Total pages in book: 109
Estimated words: 103333 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 517(@200wpm)___ 413(@250wpm)___ 344(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 103333 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 517(@200wpm)___ 413(@250wpm)___ 344(@300wpm)
Feena spoke with a soft smile as she patted Adira’s arm and pointed to the king then walked her fingers. “You will go with the king.”
Adira shook her head, understanding, and pointing to her arm.
Feena turned to the king. “She fears you will hurt her.”
Elara’s heart twisted painfully watching the exchange and could only imagine how terrorizing this had to be for Adira, not able to hear anything or speak for herself. She wished there was a way she could help.
A thought hit her then. If the ethereal healer had mended Muir so swiftly, could she do the same for Adira? She kept the thought tucked away, her secret alone.
“She serves no purpose to me harmed,” the king said, annoyed, and saw the lass cringe.
“She sees your anger on your face,” Feena warned.
“That matters not,” the king snapped. “She follows my rule like everyone else.” His fist came down on the table in front of Adira. “I will not harm you.”
Adira buried herself against Feena.
“Enough of this nonsense,” the king said and yanked Adira away from Feena. He leaned his head down to plaster his face close to hers. “I will not harm you.”
“Yet you hold her as if you would and drag her away from the one person she trusts and feels safe with,” Elara said, unable to hold her tongue any longer.
The king glared at her for a moment then turned to Dar, his gaze narrowing with a scrutiny that felt like a blade drawn slowly across skin. “You will teach your wife to mind her tongue, or she will lose it.”
Dar’s arm shot out, locking around her middle before she could take a step toward the king. “I would not let that happen, my king.”
Once again, the room turned silent, the king’s eyes flaring with anger.
Adira cringed beside him, feeling his fury.
Dar bobbed his head. “I mean no disrespect, but I will protect my wife with my life and—”
“My apologies, my king,” Elara rushed to say, the thought that Dar would give his life for her outburst too disturbing not to speak. “I am upset for Adira and spoke out of turn. Please forgive my foolishness.”
The king looked at each of them and a hint of a smile touched his lips. “You care for each other. You both will serve me well.” His grim expression returned. “Keep hold of that tongue, woman, or chance losing your husband.”
“Aye, my lord,” Elara said, when she would have preferred to call him an insufferable arse.
“You both will remain in Caerith until I see what unfolds by morning,” the king commanded. “Tavish will see you to your chamber.” He turned a hard glare on Feena. “See the healer put in a chamber not far from mine and place a guard at her door. She goes nowhere without my permission.”
“You have no fear of me leaving, my king,” Feena said, turning a gentle smile on the lass. “Adira is like a daughter to me, and I would never leave her.”
“You will leave her if I command it, old woman,” the king ordered and turned to Tavish. “See them all settled for the night.”
With that the king all but dragged Adira out of the room. She struggled against his grip to turn and look at Feena, and the old woman was relieved the king prevented her from doing so, since the lass would only grow more frightened seeing Feena shed tears.
A guard approached Feena and after returning items to her healing pouch and securing it to her belt, she turned to Elara and Dar.
“I wish you a loving and fruitful union.” She went to turn, to follow the guard, and stopped. “Trust. Trust what is in your hearts.”
Elara didn’t have time to think on her words, Tavish’s voice catching her attention.
“Two guards will see you to your chamber,” Tavish said and when Dar turned a scowl on him, he grinned. “They will not guard your door. The king is confident you will remain here until he says otherwise.”
Dar nodded and he went to reach for Elara’s hand, but she was already reaching for his and when they joined, she locked her hand around his tightly. They were one now and he intended to see they remained as one.
They were led up a stone stairway and down a long corridor lit by wall sconces, the flames casting uneven shadows over the stone walls. Somewhere distant, a door slammed. Somewhere closer, footsteps echoed like restless ghosts.
Their chamber lay at the end of the corridor where a wooden door stood open.
“Your chamber,” one guard announced.
Dar gave a brief nod and stepped inside, drawing Elara gently with him. The door shut behind them with a heavy thud.
Dar waited a moment, then opened the door to peer out and see the two guards vanishing down the hall. He closed the door and turned to see his wife glancing around the room.