Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 95196 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 476(@200wpm)___ 381(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95196 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 476(@200wpm)___ 381(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)
He smirked at me. “The correct answer is twenty-seven.”
I lifted a brow. “You looked up the answer before you asked me, admit it.”
“It’s possible,” he allowed, and I snorted.
Dang, I liked this man.
In the distance came the sound of babbling water. I’d never made it this far into the maze and couldn’t stop the added spring in my step. The compacted earth gave way to ancient cobblestones ending at a weathered cistern, with moss covering the smooth sides. Clear water trickled gently into the basin from a fountain in the shape of a wolf, carved from a dark gray granite, its jaws wide, frozen mid-roar. Despite its imposing appearance, the statue evoked a sense of awe.
“If the ancient carvings and alcoves we’ve already passed are meant to intimidate,” I said, “what purpose does the water serve?”
“Legend claims Truthwell Fount reflect who you truly are.” Callen waved his arm, inviting me to try it. “I concur. As a child, I looked and saw myself as king.”
My footsteps stalled. Gazing into truth water could spell trouble for me. What if my own face stared back at me? He would know a soul switch had occurred. But I also couldn’t come up with a plausible explanation to resist such an innocent activity.
C’mon, it’s not like this fountain will actually unlock genuine secrets. Despite Callen’s experience.
“You stay here,” I commanded. Just in case. “One step closer, and I’ll put you in time out. Five minutes without my delightful company.”
“As if I could survive such cruelty,” he responded, seeming to tease me, mean it, and adorably man-pout all at the same time.
Swallowing the world’s dreamiest sigh, I approached the well. Halfway, a primordial force took hold, drawing me closer faster. Once still air stirred, rattling leaves and limbs. My pulse quickened. Every muscle tensed as I leaned forward and gazed at the water...
An ethereal glow grew brighter and brighter, and I shivered. Then, I saw it. Me. My reflection. My own dark hair and brown irises, not a freckle to be found. And though Callen wasn’t beside me, I saw him too. Reflection me peered at him with untold longing. He peered back with the same.
I gasped. The fountain had revealed the truth, all right. I cut a panicked glance over my shoulder. My companion stared at me, the longing I’d seen in the water shining on his real-life face now.
He wanted me, and he was done hiding it.
The air thickened. Some untamed power brewed between us, so real I felt as if I could reach out and grab it.
Once again, a force drew me. This time I approached him, closing the distance. Anticipation cascaded through me.
“Elle,” he rasped, caressing my cheek.
I leaned into his touch, and tremors invaded my limbs. Did I, Elizabeth Darcy, belong in Scotland with his man? Or was the fountain instead issuing a warning? If not careful, I would fall for Callen Bruce.
And lose everything.
Fear gripped me, squeezing my lungs. “Where’s the exit?” I turned from him, desperate to escape. The green maze walls closed in and blood screamed in my ears.
His expression blanked. He pointed to an archway mere steps past the wolf statue and fountain.
How had I missed it? My rushed steps ate up the distance.
Callen caught my wrist just as I exited the maze and tugged me around to face him. Tension returned to his features. “I will never harm you, Elle. Give me a chance to prove it. To show you the depth of my commitment to you. Tonight is a month. Let me give you my mark.”
Sickness churned in my stomach. “Let’s wait.” Surely in another thirty days or so, he’d be with Isobel and I’d be…alone.
“Verra well. I’ll nae force you to take it.” Any emotion had leached from his voice, yet I felt the hurt simmering in every accented syllable. He released me and stepped back.
Guilt sliced at me, but I was fully immersed in self-preservation mode. He just…he didn’t understand. Didn’t know the truth.
“If you change your mind,” he said, raising his chin, “I’ll be in our bedroom. All you must do is come to me.” With those words ringing in my mind, he stalked off.
Date over.
Chapter
Twenty
Calm in the Storm: Resolving Conflict Your Way
From A Beginner’s Guide to Berserker Bliss
Author Unknown
Iheld steady, deep in thought, until the sun descended, and the full moon took its place. The chill didn’t bother me. How could it? I was wrapped up in the pain I’d seen in Callen’s features. Pain I’d put there.
He yearned to give his wife his mark, whatever it was. Part of me yearned to accept it. Heck, maybe even all of me. Yes, I admitted it. He was everything I’d ever secretly dreamed of for the man in which I entrusted my heart. The type of companion I’d only read about in fiction. Strong but kind. Caring. Protective. Thoughtful. He adored his daughter. Sometimes he looked at me as if I were the only woman alive. No other partner existed for him. He bought me books I loved and rocked a kilt.