Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 89331 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 447(@200wpm)___ 357(@250wpm)___ 298(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 89331 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 447(@200wpm)___ 357(@250wpm)___ 298(@300wpm)
Flora turned on her side as well, a soft smile on her face. “I never thought to feel so strongly for someone as I feel for you. It frightens me sometimes, for I cannot bear to think of life without you.”
“Nor I without you,” Torin admitted. “But one thing I am certain, wife, you have the courage to survive and to see to the care of our children, and you have a clan—a family—that loves you and will always protect you.”
“I suppose, but I would much rather die before you than suffer such pain—” She scrunched her brow. “But I would miss you wherever it is I go and be impatient to be reunited again. There is only one solution, we must die within a brief time of each other, so we are not kept long apart. And I would rather it be in old age, so we have many, many years together.”
“That sounds perfect to me,” he said and kissed her cheek. He grew concerned when she remained quiet, her eyes not on him. “What is it, Flora?”
“I was thinking about my mum and da. I prayed when my da died that my mum would live, fearful of losing them both. But she died shortly after him and I see now that that would be the way they would have wanted it. They would not have done well without the other, and my da often reminded me how capable and wise I was. I think he was trying to prepare me for when the day came that they would not be here. Though, he advised that marriage to the right man would be a good thing for me. He would be happy to know that fate had found me the perfect man and that I had inadvertently followed his advice.”
Torin tucked his wife against him. “I wish I had gotten to meet your parents and for them to have gotten to know me so that they would know that their daughter would be well-loved and well-protected.”
“I would like to believe they know and are happy for me,” she said and grinned when her stomach grumbled.
“Did you not eat, wife?” he asked.
“I waited for you. Besides, my stomach would suffer no food while you were gone.”
“Then we eat and talk,” he said, “though it will probably be you talking the most.”
“I will temper my talk,” she said, and Torin laughed. “You shall see. I will do it.”
Torin laughed again.
Later that night, as they climbed into bed, Flora said on a yawn, “I need practice in curbing my tongue.”
Torin laughed, unable to stop… until his wife kissed him.
CHAPTER 26
“More stones crumble and will collapse if something isn’t done,” Flora said, her eyes on the sealed tower room door. “I know you are unsure, but your decision cannot wait much longer.”
Torin shook his head, amazed at how other stones showed signs of rapid decay since the last time he had stood before the sealed door. His wife voiced his troubling thought.
“One would think something was eating at it from the inside.”
Torin had paid little heed to the matter, more critical issues, like his wife’s safety, taking priority. But seeing this, he realized he had little choice but to decide what was to be done.
“What say you, wife?” he asked, valuing her opinion.
“I have no history with this room like your family. My curiosity would drive my decision, so I would unseal the room.”
He loved that his wife presented an honest opinion, admitting she viewed the decision far differently than he did.
“What if it was your family history? What then would your decision be?” he asked.
Flora thought a moment, continuing to stare at the crumbling stones. “I would think the crumbling stones had chosen for me. Something wants to be freed after all these years and I do not think whatever it is means harm. I believe it simply wishes to be freed.”
“Oddly enough, wife, I agree. It is time for the past to be freed and the present to start anew,” Torin said.
Flora turned a generous smile on her husband. “A wise choice made by a knowledgeable man.”
Torin gathered her in a hug. “I am glad that is finally settled. I will see it done in the next few days, since I do not know how many would willingly take on the task.”
“Lord Torin,” Anwen yelled up from the floor below. “You are needed in the Great Hall. A troop of Strathearn warriors approaches the bridge.”
“I will be right there,” Torin called back.
“My uncle is here?” Flora asked, her brow scrunching in question. “I do hope it is not unwelcome news and that all is well with Tavia and Fia as well.
“We will soon find out,” Torin said, heading to the Great Hall with his wife.
With almost a week gone by since they had discovered that Mordred had withdrawn from the area, there had been no attempts on Flora’s life and no campsites had been found in the woods. Torin still waited word on the men who had followed Mordred. So, he had yet to hear if what he thought might be the reason for the mercenary’s departure… the bounty no longer viable. Though what a Strathearn troop was doing here was puzzling.