“I will see to preparing us food,” she said, needing something to do to busy her mind.
Saber thought differently and took her hand and walked over to the bed to sit and ease her down on his lap. He gently pressed his finger at the corner of her eye, capturing an unshed tear. He held it in front of her and shrugged.
She sighed. “I got upset over something I learned, but since it is our wedding day, I didn’t want to burden you with it.”
He tapped her lips, then his chest, letting her know he wished to hear it.
Rory’s words came back to her and along with them the fear. “Rory told me that the woman he loved and failed, Shona, was the third wife of the cursed lord. She died after being married to Lord Rannick for only three days. I worry what will happen to Bliss. Will the curse claim her quickly? Will Annis have no time to save her? And is there nothing I can do to help her?” Tears threatened her eyes again. “I don’t want to lose Bliss, but I have no idea what to do to help her. Rory also said something else to me that people aren’t always who we think they are and I should be careful who I trust.”
Saber raised his hand as if lifting a tankard to his lips and shrugged.
Elysia easily understood what he asked. “Aye, Rory had been drinking.”
He tilted his head and shrugged again.
“You think his remark was due to his drinking and I would agree, except—I wondered if he drinks to forget and that there was some truth to his words.” She turned an anxious glance on him. “Will you take me to visit Bliss so I can see for myself that she is well?”
“Too soon,” he said, his voice a mere whisper.
She sighed again. “I suppose you’re right. She has probably barely arrived there and knowing my sister, she will get word to me as soon as she can.”
He nodded, agreeing with her.
Elysia rested her head on his bare shoulder. “I am glad I have you, Saber.”
He patted her chest then his chest, letting her know he was glad to have her.
She raised her head and smiled. “We are lucky to have found each other.”
He didn’t get a chance to nod in agreement. She took hold of his face and kissed him. He loved that she kissed him so freely, without a bit of hesitation, and got so much enjoyment from it, which in turn delighted him.
He let himself fall back on the bed, moving her to lie on top of him, the bed far too narrow for them both. His hands went to her backside to cup it as their kiss turned ardent. His hands itched to slip beneath her garments and explore and he didn’t think she would stop him. The problem was he didn’t think he could stop himself from coupling with her and he didn’t want to take a chance of his seed taking root.
She sprung up suddenly, her small hands pressed against his chest. “I haven’t taken the brew yet.” She scrambled off him. “I will go get what I need to make the brew.”
He grabbed her arm before she could get away from him. He shook his head when she turned and looked at him and tapped his chest and pointed to her.
“You don’t have to go with me.” His look told Elysia otherwise and she was beginning to realize that when her husband made up his mind there was no changing it. She smiled. “You need your shirt.”
They entered the village to find men gathered in talk and women looking anxious. Saber walked her to the cottage and let her know to wait there for him to return.
“You go to see what has everyone upset?” Elysia asked.
He nodded and made a point of letting her know again that she was to stay put until he returned.
“I’ll be here waiting for you,” she assured him and wasn’t surprised he didn’t leave until she was safely inside the cottage.
The silence of the cottage ran a chill through her as did the cold hearth that had always had a fire burning. She hurried to start a fire and return warmth to the room, only then did she shed her cloak. She stood for a short time before the hearth holding her hands out to the heat of the flames, then rubbing her arms. Once warm, she got busy searching for the crushed leaves that she could brew and drink that would prevent her from conceiving a bairn.
Elysia searched the various crocks Bliss kept stored with herbs, but couldn’t remember which one held what she needed. Bliss kept the herbs that could cause more harm than good, if not handled properly, separate from the others and those she avoided. She was not skilled enough in their properties to use them. She also wasn’t sure if it was a blend of two herbs Bliss used.