She had promised him that in time she would tell him and he had graciously accepted her excuse. But truthfully, she didn’t know if she ever wanted to share it with him.
Oria and Purity had promised they would see her soon and she hadn’t needed her brothers to tell her the same, she had seen it on their scowling faces.
“You are hurting.”
Raven turned to Clive riding alongside her. “I won’t deny it. I am hurting. I miss my family, though I am grateful you and the others, my other family, remain with me.”
“We’ll never leave you. We gave our word and we’ll keep it no matter what others think. Most don’t understand it, but there is honor among thieves.”
“I know and I am grateful that all of you gave your word,” she said, recalling the day the five men stood around the dying old man and swore to keep their word to always protect her just as her brothers and da had done those many years ago. Not one of her men had expressed any desire to leave her when they had learned she would wed Wolf. Fyn had said it best. We’re family and we stay together.
She would see them kept just as safe as they would her.
Clive cleared his throat, an indication he wanted to ask her something that he was having trouble asking.
“Get it over with, Clive, or you’ll make your throat raw,” she said with a chuckle.
Clive hurriedly spit it out. “Was he kind to you last night?”
She didn’t have to blush at the question, Clive did it for her. And he more than blushed when she said, “He won’t touch me until he knows I don’t carry another man’s bairn.”
Clive’s face burst red with anger. “He thinks you a whore?”
“He thinks me a thief and all that supposedly goes with it.”
“Those who have never known hunger or cold know nothing about thieves. A bit of stolen food and a blanket can help one survive.”
“I know that all too well.” Raven shook her head. “Though, I never thought I would learn it through experience.”
Fyn came up from behind her to ride along her other side. “We’ve all been there. It’s often what forms a thief—the need to survive. Some are lucky and can begin life anew. Many, however, are stuck in the life they never meant to enter. Then there are others, the lazy lot, who choose such a life. But none of that matters now. As I’ve said many times and will repeat as often as necessary. We’re family and we stay together.”
Raven was eternally grateful for having met up with the band of thieves and to have a second family and one that would always remain with her.
It wasn’t a far ride to Learmonth and while she recalled being there once when she was very young, it didn’t mean she hadn’t returned. Unknowing to those at Learmonth, she had visited a few times, and Clive and George had visited when they posed as traveling merchants. So she had some knowledge of the place.
What Oria had confirmed for her was that there had been more building going on there. Of what nature, she didn’t know, though was curious to find out. She didn’t care that Wolf had ignored her since leaving her family. He rode with his men and paid her no heed.
It made her realize that he thought her unimportant, a mistake on his part. If he thought she was going to be a docile wife who minded his every word, he was in for a huge surprise. Though she was also aware that the Beast should not be taken for granted nor should she assume he thought in a particular way. She had learned he had a cunning mind for strategy, which made him victorious more often than not when it came to battles. He was not a warrior to underestimate.
Raven was shocked when they entered the village occupying the area at the bottom of the hill of the keep. It had changed tremendously from her last visit. More land had been cleared, doubling the number of cottages and the size of the village. The people seemed content enough, though she surmised those who called out greetings to Wolf and his men were his people and those that turned their heads in uncertainty were those original to the Clan Learmonth.
Her attention was quickly drawn to just beyond the new portion of the village, where a large, long structure appeared taking up a good portion of the area.
Her men fell back when Wolf approached and brought his stallion up beside her horse as they ambled toward the structure.
“That’s your new home,” Wolf said.
Her brow wrinkled as she said, “I thought we were to live in the keep”
“It is not to my liking. I prefer the longhouse of my people, though I have added some of what your people are accustomed to,” he admitted.