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And, of course, here was where he would make love to her for the first time. The thought tingled her senseless, and she lingered in the pure pleasure of anticipation.
You must heal first.
Leave it to her grandmum’s voice to remind her.
Grow strong. You will need strength.
She sensed a warning in her grandmum’s voice and wondered over it, though not for long. Her eyes began to flutter shut, and, try as she might to remain alert to her grandmum’s advice, she couldn’t. Sleep quickly claimed her.
She woke to a delicious scent of something bubbling in the cauldron in the fireplace and an empty cottage. She didn’t have to wonder where Trey was ... she knew. He had gone to find Dolca and talk with her. She hoped he would find the answers he searched for though she sensed he was not meant to know all the answers ... yet.
Feeling refreshed from her nap, she took the time to heal herself. With quiet and focus, she hoped she’d be healed in no time ... preferably a few hours.
She chuckled at how eager she was to make love with Trey. But had she given enough thought to the consequences of her decision? Did she realize that to her people, it would bind him more tightly to her than any document could?
Of course, as she had told him, there was always the exchange of a few words that could end their marriage. But it was not as simple as reciting a few words. There had to be meaning behind them; they had to renounce their love for each other. And where at first she had believed it would be no problem, now it was different.
She loved Trey, and she could not in all honesty stand before him and renounce her love for him. It wasn’t possible.
She shook her head to clear it. She couldn’t think on this now. Now she needed to focus and heal herself. She tried for several minutes and grew frustrated. All she could think about was Trey’s joining her in bed tonight and what a mess she was, covered with sweat and dirt.
Careful to ease herself off the bed, Bliss gathered clean garments and a towel, then grabbed her white cloak off the peg by the door and draped it around her. She would heal herself while bathing in the water hole she was so fond of using.
Few used it but her, for they believed it magical and were afraid of its powers. There was a similar thought about her abilities. While her people respected her skills and accepted her, there was also an inkling of fear many harbored, and so that was why her cottage sat removed from the others. It brought her people peace, and she didn’t mind the solitude at times.
It had grown colder since their arrival, and with the sky a dull gray, they could very well see a few snow flurries tonight. She hurried along and made her way inside the cave. She was thrilled upon reaching the luminescent pond. She discarded her clothes and boots, grabbed one of the soap chips she always kept stashed in a crevice in one of the large rocks that bordered a section of the pond, and stepped into the water.
She sighed, the water warm and welcoming. She walked farther in and sunk down until the water reached her neck. She would focus on some healing first, then wash herself thoroughly and heal herself some more. Then, if she was feeling well enough, she would swim. She loved to swim here. Her grandmum had taught her when she was young, and it had always helped ease her worries.
She got to work, scrubbing her hair first.
Trey sat across the table from Dolca in a small cottage. He was impressed with the woman. Though older with signs of age, she appeared young and vibrant, her bright green eyes more like those of a young, inquisitive lassie. Petite and slim though regal in stature, she gave more the appearance of nobility than peasant. And her mass of pure white curls refused to stay contained on top of her head, several stubborn ones falling loose around her face and neck.
She had graciously welcomed him when he had knocked on her door and introduced himself. She had invited him to join her for a hot brew, and he eagerly accepted, anxious to speak with her.
He had asked as to her health, not wanting to bother her if she wasn’t feeling well, but she had assured him she was recovering nicely and feeling quite fit.
She asked with tender concern about Bliss, and Trey explained what had happened and how Bliss was at this moment healing herself.
“She’ll go to the cave,” Dolca said. “The water is good for her there and will aid in her healing.”
“The cave?”
Dolca explained to him where it was and how it was strictly for Bliss’s use though sometimes she would take people there and let them make use of it. “A good place for her to be now,” Dolca said.
Trey nodded, glad he had learned of it.
“You have many questions for me,” she said with a smile. “But I am not sure if I have the answers you seek.”
Trey’s first question was obvious. “You are Mercy’s grandmother?”
She smiled and nodded. “I see that Bliss has told you. She realizes it is time for the truth.”
“What is the truth?”
“While I would love to share it with you, I believe it is for my granddaughter to hear first.”
“I can understand that,” Trey said, “but perhaps there is a question in regard to the true king that you can answer now.”
