Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 87731 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 439(@200wpm)___ 351(@250wpm)___ 292(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87731 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 439(@200wpm)___ 351(@250wpm)___ 292(@300wpm)
And beneath it all… a faint glow.
Bria stepped inside slowly.
The cave stretched farther than she expected, smooth stone walls arching overhead while soft shimmering light rose from the water itself, casting gentle silver reflections throughout the cavern. Steam curled lazily across the glowing pool, the warmth already easing the chill from her skin before she had even touched the water.
“It’s beautiful,” she whispered.
Tibby yapped once, clearly pleased by her reaction, then turned and padded back toward the entrance.
Bria looked after him in surprise. “Leaving already?”
The little fellow gave another bark as though assuring her he would return later. Likely with Kaelan.
The thought he had let her come here alone stirred unexpectedly through her again. She shook it aside gently, slipped off her boots, and moved toward the water’s edge. She carefully dipped one foot into the glowing pool.
A deep sigh escaped her instantly.
The water was far warmer than she expected. Pleasant warmth curled around her skin immediately, softening muscles she had not realized remained tense.
Without another thought, Bria hurried to disrobe, laying her garments carefully upon a nearby stone before sinking slowly into the steaming water.
The glowing water wrapped around her like silk, easing tension from muscles sore from days of travel, fear, and restless thoughts. Steam drifted softly through the cave while the faint silver light beneath the water danced across the stone walls in quiet ripples.
For the first time since entering Driochmor, she felt something close to peace.
She leaned back slowly against the smooth stone edge and closed her eyes. Pleased there was nothing to disturb her peace, no whispers of strange powers, no questions she could not answer, and no unsettling truths waiting around every corner.
Only warmth and silence.
Bria dipped beneath the water, letting the heat surround her completely before rising once more with a slow breath. Water streamed through her hair and down her shoulders while the warmth continued easing away the lingering chill that had settled deep within her bones.
Nearby rested the small chunk of soap Winnie had pressed into her hand before she left.
“For your hair,” the older woman had said with a knowing smile.
Bria reached for it now, breathing in the faint scent of herbs and flowers as she worked the soap gently through her damp hair. Soft lather slipped through the long strands while she slowly massaged her scalp, the simple task unexpectedly soothing.
When finished, she dipped beneath the glowing water once more to rinse it clean.
The cave fell quiet again afterward, too quiet.
Bria stilled slowly in the water, a strange unease creeping over her skin, and listened carefully.
No strange sound reached her ear, only the soft drip of water against stone.
Bria frowned faintly at herself. Driochmor had filled her thoughts with too many shadows and too much uncertainty. She had begun imagining danger everywhere.
Still… she could not shake the feeling that she was no longer alone.
Her gaze lifted slowly toward the far side of the cave.
Something moved, or did it?
Was that a shadow against the stone wall?
Bria’s breath caught instantly.
She remained motionless in the water, her pulse quickening hard enough that she felt it pounding in her throat. Her clothing lay several feet away beyond the edge of the pool, too far to reach without leaving the water entirely.
Was she being foolish or had she seen it?
Then the shadow shifted… she wasn’t alone.
Bria’s fingers tightened beneath the water.
She did not know whether to flee, scream, or remain perfectly still.
Then a familiar voice drifted quietly through the darkness.
“That fear you feel could turn much worse if it were not me standing in the shadows.”
Relief hit her so suddenly she nearly sagged beneath it. Then immediately nervousness followed close behind.
Kaelan stepped forward into the soft silver glow cast by the water.
Mist curled around him while shadows still clung partly to his broad frame, though not enough to hide the steady intensity of his gaze fixed upon her.
Bria swallowed hard. “How long have you been there?”
His mouth curved slightly, though the look in his eyes remained far too intent.
“Long enough.”
Heat rushed instantly into her cheeks.
Before she could even begin deciding how to respond, Kaelan calmly reached for the fastening of his leather vest.
And he began to disrobe.
Chapter Thirteen
The Cave Pool
And Unexpected Company
Bria stared at him in disbelief. “You cannot possibly mean to join me.”
Kaelan continued loosening the fastening of his vest as though her protest held little importance.
“I do.”
The calm certainty in his voice only deepened her alarm.
“This is hardly proper.”
“Nay,” he agreed easily. “It is not.”
Bria blinked at the lack of apology.
She retreated farther into the glowing water until shadows partially concealed her beneath the drifting steam. Warmth still surrounded her naked body, yet suddenly it did little to ease the nervous heat rising beneath her skin.
“You left me with Winnie earlier,” she reminded him quickly. “Surely you do not believe danger waits for me even here.”