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)
Ogga caught it and took an involuntary step back, warning, “Careful, Kaelan.”
His gaze lifted slowly to hers. “If harm comes to my wife because of this, there will be nowhere in Driochmor you can hide from me.”
The threat settled heavily between them.
For once, Ogga did not smile. Instead, she turned to a servant lingering near the doorway.
“Fetch the troll,” she snapped sharply.
The servant hurried off.
Silence settled briefly over the hall.
Bria’s hand remained wrapped in Kaelan’s. She felt the tension running through him and try as she might to comfort and ease, it was difficult, the beast too powerful. She understood too well what troubled him. Every path seemed to lead to danger. The king. Drogath. Ogga. None offered safety for them… for her.
Heavy footsteps echoed through the hall before the troll entered.
His gaze immediately settled on the pendant. “Found that.”
“Aye, you did,” Ogga said. “And now you will take them to where you found it.”
The troll frowned. “Long walk.”
“How long?” Bria asked.
The troll scratched his head, then held up a thick finger. “One day there.” A second finger joined the first. “One day back.”
“You will take them there and bring them back,” Ogga ordered sternly.
The troll’s brow creased. “Home. You said—”
“You will return home when I say you can,” she admonished harshly. “Now you will do as I command, take them to where you found the pendant and bring them back here. You know the consequences of failing me.”
The troll lowered his head, and a foul odor suddenly filled the hall.
“What have I told you about releasing gas?” Ogga screamed at him. “Never in my presence.”
Bria realized then how frightened the troll was of Ogga and she wondered what the witch had threatened him with to keep him obedient.
Ogga turned to Bria. “Take the pendant with you and find what I seek and return.” She turned quiet for a moment, her stark blue eyes lingering on Bria. “Do not disappoint me.”
Bria slipped the cord over her head and let it rest against her chest.
Then without another word, Kaelan led her toward the doors.
The troll lumbered after them.
Chapter Twenty-Three
The Forest of Driochmor
Where the Journey Continues
The fortress disappeared behind them quickly and Bria could not have been more relieved. Her stay there had been short, thank the gods, but the memory would linger. At least until new memories were made.
She breathed deeply of the potent scents of the forest that she wanted to believe welcomed them. Though welcomed perhaps was not the right word. Driochmor never seemed entirely welcoming. It watched, listened, and waited and those who found themselves here would be wise to remain aware.
Something Kaelan did. He remained focused and silent. The anger he carried from the fortress had not fully faded. It lingered near the surface ready to burst free if necessary.
He had not let go of her hand since leaving the fortress and while it was comforting, she could not help but feel a stirring that was rising in him, and it had nothing to do with the beast. She knew what it was. She had felt it in him when they were in the cell… desire. And while this was not the time or place, she let herself sink into it and feel it, if only briefly. Honestly, though, she simply could not resist exploring it.
It seemed to take control, slowly wrapping around her and all her worries and fears faded away and she wanted nothing more than to lose herself in it.
“Stop, Bria,” Kaelan whispered harshly.
She let go of his hand quickly and took a needed breath. She focused straight ahead on the troll lumbering along ahead steadily. She had not realized where her touch could take her, nor did she realize how much her husband desired her or how much she desired him. This certainly was not the place to have such thoughts and yet they lingered no matter how hard she tried to chase them away.
“Do not make it more difficult for us both. Focus elsewhere.”
It came as a shock to Kaelan to learn how easily his wife could slip deep inside him and stir his passion. It was as if he felt her hands roaming feather-like over him and he shuddered, his passion having yet to fade.
He glanced her way and could almost feel her struggle, and he cursed beneath his breath. This was all his fault, and he was unable to do anything about it. His anger caused the beast to stir but then he was already too near the surface ready to fight and protect.
How a simple mission had turned into such an intricate one he didn’t know. He only knew that Bria, his wife, was his top priority. All else could wait. He needed to keep her safe and he feared that would prove more difficult than he ever imagined now that he knew she was a descendent of the Wise and set for execution.