“Thank you, Nessa.” Heather dropped the piece of bread in her hand back on the tray. Curious about the two sentinels that had been found dead, but not sure if Rhys allowed the news to be known, Heather asked cautiously, “By the way, has there been any word about the two sentinels that were found last night.”
Nessa was quick to share what she knew. “A shame it is that one rushed to help defend the other against a wild beast only to have them both lose their lives. A troop has gone out to hunt the animal down. I hear tell it was a wolf.” Nessa shook herhead. “The bodies were so badly torn that the Dragon will not let anyone see them. A guard stands watch over them outside the barn until they are buried.”
“That is a shame,” Heather said, though wondered over it. Why would Rhys be summoned immediately if two of his men were mauled by a wolf? Naturally, he would be informed of it, but to disturb him when he was with his bride. Somehow that did not make sense.
She had to get a look at those bodies and satisfy her curiosity and she had to find out what was behind that door on the upper floor. She also wanted to look in on the warriors she had tended and see how they were doing. With so much to do, she hurried to dress.
Her usual daily attire was a plain skirt and blouse, and she quickly retrieved them from the chest Nessa had placed her belongings in. She took a comb to her hair, running it through the soft strands, then quickly braided it. After slipping on her boots, she went to the door, swinging it open and ran right into her husband. Stunned by the impact of his solid body, she stumbled back and his hand snapped out to quickly take hold of her.
“Are you rushing from our bedchambers to avoid me?” he asked, taking her along with him as he stepped into the room and shut the door behind him.
“I am eager to see how the injured warriors are faring.”
“But not eager to see me?”
Heather stepped away from him, his hand falling off her as she went. “I could easily make an excuse that would satisfy you, but as I have said, it is important to me that we be truthful with each other. I had not thought of seeking you out?—”
“You are that averse to my presence?”
Did she imagine a hint of concern in his voice or again was it simply wishful thinking? She smiled as she said, “Surprisingly, I am not as averse to your company as I thought I would be, though there are times I still fear you.”
“And well you should?”
“Why?” Heather shook her head. “Why would you want your wife to fear you?”
“So that she will obey me without question.”
“You must give me time to adapt,” she said softly.
He stepped toward her. “You do not command here, I do.”
She stared at his handsome face, though it was his lips her eyes settled on and oddly, she got the overwhelming urge to kiss him. So much so that she stepped forward, went up on her toes and pressed her lips to his.
Her innocent, sweet kiss felt more like passionate hunger to Rhys and his body reacted—he grew aroused. His arms went around her and drew her closer as her lips continued to tempt his. He took over then, his tongue playing across her lips,urging them apart and slipping in so that their tongues could mate.
Passion caught and spiraled through Heather and when Rhys placed his hand on her backside and urged her against him, she found herself complying most willingly. She settled against him, his hardness poking at her, letting her know how much he wanted her. And she could not quite grasp why, but she wanted him.
Heather was shocked and disappointed when he brought their kiss to an end and stepped away from her.
“I have things that require my attention,” he said and turned toward the door.
“Why?”
Rhys turned back around and asked with a brusque tone. “Why what?”
“Why did you not wake me last night when you came to bed?”
He walked over to her and grabbed hold of her chin. “When I want... I will bed you.”
Heather wondered how many times she would watch the door close behind him and be left feeling perplexed. He had wanted her. She had felt his need. So why did he not seal their vows? He was becoming ever more curious to her, making her want to know more about him. And she would start her search on the upper floor.
With light footfalls, she made her way to the upper floor, stopping every now and then to listen if anyone else was about. When she reachedthe top floor, she peered around to make sure no one was there.
Darkness greeted her, the lone torch sconce that had gone out last night still not lit. She went and retrieved the torch from one of the sconces along the stairway and made her way back to the unlit torch, intimidated by the shadows that danced around her. It was as if they were eager to reach out and capture her.
She thought of lighting the torch in the sconce, but then thought better of it. No one was permitted up here and if she lit the torch, Rhys would know someone had been here and, so a servant would not be punished for her misdeed, she left the torch unlit.
When she was a few feet from the door, she stopped abruptly, shocked to see that the door had been bolted with a heavy metal lock. Disappointment filled her. Now she would never find out what secrets the room harbored or would she? There had to be a way to find out.
