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)
Adira smiled and hugged her.
“Aye, hug me now,” Feena grumbled as she returned the embrace. “You may not be so pleased with me when King Dravic learns of this.”
Feena opened the cottage door and immediately stopped, her smile vanishing.
The two warriors who had escorted Adira to the cottage were nowhere in sight, but then the king’s orders were that Adira remain there until he summoned her, so what need was there for them to remain?
Still, a feeling of unease settled over her.
She turned to Adira, who was already looking toward the forest. Feena took hold of her hand with no intention of letting go and Adira hurried them forward.
The forest swallowed them beneath bare branches and patches of evergreen weighed down with snow. The deeper they went, the less evidence there was that anyone had passed that way recently, and Feena found herself watching the ground for tracks while Adira continued to pull her along.
“Slow down,” Feena complained, tightening her grip on Adira’s hand. “These old bones do not move as quickly as yours.”
Adira glanced back at her and smiled but did not slow her pace.
Feena shook her head. Whatever had gotten into the lass had certainly given her purpose.
Adira suddenly stopped.
Feena nearly collided with her. “What is it?”
Adira stared ahead.
Feena followed her gaze but saw nothing except trees and snow, the forest stretching silently before them.
Adira took another step.
Feena tugged at her hand, stopping her. “Nay. I have followed you this far, but I will not have you wandering deeper into the forest when I do not know why we are here.” She shook her head the whole time she spoke so Adira would understand she would not take another step with her.
Adira pressed her free hand to her chest, then pointed ahead.
“I understand that you feel something,” Feena said. “But I feel something as well, and what I feel tells me we should turn around.” She peppered her words with gestures and knew Adira understood her when she frowned.
A branch snapped somewhere behind them, and Feena spun around but nothing moved. She searched between the trees, her unease growing as she tightened her grip on Adira’s hand.
“We are leaving,” Feena said, pointing toward the direction of the castle.
She turned ready to tug Adira along with her when she stopped.
A man stood several feet away.
Feena gasped and immediately pulled Adira close against her.
Another man stepped from behind a tree to their right.
Then another.
Adira gripped Feena’s arm, frightened and feeling foolish for placing them in danger.
“Who are you?” Feena demanded. “What do you want?”
None answered.
One of the men moved forward.
“Stay back,” Feena warned.
He continued toward them.
Feena reached inside her cloak, her fingers closing around the small knife she carried when gathering herbs, but before she could draw it, the man was upon her and seized her wrist. She fought him, kicking at his leg and trying to wrench herself free.
Adira went to join in the struggle, fearful Feena would be harmed, but another man caught her around the waist and dragged her backward.
Her hand tore from Feena’s.
“Adira!” Feena screamed as she struggled wildly, but the man holding her twisted her arm behind her back so hard that the pain forced her to still.
Adira fought harder than Feena had ever seen her fight. She kicked and clawed at the man who held her, her mouth opening in a silent cry as she reached toward Feena.
“Leave her be!” Feena shouted, feeling helpless.
The man holding Adira cursed as she landed more punches than he expected and he tightened his arm around her.
Adira drove her elbow hard back into him.
He grunted. “Enough.”
A fourth man stepped from among the trees.
He approached Adira, and Feena’s heart pounded with fear as he reached beneath his cloak.
“Nay! Do not hurt her!”
He pulled out a folded cloth and when he unfolded it, Feena saw dark petals nestled there.
Adira twisted away, but the man holding her trapped her arms while the other pressed the cloth firmly over her nose and mouth.
Her eyes widened, but still she fought.
Feena screamed her name although she could not hear her, but surprisingly Adira’s gaze found hers and held it.
Feena watched the fight slowly leave her, her legs grow weak, and then her eyes fluttered closed.
Fear had Feena screaming out again. “ADIRA!”
The man holding Feena released her so suddenly she stumbled forward and fell to her knees in the snow. By the time she was able to get to her feet, one of the men had lifted Adira into his arms.
Feena rushed toward them and a man stepped in her path.
“Move!” she demanded.
He said nothing. He simply stood blocking her way with a threatening glare until the others disappeared deeper into the forest with Adira. Then he backed away and followed them.
Feena stood frozen, too shocked to move. They had not harmed her, had not even tried to take her. They had wanted only Adira.