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)
Her lips began to ache for him. He had not kissed her lips. She wanted him to kiss her lips. He had to; how else would she know if he was the one?
She turned her head toward his mouth. “Kiss me.”
He kept his lips a breath from hers.
“Kiss me!”
“Do you know what you ask?”
“Kiss me.”
“Do you know who I am?”
“Kiss me and I shall know.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes,” she insisted, her eyes springing open.
She stared into the eyes of a snarling wolf and screamed.
“You are all right. You are safe.”
Aliss ceased her struggling once she realized that Rogan held her protectively in his arms. She rested her head on his chest, grateful to have escaped her nightmare.
“It was nothing more than a bad dream,” he said.
She refused to close her eyes, fearing she would return to the snarling wolf. All she wanted to do, at least for a moment, was remain safe and warm in Rogan’s arms.
She glanced up at him.
“Want to tell me about it?”
She shook her head, while realization startled her. She woke to escape one wolf only to land in the arms of another. Or were they one and the same? She eased herself out of his embrace and casually moved to the edge of the bed.
“Your actions answer.”
She stood away from the bed. “And that would be?”
“You dreamed of me and now you run.”
“Since I woke screaming, I would not think that a compliment.”
He stood abruptly. Aliss was in no mood to continue their debate. She turned away and walked to the door. “I am hungry.”
“Are you, or do you run away, Aliss?”
She raised her hands to her cheeks when she entered the other room. Even with warm hands, she could feel the heat that had rushed to her face when he accused her of retreat. She hurriedly busied herself at the hearth. The fire’s heat was a good excuse for rosy red cheeks.
“Sit and eat since you claim hunger.”
She turned to notice the table laden with food.
“The women of the village wished to show their appreciation for your help thus far,” Rogan said, and was about to take a seat when Anna rushed into the room.
“James complains of severe stomach pains.”
Aliss hurried out with Anna. Rogan followed close behind.
A quick examination and a few facts proved James had eaten too much. A brew to ease his discomfort and a lecture to the grandparents about his meals was all that was needed.
Unfortunately, Aliss, after finishing with James, was summoned again then again and again until she was finally finished around midnight.
Rogan waited outside the last cottage and held out his hand to her.
She thought to take it, grasp it tightly and not let go. He anchored her when she felt herself adrift and lonely, especially after hours of tending the ill. The sudden thought of dependence startled her and she quickly handed him her healing basket.
He took the basket then reached out and grasped her hand firmly in his.
She did not object; after all, it was what she had wanted but feared reaching out for. It felt so good to be connected to him by a simple grasp of hands, though if she allowed her tired mind to rationalize it, she would understand that their clasped hands meant much more.
She forced her mind silent, too tired to make sense of her musings. But before long her thoughts wandered to her work, or was it that she felt in safer territory there? “I thought by now I would have prevented any new illnesses.” She shook her head, disappointed. “Three more tonight.”
“But none have died since you arrived,” he reminded her.
“And none have mended permanently, except—” She stopped. “Tara’s son Daniel has suffered no relapses.”
“True enough.” Rogan laughed. “He runs around like a little banshee.”
She started walking again. “What is different about him?”
“His age,” Rogan offered.
“What else?” Her stomach rumbled.
“You need food.”
“I need answers,” she insisted.
“I will help you search for your answers,” he offered. “I want this culprit caught and done away with, never to bother my people again.”
“You are all different and yet—”
“We care for each other, for if not, no one else will.”
“What brought you all together?”
“A common trait,” Rogan answered. “No one else wanted us. We are not pure breeds. Our blood is mixed. No specific birthright means no specific allegiance to any clan, or so it is believed. My father had settled us in the far north of Scotland, nearer to Oslo, where the Norse left their mark.”
“What brought you here?”
“Love.”
Chapter 9
They entered the cottage and were soon settled at the table to eat the meal that had been delayed several hours.
“You cannot tell me that love brought you here and then say no more,” Aliss urged. “Tell me the story.”
“It breaks the heart,” he warned.
“Most love stories do. Now tell me.”
He watched eagerness break through her weary-filled eyes and turn them bright green. Rogan rested his arms on the table and began his tale.