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“I will love only once in this life, and it will be a strong, devoted love. And as I said, I will love him for all the days of my life and beyond, for death will not stop me from loving him.”
“Your husband is a lucky man.”
“That he is,” she said with a grin.
Sleep soon claimed Trey, but Bliss lay awake, her eyes wide and her thoughts churning. Trey had said, “Your husbandisa lucky man.” And she had agreed with her own words. “That heis.” Neither he nor she had said her husbandwould bea lucky man.
It was as if they both acknowledged Trey as her husband—now and forever.
Chapter 3
Trey woke, along with the first light of day. It barely filtered through the treetops, though a spark of light poked through here and there. The fire had died out, but it didn’t matter, they would not linger long this morning. He wanted them on their way, get Bliss where she needed to be, then take her home and see her kept safe. She might object, but perhaps her visions would show her that it was for the best.
Besides, he needed time to make sense of this sudden marriage.
He stretched himself up to a sitting position and gave a glance her way. She still slept, looking so very peaceful in slumber. Her beauty couldn’t be denied though Trey found her kindness and unselfishness more attractive. She thought of others before she gave thought to herself. And she would not betray trust, a quality he much admired.
His da had told him how she had spoken with him and his brothers, giving warning of things that had been and were yet to be, and though she never acknowledged that she knew the identity of the true king, she had pledged her silence.
Once others realized what knowledge she possessed, there was no place she would be safe, except with him. She was, after all, his wife, and he had a responsibility to protect her.
He stood with another stretch and glanced around at the circle of trees. He could well understand why the place was sacred. It brought peace to the soul, and he could use that right now.
He stretched again, his muscles sore but the ache of losing Leora, the woman he loved, was suddenly less painful. Had this sacred grove brought him some peace, or had it been Bliss who helped ease his pain?
That he was attracted to her he could not deny. That he felt somehow connected with her he also could not deny. That he favored her company—he shook his head. He was trying to make sense of why he did not at all, in the least ... feel troubled being wed to her.
Was he feeling alone, with his brothers having found women they loved, and good ones at that? Or could he finally, possibly, be on the verge of allowing himself to love again?
When he had lost Leora, it had felt as if his heart had been ripped out of his body, the pain was so great. At times he hadn’t thought he could bear it another moment. And then he had turned numb, devoid of all feeling, swearing he would never allow himself to love again.
Then Bliss happened along. And he wondered if she had healed more than just the wounds on his body. He wondered if she had healed his broken heart.
“Have you been awake long?”
Trey turned to Bliss just as a ray of sunlight kissed her face, and her beauty startled him. He had thought he would never think another woman more beautiful than Leora, but Bliss far surpassed Leora, and the thought surprised him.
“Not that long,” he said. “I intended to wake you soon, so that we could eat and be on our way.”
Bliss sat up, running her fingers through her silky blond hair. “I’m rarely hungry in the morning, so please do not wait on me.”
“A hunk of cheese and bread will suffice as we walk,” he said. “I much prefer to be on our way.”
“I am just as eager,” she said, bouncing up to gather and fold the blankets. “I feel the need to get to my friend as fast as possible.”
While he wished the same, to have this done with and see her safely to his home, he rather favored having time alone with her. It was odd to feel the stirrings of more than just attraction. And he wanted the chance to see if it was real or only gratitude for her having healed him.
They were on their way shortly, their hands joining as soon as they left the grove. They both reached out for the other at the same time, their hands clasping, their fingers lacing, and their grip strong.
“Where do we go?” he asked, having let her set the course.
“Not that far from my home, though not on Pict land,” Bliss explained. “It will take most of the day to get there.”
“You travel alone much?” he asked once again, her safety concerning him.
“More times than not.”
“It is not safe.”
