Total pages in book: 46
Estimated words: 43414 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 217(@200wpm)___ 174(@250wpm)___ 145(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 43414 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 217(@200wpm)___ 174(@250wpm)___ 145(@300wpm)
Declan stepped closer. “I never meant to entangle you in this and for that I apologize. But you have need of help now, and there is no turning back… for either of us.”
She could not believe she was even giving it thought, more than just thought. “A marriage of convenience and you would free me of the marriage once the cursed wish was removed.”
He gave a slight nod. “Aye. A marriage of convenience. No more, no less and I would free you once it was done.”
Aura stared at the hearth, its embers barely glowing, as if hoping to find a sliver of her former peace there. But she already knew it was gone. The quiet life she loved had vanished the moment she stepped into his wish that had become a curse. And now she’d never be free if she didn’t help him.
She turned to face him. “So be it.”
Declan straightened. “You agree?”
She took a breath as if needing the courage to confirm it. “Aye, I agree.”
There was no joy in her words. No joyous moment to celebrate as she would expect such news to bring. They were simply two people bound by necessity, standing on the edge of something that neither of them understood. But the decision had been made. And the path forward, whatever it held, was now theirs to walk together.
CHAPTER 6
The scent of drying herbs lingered in the air, mingling with the earthy hint of cold soil. Aura moved through her cottage with purposeful strides, carefully wrapping jars and satchels, her fingers moving on their own while her mind tangled with frustration and grief.
Two women had already tried to reach her cottage since sunrise, one nearly being successful before being hauled off by one of the three guards Declan had posted at her home last night. The other had pretended to be injured until Aura stepped outside, only to lunge toward the door with wild eyes and a screech of “You can’t have him, witch!”.
Declan had taken no more chances.
The two largest warriors he could summon now stood outside her home, flanking the door like stone sentinels. Their added presence made her cottage feel like a cage.
“I never asked for this,” she muttered, tucking her seed pouch into a cloth sack.
Late autumn had already turned much of her garden brittle and brown, the vibrant life of summer curling at the edges. She paused at the window, looking out at what remained, what she had so carefully tended with her own two hands.
She was already missing it and hoped it would not be long before she could return.
She would take what she could, the heartier plants, still rooted, still clinging to life. Declan had promised her a garden. A larger one, even. But it wouldn’t be the same.
Not like this had been. She had worked hard to cultivate the garden since her arrival here three years ago. A start to a fresh life for herself, away from her ever-demanding mother, so she could do what she loved. Immerse herself in plants, nature itself, and gain knowledge.
She turned away from the window to get back to finish gathering her belongings and take her leave, her heart aching.
Outside, Declan stood at the edge of the garden, arms crossed as he studied the beds. He knew Aura loved this place. And though she hadn’t said a word of protest, he could see the hurt in her eyes and feel her loss like a squeeze to his chest. It disturbed him that she should suffer because of him, yet he admired her bravery to do so.
He turned slightly, scanning the trees. Something caught his attention, a movement of sorts. He could see it just beyond the bramble.
Then he heard it… the faint voice of a woman.
He frowned. Another fool lass creeping through the woods?
He stepped off the path and followed the sound into the trees.
“Aura…” the voice whispered.
He paused and demanded, “Who goes there?”
No answer came.
Clouds rushed overhead, blotting out the sun in a sudden sweep. The wind stilled, and a strange hush blanketed the trees. A figure stepped from the shadows… tall, cloaked in black, her face hidden in the hood’s depths. But he felt her… cold, old, and powerful.
“You’re a fool,” the witch said, her voice sounding like wind whispering through dead branches, “if you think you can rid yourself of a wish so easily.”
Declan’s hand went to his sword. “You did this to me.”
“I gave you what you asked for,” she said with a grin he couldn’t see but could feel. “You asked for women to fall at your feet. I granted it.”
“It’s a curse.”
“It’s your truth,” she hissed. “One you were too proud to see coming.”
He took a step toward her. “I’ll undo it. One way or another.”
She laughed, the sound hollow and cruel. “And do you think marrying the one woman who does not fall at your whim will break it? You have much to learn.”