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)
He nodded. “There was no way the land, though mine by birthright, would be surrendered willingly.”
“So he helped prepare you to fight for the isle?”
“He did, though I chose a different way. I did not want to start life on this land with the blood of my clan or my enemies on my hands. I hoped to obtain what was mine with no loss of blood or lives and with a minimum of injuries.”
“You succeeded.”
“Some suffered,” he said. Her in particular, though he had not planned it that way.
“Suffering eventually ends, but deaths are forever. I admire your effort to avoid spilling blood and taking lives to claim this land.” She glanced around. “No wonder it is so beautiful. You have brought no bloodshed and death here, so it rejoices and repays your respect with abundance for your clan.”
“I always felt I had come home when my father brought me here.”
“How did it come to be that the Hellewyk and Wolf clan both lay claim to this land?”
He stood abruptly. “I am not certain.”
Aliss pushed herself up off the fallen tree. “Why did you not tell me all of this from the beginning?”
“It really did not concern you.”
“It most certainly did. It was the reason for my abduction.”
“Part of the reason, and besides, you were to serve your purpose and be returned to your people. I had not anticipated falling in love with you or your proposing marriage to me. It changed everything.”
“But not your quest for this isle. That came first, even before love.”
“Will you ever forgive me for the hurt I’ve caused you? Does it make any sense for me to continue to try to make you realize how much I love you? What must I do to make you understand how much I do not want to lose you?” He shook his head. “I should be done with this nonsense and negate our bargain. You are my wife and should remain my wife.”
“You told me the choice was mine. You go back on your word?”
“You really think I would not keep our bargain?” he asked.
“I know not what to think anymore. You love me and you love this land. Yet you used me to get this land. Now to prove you love me, you will give up this land? Or do you play me for a fool yet again?”
“What about accepting that I love you and love me in return? What about realizing that my plan never included hurting you. What about giving us a chance to make a life together?”
“You robbed us of that when you lied to me.”
“You are obstinate,” he said.
“Cautious,” she corrected.
“Too cautious. Why not take a chance?”
“I did once. I proposed to you.”
He reached out and grabbed her by the shoulders. “I am glad you did.”
“Of course, it served your plan well.”
He rested his forehead to hers. “I love you, Aliss. I don’t know how many times I must say it. I don’t know what else to do to prove it. This isle means much to me and I offer to surrender it for your love.”
“No, if you loved me you would have surrendered it when my family arrived to ransom me.”
Chapter 30
Aliss left Rogan behind in the woods. She had walked a good distance and had been nearing the edge of the woods when her pace finally slowed to a crawl. She was worn out more from her constant doubts than anything else.
“Do not put more of a distance between us.” Rogan said, coming up so quietly behind her that he startled her.
“It is not I who have placed the gap there.”
“Perhaps, but you can begin to close the gap if only you will let me into your heart. I will not hurt you again, I promise. Forgive me and let us start anew.”
She wanted to believe him, Lord, how she wanted to believe him.
He stepped up against her back and wrapped his arms gently around her then squeezed tight. “I don’t want to let you go. I love the feel of you in my arms, your fresh scent in my nostrils, the taste of you on my lips.”
“I have work—”
“It can wait,” Rogan said, and lovingly stroked her neck.
“You do not know that.”
“If the work was that important you would not have accepted my invitation to walk in the woods.”
“Let me go, please.”
“Are you certain?”
Her heart thudded madly in her chest. His tender touch, his warm breath against her skin, the strength of him wrapped around her, his asking forgiveness made her want to scream. No, I’m not certain about anything.
Instead, she nodded.
Rogan released her, his hand slowly drifting off her neck, tickling her skin until gooseflesh rushed down her arm.
She hurried off to her cottage before he could tempt her with another word or touch. The door to her cottage always remained open, an invitation to enter to all those seeking her skills. This time, however, she closed it behind her.