“Kings do nothing without a purpose. The question is does our marriage benefit either or both of the kings, if not, they’d have no purpose to see us wed.”
“If not them, then who?” Raven asked more curious than ever as to who had been responsible for bringing them together.
“A mystery to solve,” Wolf said. “Even more so the decision behind it. Was it intended to bring peace or was it intended to cause more discord and possibly instigate more battles and cause more lives to be lost?”
Raven grabbed hold of his arm that lay over her waist. “Do you think Brynjar could have anything to do with it? He’s made it obvious he wants me dead. Could that have been his plan. Force us into a marriage, kill me, and start a war between our clans?”
Wolf shook his head. “Anything is possible, though he would need to know a number of people here in Scotland to carry out such a plan and his contacts here are sorely limited.”
“Evil men exist all over and I found that evil attracts evil. Perhaps Brynjar found someone here as evil as him and with the desire for power and chaos.”
Wolf kissed her gently. “Then it is good we have foiled his plans. My people and your people will now see that we care for each other and intend to build a good life together. And, no doubt,” —his hand went to rest on her stomach— “you will grow round with child soon enough, proving our intention.”
Her hand drifted down to stroke his shaft. “Then you better get busy seeing that done.”
“Keep touching me like that and my seed will wind up in your hand,” he cautioned.
Her cunning smile returned. “A mighty warrior like you can’t contain himself?”
His hand slipped between her legs. “How about we see who can contain themselves the longest?”
Raven chuckled before kissing her husband. “We both know I’d be defeated, but I am willing to give it a try.”
“You are a brave woman, Raven, more brave than I ever imagined, and I am lucky to have you as my wife.”
Her stomach fluttered and her heart felt a joy that she had thought long dead, and when he kissed her, both sensations increased tenfold and at that moment she was certain she caught a glimpse of love.
“I am not wearing this,” Raven said, shaking the garment at her husband who had just entered their bedchamber.
“It will keep you warmer than your shirt and plaid,” he argued.
“It’s long length will restrict my movements. I won’t wear it.” She tossed the garment on the bed. Her hands went to her hips and she sent him an accusing look. “Was that what it was meant to do?”
It was a good thing his wife wore her shirt because if she was naked he’d rush her to their bed and enter her swiftly, he had such a need for her, a need that ached endlessly at him. The more they made love, which they had done throughout the day yesterday, the snowstorm keeping them inside, the more he desired her. They were definitely going to have many bairns.
“You know me better than that,” he challenged. “My only thought was to see you kept warm.”
Her husband had touched her heart far too often since yesterday and to her dismay she believed love was beginning to poke at her. Or was it fear that she would allow herself to love only to lose him and suffer loss once again?
“As much as I don’t want to admit it,” she said with a twinkle in her eyes. “You’re right. Come over here to me and I’ll apologize properly.”
Wolf laughed. “If I come over there, wife, we won’t be leaving this room for hours.”
“I’m not eager to go out in the cold or tramp through the high snow.”
“Pathways have been cleared with more to come,” he assured, trying more to persuade himself than her.
“How does that stop me from being cold?” she challenged.
He held up his hand and she thought he meant to silence her, then he turned and left the room and she understood he wanted her to remain there. She had no intentions of going anywhere except back to bed with her husband and not to sleep.
She grew impatient while reminders of how he had made her feel last night growing her more and more aroused. Finally, the door opened and her husband entered with a bundle of furs, leather, and a dark wool shirt in his arms.
“These will keep you warm,” he said and dropped them on the bed.” He pulled the dark wool shirt from the pile and held it out to her. “Put this on, it’s a heavier wool and will keep you warm.”
Raven could tell he needed a little enticement and she walked over to him slowly.