Eria turned then and her face lit with joy and Raven knew the loving smile wasn’t meant for her. Eria took off in a run and ran right past her into Wolf’s arms.
Raven felt an unusual jolt to her chest. Why should it matter to her if the woman hugged her husband and that he returned the hug, lifting the petite woman off the ground? Eria obviously cared for Wolf, while she didn’t care what happened to him. He’d been her enemy for the last five years, but now he was her husband and that changed things. Her brothers were happy with their wives and even her father had found happiness with Wren. What was done was done. Did she want to continue living with her husband as a foe or should she at least try to establish a friendship with him? Otherwise what would life be like for her?
You have two choices. You make the best of what you’ve got or you strive for something better. That’s what the old man had taught her. Raven recalled asking him what you did when life delivered a severe blow. He’d told her you recover the best you can, though not always in the way you’d like, and you get your revenge by living life fully in spite of it all.
Did she make the best of the husband she got? And hadn’t she enjoyed his kiss and wouldn’t mind kissing him again? And what about sharing a bed with him. He did keep her warm.
“Eria, this is my wife, Raven,” Wolf said, yanking Raven out of her musings as he walked with Eria to his wife.
Eria stepped forward once they got close. “I’m so pleased to meet you and so grateful that you allowed me to come here.”
Raven didn’t mind her tongue. “You puzzle me. How can you be pleasant to the woman who robbed you of the man you love and were to wed?”
“Raven!” Wolf warned with a sharp tongue.
“It’s all right, Wolf,” Eria said softly. “I can understand how Raven must feel.” She turned to Raven. “Wolf makes whatever sacrifice he must for the benefit of his tribe as you did to benefit your family. And though he will not be my husband as planned, he still continues to protect me, see me kept safe, as he does for you, and for that I am grateful. And I am relieved you do not object to that or me being here.”
“I don’t need Wolf to keep me safe. I can do that myself. And as for you being here, I have no objections, but a warning,”—Raven stepped close to her— “attempt to poke my husband and I’ll take a knife to you.”
Eria paled and stepped closer to Wolf.
Raven turned but not before she saw Eria tuck herself against Wolf, while his dark eyes looked as though he was ready to kill her. “Where’s Iver?” she called out to George and Fyn.
“In the woods,” Fyn said.
“Don’t you dare go in the woods, Raven,” Wolf warned.
“Take care of Eria. She needs you, I don’t,” Raven said and walked in the direction of the woods.
Chapter 10
Raven had not seen her husband since she had left him with Eria earlier and she braced herself before entering the longhouse to face him. To her surprise and annoyance, he wasn’t there. No one was there, though a servant hurried forward when she spotted Raven.
“I can serve you when you’re ready, my lady.”
Raven recalled her husband calling the young woman… “Ida, where’s my husband?”
“He won’t be long,” Ida said.
“That’s not what I asked, Ida. Where is my husband?”
“He’ll return soon,” Ida said with a smile that faltered.
“Did he order you not to tell me where he was?”
“I do what Lord Wolf tells me, my lady,” Ida said, her hands clenched tightly in front of her.
She’d had enough of the title. “I’m not my lady or Lady Raven. You are to call me Raven.”
“I do what Lord Wolf tells me,” Ida repeated.
Raven was glad she didn’t bother to address her either way, and she understood the lass’s loyalty to Wolf.
“Let me get you supper, my lady,” Ida said.
Annoyed the servant addressed her that way again, her tongue turned snappish. “I’m not hungry. You’re dismissed.”
Ida didn’t move.
Raven shook her head. “What other orders did my husband give you in regards to me?”
“Lord Wolf instructed me to remain with you and see that you had whatever you needed.”
Raven didn’t say what she thought, that it sounded like he wouldn’t return until late. She didn’t bother with any more questions since Ida wouldn’t answer them anyway. She turned and walked to the door.
“Where do you go, my lady?” Ida called out.
“That doesn’t concern you, Ida,” Raven said and left the longhouse. Once outside, she hurried to the one end and ducked around the side, staying in the shadows. The snow had turned heavier and covered her tracks behind her.