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He made no move to object, he remained still, though she could hear his breathing, the rhythm a bit faster than usual. She set to work, heat radiating from the center of her hand as she ran it slowly over the scar. The heat from her touch poured into him like warm liquid that was meant to heal. She retraced her path over and over, slowly and meticulously covering every inch of the nasty scar.
She did not realize how long she worked, and it wasn’t until she felt herself grow weak that she stopped and stumbled backward. Her hand reached out to grab Trey’s arm, but her fingers barely grazed his muscle.
Bliss thought for sure she would tumble to the ground when suddenly Trey’s hand slipped around her waist and scooped her up against his warm body. Weary, she rested her head to his chest.
“You are weak, I can feel it,” he said with alarm.
“Tired, that’s all,” she assured him.
“And wet.”
Her head snapped up, recalling his earlier remark, and at that moment sensed clearly that they were destined to consummate their vows. The thought thrilled and frightened her all at once.
Her worry subsided, for now, when he said, “You need dry clothes.”
She agreed though she would prefer not to leave his arms. She was so comfortable in his embrace, and the more comfortable she became, the more she ached to remain there.
“Get dry,” he said, easing her down to stand. “We’ll eat, then get a good night’s rest before leaving for your home in the morning as long as the weather proves agreeable.”
She walked over to the bed without comment and reached under the blanket. She recalled Dolca keeping an extra linen shift tucked away there. Sure enough, she found it and turned to instruct Trey to keep his back to her.
She twirled her finger, indicating to him to turn around. “Privacy please.”
“Why? You are my wife,” he said with a wicked smile though he laughed and did as she requested.
Bliss hurried out of her wet garments and into the shift. It fit fairly well, though with no sleeves and minus her stockings, she turned cold fast. She hung her garments near the fire as best she could and remained in front of the flames warming herself, then let Trey know she was finished.
He gave her one look and was quick to wrap the blanket she had earlier thrown to him around her. “That should help ward off some of the cold.”
“What of you? This blanket was to keep you warm.”
“It will when we crawl in bed together.”
His remark didn’t surprise her. Now that she knew that fate intended them to make love, there would be no preventing it. It was only a matter of time. Besides, they were tired, it was cold, and it wasn’t fair to assign him to sleep on the hard ground after what they had been through. And he no doubt would make certain to remind her that they were husband and wife. And there was no stopping what fate decreed.
He began to scavenge for food while Bliss continued to warm herself.
“Mostly roots and little vegetables, nothing more,” he said. “And my stomach grumbles.” He reached for his shirt.
“What are you doing?”
“We need food. I’m going to get us some.”
“It’s raining. The animals are no different from us. They seek shelter in a rainstorm.”
“We will see.” He laughed and struggled into his wet shirt. He walked over to her and rested his hand on the back of her neck. “Keep warm, rest, and I will return soon.”
She didn’t know why she asked, “Promise?”
His eyes darkened to a deeper shade of blue, and he frowned, as if her words upset him. “You are my wife. I will not leave you.”
The thought slammed into her hard, and she gasped just as he settled his mouth on hers. She had no chance to enjoy it, the sense that one day he would walk away from her so overwhelmed her that it twisted in her stomach like a sharp dagger.
“Good, I leave you breathless for now,” he said with a grin. He gave her another kiss though it was quick. “Rest, so you will be ready to feast.”
When the door shut behind him, Bliss dropped down on the nearest chair. What she sensed had changed things for her. How could she lose her heart to him if in the end he walked away? She was relieved she had sensed this early on, for now she could protect her heart.
She shook her head. How would she do that if they were destined to make love? Her knowing, her visions, they all confused her, and she wished she hadn’t seen anything. She wished that fate had simply placed her hand on them and guided without showing her anything. For once, it would be nice to live as others did, not knowing what life would bring but embracing all it had to offer.
