Chapter 568
In my state I heard a sound suddenly, it was soft and regular. The sound was so relaxing. It seemed to pulse in time with my own heart beat. The melody soothed me into a deep, restful sleep.
When I roused next the sun was just below the horizon and my face was cold. I woke up riding in Bane’s strong arms. He carried me off the transport and I heard his boots crunching the rocky ground.
“We’re at the cabin,” he said pulling me tightly to his chest.
“We’ll hunt something for dinner and eat. Our family will take the first watch.”
I mumbled an answer and pressed my face into him. The weather here was much cooler than I remembered. Of course, I didn’t know when the seasons changed, but I assumed they must. We just probably had not been here during this time of year before.
Inside the cabin I was set on my feet. The men pulled some of their bags inside. Almost everything was left outside on the transport. They only brought in what we’d need tonight.
The fire was Lit and I stood beside it waking up. Bane took my gloves and long coat off. With the fire going there was no need for the extra warmth and protection it provided.
My needs were met before I could ask. Kein provided me a cup of water and Christof took me into the room with the Lacquered pots where I relieved myself. We walked back into the main room where the men were standing and talking. This belongs to NôvelDrama.Org - ©.
“Take a seat,” Damien commanded pointing to a chair His tone brooked no argument and I did as he asked. My knitting needles and my yarn were handed to me.
The men planned out a hunting party as I sat there. One family would stay with me inside and one would guard the cabin, but it wasn’t going to be Damien’s family. Kein’s ability to ferret out game in the mountains was legendary and when Evan went they always got the best to eat. Bane and Damien
could physically take down a beast single handed and Christof could outrun the fastest creature. This was a large group to feed and my family had to hunt.
“Ciara is not to be touched while we are gone,” Damien said flatly.
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The other men looked surprised at the order. Of course they wouldn’t touch me, I was Damien’s slave. They wouldn’t Lay a hand on something of Damien’s.
The concern made sense to me. Damien was preparing to go back to the mountains. He didn’t trust the men there at all. These poor guys were just bearing the brunt of his worry.
I sat and knitted quietly as the men left with me puttered around. They were evidently preparing side dishes to go with the meat. They talked and joked together. For all it mattered, I wasn’t even present.
We had a very good dinner that night. The creature Kein had tracked and Bane had caught was in its prime. The meat was thick and cooked perfectly over an open flame. I enjoyed it as much as everyone else.
Despite napping on and off, I still slept well that night. One family shared the bed with us and the others slept on pads they’d carried with them. Except for standing watch, the men all rested well.
I dreamed of the heartbeat again. That subtle, Lulling sound comforted me greatly. Listening to it was utterly peaceful. I’d never heard such an enchanting sound.
Evan woke me as the sun rose the next morning. His blue eyes twinkled as he kissed my sleepy lips and nuzzled my neck. I luxuriated in the attention as I tried to burrow further into the warm bed.
“Today will be interesting,” he whispered against my ear.
“You have to wake up.”
He was right and my eyes opened fully. We had defied Nu-reeh by getting pregnant too soon. There was no telling what she would do to us. Fear coiled in my belly and I sucked in a horrified gasp.
My obvious distress was not what Evan had intended and it upset him. “We go to the mountains is all, my woman. Don’t be upset,” he murmured soothingly while stroking my hair.