“Time to brave the cold,” he said, holding his hand out to her.
They would brave more than the cold, since she didn’t have a doubt in her mind that people would see a difference in them, her men certainly would. But wasn’t it for the better? Their getting along meant peace in the area, something someone may not have intended to happen.
The cold struck Raven as soon as she stepped outside, but she was pleased that her garments served as a good barrier against the sting of the cold and with Wolf’s hand gripped firmly around hers, it kept it toasty warm.
The village was busy, men clearing pathways, women getting cookfires going, and children running in play. The heavy snowfall had done nothing to dampen the villagers’ spirits. It actually seemed to brighten them, perhaps reminding them of winter in their homeland.
When they reached the center of the village, Wolf stopped and turned to face her. “I have duties I must see to. Your men, all but Fyn, have returned to their cottages, if you wish to spend time with them. I will find you when I am done.”
Raven sensed what he intended to do next, kiss her in front of everyone so they would see she accepted him as her husband. She decided to change that. She hurried and threw her arms around his neck and kissed him before he could kiss her.
His arms went around her, hugging her tight and like the mighty warrior he was, he took charge of the kiss, leaving Raven weak in the knees when it was over, not that she’d admit it. Nor did she need to, since he kept his arm around her waist longer than needed as if he knew his kiss had left her weak.
“I’m going to get back at you for that,” she said softly and with a smile.
He faintly brushed his lips overs hers. “I’m counting on it.”
His chuckle drifted behind him as he walked away and Raven’s smile spread. She turned to go see her men when she noticed how many people were whispering, grinning, and nodding.
She knew exactly what they were thinking… the Beast had tamed his wife.
She continued on, chuckling to herself. They were about to learn how wrong they were.
Chapter 18
Raven approached the cottages where her men resided to find Iver sitting alone outside in front of a fire pit, the heat from the flames melting the snow around it. He was lost in thought, his dark eyes focused on the flames. He might appear as if he paid no heed, but he was more than aware of her presence. She often thought his dark eyes could see without seeing, strange as that seemed.
She sat next to him on the narrow bench and stretched her hands out to the flames to warm them. “All alone?”
“Fyn and George are with the women in the keep and Brod is helping Ida, doing what I don’t know.” He shook his head.
She offered comfort with her words. “Things are changing, Iver, whether we want them to or not.”
“I know, but I don’t know if this change is for me,” he said without taking his eyes off the flickering flames. “I enjoyed being on the road, going different places, hunting down information, and people.” He turned to her. “I feel caged here.”
“Then maybe it’s time you went on a mission.”
His dark eyes lit with excitement. “Tell me where and I’m off.”
“I need to speak with Wolf about it since we’ve agreed to trust and be honest with each other in order to have a decent and bearable marriage as well as bringing peace to the area. To make sure that happens, there are some issues that need settling.”
“Did you confide in Wolf about not being the one who initiated the marriage proposal?”
“I did and he was as surprised to hear it as I had been to learn about it. We want to find out who devised the proposal and made it happen,” she said.
“The first message you received in regards to the proposal came from Stitchill Monastery. I should start there, and see what Abbott Thomas knows of the messenger,” Iver said, anxious to be on his way.
“First we talk with Wolf and formulate a plan, then when all is set you can leave and hopefully discover something that will help us unravel this mystery.”
“And we don’t tell anyone,” Iver warned.
“I trust all my men, Iver, but I agree with you on this. The less who know about it, the better for the time being,” she agreed.
“I’m glad you think the same and I too trust our group, but not when women, we’ve just come to know, are involved. They say women’s tongues wag endlessly, but men often don’t mind their tongues around women. Men lose all common sense when a woman catches their fancy. And that’s not going to happen to me.” Iver turned his head to look at Raven. “Your husband approaches and he appears upset.”