He eased back away from her and lowered her feet to the floor, wishing he could do the same—speak the truth.
“A storm approaches,” he said.
“Go and see to the animals. I will see to supper,” she said and hugged him tight before stepping away from him.
He opened the door, turned to her, appearing as if he was about to say something, then turned without a word and left, shutting the door behind him.
Something was on his mind, but she would not press him on it. He would tell her when he was ready. Besides, she felt far too blissful to worry about anything at the moment. With a generous smile, she got busy fixing supper.”
Saber grabbed his shirt off the fence post and slipped it on, his thoughts troubling him. He hurried to see to the animals getting them sheltered before the rain hit, the dark gray clouds promising a heavy downpour.
He felt someone near before he heard the footfalls and he turned, not surprised to once again see Finch.
“There’s no more time,” Finch said.
Saber had dreaded this day, had thought of ways to avoid it, but knew there was no stopping it.
“It grows worse and many will die if you don’t do what’s necessary,” Finch said.
Saber looked away for a moment, then turned back and nodded.
Elysia laid in her husband’s arms, a strange feeling settling in her. They had just finished coupling, a long and lingering coupling, satisfying her not only once but bringing her to climax again before he climaxed at all. Now, though, lying here beside him she got an uneasy feeling. It almost felt as if he had coupled with her—no, he had made love, it felt like love—to her for the last time. The thought upset her and a chill shivered her.
Saber reached down and pulled the blanket over them.
She wanted to ask him what was wrong. She sensed—far too strongly—that something was amiss. But she feared what he might say.
Saber spoke suddenly. “I love you, Elysia.”
She raised her head off his chest, shocked, but happy beyond measure to hear him say that. She didn’t hesitate to let him know she felt the same. “I love you as well, Saber—always.”
“Never stop,” he said abruptly.
“Loving you?”
“Aye, loving me.”
“Always, Saber,” she said, relieved that what troubled him was his fear that she would one day stop loving him. “I promise that I will always love you. Nothing will ever change that.”
No more was said, no more needed to be said. She fell asleep more content than she had ever been.
She woke the next morning to his hands gently exploring her and she smiled, arching her body when his mouth went to tease her nipple. Making love felt all the more pleasurable knowing that he loved her. She ran her fingers through his hair, gripping it and arching even more in anticipation of where his exploring hand would settle.
A sudden pounding at the door had them both bolting up.
“It’s Rory. You’re needed, Elysia. Bram has returned badly wounded and there are other wounded as well.”
“I’ll be right there,” she shouted out.
“I will wait,” Rory called out.
Saber got out of bed, helping her out along with him. They both dressed quickly and Elysia hurried her long hair up on her head, securing it with two combs. Saber waited at the door with her cloak and when he slipped it around her, he took strong hold of her shoulders and kissed her with such force, it felt as if he branded her.
He opened the door and scooped her healing basket up to hand to her before she could say anything and hurried her out.
As soon as she entered the village she could feel the change. Fear had taken hold. Women wept and men gathered weapons.
The Clan Loudon was going to battle.
Saber followed her into the keep and she stopped abruptly seeing Bram laid out on a table and four other men sitting on benches, with wounds to the head and arms and blood spotting their garments. She gave each man a cursory glance as she passed each one and with their wounds not appearing life threatening, she hurried to Bram.
Lendra stood beside him, holding his hand and Bram gripped it as if fearful of letting go.
“I’m here to help you, Elysia,” Lendra said, looking at her.
Bram turned his head slowly to Elysia. Gone was the teasing, confidence that was always there in his eyes. Now they pleaded with her, begged her to help him, begged her not to let him die.
She rested a gentle hand to his brow. “Let’s get you healed, Bram.”
His eyes shut for a moment and his body went limp with relief and when he opened his eyes again, there was hope in them.
Lendra pulled back the blanket that covered Bram to his neck and Elysia kept herself from gasping. The garments covering his chest were soaked with blood. The one thing that Bliss had taught her was to stop the bleeding, for too much blood loss meant certain death.