“Get back to work!” Wolf called out and everyone scurried off except Gorm. “See an eye is kept on him for a few days.” Gorm walked off and Wolf turned to his wife, folding his arms across his chest. “You place yourself in far too many dangerous situations.”
“I’m your wife, Ober wouldn’t dare strike me,” Raven said confidently.
“You know that for sure? I’ve seen him strike men for less.”
“His fear coupled with the respect I see that your men have for you wouldn’t let him do such a foolish thing,” she argued. “Besides, if he had raised his hand to me, he’d be minus a hand right now.”
“You do realize you now have a husband more than capable of defending you?”
“I don’t question that,” she said as if it was never a thought. “What I do question is, will he defend me regardless of the situation?”
“You mean whether I agree with you or not?”
Her hands went to rest on her hips. “That’s exactly what I mean.”
Raven didn’t even have time to gasp, her husband moved so fast, hooking his arm around her waist and yanking her against him.
“We’ll always have our differences, kona, but that doesn’t mean I won’t defend you.” His kiss stopped any response or protest she intended. He hastily stepped away from her after ending the kiss.
“You don’t start what you can’t finish,” she challenged, his possessive kiss leaving her wanting more.
“I’ll finish it—later. There’s work to be done.” He turned, needing distance from his wife or he’d rush her into the longhouse and into their bed for the remainder of the day. “And not another word, wife, or I will make you wait even longer.”
Her laughter had him turning around and she approached him and whispered, “With what you’ve taught me, I believe I would be able to please myself.”
Wolf brought his face so close to hers that their noses almost touched. “Only if I can watch.”
Raven’s eyes shot wide and she stepped back.
“I look forward to it, wife.” Wolf chuckled and walked off.
Damn if he didn’t get her on that one. She walked away shaking her head.
The path to the keep had yet to be finished, but it was enough for her to make her way up it to the keep. She found Fyn and George at the top, working to clear the abundant snow that had accumulated in front of the keep.
“Nightmares disturbed Tait’s sleep last night. He finally sleeps comfortably and Greta is keeping watch over him,” Fyn said.
“Eria keeps her company,” George added. “Is there something you need from us?”
“No, I wanted to let you know that Iver was sent to look for Brother Noble and see him safely to the monastery.”
“I’m sure he’ll have no trouble finding the leper and seeing him home,” Fyn said.
George nodded in agreement. “Iver needed a mission. He can stay put for only so long.”
Fyn grinned. “If he found a good woman, he’d stay put.”
“He might be too set in his ways for a woman,” George said.
Fyn looked to the keep. “I thought that once and to my surprise I was proved wrong.”
Even with the many furs she wore, the cold managed to shiver her.
“Go inside and get warm,” George said, seeing the shiver that hurried over her. “There is hot cider to warm your innards and honey oat cakes to enjoy.”
Raven smiled and rubbed her hands together. “That sounds much too inviting to refuse.”
Fyn opened the door for her. “We’ll join you as soon as we finish this section.”
“Take your time,” Raven said and entered the keep.
Fragrant and familiar scents assaulted her when she entered the Great Hall. Pine branches graced the top of the mantel, their strong scent drifting throughout the room along with the delicious aroma of hot apple cider.
She quickly made her way to one of the few tables in the small room and, of course, one closest to the fireplace. She filled a tankard from the crock on the table and cupped her hands around it to let the heat seep into her cold hands.
“You have no gloves?”
Raven shook her head as Detta approached the table.
“Did you lose them?” Detta asked, placing a plate of fresh honey oat cakes in front of Raven.
“I traded them,” Raven said and reached for one of the warm honey oak cakes.
“I hope it was a fair trade.”
Raven confirmed with a nod, her mouth too full to speak, recalling the young lass who needed them more than her.
“You don’t remember your visit here when you were young, do you?” Detta asked.
Raven took a swallow of cider before responding. “I have a vague remembrance of being here once, but how would you know of it? You weren’t here that far back.”
“Burnell often spoke of your visit with fondness and laughter.” Detta smiled. “I believe he told me that you were barely five years old and there was no stopping your determination to explore and climb whatever caught your fancy.”