War Bride: A Medieval Fantasy Romance Novella (The Chained Novellas Book 2) by Elise Marion

Author:Elise Marion [Marion, Elise]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Marion Press
Published: 2015-10-30T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 12

Emery gazed up from where she lay upon the ground, hands cradling the back of her head. Through the latticed tree branches above, a full moon cast white slivers of light over her and Leofred. He lay at her side, his breathing steady and quiet. An odd sense of contentment, the likes of which she hadn’t felt in a long time, lingered over her. For the first time since King Rowan’s Treachery she did not feel angry, hurt, betrayed, or afraid. She felt free.

Turning her head, she studied the man responsible. His dark eyes glittered in the light of the moon, his profile striking in its sharp hawkishness. His body dwarfed her by several stone of muscle, its length surpassing hers by several inches. Yet, she found him comforting instead of intimidating. Where she had once been afraid, Emery became assured.

With that assurance came something else. Something that caused the back of her neck to tingle and her palms to become moist.

Awareness.

There could be no other word to describe the feeling. She had become acutely aware of his size, strength, his beauty. His maleness. It did not repulse or frighten her. It intrigued.

“Leofred,” she murmured, keeping her voice a bit above a whisper. She did not want to ruin the quiet peace of their surroundings.

He met her gaze. “Yes?”

“I’ve had the most wonderful day. I never told you about my childhood, but hunting and camping out of doors was one of my favorite past-times. I do not remember much of my father, but I recall accompanying him on hunting trips. The others would sleep in their tents, but Father and I preferred to rest beneath the stars. He would tell me tales of Daleraia’s past and the glorious stories of shield maidens. He thought I might become one someday.”

Leofred turned onto his side, lifting his head and bracing it on his hand. “I would have been a lad when he died, but even in Dinasdale Sir Griffon Calliot is a legend. A warrior thought to be invincible until the day of his death. The more I learn of you, the more I come to believe you are made in his image.”

She shrugged. “I never did become a shield maiden. I suppose if he lived, I might have.”

“I do not understand. I thought all Daleraian ladies were warriors. Leastwise, that is what we’ve always been led to believe.”

Sighing, she shook her head. “No. Highborn ladies are discouraged from participating in training for battle. Though, basic skill with a sword is overlooked so long as she carries herself like a lady in other ways. Those who are not the daughters of lords are different. They are left to do what they please. If my parents had lived, my life might be far different. The death of my parents left Ilene and I all alone in the world. My uncle, Lord Alderan, took us in. Being raised by his wife in Haleah Hall meant we were expected to behave like ladies in training.

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