“Your sister is never alone. Her men and two of my best warriors follow her at all times. Gorm is compiling a list of those who are relatively new to the tribe and volunteered to move from our homeland to here. I’m not concerned with the clan members already here. They would have no connection with Brynjar. I don’t believe they were even aware of his existence before we arrived and even if they were, there was no way they’d have contact with him.”
Arran wasn’t happy to hear that. “So this dead man remains a missing piece to a puzzle.”
“For now,” Raven said, “but pieces usually fall into place after a while.”
“Let’s hope so,” Arran said.
“Maybe Arran saw Sten when he was a captive of Brynjar and would know if Sten’s tale is true or false,” Lars suggested.
“A good point,” Wolf said. “Bring Sten to the longhouse.”
Lars left and the three stepped out of the shed.
“I need to speak with Gorm. I will join you and your brother back at the longhouse,” Wolf said and gave Raven a quick kiss before walking off.
“He gives us time to talk,” Raven said, pleased her husband had done so.
“You favor him,” Arran said, having seen it for himself and recalling the advice Purity had given him before he left.
You may have reason to hate Wolf, but you have more reason not to if you love your sister.
Raven wasn’t ready to admit to anyone, especially Arran, that she actually had feelings for Wolf, deeper feelings than she ever would have thought possible. “We have found common ground that makes our situation more than tolerable.”
“Afraid to tell me the truth?” Arran accused.
She kicked at a patch of snow and shook her head. “I’m not sure, Arran.”
“Are you afraid to tell me or are you afraid of the truth?”
“I suppose a bit of both,” she reluctantly admitted.
He took her hand and squeezed it gently. “Never be afraid of telling me anything, Raven. I may tease you endlessly but I love you with all my heart and would protect you with my life. I hated that you gave, in a sense, your life so that Royden and I could be free. It would be a relief to know that you and Wolf care enough for each other to have a good life together.”
“You think he cares for me?” she asked anxiously.
“I don’t care for the man, but I must admit that he looks at you far differently from when he first arrived at the Clan MacKinnon. And he touches you with a tenderness that I never expected to see, though I am glad for it. I will worry less knowing that you’re not trapped in an uncaring and unkind marriage.”
She never thought she would have any reason to say, “Wolf truly treats me well.”
Arran laughed. “Good, then I don’t have to kill him.”
Raven punched him in the arm.
He lowered his voice. “I would if necessary.”
Raven squeezed his hand this time. “I know, which is why I agreed to this marriage. I knew you and Royden would keep me safe if it proved necessary.”
Arran came to an abrupt stop, shocked by the realization of her remark.
“I knew I could depend on you both, though I’m grateful it isn’t necessary,” she said with a gentle smile.
“You are an amazing woman,” he said. “You protected us, knowing we’d protect you if it became necessary.”
“I knew you’d keep that promise you all made that day in Da’s solar and I made it right along with you, though you didn’t know I did. It didn’t matter that I was young. I was willing, just like all of you were, to protect family, to protect those I love.”
“And you do that now with Wolf?” Arran asked.
“Aye,” she said without hesitation.
They continued walking.
“You do realize what you just admitted to me, right?” Arran asked as they neared the door to the longhouse.
Raven scrunched her brow. “What are you talking about?”
“You said you protect family, those you love, and I asked if you did that now with Wolf and you didn’t hesitate in saying, aye. That means… you love Wolf.”
Raven turned her head to shake it, to deny what her brother had said, and stopped. Her husband stood not far from them and from the questioning way he looked at her, she knew he had heard them.
She was relieved that Lars approached with Sten at that moment, but she knew this wasn’t the end of it. Wolf would ask her about it when they were alone and she wasn’t sure what she would say to him.
“Inside, you’re shivering,” Wolf ordered and slipped his arm around her when he reached her and hurried her inside.
Arran followed with a smile on his face, eager to tell Royden that their sister was doing more than well.
Wolf slipped off his wife’s cloak and placed one that had been warming by the fire around her before she took a seat at the table. He ordered Ida to bring more hot brew and once he and Arran were seated, Lars approached them with Sten.