She wanted to rush off and find Rhys and let him know that she had discovered his secret, but his secret was meant for him to reveal. In the meantime, she would help him the only way she could...she would love him with all her heart and soul.
One thing that weighed heavily on her was what he had said in response to her asking him how many women he had known.
More women than I needed to.
Naturally, the thought of him with other women upset her. And it had sounded as if it also upset him, for she had heard regret and anger in his response. So why then had he been with more women that he needed to? She hoped one day to find out.
Heather felt the bump on the back of her head and was relieved to feel that the swelling had gone down. It still pained her to touch it, but it was not as painful as last night. Her vision had not been impaired as she had seen happen with some severe blows to the head, and she felt hungry, so she deemed herself fit.
She gave a stretch while slowly working her way out of bed and was pleased that she suffered no adverse effects from the movement, nor did she grow faint when she stood. She actually felt wonderful, but then she could attribute that to finally being with Quinn again.
What if she was wrong?
Heather chased the doubting thought away. She was not wrong. She had spotted something familiar in the Dark Dragon’s eyes when she had been up close to him. And now she knew what it was. It was a tiny spark of the love that had shone so brilliantly in his dark eyes before he had gone away. It had not died. It never could. He loved her too much. It may have gone dormant out of necessity, but it was still there and would always be.
She would ignite that spark and bring Quinn back to her.
A soft knock on the door sounded before it opened and Nessa walked in, balancing a tray on her arm. She stopped abruptly and looked about to say something, but quickly closed her mouth along with the door.
Nessa did not say a word until she stood in front of Heather. “The Dragon has ordered you to stay abed all day. He will be furious if he learns you are up and about. I was sent to see that you were awake, wake you if you were not, and see that you ate something.”
There was no possible way she would stay abed all day. She wanted to spend every moment she could with... She thought about whom it was she would actually spend time with, and a smile spread across her face when the answer came easily.
She would spend time with the man who loved her as much as she loved him.
Her smile remained firm as she said, “I feel fine. There is no reason for me to lie abed all day.”
“The Dragon thinks differently, and the guards will follow his command and not let you leave the room,” Nessa said, placing the tray she held on the small table near the bed.
Heather reached for her skirt and blouse and Nessa was quick to help her.
“Let me, my lady. You really should rest after the bump you took to your head.”
Heather allowed Nessa to help her slip into her clothes, seeing the concern on her pretty face. “I feel quite well and have less pain than last night. I will be sure not to exert myself today.”
“Please sit and let me attend to your hair, my lady,” Nessa offered. “I will comb it gently and braid it for you, for you surely do not want to pin it to your head with combs and disturb the bump that is healing.”
Again, Heather acquiesced to her suggestion and sat while she tended her hair. “You have a gentle touch about you, Nessa.”
“Thank you, Lady Heather, my mum said the same about me and advised that it would be an asset when dealing with a husband.”
“And is there anyone who you favor for a husband?”
Nessa smiled as she said, “Fife. He is plain in features and form. One would never expect him to be a ghost warrior. He is also kind and thoughtful.” Her smile grew. “He picked a bunch of wildflowers and brought them to me. He is easy to talk with and feels the loneliness that I do, havinglost his entire family like me.” Her smile faded. “This morning Pitt attempted to engage me in conversation, turning that handsome smile of his on me. But I want nothing to do with the likes of him. A man as handsome as him would only bring a woman trouble. But I have no worries, the Dragon forbids his men from forcing themselves on the women here.”
Heather was glad to hear that, though wondered why Rhys had not mentioned it last night when she had commented to Pitt about not forcing himself on Nessa. That mattered not now. What did was this news only helped to confirm even more that the Dark Dragon was Quinn, for he would never standby while a man forced himself on a woman.
“I am happy for you. You deserve a good man,” Heather said.
“Thank you, my lady,” Nessa said, resting the long braid over Heather’s shoulder and glanced around the room. “Where are your boots, my lady?”
Heather stood and also cast a glance around and smiled. “I believe my husband took my boots and shoes.”
“Oh dear, then you are stuck, for you cannot go barefoot.”
“I will not let a small inconvenience stop me. I have gone barefoot before and I can do so again,” Heather said.
“Before you do, you may want to fortify yourself with some food.” Nessa handed Heather a piece of cheese and bread.
