Wolf contained his fury upon learning the escape was his guards’ fault. His warriors would be punished for their neglect. “How long before the guards returned?”
“Maybe about twenty minutes,” Sten said.
“Gorm,” Wolf said with a distinct growl in his voice.
“I’ll see to it, my lord,” Gorm said, understanding he was to gather the guards responsible, and left in haste.
Sten shook his head again. “I don’t know where he thought he would go, seek shelter or find warmth, when the scent of a snowstorm was so heavy in the air. It makes no sense.”
Raven heard the question she was about to ask come out of her husband’s mouth.
“Could he have been meeting someone?”
“There were no other men that traveled with our small group that I was aware of, but there were other men on the ship that brought us here. And Brynjar rarely lets anyone know his true plans. All I was told was that—” Sten paled again.
“You were to see my wife dead,” Wolf said, anger twisting his gut and growing his muscles taut.
Sten nodded, fearful of saying any more.
Gorm returned with four fierce looking warriors. “They volunteered to guard the prisoner.”
“You don’t need that many,” Raven said and the scowl that spread across her husband’s handsome face showed he thought otherwise. She ignored it and voiced her opinion. “There’s a small storage room in the keep that would serve as a better cell and would prove more difficult to escape, though I don’t think Sten has any intentions of doing so. And one guard at a time will suffice, freeing your other three warriors.”
His wife was right, though he didn’t openly admit it. “See it done, Gorm.”
“One last question, Sten,” Raven said as the largest of the warriors grabbed his arm and swung him up off the ground and held him firm. “Were you and Toke together the whole time you were held captive by Brynjar?”
“No, we were separated and only came together a couple of months ago.”
Raven directed her order to Gorm. “See that he is fed well and kept warm. He’ll do us no good dead.”
Gorm looked to Wolf and he nodded, giving permission for Gorm to carry out her order.
“I could use some food myself,” Lars said, as Sten was carted away.
“Then share the meal with Sten. A full belly may encourage him to talk more,” Wolf said.
“And ale… lots of ale loosens tongues,” Lars said, his hardy laugh trailing after him.
As soon as everyone departed, Wolf turned to her but she spoke before he could. “I know… your clan, your people, your command.”
“I’ll always have the last word in matters, wife. That won’t change. But I respect your opinion.”
Raven smiled and poked him in the chest. “So what you’re saying is… I’m not allowed to give orders to your men like I do to my men.”
“That’s exactly right,” he said, returning her smile. “And what order did you give Clive that had him leave?”
She wasn’t surprised that he knew. He had either seen him leave or someone had told him.
Raven’s smile grew with her response. “Love.”
“Explain, kona,” he said, doing his best to hide the jolt the word had delivered.
Raven detailed why she sent Clive to her clan and also mentioned Fyn and Greta as well. It was too early on with George and Eria or Brod and Ida to mention them.
“My men have served me well and I want them to be happy,” she said.
“I wish Clive well and I’m glad that Fyn is planting roots here. He will make a good mate for Greta, and Tait seems to care a great deal for him. No wonder your men are so faithful to you—you’re an unselfish leader, a rare quality in one who leads.”
“I was taught well,” Raven said, thinking how she often did as to how the old man’s teachings had guided her and helped her survive.
That she continued to hold the mysterious man she loved in high regard continued to annoy Wolf. Even in death she was devoted to the man. That strong of a love was difficult to find and he couldn’t deny he continued to be envious of it.
Wolf’s tongue was sharp when he spoke. “I go to reprimand the warriors who neglected their duties. Go and see to a wifely duty instead of getting into any trouble.”
Raven laughed. “I will see to a wifely duty when you see to your husbandly duty.”
He was left with the sting of her barb as she walked away and he grumbled to himself as he went to see to his other duties.
His warriors were known for their exceptional skills and he made it clear that their neglect—their failure—had reflected on themselves and him. And it wasn’t a pleasant reminder since the Beast had delivered the reprimand and punishment. The two warriors were left shivering when he finished with them.