Free Highlander the Dark Dragon by Donna Fletcher

coupling.
    “I am fine,” Heather said with a forced smile.
    “I am glad to see it,” Nessa said and lowered her voice to a whisper. “One of the servants claims to have seen the Dragon go to the upper floor and not come down for a while before going to his bedchamber. She thinks he had his slaves satisfy him, so that he would not be too demanding of his bride.”
    He had returned to the upper floor last night after leaving her in their bedchamber? She had to find out what was in that room. Heather hopped out of bed and went to the tray of food. She rarely ate when she woke, but Nessa had been kind enough to bring her some food so she ate sparingly of the salted whiting and bread. There was a pitcher of wine, but she much preferred the soothing brew she made from herbs and would have to instruct Nessa on how to prepare it for her.
    She turned to Nessa to do just that and found her staring at the bed linen.
    Heather realized right away what the young woman was staring at. Heather’s virgin blood should be on the bed linen and it was not. If word spread about this, it would not be in her favor. She doubted anyone would believe that the Dragon had not consummated their vows.
    “I beg your silence on this, Nessa.”
    Nessa turned wide eyes on her.
    “The time will come when you will find what you expected to find there this morning. Until then, I beg you not to speak of it to anyone.”
    Nessa stared at her a moment before shaking her head and saying, “I would never speak of anything I see here. You can trust me to keep a tight lip, my lady.”
    “I am relieved to know that, Nessa.”
    “I will make certain blood is seen on the sheets,” Nessa said, gathering them up, “for inevitably there will be those nosey ones looking for it and ready to gossip if not found.”
    “I do appreciate your loyalty.”
    “Always, my lady,” Nessa assured her with a bob of her head. “I know you like to tend yourself, but if there is anything you wish me to do, I would be pleased to serve you.”
    “Thank you, Nessa.” Heather dropped the piece of bread in her hand back on the tray. Curious about the two sentinels that had been found dead, but not sure if Rhys allowed the news to be known, Heather asked cautiously, “By the way, has there been any word about the two sentinels that were found last night.”
    Nessa was quick to share what she knew. “A shame it is that one rushed to help defend the other against a wild beast only to have them both lose their lives. A troop has gone out to hunt the animal down. I hear tell it was a wolf.” Nessa shook her head. “The bodies were so badly torn that the Dragon will not let anyone see them. A guard stands watch over them outside the barn until they are buried.”
    “That is a shame,” Heather said, though wondered over it. Why would Rhys be summoned immediately if two of his men were mauled by a wolf? Naturally, he would be informed of it, but to disturb him when he was with his bride? Somehow that did not make sense.
    She had to get a look at those bodies and satisfy her curiosity and she had to find out what was behind that door on the upper floor. She also wanted to look in on the warriors she had tended and see how they were doing. With so much to do, she hurried to dress.
    Her usual daily attire was a plain skirt and blouse and she quickly retrieved them from the chest Nessa had placed her belongings in. She took a comb to her hair, running it through the soft strands, then quickly braided it. After slipping on her boots, she went to the door, swinging it open and ran right into her husband. Stunned by the impact of his solid body, she stumbled back and his hand snapped out to quickly take hold of her.
    “Are you rushing from our bedchambers to avoid me?” he asked, taking her along with him as he stepped into the room and shut the door behind him.
    “I am eager to see how the injured warriors are faring.”
    “But not eager to see me?”
    Heather stepped away from him,