Choosing Hearts - The Fighter's Passion (Gritty, Explicit Romance Novel) (A Lusty Stand Alone Story) Read Online Free PDF

meant everything to her andhugged him, and then
stood close to Rogan, the only man who could measure up to him in all of Kirk
Falls.
     
    “Alicia, tomorrow
you will be wed.” Grimond told his daughter with a wide grin. “And I must say
there is no better man in Kirk Falls worthy of you.”
     
    “I know, Father.”
The dark haired beauty blushed. “You carry on home. Rogan will fetch me back
before nightfall.”
     
    “May the Blessed
Ones look over you.” Grimond waved and stepped into the carriage.
     
    As the heavy
vehicle rolled away, Rogan put his arm around his love and led her to the house
he had built for her. Every stone, every log, every nail and strand of hay he
had laid down himself. It was truly a labor of love, a love that meant
everything to him.
     
    “Rogan, I am
beyond words.” Alicia gushed, as she looked around her new home. “Everything
and more that I could ever dream of.”
     
    “I will do
everything for you, my love.”  Rogan held her close. “Everything and anything.”
     
    “And yet you know
that I would choose to be with you even if you had naught but a cave in the
hills.” She kissed him gently, her blue eyes misting over.
     
    “Come, my heart.”
Rogan lifted her in his arms. “We must get blessed at the sacred well.”
     
    “Yes, for a life
of prosperity and love that we will embark on come tomorrow.” She smiled,
throwing her arms around his thick neck.
     

 
     
     
     
    The Sacred Well
was a clear pool of water fed by underground springs a few miles to the east of
the meadow, close to the western gate of the town - a place where men and women
pledged their love for each other even as others prayed for a prosperous life
and good fortune for their loved ones. The ride on Rogan’s black charger took a
few minutes and soon the couple were standing before a priestess of the well,
who blessed them for a life of eternal bliss, for a mere coin of gold.
     
    “Your union has
been blessed, young ones.” The lovely keeper of the sacred well smiled at them.
“Fortune looks upon you and the sacred powers of heaven and earth have approved
your conjugation.”
     
    Rogan bowed,
handing the older woman the fee with a smile, and clasping Alicia’s hand in his
walked slowly along the pathway leading away from the well.
     
    “We will be wed
right after dawn, at the Duke’s palace.” Rogan told his bride to be.
     
    “My excitement
will not let me sleep tonight.” She said breathlessly. “I still remember the
first time I saw you, Rogan. My heart was set upon you at that very moment.”
     
    “Even when you saw
I was a penniless and homeless wandering sell-sword who hadn’t bathed or eaten
in days?” Rogan laughed, squeezing her small hand.
     
    “Yes, love is
unconditional,” she said breathlessly, “and even if you were now as then, I
would be with you and no other.”
     
    “Indeed, but your
father and the elders would not want it that way.” Rogan sighed, and then let
his massive chest swell with pride. “I had to prove myself over the past three
years to be where I am now.”
     
    “I would come away
with you, Rogan, anywhere you wanted to go.” She pressed his hand between her
breasts. “Even then and even now.”
     
    “If I desired
that, it would prove that I do not love you for you, but only for me.” He
smiled down at her upturned face. “I only want the best for you.”
     
    “And I wish the
same for you.” She rested her head on his chest. “Forever and always.”
     
    They walked on
silently for a while longer, heading for where the black charger was tethered.
Rogan would take her to the meadow one last time as lovers before they were wed
and then take her back to her father’s farm. As he reached for his horse’s
reins, a strange and familiar odor made him look back.
     
    “Beware, brave man
of war.” A shrill, yet strong voice grated his senses. “A great darkness
approaches to blot out your light.”
     
    “Mad Mymisa.”
Rogan said