Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 91416 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 457(@200wpm)___ 366(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91416 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 457(@200wpm)___ 366(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
He lunged.
Dru moved like lightning, her dagger flashing as she sidestepped him, slicing a thin line across his forearm. He cursed, jerking back, blood staining his sleeve.
The other two started forward, but before Roddick could reach Dru, Ethan gave a sudden yell and swung the biggest rock he could find. It struck Roddick square in the temple with a sickening thud.
The man staggered, shock flickering across his face before rage took over. “You little—”
He surged toward Ethan, but Dru was already moving.
She dropped low, kicking his knee out from under him. He collapsed with a curse, just as the wiry man drew his blade, his patience spent.
And then—
A deep, cold voice cut through the chaos.
“That’s enough.”
The mercenaries froze.
Dru didn’t need to turn to know who had spoken. She saw it in the way the men stiffened, the way their expressions shifted from aggression to unease.
Knox stepped into view, his stance relaxed but deadly. His eyes, dark and knowing, swept over the scene. “If you lot want to keep breathing, I suggest you take your leave.”
Roddick wiped the blood from his temple, his jaw tight. “This has nothing to do with you, Knox.”
Knox gave him a slow, humorless smile. “It has everything to do with me.” His voice lowered, laced with quiet threat. “That woman you threatened is my wife. So, unless you want to suffer a slow, painful death—leave.”
A tense silence stretched between them. Then, with a reluctant scowl, Roddick spat on the ground. “That’s a lie. She’s not your wife. You like meaty women. She barely has any meat on her.”
Knox’s fist hit him so fast and hard that he swirled around before dropping to the ground out cold.
“Get him out of here before I cut his tongue from his mouth for calling me a liar,” Knox threatened.
The two men didn’t hesitate. They nearly fell over each other scrambling to grab Roddick by the arms and drag him into the forest.
Dru sheathed her dagger but kept her eyes on the woods until the men were out of sight.
Then she turned to Ethan, gripping his trembling shoulders. “You did well.”
The lad stared at her, his breath still ragged, but there was something new in his expression. A flicker of pride.
Knox approached, his gaze lingering on her. “I will deal with your disobedience later. We need to get the lad home now before more mercenaries descend on us. Stay quiet as we go and keep alert.”
“Aye,” she agreed and took hold of Ethan’s hand to hurry him along, Knox following behind them, his eyes scanning the area and his ears alert to every sound.
Ethan breathed a sigh of relief when the village came into sight and it turned into a smile when Dru spoke for all to hear, thanking him profusely for saving her from the mercenary. She was surprised and pleased with his response.
“We did it together, you saved me as well, then Knox saved us both.”
Cheers rang out, his da’s berating earlier forgotten replaced by his courageous act.
His da walked toward them as they neared the keep. “What’s this nonsense I hear—”
“It’s not nonsense,” Knox snapped. “Your son was brave and did not cower. It is time you taught him how to handle a sword and fight. He’s ready.”
Kyle stepped forward and slapped Ethan on the back. “My little brother, the hero. I’ll teach you what you need to know.”
“You can help, Kyle, but it’s a da’s duty to teach him just as I taught you and your brother,” Liam said.
“But we’re better skilled than you,” Kyle said with a wink at Ethan.
“Mind your tongue. You’re not too old for me to give you a good lashing,” Liam said, anger sparking in his eyes.
“You’ll have to catch me first,” Kyle challenged, dancing backward away from him.
Liam spurted. “You dare to run from me.”
“Come on, Ethan, we’ll easily outrun the old fool,” Kyle said, laughing and got Ethan laughing along with him.
“When I catch you two, I’ll—” Coughing cut off his words, but Liam kept running.
“He’ll be too out of breath to do much of anything once Kyle lets him catch them,” Lady Agatha said with a smile. “Thank you both for finding my son and for reminding my husband of his duties to him. He warns me often that Ethan is no longer a bairn, but I believe he is the one who is having a difficult time accepting it. Come now and eat a good meal before you take your leave. And I will have food made ready for you to take with you.”
“That’s generous of you, Lady Agatha,” Knox said.
“Nonsense, your short visit has done much to help my family, and I do hope your search works out for the best.”
They were on the road by mid-morning with full stomachs and plenty of food, and Dru resting comfortably in her husband’s arms to her continued dismay. If she continued to feel this comfortable with him, she would miss him when they parted, and she didn’t want that. She didn’t want the pain of losing someone she cared for.