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)
“That would be a change,” he scoffed, slipping into bed beside her, though not before placing the hag stone on the chest and doing so in a way she didn’t take notice. “My wish may finally help me.”
Aura tilted her head slightly, studying him in the firelight. “You’ve always said the wish was simple, but perhaps it wasn’t. Words can bind tighter than chains if they’re caught by the wrong ears. And if the stones hold any old magic…” She let the thought trail off.
Declan’s gut twisted. “You think something happened there?”
“I don’t know,” she said. “Maybe the witch showed up in time to prevent anything from happening.”
“Or maybe not.” He ran his hand through his hair, frustrated. “Do you think it’s possible that finding love with you and our marriage could end this cursed wish? I no longer care about other women finding me irresistible.” He turned to his side, his smile wicked. “I only care that you find me completely and utterly irresistible.”
“I wouldn’t go that far,” she teased, then chuckled.
He slapped his hand to his chest. “You wound me, wife.”
Her chuckle faded as she studied him for a long moment. “We need to find out if your cursed wish has ended. Then not knowing if anything happened at the stones, I need to gather some plants that can offer us protection against dark magic. If the witch thinks something reached me there…” She trailed off, her brow furrowing. “Why did she say you would pay dearly if dark magic touched me?”
His grip tightened. “Because she knows I would rather suffer myself than see harm come to you. She would use that against me.”
Aura’s mind raced, threads of the conversation weaving together. “Dark magic could be worse than any cursed wish.”
The thought lodged like a stone in his chest. He remembered the way the clouds had gathered over the stones, how the air had shifted, heavy and watchful.
“I don’t like the way this feels,” she admitted. “We’re tangled in something neither of us fully understands.”
He reached to brush a strand of hair from her face, his touch lingering. “Then we’ll untangle it together. Whatever this is—wish, curse, or dark magic—it won’t take you from me.”
CHAPTER 14
The morning light spilled across the floorboards of the Great Hall, though Hamish looked as if it were stabbing straight through his skull. He sat slumped at the table, muttering into his hands about “evil drink.”
Declan glanced toward the hearth where the cleric stood, his robe hanging uneven over his body and his hair unkempt. His eyes, however, were bright and clear, far too clear for a man who had matched Hamish cup for cup the night before.
“A blessed morning to you, sir,” the cleric greeted, his voice warm and pleasant, almost overly so. “And my lady. A fine morning to you both. I trust the night was… everything it should be for a night of consummation.”
Declan wanted this done and the cleric sent on his way. He had a servant pass the bridal sheet to him for inspection.
The cleric gave it a quick, approving nod. “Excellent. No room for doubt now. Your vows are solidly sealed.” He stepped forward with an easy smile and extended his hand to Declan. “You have my thanks for your hospitality.”
Declan took it. The grip was surprisingly firm for a cleric, but he met it with strength, the cleric lingering in it as if to prove his own worth.
“May your days be… memorable,” the cleric said, giving a shallow bow. Then, without offering another word, he turned and left, the door closing hard behind him as if the keep itself was pleased he was gone.
Aura watched the door a moment longer. “He’s far more jovial today than yesterday.”
“And eager to leave, yet he offered no parting blessing,” Declan said, his brow narrowing.
Hamish groaned. “He’s a strange man, though he can hold his drink. Now close the shutters before the light kills me.”
“The shutters are closed, Hamish,” Declan said. “You are no use to me hung over so badly. Go home to Freyda and let her fix you a concoction that will ease your misery.”
Hamish stood slowly. “First, all wonder if the marriage has worked a miracle.”
“Miracle?” Declan asked, then realized what Hamish was referring to. “Only one way to find out.” He looked around at the female servants. “Will anyone volunteer to see if my marriage has ended my curse?”
Mira stepped forward.
“Brave lass,” Hamish said.
“I appreciate your courage,” Declan said. “You will be rewarded either way, Mira.”
She smiled, tilted her chin up, and bravely stepped toward Declan.
Mira didn’t fall.
“Closer,” Declan said.
Mira didn’t hesitate, she stepped right in front of him, barely a hand’s length between them.
She smiled, remaining on her feet.
The few in the hall cheered.
Hamish held his head. “We’ll be celebrating more than just a wedding.”
Another cheer rang out and Hamish turned and slowly headed to the door.