Total pages in book: 109
Estimated words: 103333 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 517(@200wpm)___ 413(@250wpm)___ 344(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 103333 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 517(@200wpm)___ 413(@250wpm)___ 344(@300wpm)
She intended to wait for Dar to eat but as time passed, her stomach growled, the food tempted, and she surrendered to temptation. She enjoyed every bite, the food flavored well and the wine tasty.
It wasn’t long after she finished that her eyes grew heavy. The journey, her full stomach, and her worries taking their toll. She walked over to the bed with the intention of resting while waiting for her husband to return. She slipped off her boots and left the only garments that she had on. Her head barely touched the pillow when she fell asleep.
Dar sat in his da’s private chamber where missions were discussed and finalized, and private thoughts often shared between father and son.
“First and most importantly, Dar,” his da said, lowering himself to a chair at the head of a table, “was this marriage forced upon you?”
Dar sat on a bench to the left of his da. “Aye and nay. King Dravic insisted, but it is what I wanted.”
“A convenient marriage. A wise choice. Feelings only stand in the way of a Hunter.”
He didn’t know how to explain to himself what he felt for the herb-scribe. He had an overwhelming need to keep her safe, to protect her. When she was out of his sight, he worried over her, and when she was in his arms… he felt something that he didn’t quite understand.
His da continued, “We Hunters are a fierce lot and have no time to worry or tend to a wife. Hunters keep their minds on their prey, their missions, that is why we are so skilled and successful at what we do. A convenient woman works best for a Hunter.”
Dar recalled the loss of his mum to an illness that had swept the village two years ago. His da had been away on a hunt and learned of her passing when he returned home. He had simply nodded when told the news and continued on as if it meant nothing. But that night he came here to this room to speak to his da and he stopped outside the door hearing a noise. He listened and realized his da was crying. He had been taught never to shed tears for any reason. But here in private his da shed tears for the woman who had shared his bed and home for over thirty years.
He had been shocked to hear words stumble from his da’s lips as he wept, “Whatever will I do without you, Gwen?”
Dar felt a catch to his heart, imagining losing Elara, never seeing her again. Was it possible? Did he care for Elara? To care or love a wife was not something Hunters gave thought to. It was the hunt that mattered… only the hunt.
His da reiterated his thoughts. “We are fearless Hunters who live for the hunt. It is all that matters.”
Dar dropped his head back and laughed. “And what about Gorman?”
His da shook his head and grumbled. “Tall, thick, largest, and one of Venngraith’s fiercest Hunters and he goes and falls in love.” He kept shaking his head. “Foolish man. He is worthless to me now.”
“He still hunts and successfully,” Dar argued.
“Putting thoughts of getting home safely to his wife and three daughters above all else.” His head did not stop shaking. “And he weeps openly upon hearing her cries of pain when she labors to deliver their bairn and swears he will never touch her again, but does that stop him?”
Dar chuckled, his da shaking his head more vigorously.
“Nay. A fourth bairn is on the way and he openly lets everyone know how much he loves Jenna and his daughters, leaving himself vulnerable.”
“Or making sure everyone knows that severe harm will come to them if anyone dares to harm his wife or bairns. And for that I cannot blame him. Jenna is a wee bit of a thing though she has a heart far larger than herself.”
His da abruptly stopped shaking his head, his eyes went wide, and he leaned forward. “And do you know what he does now?” He didn’t wait for a response. “He skills his daughter in the use of weapons and the oldest, eight years now, is learning to track.” He gave one shake of his head. “And she is good at it.”
“There is also Lester. He does not hide his love for his wife, Regina. It must be more than twenty years since they have been wed, since before I was born, well over twenty years now.”
“Lester doesn’t hunt. He is a coin-keeper as you well know. He records all purchases and sales made at Falkrith and sees the taxes are paid to the king. He can speak of his love for his wife as much as he wants to.”
Dar paused for a moment before saying, “Perhaps to admit you love is good. Perhaps love changes things for the better.”