled to make sense of it, though another thought continued troubling her just as much. Kaelan had been familiar with the name.
Be careful who you trust.
The older woman’s words unsettled her almost as much as everything else she had revealed. If what Winnie believed proved true, then speaking carelessly about it could place more than herself at risk. Yet she trusted Kaelan more than she likely should. At least enough to want answers from him.
Bria glanced quietly toward him while he ate, recalling the moment in the forest when he had stopped her from touching the strange purple flowers.
Only the Wise can touch them.
The words had remained with her ever since.
“What did you want to ask me?” Kaelan said, interrupting her thoughts.
It wasn’t what she intended to ask him, but it seemed a good question for now. “How did you know about the Wise?”
Kaelan tilted his head as though uncertain of what she meant.
“The purple flowers in the forest. You said only the Wise could touch them safely.”
A faint furrow touched his brow before he answered. “In the Northland there are stories about Driochmor much like there are in Scotara.” He refilled his tankard as he continued. “Most speak of curses and strange magic. Others speak of people tied to the forbidden land itself.”
“Do you believe those stories?”
Kaelan held her gaze a moment before answering. “I believe most stories begin with some truth hidden inside them. Though the Wise are barely spoken of now except in whispers.”
Bria thought immediately of Winnie’s warning. “Because they are still hunted, blamed for the deaths of King Dravic’s parents. Why did the king believe them responsible?”
Kaelan shrugged. “I don’t know. Perhaps the reason was lost through the years.”
“Yet the blame still remains.”
“I doubt King Dravic will ever forget or forgive. He was young when his parents died and that leaves a child with a memory that can never be forgotten.”