Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 92771 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 464(@200wpm)___ 371(@250wpm)___ 309(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92771 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 464(@200wpm)___ 371(@250wpm)___ 309(@300wpm)
He had to step away from her, an ache to hold her only making things more difficult. When she wasn’t in his arms or their hands were not laced, he felt apart from her even if she was near. Holding her and her touch brought him a peace he didn’t think he ever knew. It was as though a part of him had been missing and had finally been found just as she had explained. He felt whole with Shade, and he did not want to lose that. He did not want to ever feel he had lost a part of himself again.
He rubbed the back of his neck to keep his hand from reaching out and snatching her into his arms. “Before meeting you, I was willing to give my life to see Amara revenged, to join her wherever she had gone. While I still intend to see her avenged, I do not want it to be at the cost of losing my life or losing you. I cherish you and our love, Shade, beyond anything I thought possible, and I always will.”
Shade rushed to him, throwing her arms around his waist and hugging him tight as she pressed her face against his chest. His arms settled around her just as tightly and she looked up at him. “The only thing that can part us permanently is death and I would fight death itself to keep you with me.”
“You are one brave, tenacious woman, but you will never, not ever, put yourself in harm’s way for me. You will live and survive for us both.” He kissed her softly.
“Isn’t that what Amara would expect of you?”
“Aye, she would want me to live, but with her own words she spoke of revenge.”
“She did. Revenge on the men who had taken her life, not anyone beyond that. Was her intention to keep you safe from the evil man who had robbed her of so much, fearful he would do the same to you? Please, Quint, I don’t want to lose you.”
“I must see the evil who took Amara from me die, so that it can never again cause harm to anyone.”
He kissed her and she relished the love she could feel in it and prayed that love would triumph over evil.
CHAPTER 22
“If Dru hasn’t returned by tomorrow, I am going to go search for her,” Quint said, keeping hold of his wife’s hand as they approached the edge of the woods just outside the village. “I have allowed her a few extra days past when she told me she would return, knowing Dru’s returns are often delayed. But enough time has passed for concern.”
“Then you must go and find her, for I worry over her safety,” Shade said.
“Dru may be petite, wife, but she is sly and quick and can outmaneuver most warriors and avoid capture. Besides,” —Quint wrinkled his nose— “her foul odor alone keeps everyone away from her.”
“You cannot be gone long,” Nug said, close enough to have heard him and hurried to the couple. “I expect Rufus to return any day now and I wouldn’t be surprised if more mercenaries arrived, stragglers who think to join the ones they assume are here.”
“Knowing Dru, she is probably close by. I have no doubt I will find her fast enough,” Quint assured him.
“Can I have a moment of your time, sir?” Nug asked.
Quint’s head turned toward his wife. He had promised he would go with her into the woods to hunt for plants whose roots she wanted to gather, and he didn’t want to disappoint her. But he had also yet to ask Nug if he believed there might be a message within the message Ryland had sent with Caleb.
“I can gather some of what I need just beyond the edge of the woods where you can see me,” Shade said, seeing her husband’s desire to speak with Nug.
“You won’t go any further until I go with you,” Quint said, intending to make sure she didn’t.
“Aye, I won’t wander off,” she assured him, and he bent his head down to press his cheek against hers and she waited for the whisper that was sure to come, letting her know she better do just that. So, she was taken by surprise by his whispered words.
“I love you, Shade, so take care and do as I say.”
His loving words sent her heart fluttering and even tinged her cheeks pink. A bit flustered by his unexpected remark, all she could do was smile and nod her head. She turned and headed to the edge of the woods and after taking barely a few steps beyond the edge, her husband’s strong voice stopped her.
“That’s far enough, Shade!”
She stopped, turned, and waved at him, then got busy hunting for the roots she was looking for, her mind more on Quint’s words of love than her task at hand. It took her a few moments to clear her head and concentrate and once she did, she got lost in her chore.