Total pages in book: 108
Estimated words: 105132 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 526(@200wpm)___ 421(@250wpm)___ 350(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 105132 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 526(@200wpm)___ 421(@250wpm)___ 350(@300wpm)
“That is what worries me.”
“You worry needlessly and you will mention it no more to me,” Dravic cautioned.
“Aye, my king,” Tavish said with a slight bow of his head before he turned to leave.
“One more thing,” Dravic said, stopping him.
Tavish turned.
“Adira needs warm garments for the winter. See they are made ready for her and a fur-lined cloak as well.”
Silence stretched between them for a moment.
Tavish finally bowed his head. “As you command, my king.”
Tavish shook his head as soon as the door closed behind him. This was not good, not good at all. The sooner he got the king wed, the better.
He marched off, determined to keep an eye on the situation.
The warmth inside the cottage, provided for Feena’s healing work, wrapped itself around Adira the moment she entered.
A kettle simmered gently over the hearth, its fragrant steam carrying the familiar scent of rosemary, mint, and dried chamomile. Bundles of herbs hung from the ceiling beams, gently swaying whenever a draft slipped beneath the door. Wooden shelves lined the walls, crowded with clay jars, linen-wrapped bundles, and small bottles of scented oils.
Though smaller than the cottage they had once shared, it had quickly become a place of comfort. The king had seen that Feena lacked for nothing she needed to tend the sick, and Adira was grateful for that.
It felt like home.
Adira smiled as she settled onto the small stool beside the worktable.
The smooth stone mortar sat as if waiting for her. Beside it lay dried willow bark and feverfew leaves Feena had gathered before the last snowfall.
Adira reached for the pestle with practiced hands and the steady rhythm returned almost immediately.
Grind, turn, and grind again.
The familiar chore soothed her. She had spent countless hours beside Feena preparing herbs for teas, poultices, and healing salves. There had been comfort in the work then, just as there was now.
Only something felt different, not in the cottage… in her.
More and more lately, touch lingered, a hand resting on her arm, a gentle embrace, even the brush of another passing too close.
She found herself feeling more than simple contact. Emotions seemed to linger long after the touch itself had ended, leaving behind faint echoes she could not explain.
She frowned slightly, pausing only a moment before returning to her task.
Across the room Feena watched her, smiling when she saw how content she looked with the mortar and pestle in her hands. She had missed her there beside her, sharing in a healer’s chores.
When the last of the herbs had been ground, Adira brushed the powder into a waiting bowl and set it aside. She turned and smiled when Feena curled a finger, summoning her closer.
Adira came without hesitation and sat on the small bench beside Feena’s chair, just as she had done countless times.
Feena cupped Adira’s cheek. Such a simple touch had always been enough to ask for her full attention.
Adira kept focused on Feena, understanding she wished to talk… if only she actually could.
Feena’s smile slowly faded. She had worried that one day the time would come when she would have to have this conversation. The rumors recently circulating made it imperative that she did not wait. However, she never expected it to involve a king.
Feena gestured as if she were placing something on her head and puffed out her chest.
Adira chuckled soundlessly and nodded at the familiar gesture they had established when referring to the king.
Feena pointed to Adira, folded her hands together and rested them against the side of her face, closing her eyes for only a heartbeat. Then she pressed two fingers together and repeated the gesture for sleep. It was clear what she asked, Adira should have no trouble knowing what she meant.
Adira looked at her strangely and repeated the entire gesture as if confirming that Feena asked if she and the king slept together.
Feena nodded.
Adira shook her head, wondering why she would ask such a question.
Relief washed over Feena’s face, though only for a moment. She had to ask, had to know Adira was safe with the king. She believed she was, Adira sneaking to her bedchamber to sleep beside Feena after being escorted to the small bedchamber kept for her whenever the king had a woman visit for the night.
Adira saw the concern on Feena’s face and narrowed her brow and shrugged, asking what troubled her.
Feena made the gesture for the king, pointed to Adira, then gently touched Adira’s breast, and lightly touched between her legs, and shrugged, her brow narrowing in question.
Adira’s eyes popped wide that Feena asked if the king had touched her in improper places. Yet she did not deny it immediately, her thoughts drifted instead to the king tucking the wool blanket around her. To his hand resting accidently against her breast before he pulled it away so suddenly.
She had sensed surprise from him, concern as well, then something else she had not understood and had not, until now, questioned.