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)
Did she love him? The question alone made her chest tighten painfully. How could she possibly know so quickly?
But had she not already begun wondering the same herself?
She felt his absence whenever they were apart and felt calmer whenever he stood near. And whenever he touched her or held her hand, she felt safe. Even naked in the pool with him, she felt safe.
And now that he stood outside instead of beside her, she wanted to go to him. Wanted to step outside into the rain and slip herself willingly into his arms as though that was where she belonged.
Surely that meant something.
Bria stopped beside the table and pressed both hands flat against it, frustration building steadily inside her.
Nothing made sense to her anymore, certainly not the strange connection between them. And certainly not the way her heart ached simply because he stood outside instead of beside her.
With an aggravated sigh, Bria reached for the pitcher of cider sitting upon the table, desperate for something ordinary to distract her thoughts and to quench her thirst.
The moment her fingers curled around the handle—the world vanished.
A violent image slammed into her mind so suddenly she gasped aloud.
The beast.
He was massive, his fur as white as snow, and terrifyingly close. Its glowing golden eyes locked directly onto hers. His jaws opened wide in a savage roar so thunderous it seemed to shake the very ground beneath her feet.
Hot breath blasted across her face while droplets of saliva struck her skin. It felt so real, too real.
Bria cried out and stumbled backward as terror ripped through her. The pitcher slipped from her grasp and shattered against the floor.
Darkness rushed over her instantly and she collapsed unconscious beside the table.
Chapter Sixteen
A Strange Encounter
A Promise Made
Kaelan remained outside only a short while longer before the rain strengthened once again. Cold droplets struck steadily against his face and cloak while wind stirred through the trees surrounding the village. Yet none of it cooled the restless thoughts churning inside him.
He had to let it go. He had a mission to complete. Besides, it rested with Bria now. It was her decision to make.
He turned his head, hearing something from inside the cottage. Had Bria called out? He didn’t waste a moment. He shoved the door open so hard it struck the wall behind it.
“Bria,” he called out, fear hitting him when she didn’t answer him.
The sharp scent of spilled cider reached him then and he saw her. She lay motionless beside the shattered pitcher, pale against the stone floor.
For one terrifying instant, Kaelan could not breathe. His heart slammed hard against his ribs. He crossed the room in seconds and dropped down beside her, glancing over her quickly. With no sign of harm, he hastily slid his arms beneath her, lifting her against him.
Limp. Her body was completely limp in his arms.
Kaelan’s pulse hammered wildly as he carried her to the bed and lowered her carefully onto it, one hand cradling the back of her head while the other brushed trembling fingers across her cheek.
“Bria.” His voice came rough now. Frightened. “Wake.”
Still no response.
His chest tightened painfully as he tapped her cheek gently, then more firmly.
He raised his voice. “Bria.”
Still Nothing.
He pressed his forehead briefly against hers, listening for breath, relief striking sharply when he felt the faint warmth of it against his skin.
Kaelan forced himself to calm down and think clearly as he normally would in such a situation. The problem was this situation involved the woman he loved.
That thought did nothing to help him and he shook his head to clear it.
There was no scent of blood, no wound he could see, so what happened? The question turned his attention on the room.
The shattered pitcher that lay near the table and cider pooling on the stone floor.
He dropped his head back and groaned deeply. She had touched the pitcher to pour herself a drink and felt something. Nay, saw something that frightened her so badly it caused her to faint.
And his hand had been the last one to touch the pitcher.
A slight movement caught his attention, and he looked to see her stirring slowly.
“You are safe, Bria. I am here with you,” he encouraged, worried the image might still linger.
Her eyes fluttered until they finally opened and seeing Kaelan there, she grabbed his arm. “I saw the beast. It was there right in front of me, so close I could feel its breath. You have been that close to it?” She struggled to sit up, Kaelan quickly helping her with a hand to her back. “I have found that my comfort touch goes beyond just comfort. Some items I touch show me things that have previously taken place.” She paused a moment, her brow narrowing. “But that only happened when I purposely concentrated on the object. This came without any thought. How could that be?” Burdened by the thought, she lowered her head trying to make sense of it.