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)
“Nay, she is well and tending to the Hunters’ wounds.” His hand touched her cheek lightly. “And what of you? Are you all right?”
“Why wouldn’t she be? She’s a brave one.”
Kaelan shook his head as Fiora flitted down to rest on Bria’s shoulder.
“You are well,” Bria said, relieved to see her.
“It was a lucky swat,” Firoa said.
“It had to be a pretty good one if it knocked you out,” Kaelan said, taking his wife’s hand.
“A lucky one,” she repeated, flying off Bria’s shoulder. “We best get moving. There is a lot for the king to be told.” She flew ahead, stopped and returned to flit in front of Kaelan’s face. “Sorry for your loss, Kaelan. If you would like, I can have Henry come here when it is dark and he can take Braden’s body to Driochmor where the trees will welcome him to sleep peacefully under.”
“That is very kind of you, Fiora. His family will be pleased to know he is at rest.”
“I will see it done, and by the way, I really liked how you handled that spy. I particularly liked when you tore his hea—”
“Enough, Fiora,” he snapped.
“What?” Fiora asked, sweetly. “Bria knows what lurks deep in her husband, but she foolishly loves him anyway.” She took off, laughter trailing after her.
“Just when I think—” Kaelan shook his head, then turned taking hold of both her hands. “We have never truly discussed—”
Bria stopped him from going any further. “And we don’t need to. You told me about the beast, its history, and how your tribe embraced it. Besides, I believe there is a bit of a beast in all of us.”
He let go of her hands to slip his arms around her waist and draw her close. “And where does your beast hide?”
She smiled wickedly, “She is there. You just need to coax her out.”
“I look forward to it,” he said, and lowered his brow to rest against hers. “I love you, Bria, more than I thought possible. And though I hate to admit that Fiora speaks truth. You are a brave one and I am so proud to call you my wife.”
“So, finally you admit I am right., You just forgot to add, always. I am always right. Now stop that smoochie, smoochie stuff and get moving. We have a king to see.”
Kaelan looked about to swat at her. “The beast is going to swallow her whole one day.”
Bria laughed. “Do you really want her flitting around in your stomach?”
Kaelan groaned. “At least, I only have to put up with her until we leave for Northland.”
“Did I hear you say, Northland?” Fiora asked, flying back toward them. “How is it there? You know, in case I want to visit.”
“One swat, just one swat,” he whispered to Bria.
She laughed again and though the day held some sorrow, it also held promise for the future, preferably without Fiora.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Caerith Castle
Home of the King
King Dravic stood at the large war table that dominated the room.
Maps covered nearly every inch of its scarred surface. Colored stones marked troop movements, trade routes, and border settlements. Reports lay scattered among them, some weighted down with daggers, others rolled and tied with cord awaiting review.
The war room had once belonged to his father and before that his grandfather. Unlike the grand halls of Caerith, there was little decoration here. Stone walls, a massive hearth, shelves crowded with maps and records, and a single purpose—to prepare for threats before they reached Scotara’s borders.
A purpose that seemed more necessary with each passing day.
Rain tapped at the tall windows overlooking the city below.
Dravic paid it no mind. He stood with one hand braced on the table, broad shoulders filling the space around him. Dark hair brushed his shoulders, and years of carrying a crown had carved authority into every hard line of his face. He did not need to raise his voice to command a room. His presence alone often accomplished that.
Few forgot they stood before a king and even fewer dared challenge him.
“So, Tavish, you are telling me that a Northlander saved the Wise woman, Wynn, from being captured by a Drogath spy and not my Hunters?” the king asked, keeping his attention on the war table.
Tavish stood with his arms braced behind his back, calm and not at all concerned about being questioned for a second time. He had been the king’s royal advisor long enough to know not only the king well, but the man himself.
“Aye, my king. He also saved half of the troop of Hunters and his wife, who is also a Wise woman. Though she does not have the years of experience that Wynn, her great-grandmother, does. And Kaelan killed the Drogath spy, Dreth, as well.”
The king raised his head, hearing that. “Dreth was one of Tharne’s most successful spies. Tharne will not be happy with that news, or that whatever information Dreth gathered is now lost to him.”