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Chapter 10
Nightfall wasn’t far off, and with it came a chill. Their travel thus far had proved uneventful, and Trey preferred it to remain that way. He wanted to get Bliss to Albert’s farm and see her settled safely. Once he was sure she was out of harm’s way, he would need to go and scout the area where the king’s troops were gathering. Then, once he had the information he needed, he’d return for Bliss.
He hoped it would take only a few days, but not knowing how long it would take to heal the lad or to gather the necessary information made it difficult to judge. It could possibly be a week or more. And once done with this, they would need to return to see how her friend fared, and only then could they head home.
Another time, all this delay might have irritated him, but not now, not since wedding Bliss.
He almost grinned. He still found it amusing as to how he found himself wed. And that it did not bother him in the least. It wasn’t that he hadn’t planned on marrying. He wanted children and would have eventually found himself a woman to wed. It was that he hadn’t planned on falling in love, didn’t think he ever would or could again. That he was actually even considering the notion brought a smile to his face.
It broadened when he realized that he was feeling that familiar, pleasant tug of falling in love. He hadn’t truly thought it would be possible. He had thought all chances of loving again had died along with Leora.
“You are happy about something,” Bliss said.
He leaned down and gave her lips a quick kiss. “I’m pleased to be here with my wife.”
She laughed. “Pleased to be forced into a marriage, are you?”
“No one forced me; I consented.”
“Without realizing it.”
“It was necessary,” he said.
“Only for the moment, and why did you tell Roan we are wed?”
“I thought I made it clear. You’re my wife, and I protectmy wife.”
“My people will expect my marriage to last,” she said. “They will assume I knew, in advance, the man who was to be my husband.”
“Perhaps you did.”
Trey felt a catch in her rhythm, as if she missed a step, though righted herself fast enough. Had she known? Was there something she wasn’t telling him and why? Though that answer proved easy, at least now that he had gotten to spend time with Bliss. She would have never wanted him to know what fate had written for them. She would want him to discover it on his own, and he was certainly having a grand time doing so.
“Time will tell,” she said softly.
“Time or fate?” he asked, and, not needing a response, said, “Nightfall is near upon us; we must find a spot to stop.”
It didn’t take long for them to find a place and make camp. With no trace of the king’s soldiers all day, Trey wasn’t concerned that any lurked nearby. He built a campfire, and Bliss placed the blanket close and laid out some food.
He marveled at her confident movements. She knew what she was about and didn’t hesitate. She made choices and didn’t think twice. To her, her path was clear, and she walked it with confidence.
“Tell me more about your knowing,” he said after joining her on the blanket and sharing in the small feast.
She shrugged. “There isn’t much to tell, since I barely understand it myself. I only know it is part of me and always has been. And I follow where it takes me.”
“Don’t you fear that some would claim you a witch?”
“Thus far I have not had that problem, but then, when people are ill and in need, they will reach out to anyone they feel will help them. My healing skills have proven true; therefore, no one speaks a harmful word against me. Besides, I am already considered a pagan, so no doubt I am whispered about.”
“Do you ever wish you didn’t have such skills?”
“When I am overburdened by it at times, the thought has crossed my mind, but to be honest, I don’t know if I could live any other way. It is what I have known all my life. To live differently might be more of a burden, though we all carry some sort of a burden. Tell me of yours.”
He looked at her oddly.
“The woman you continue to love, but lost.”
He wouldn’t deny the truth. “I do still love Leora, I always will.”
