He nodded, his brows dipping lower and casting shadows on his eyes.
She slipped through the door and then fell against it and bit her lip until it bled.
She didn’t understand these feelings plaguing her. She felt warm and raw. Even the wind outside pained her. She couldn’t think straight. Her belly constantly flipped. She wanted to feel his mouth on her. All of her, devouring her. She wanted his hands and other parts of his body on her. She wanted to take him to his bed and bind him to her. One flesh cleaved together.
She was afraid that iron shaft would hurt her. She had no idea why she still desired it in some primal way. Intercourse was the one thing about which she was never taught.
She needed to know.
She couldn’t ask his mother. She would not feel right speaking about intimate things with a man’s mother. She didn’t see anything wrong with asking his cousin, Elysande, though. Aye! She would know best.
She didn’t want to do it. How would she even bring it up? She wiped her brow and continued down the stairs. When she reached the first landing, she wasn’t sure whose house she was in.
She entered the great hall and spotted Will and Padrig sharing a drink. She went to them, intending to get directions.
“What is a lovely lass doin’ wanderin’ aboot the halls unescorted?” Will asked.
“I am lost. One wrong turn and you could end up in another house.” She laughed softly. She missed traveling with them, getting to know them.
“How have you brothers been?”
“We are well,” Padrig said in a gentle tone and a smile to match. “Yerself?”
She lifted a dark red brow at them. Hmm. “May I ask you something?”
“Of course.” They nodded.
“I have been feeling…ehm.” She shifted in the tunic she’d changed into after her bag was returned to her thanks to these two. She tried again. “I have been…feeling…” she blew out a deep breath. She just couldn’t do it. She couldn’t ask them about such private things.
“Have ye seen Elysande?”
Padrig blinked. “What aboot what ye are feelin’, lass?”
“Oh, never mind that.” She laughed nervously and waved her hand.
Will pointed to the main exit directly ahead. She thanked them and hurried toward the exit to seek out Elysande.
She found her in the huge garden behind the houses, busy picking apples and some small pumpkins.
“Should you be doing all that bending?” Silene asked her and bent to help.
Elysande smiled. “I dinna hurt the babe by doin’ a wee bit of work. I keep myself strong.”
They talked about Elysande’s husband and how he’d taken the news that he was going to be a father again. “He is quite proud of himself.”
“For what?” Silene asked.
“Fer what, indeed.” Elysande laughed. “My swollen belly is a sign of his virility.”
Aye. She was the one to ask. “Ehm, Elysande? May I ask you a question?”
“Aye,” Elysande allowed and bent to another two fallen apples.
“Lately, being…being around Galeren is sparking…feelings in me which I do not understand.”
“Oh?” Elysande straightened and smiled at her. “What are ye feelin’? Can ye describe it?”
Silene could feel her face burning. “I was never taught…I am feeling like my senses are heightened. I…I see things with more clarity. I feel like I can hear better and I find myself listening for his voice. The sound of him—the sight of him makes my heart quicken. When he kisses me, I want more, but I do not know what it is I want.”