Total pages in book: 46
Estimated words: 43414 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 217(@200wpm)___ 174(@250wpm)___ 145(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 43414 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 217(@200wpm)___ 174(@250wpm)___ 145(@300wpm)
“You are a fool,” she shouted at him. “Never come here again and never bring her here again. Now go before it is too late.”
He went to speak.
“BE GONE NOW!”
Her shout sent him flying through the narrow entrance to land on his bottom in front of the men and Aura.
She hurried to him, though he was on his feet before she reached him.
“The witch,” he said without thinking and the men, already on their horses, rode off.
Declan grabbed her around the waist and hoisted her onto her horse then mounted his. No words were needed. They were to leave posthaste and that was that.
By the next morning, word spread quickly about how the witch had sent Declan flying through the pine trees to land on his bottom. That he was defenseless against her frightened the clan. If he was helpless against her, then who could protect them? And worse… they wondered if Aura’s presence had something to do with the curse.
“This isn’t good,” Hamish said, shaking his head as he paced in front of the dais. “A witch in the area does not bode well.”
“That’s not true,” Aura said. “A witch’s creed is to do no harm. Their magic comes from nature, the earth, water, air, and fire. It is a warlock that is feared since they practice dark magic.”
Hamish stopped pacing and squinted at her. “How do you know this?”
She hesitated only for a moment. “I have met a few women who were believed to be witches, and they were nothing more than women steeped in nature and all the secrets it holds.”
“That would make you a witch since you study plants,” Hamish accused.
“Watch your tongue, Hamish,” Declan warned, “such an accusation may start a fury that cannot easily be stopped.”
A sudden wind opened the door, blowing a cleric in with it, his cloak whipping around his short frame.
“What is this I hear about a witch and a curse?” he demanded as he brushed leaves off his worn cloak while approaching them.
“It is nothing, Cleric,” Declan said, cursing himself for having breathed a word of the witch for others to hear.
The cleric stopped abruptly. “A witch is not… nothing. A witch needs to be dealt with seriously before she spreads her evil.”
“There is no evil spreading here, Cleric,” Declan said. “It is a joyous occasion that brings you here… a wedding.”
“But since I am here, I can deal with the witch,” the cleric insisted, pushing his long, stringy hair behind his ears.
Declan stood, a stern look on his face. “Nay, you won’t. You will wed us and take your leave.”
The cleric’s eyes narrowed. “The witch—”
“Is for me to deal with, not you. Do I make myself clear, Cleric?” Declan said threateningly.
“Aye, my son, very clear,” the cleric said with a nod.
Declan sensed the man would be a problem and the sooner he sent him on his way the better.
“You will perform the vows now so you may take your leave after enjoying a hardy meal,” Declan said with a strength that left no room for an argument.
“A night’s rest I beg of you before I must journey back to the monastery,” the cleric pleaded.
Declan didn’t trust him, but it would not be wise of him to deny his request. “One night, Cleric, no more.”
The cleric bobbed his head. “I am grateful, my son.”
“Now wed us,” Declan said without preamble.
The next thing Aura knew, she was standing beside Declan, the cleric in front of them, Hamish to his side, and Freyda to her side, and the servants gathered around, smiles on their faces as the cleric commenced with the ceremony that ended with him claiming them husband and wife.
Hamish led a cheer, and Declan ordered drinks for all, and talk turned to the festive celebration being planned to honor the chieftain’s wedding.
Aura mostly smiled, saying only a word or two, too lost in her thoughts to say much. She still could not quite grasp that she was Declan’s wife. They had no time since returning home from the ring of stones the day before to speak about the incident with the witch. And here she was suddenly his wife.
Clansmen began drifting in upon hearing the news and more drinks were served along with food. There was a merriment in the air that Aura didn’t feel since none of this was real. And then there was the one thing she had been trying to ignore since it happened… the kiss.
It had startled her, but she had enjoyed it. She liked the feel of his lips on hers, the way he held her neck firm in his hand, the light brush of his lips before he truly kissed her. She had dreamed of kisses, giggled about them with her sisters, but as time went on it became apparent that she would never know a kiss.