Total pages in book: 108
Estimated words: 105132 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 526(@200wpm)___ 421(@250wpm)___ 350(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 105132 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 526(@200wpm)___ 421(@250wpm)___ 350(@300wpm)
Her hand pressed against his chest softly or with strength. The way her fingers curled around his when he took hold of her hand. Or even the brush of her arm against him.
Each had told him something and, somehow, he had understood.
Dravic scowled at his own thoughts.
“I see,” Tavish said.
Dravic’s eyes narrowed. “What do you see?”
Tavish wisely shook his head. “Nothing, my king.”
Adira sat at the small table in Feena’s cottage with her fingers tucked inside the pocket of her new wool skirt. She had thought about the contents more than once since Bria had gifted her with the piece that made her necklace whole. Feena was the only person who knew about her necklace. She had not told or shown the piece to anyone else. She kept it hidden away in her bedchamber where she hardly spent any time.
She did not know why she kept it a secret. She just did. But today when she learned she would be spending the day with Feena, she thought it was a good time to show her that the missing piece had been found.
Feena glanced her way when Adira pulled the small pouch free and placed it on the table. She watched Adira loosen the tie and slip out the piece of a necklace.
Feena smiled. “It is the only thing you had when I found you.”
She gestured best she could along with her words and Adira nodded and smiled, understanding.
Feena held up one finger, then pointed to where another piece would slide easily into the other, uniting the two and forming one necklace.
Adira understood what Feena gestured. It looked as if another piece was meant to join with her piece. She smiled and slowly removed the piece Bria had given her from the pouch.
Feena’s eyes widened in surprise and she shrugged in question. “How?”
It took a few gestures before Feena understood and nodded. “Bria.”
Feena’s expression told Adira she understood.
Feena returned her attention to the new piece and the strange etchings on it. She knew the other one well. Adira had possessed it since she had found her, though she was never able to discover what it was or why Adira had it.
Curious, Feena picked up both pieces, holding them close together, and looked at Adira. She would not connect the pieces without permission from Adira.
Adira nodded, having already joined the pieces and seeing how perfectly they fit together.
Feena studied the two pieces, turning them slowly in her fingers before bringing them together. They fit perfectly. She stared at it for a while, then handed the necklace back to Adira.
Feena smiled. “It is beautiful.”
Her smile told Adira she was pleased and she smiled as well.
“Now for a nice hot brew,” Feena said, pointing to the small cauldron bubbling over the hearth’s flames.
Adira nodded eagerly as a chill suddenly settled over her.
As Feena prepared the brew, a strange restlessness replaced the chill Adira felt and she glanced toward the window.
The morning dawned gray and had grown colder as the day went on. It was a good day to seek the warmth and comfort of one’s cottage. Yet Adira could not help but think of the forest just beyond the village where snow still covered much of the ground.
Adira looked back at Feena, then again toward the window, and stood.
Feena watched her slip the joined pieces into the pouch and tuck it securely into her skirt pocket before reaching for her cloak.
“Nay,” Feena called out and was surprised Adira turned around. She shook her head, pointed to the floor, and then toward Adira. “You stay here.”
Adira glanced toward the window, then back at Feena as if unsure.
Feena used the gesture to signify the king and to remind Adira that he had ordered them to remain in the cottage until he sent for her.
“We stay here.”
Feena knew Adira could not hear her, but the sharp gesture toward the cottage door followed by an equally firm shake of her head made her meaning clear.
Adira stared at her, then she grabbed her cloak off the peg.
Feena caught her arm.
Adira looked down at Feena’s hand before lifting her eyes to meet hers.
The Adira she had raised would have lowered her gaze. She would have accepted Feena’s refusal without protest and returned to her chair.
This Adira did neither.
She held Feena’s gaze and gently removed her hand from her arm.
Feena stared at her. There was no anger in Adira. No defiance. Only determination.
Adira pointed toward the forest, then pressed her hand against her chest, letting Feena know that she needed to go.
Feena shook her head again.
Adira draped her cloak over her shoulders.
“You are going whether I agree or not, aren’t you?”
Adira could not hear the question, but Feena suspected the look she gave her was answer enough.
Feena sighed heavily and reached for her own cloak. “I will not let you go alone. And if the king has my head for this, I will haunt you for the rest of your days.”