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 looked at her oddly. “Is that a trick question?”
“Nay, I am serious,” she said, the look of worry in her eyes confirming it.
He could see this was important to her, so he hastened to calm her concern. “My love for Autumn equals my love for you.”
“How can you say that when you don’t know her?”
He wanted to chuckle, but she continued to remain serious.
“Why don’t you tell me about her,” he said, adjusting her comfortably in his arms. “This way I will be prepared when I meet her.”
“That’s a good idea,” Dru said and went to speak, then stopped.
Knox waited, but she continued to lie quietly, saying nothing and he thought she may have fallen asleep. He jostled her softly. “Dru?”
“Aye,” she said and looked up at him. “I realized that I don’t know Autumn myself. I don’t know who she is. I feel as though I lost her.”
He could see the panic in her eyes, feel how she tensed.
“Nonsense,” he hurried to say. “You simply tucked her away to protect her. She will return when it is safe.”
“Aye. Aye,” she said, his explanation sounding reasonable to her.
“We need to get some sleep since we have at least a two-day journey ahead of us,” he said. “Your worries will be there tomorrow. Let them go tonight.”
Dru nodded, hoping she could do just that.
They lay wrapped around each other as the fire crackled softly, the world narrowed to warmth and breath and the steady rhythm of their hearts kept pace and sleep finally found them, freeing them of worry until the morrow.
CHAPTER 26
The trees thinned near the edge of the glen, giving way to open land bathed in morning light. A small stone cottage rested on the outskirts of a village, its roof thatched and moss-covered, smoke curling from a crooked chimney.
And there he was.
Albert sat in his usual place—a worn wooden bench just outside the door, a wool blanket draped around him to ward off the day that held more than a mere chill. His milky eyes lifted toward the sun that peeked now and again between gray clouds as if he were waiting to catch sight of it. A carved walking stick rested across his lap, and beside him, a tankard of something warm steamed faintly in the air.
When he heard the soft crunch of footsteps, his head turned with a slow smile. “Well now… I don’t smell the usual odor, but that light gait sounds familiar.”
Dru hurried forward, Knox following behind her, and Star left to graze nearby.
She closed the short distance quickly, her voice gentle. “And the new scent will become familiar soon enough.” She wanted to remind him that this wouldn’t be the last he saw of her.
Albert smiled at her reassurance. “Aye, that it will.”
She handed him the tankard and sat beside him. “It’s good to see you.”
“Aye, and better still to hear you,” Albert said, patting her hand with care. “I can feel a change in you. A good change. You are happy.”
Knox stood nearby, watching the exchange with quiet respect.
Albert tilted his head in Knox’s direction. “And who’s this tall shadow with you?”
Dru smiled, glancing back. “This is Knox. My husband.”
Albert’s brow lifted with pleased surprise. “Your husband?” He gave a toothy grin, turning his head in Knox’s direction. “Well now, fellow, you’ve got yourself a kind and loving wife. And stubborn, too—don’t forget that part.”
Knox stepped closer and said warmly, “Aye, I’m reminded daily. And wouldn’t change a thing.”
Albert chuckled. “Good answer. You’ll do just fine.”
Dru’s smile faded slightly. She placed a gentle hand on his arm. “Albert… we came because we need to ask you something about the northern clans.”
The warmth in Albert’s face dimmed. His hands cupped his tankard a bit tighter.
Knox stepped beside Dru, standing watchful. “Have you ever heard of a woman who left one of those clans… under difficult circumstances?”
Albert was quiet for a long moment. Only the wind moved, rustling through the bare branches and the low trees around them.
Finally, he spoke. “I’ve lived long enough to hear many stories whispered, tales told, but how truthful they were…” He shrugged. “Though I can tell you this… that area can be difficult to survive, the land not friendly, the weather unpredictable and at times downright nasty. It’s the reason honor is so important to those clans. If someone doesn’t honor their duties it can be detrimental to a clan and have a long-lasting result.”
Knox’s jaw tightened. “So, if someone dishonored the clan—”
“The clan would seek revenge,” Albert finished. “Even if it took years, it wouldn’t be forgotten. And if the offending person was no longer around, it would be his descendants who suffered. Though you would find that more among the nobles, since their actions would encompass the entire clan.”
Noble.
Dru never in her wildest thoughts considered her mum could be from a noble family.