Total pages in book: 126
Estimated words: 116749 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 584(@200wpm)___ 467(@250wpm)___ 389(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 116749 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 584(@200wpm)___ 467(@250wpm)___ 389(@300wpm)
She wiped at the tears that pooled in her eyes. She loved both her sisters without question and would do anything for them. She felt the same about Saber. She would do anything for him.
Love.
Did she love Saber? A lone tear trickled down her cheek. The thought of love felt right. It felt good in her heart. Was she lucky enough to have wed a man she loved and did she dare hope he would one day love her?
The door opened and she turned expecting to see Lendra, thinking she had forgotten something.
Her husband stood in the open doorway. She didn’t hesitate, she rushed to him, throwing her arms around his waist and hugging him tight. His arms wrapped around her and he kicked the door shut. With a gentle lift, her feet dangling just above the floor, he walked to the bed and sat, resting her in his lap. He raised her chin with a single finger, his eyes questioning.
“Thoughts of my sisters and you leaving me to go and fight,” she said, explaining her tears and sniffling them back.
He hugged her close. He wanted to vanquish her fears with promises that all would be well, but that would be a lie and he couldn’t do that.
“I tell myself that all will go well. That Annis is too obstinate to fail. She will see the curse broken and save Bliss’s life. That you will not go off to fight. That we will remain together always and have a good life. That my sisters will do well and have good lives of their own. I tell myself this time and again, trying desperately to make it so.”
He kissed her brow and held her tight, not knowing what else to do. He wished the same as she did, but he feared it would not turn out in her favor. For now, they had each other, and he would do everything in his power to see that it remained so.
Chapter 10
Elysia smiled as she laid the garment aside she had been working on and tucked her needle into a scrap of cloth. With no one seeking any healing today, she had been free to do what she loved—stitch. She had repaired several garments and it was just past mid-day.
Stretching herself up from the chair with a wince from an ache in her back, she decided a wander through the village would do her good. And she had a good reason for one, delivering the finished garments to their owners.
She hurried on her cloak, eager for the feel of the crisp harvest air. She snatched up the basket, where she had placed the garments, off the table and went out the door. The air held a good nip to it and seeing how busy the village was, it was obvious everyone was concerned about being prepared for a cold winter ahead.
Her first stop was Elva’s cottage, a woman’s whose age had robbed her of some her abilities.
“You are a luv,” Elva said, taking the repaired tunic from Elysia. “These old fingers of mine can’t do what they used to and this tunic is the warmest one I have.” Elva’s many wrinkles deepened as she smiled. “I can’t even tell where you repaired it. My grandson brought me a few quail eggs, let me give you some.”
Elysia reached out and stilled the woman with a gentle touch. She knew Elva probably had only two or three eggs for herself, but felt the need to compensate Elysia for her work. “You keep the eggs, Elva, and I will bring you ointment to ease the pain in your hands.” Elysia smiled wide. “And with your hands feeling better you can bake some of your delicious honey oat cakes and give me two or three. Though I wouldn’t say no to four or five.”
Elva laughed, then whispered, “I will make you six.”
“You spoil me, Elva.”
“You are a kind and loving woman, Elysia, and I am glad to see you so happily wed. What has it been? Three weeks now?”
Elysia couldn’t believe it herself as she nodded. “Aye, three weeks and I am blessed with a good marriage.”
“That is good. Many marriages aren’t so blessed.”
Elysia thought about Elva’s remark as she continued through the village. She had grown happier by the day with Saber and he appeared to feel the same. They had settled into a routine that pleased them both. Saber walked her to her cottage every morning and returned for her before dusk. He’d visit her a couple of times throughout the day and she knew he did it to make sure she was all right. The nights, though, when they settled in bed were the best. They made love every night. She felt her cheeks heat with a faint blush, thinking of how often they also made love in the morning. Her cheeks heated again when she thought how daring she had become touching her husband intimately and enjoying it, and how Saber encouraged her.