Total pages in book: 153
Estimated words: 141492 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 707(@200wpm)___ 566(@250wpm)___ 472(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 141492 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 707(@200wpm)___ 566(@250wpm)___ 472(@300wpm)
Her fingers had been loose on his shoulder, but they curled into his shirt at his question, and for the first time, a slow smile touched her mouth. It was very slow in coming, but when it did, he noticed at once that she had a small dimple near the left corner of her mouth. The green in her eyes deepened to an unbelievable shade of emerald. She was beautiful. Her beauty came from inside her. An indomitable spirit. She would need that in the coming weeks.
“It did occur to me that taking the war to her might throw her off her game, but I don’t quite have that confidence yet.”
“Thank the stars for small favors,” Nicu said. “The underworld does not seem to be a place I wish to experience, and no doubt if you go there, Petru will insist on the rest of us following you.”
“No doubt,” Petru agreed. He stood, an easy, fluid motion, keeping Safia in his arms. “If you still must go to the caves this night, then let us get you to your farm to check on your family.”
“Don’t sound so grim. And don’t give them lectures,” Safia said.
“I plan on having a talk with your grandfather, father and brothers, Safia, but I will wait until your grandfather is available. It is important that they understand you are under my care, and I am very exacting on how that will be done.”
She raised an eyebrow, her gaze moving over his face with a hint of haughtiness. “I believe you missed the part where I told you I am the defender. I was born into that role and trained for it my entire life. Don’t think you are going to come here and dictate to me or my family something different, because that is what is going to be.”
“We shall see,” Petru said complacently. He didn’t believe in arguing.
CHAPTER
7
The market in Dellys was a familiar place that always gave Safia comfort. She loved the sounds and smells. The way people spoke various languages, laughed and bargained, interacted with one another and showed off their best wares made her smile. She enjoyed haggling and trading. She was good at it. The family stalls were always busy. Amara’s jewelry was especially sought after. Farah’s clothing was a big success. The pottery was a huge seller, but the rugs were their top moneymakers.
Amara sat behind the table while Safia did the actual bargaining. In the produce section, Lunja and Farah were selling the farm eggs and vegetables. Layla was home tending to the children and the farm itself with the men.
Amastan was resting after a long night consulting the ancestors. He hadn’t said a word when he woke. That was his usual way. He’d simply returned with her to the farm and retired to his room to rest. Safia hadn’t been so lucky. She’d been up all night, but she was expected to train and then work several hours on the farm before accompanying the other women into Dellys to sell their wares in the marketplace.
For the first time that she could remember, the market didn’t soothe Safia. She found herself exhausted and on edge. Her mind kept trying to find Petru. She considered herself a very disciplined person—she had to be when she was the defender—yet she couldn’t stop herself from wondering if he had already deserted her. If he found her lacking.
He had stayed close during the rest of the night, keeping the vigil, waiting for her grandfather to awaken, but he had gone out on patrol, continuing to familiarize himself with the area. He didn’t attempt to talk to her again. He didn’t talk to her family about her. The more she thought about his behavior, the more she convinced herself he thought she wasn’t the right one for him.
“Safia, what’s wrong?” Amara asked when there was a lull in the customers around their table. “You look very sad. This is not like you. You’re always very animated and draw people to us. If you’re tired, I set up a cot behind the curtains. You can lie down for a little while. We have a couple of hours before we must return to the farm. I can handle the customers, and if there are too many, I’ll wake you.”
It was a generous offer. Safia could see Amara was genuinely concerned. Just hearing Amara make the offer made her feel a little better. “I’m fine. Just tired.”
“It’s him. The man who has made the claim on you.” She lowered her voice. “He came to see Emmi last night.”
Safia’s head jerked up in reaction. She went very still. If Petru had gone to her father, that might explain a lot. “He did not. When? He went to see Baba? Petru never said a word. You saw him? What did he say?”