Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 90574 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 453(@200wpm)___ 362(@250wpm)___ 302(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90574 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 453(@200wpm)___ 362(@250wpm)___ 302(@300wpm)
“I did not hear you.”
He approached her, a plaid of mixed dark colors wrapped around him, his chest bare, his hair rumpled from a night’s sleep and his green eyes sharp and steady on her.
“Then you were lost in heavy thoughts,” he said and stopped in front of her.
“A common trait of mine,” she admitted.
“Something you wish to discuss?”
Aliss attempted to ignore the firm muscles in his wide chest and the thickness of his arms. There was strength there and power. She had felt it time and again when he had lifted her so effortlessly. He could fight barehanded without a problem.
She suddenly recalled how Rogan had attacked Hellewyk land and pierced Tarr’s arm with one mighty blow of a hand-held arrow. She had tended the wound, amazed at the strength it would take to accomplish such a feat.
Now she saw for herself the strength in the man who had injured her brother-in-law and shivered.
He reached out to her and she stumbled away from him.
“What is wrong?”
“You attacked Hellewyk land in search of me? Why? You could have just requested my help.”
“Tarr would never have allowed you to leave with me.”
She did not argue the truth. Tarr would have never permitted her to go with Rogan.
“Your silence tells me we are in agreement.”
She gave a reluctant nod then suddenly asked a question that had lingered in the recesses of her mind since arriving there. “What of the Isle of Non?”
He hesitated before answering, “What of it?”
She shrugged. “I recall my brother Raynor mentioning that he chased you and your men off the isle. Why were—”
He didn’t let her finish. “I thought the isle belonged to Tarr.”
His troubled expression caught her curiosity. Why would the ownership of the isle concern him? “A dispute that has been settled with the joining of the two clans. But what interest do you—”
“I hope someday you will understand the reasons behind my actions.”
“I hope so too, but what of the isle—” She stopped and stared into the woods. “Did you see that?”
“See what?” he asked, and followed her glance.
She shook her head. “I must be seeing things. I could have sworn I saw a pair of green eyes.”
“My men patrol the woods regularly. More than likely it was one of them you saw.”
She continued to stare into the woods. “The eyes looked like they breathed life.”
“A trick of the light,” he suggested.
She did not agree. “I think not.”
“I will search the woods myself,” he assured her.
She reached out and grasped his arm. “No, you must not go yourself. Promise me.”
He laughed. “You fear for me?”
She released his arm quickly and stepped away from him, feeling more foolish than ever. “Do what you will. It matters not to me.”
He approached her again, but she walked away.
“I wish to tend my garden.” She bent down and yanked a small weed, squeezing it in her hand.
He grabbed her arm and hauled her to her feet. “Is it so hard to admit you care what happens to me?”
“I care what happens to everyone.”
“I am no different?” he asked, releasing her.
She stared at him, her heart pounding.
“Aye or nay will do,” he said.
“It is not that simple.”
“Why not? Open your eyes, see for yourself, and you’ll have your answer.”
“My eyes are open.”
“My mistake,” he said caustically. “It is your heart that you need to open.”
She gasped. “My heart is more open than yours will ever be.”
Rogan laughed. “Your heart is locked away.”
“I dare—”
“Speak the truth?”
“I will listen to no more.” She marched past him.
He grabbed her, yanking her against his chest. “Not even to what your own heart and mind tell you?”
“They tell me not to be foolish.”
“Mine tells me to take a chance.”
“On what?”
“On you.”
Aliss yanked her arm free and she ran into the cottage, knowing she was running more from herself than from him.
Chapter 10
Aliss slammed her fist on the table and cursed her own anger. Her eyes were open wide, very wide. She knew exactly what she saw. Did she not?
She rubbed the spot between her eyes. The area that always ached when she thought too much. It was a dull ache, not a throb, and more annoying than painful.
How to get rid of it?
Stop pondering?
She laughed at herself. That was not likely, especially now since she felt the fool for treating Rogan so rudely. He had been nothing but kind to her since her capture. At first, she had feared her treatment at his hands, for rumors had presented the Wolf as a fierce warrior to be feared.
Gradually, she had learned differently. Rogan was nothing as she had imagined him, and in a strange way, his kindness had proven difficult for her. The Wolf was no longer the predator she first thought him to be. He did not bite, though sometimes he snarled, but he always protected her.