Bound Island by G.D. Roman

Author:G.D. Roman [G.D. Roman]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: G.D. Roman
Published: 2023-11-02T00:00:00+00:00

Hidden Nature

Tara

“Look at all these vines…”

Tara threw another stone onto the growing pile. She, Aiden, and a few dozen warriors had spent the morning shifting through the rubble that was once the southern wall. The collapsed wall had left piles of rocks and debris that needed to be sorted and removed. Some would be reused in the building of houses, others on a new containment for what was left of the wall. Warriors and farmers worked side by side, supervised by Badar, Gareth, and the king, though Tara hadn’t failed to notice that the prince was quick to get his hands as dirty as the rest of them.

Thick vined branches were hacked and pulled down. It would be reused for wood during winter. Nothing would be wasted. Gareth sent a group of warriors along the perimeter to identify the origin of the vines. They came back shaking their heads.

“The vines are rooted deep into the wall,” one warrior reported to the prince. Tara kicked Aiden lightly with her foot, and at his questioning look, she tipped her head behind her. They both slowed down, pretending to work while they listened.

“How much of the wall is covered?” Badar asked.

“We only walked around the southern perimeter, but what we saw was covered in vines.”

“They were not there before Beltane,” Badar commented.

Gareth nodded and let out a long breath. “Did you find an origin point?”

“No,” the warrior answered. “There is a group checking the northern section.”

The rest of the reports did not bring better news. By the end of the morning, it became clear that the vines were slowly infesting the entire wall.

Tara and Aiden exchanged looks but continued to work.

“What do you think it means?” Tara whispered as she lifted another stone and placed it in a pile.

“It means we are in deeper trouble than we thought,” Aiden answered.

“What do we do?”

Aiden shook his head. “I don’t know. Wait for answers.”

By mid-afternoon, ladders and clay were brought to re-enforce cracks in the stone structure. The temperature rose, and men removed their upper tunics. Sweaty, bare-chested workers decorated the field. Tara wiped her wet forehead with her sleeve. Aiden appeared, drenched in sweat, squinting against the sun as he hauled some stones. He too, was bare-chested and the sight of him was quickly becoming an unproductive distraction.

Tara followed him with her eyes. She couldn’t get enough of him. The sensations were so new to her but, at the same time, familiar. The warm flutter in her chest traveled down to her stomach and lower.

How can one person become so important in such a short time?

No, that wasn’t the right question.

How can he, my best friend, become the most important person in my life?

Because, whether irritated or playful, Aiden was the most important person in her life. Just as important as her sisters. Or perhaps more.

Tara hadn’t noticed she had stopped working and was staring at Aiden as he moved about.

“See something you like?” he whispered as he crossed her path carrying some stones.

“Maybe.” Tara smiled warmly.

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