AllFreeNovel
Share Us
He almost chuckled though he thought better of it and instead went to speak, but she stopped him with a warning.
“Don’t dare tell me again that I’m delightful when I’m angry.”
Being wise, he said nothing.
She leaned against him for support, and he quickly slipped a firm arm around her. “I should eat,” she said.
“Yes, you should,” he agreed with a smile, and they went to join his family.
His chest swelled with such happiness that he thought he would burst. It had been so long since he had felt so elated, and he had thought he’d never know such a thrill again. But now, with Bliss as his wife, the strength of her love, and a son on the way, he finally knew contentment. Even with war looming on the horizon, he had confidence that the true king would prevent as much bloodshed as possible.
They had not been sitting long, Bliss enjoying the fresh food brought to her, when Roan arrived, with Langward leaning heavily on his shoulder. Bliss took one look at him and stood. Trey was about to stop her but thought better of it. This was who she was and what she did. He admired and respected her for it, and he would not stand in her way.
She turned to him. “Can I put him in your bedchamber?”
“Put him in Reeve’s. I have my bedchamber back, and I intend to make use of it.”
“Are you sure of that?” she asked quite seriously.
He nodded. “I am.”
She shook her head, and he wondered if he had just made a mistake though he couldn’t figure out what it could be.
Roan looked to Trey as he approached. “We need to talk after I am done settling Langward.”
Trey nodded and helped with the injured Pict. He didn’t like leaving Bliss on her own after she hadn’t been feeling well. He walked over to her where she hovered over the ailing Langward.
“Are you sure you are well enough to handle this?” he asked.
She smiled and pressed her cheek to his. “It is so good to know and feel how much you worry over me, but know that I am fine, feeling much better and looking forward to the noon meal.”
He laughed, and he knew her words were not only truthful but meant to lighten his spirit. “If you need anything ...”
“I will reach out to you.”
“I will be listening for you,” he said, and gave her a quick kiss before reluctantly leaving her.
He and Roan joined his brothers and his da in the solar. They were all waiting impatiently for news.
Roan didn’t waste time. “The attack came quick and ended just as quickly. The strange thing about it was that the soldiers ended it after one shouted to the others that there was no woman there.”
“They search for a woman?” Reeve said, sounding as puzzled as the others looked.
“It would seem so,” Roan confirmed. “We assume they search for Bliss, the king having learned of her powers and wanting to use them to his advantage”—he shook his head—“though no mention was made of a seer or healer, so I cannot be sure.”
“Who would they search for if not for Bliss?” Duncan asked.
No one had an answer, and, for some reason, Trey had the distinct feeling that it wasn’t his wife whom the soldiers were after. The problem was he had no idea who else it could be if not for Bliss.
The men talked further, then Trey realized how exhausted Roan was and offered him food and rest. The Pict gladly accepted and went off with a servant. The others briefly discussed the situation but could find no answers, and so they all went their separate ways to see to the day’s duties, with plans to discuss the matter later.
Since Trey had only just returned home, he had no pressing duties. And so he went to join his wife, only to find a servant girl watching over Langward. She explained that Bliss had finished tending the young Pict warrior and left.
Trey checked his bedchamber but found it empty, then it hit him; Bliss was hungry. There would be only one place she’d be.
Sure enough, he found her in the kitchen, talking with Etty and munching on cheese and freshly baked bread. He realized that she had barely had a chance to eat when Roan had arrived. She had left her food to attend to Langward.
As soon as she saw him, she hurried to his side and gave him a quick kiss, then offered him a piece of cheese. He accepted it with a smile, pleased that she was finally able to eat.
