Highlander the Dark Dragon by Donna Fletcher

grumbled, but did as his wife ordered.
    Once the wound was cleaned, Heather saw the problem. “You have a splinter of some sort embedded in the wound. It needs to be removed, and then you should heal fine, for the wound is not deep.” She turned to Belle. “Though, you must change the bandage often.”
    “Bah,” Henry snorted, “a waste of time and good cloth.”
    “You will mind your manners, Henry and do what Lady Heather says,” Belle ordered.
    “Sorry, my lady,” Henry grumbled.
    Heather bowed her head to hide her smile. He might be a gruff man, but he gave no guff to his wife when she gave him an order.
    It did not take long to remove the sliver of wood with Belle’s bone needle and apply a fresh bandage to the leg. After all was done, Heather stood and looked to Belle. “He should stay off that leg for at least the remainder of the day, two if possible, to give the wound time to close some. And change the bandage in two days. If the wound has a bad odor or reddens, let me know right away. In the meantime, I will leave some leaves for you to brew and have Henry drink.”
    Belle shot her husband a warning look before he could complain and he grumbled beneath his breath.
    Heather left the cottage, her stomach grumbling, reminding her that the day was winding on and she had barely eaten. She also needed to change her garments, her appearance not at all presentable. She final made it inside the keep without being stopped and was delighted to see a familiar and friendly face.
    Nessa was a few years younger than her. She was petite and plump with long red hair that she wore in a single braid. She had the prettiest face and the loveliest dark eyes and a smile that never faltered. She had worked, since young, alongside her mum in the keep. Her mum had passed on a couple of years ago and last Heather knew, Nessa had continued her duties in the keep. There was no one who knew the place like she did and Heather was glad to see her.
    “Lady Heather,” Nessa cried and hurried to her.
    The two hugged, neither noticing the stares from the few warriors and servants in the Great Hall.
    “It is good to see you,” Heather said.
    “I am so pleased to see you, though when I learned you were the Dark Dragon’s wife, I prayed for you.”
    “The union was necessary,” Heather said.
    “So I learned.”
    “Tell me what has happened here,” Heather said. “I recognize few villagers.”
    Nessa kept her voice low. “They are gone—disappeared—swallowed whole by the Dark Dragon.”
    Before Heather could ask what she meant, Nessa’s face paled and her eyes turned wide. Heather turned to see the Dark Dragon standing a few feet away, raindrops running down his dark garments.

Chapter Six
    Heather did not wait to be summoned. From the look on her husband’s face, he was there for her. She went to him, leaving Nessa frozen in place.
    Her stomach chose the moment she reached him to grumble in hunger.
    Rhys did not say a word. He took her hand and called out, “Nessa, food and drink in my solar.”
    Nessa nodded and hurried off.
    Heather followed along, his strides quick and powerful, as if leaving his mark wherever his footfalls fell. He shut the door behind them, slipped off her cloak, and taking her hand seated her in a chair by the cold fire. He turned his attention to the fireplace and in moments flames leaped off the logs and warmth drifted out to stroke Heather’s bare legs. She hugged herself and shivered from the delicious warmth.
    Rhys returned to her side with a soft wool blanket and draped it over her lap to cover her legs.
    She closed her eyes and rested her head back against the chair. She had not realized how tired she was until this moment.
    He placed his hands on her shoulders and squeezed, her tender muscles protesting. His fingers took charge, digging into the muscles and they screamed with soreness while she sighed aloud and his fingers dug harder, relieving the ache little by little. She almost cried out