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)
Chapter 18
Rogan could not sleep nor did he want to. He had been tired, his head nodding and his eyes drifting shut before a quick jerk of his head had him opening them again. It was when he started snoring lightly that Aliss had insisted, had actually ordered him home to bed.
What good would it do to have both of them exhausted, was her theory. She was right. There was no real reason that he should remain with her while she tended the feverish Daniel. He could contribute no knowledge, only support, by remaining by her side.
Now lying alone in his bed he wished he had not left her. This was their wedding night and they should be together, whether here in his bed or he beside her as she did her healing.
He pillowed his hands beneath his head and kicked the light blanket off his one leg all the while mumbling complaints until finally he spit out an oath.
He knew what really troubled him and didn’t want to admit it. Their vows needed to be sealed with haste if he didn’t want to risk losing her for good. Time was ticking by and soon there would not be a minute left.
What then?
He groaned and turned on his side, splaying his hand on the pillow where Aliss had rested her head. Many nights he had thought about Aliss lying there beside him, her naked body pressed against his, his arm draped over her and the two of them breathing as one.
He had yearned for that dream to become reality, and now just as it was about to happen, it was snatched away from him. Was Aliss his destiny?
The question had him springing out of bed and wrapping his plaid around him in haste. With sandals on, he slipped out into the night and disappeared into the dark woods.
He knew who could give him the answers he sought.
Giann.
She had accurately predicted many events for his clan, including Aliss curing his people. Now he wanted to know if Aliss would remain his wife and if they would live a happy and long life together.
He walked to the small clearing where he usually met with Giann, his familiarity with the area making it easy for him to travel in the dark. He stood there and softly called her name, giving no thought to the late hour. When he needed to speak with her or she with him, they always heard the other’s summons and answered.
“What is it you want from me, Rogan?”
He turned to the sound of her voice but caught only a shadow that hovered between the trees.
He was direct. “Is Aliss my destiny?”
“Her destiny was written before her birth.”
“Explain,” he said, concern gripping his heart.
“A prophecy foretold the twins’ future.”
“Which is?”
“On a full moon twin babes are born; with their birth sounds the horn; eyes of green, hair of red; destruction comes if without love they wed; for true love will bind their souls together and eternal love will be theirs forever.”
“Aliss must love the man she weds for it to last?”
“And the man must love Aliss.”
Rogan shook his head. “We’ve spoken no words of love.”
“The heart knows before words are ever spoken. What does your heart tell you?”
“My heart aches for what I am about to do to her,” he admitted with sorrow.
“Does that not tell you something?”
“It tells me that the taste of revenge is strong in my heart.”
“Yet you make no effort to tell her the truth and see what is in her heart.”
“I would lose her,” Rogan said.
“Would you?”
“I cannot take the chance,” he said adamantly.
“Cannot take the chance or fear taking the chance?”
“I will not lose her,” he reaffirmed through gritted teeth.
“You may not have a choice.” Giann’s shadow drifted off, blending with the night.
Rogan lingered alone in the woods, Giann’s remark heavy on his mind and heart. With his thoughts too chaotic to make sense of them, he finally returned to his cottage to find Aliss sound asleep in his bed.
He undressed and slipped beneath the blanket to find her naked. His heart swelled with joy, not to mention his manhood. She actually had felt at ease enough with him to climb into his bed naked to wait for him.
She was uncomplicated, giving, thoughtful, and she belonged to him as he belonged to her.
He hesitated to touch her. She slept so peacefully curled on her side, her body warm and content in its slumber.
He could wait until morning when she woke instead of disturbing her now.
What if tomorrow is too late?
He answered his own question by reaching out to touch Aliss.
He ran his hand slowly over her, wanting to familiarize himself with every inch of her flesh. She was warm and soft like fine-spun wool. Her bottom curved nicely as did her waist, which was neither thick nor narrow but just right for his hand to explore.