“So you still don’t know if they were sent by Brynjar or why they were coming here,” Arran said. “But it matters little now. We’ll know tomorrow with Brynjar’s arrival what his intentions are. I say we kill him and his men quick and be done with it.”
Lars wiped his wet mouth on his sleeve, nodding. “I agree. Gut him and save us from the devil.”
Talk went on, though Brynjar wasn’t mentioned again. Arran entertained them with tales of Raven when she was young. And she countered with her brother’s escapades with women. Lars added tales about Wolf when he was young and much laughter was shared through it all.
When Wolf and Raven were finally in their bedchamber, Wolf asked his wife what he’d been waiting to ask her all evening. “So we have three suspects, excluding Arran since he wasn’t here when it all happened, and all gave reasonable explanations.”
“It’s obvious,” Raven said with a shrug. “One of them is lying.”
Chapter 26
“I sent Iver on a last minute mission,” Wolf said the next morning as he dressed. “He actually suggested it. I meant to tell you yesterday but with everything that had gone on, I forgot.”
Raven donned her shirt and plaid. The furs and leather kept her warm but they were also cumbersome at times and with a possible battle on the horizon she didn’t want to be weighted down. “That’s all right. He talked with me about it first. His suggestion certainly held merit. I’m glad you agreed to it.”
“I should have known he would speak to you first. Will he ever trust me?” Wolf asked, a bit disappointed but not surprised Iver went to Raven first.
“I think he already does, but he is accustomed to coming to me with things and he knows that I share them with you before any decision is made.”
“I have to admit, Iver was wise in suggesting that he track Brynjar’s troop even though I have warriors already keeping watch on them. Iver made it clear it was easy for one to slip off unnoticed, meaning something more could be planned that we don’t see.”
“Iver often sees things others don’t. If anything is amiss, he will spot it,” Raven said with confidence in her friend. She walked over to her husband and draped her arms over his shoulders to lock her fingers at the back of his neck. “We don’t know what today holds for us. So I will tell you now in case I don’t get to say it again—words I never ever thought I’d say to you but now say them most willingly, truthfully, and from my heart. “I love you, Wolf, and I always will. Nothing will ever change that.”
His arm hooked her waist to tug her close, needing the feel of her snug against him. “Ours is a most unusual union, love not expecting to grow from it, not even friendship. I am grateful we found both. I love you beyond reason and you will not—I repeat you will not—place yourself in harm’s way today. Brynjar battles without honor. He often has others make it easier for him to deliver the final blow. I will not lose you. You will let me battle if necessary and you will keep yourself safe.”
Raven went to speak.
“I will hear no objection. I understand you have the scars of battle to prove you capable, but those were mere skirmishes compared to what you would face against Brynjar. You have fought and protected your men well, but it is my turn to protect you and you will let me do that today. If not, you will leave me to worry and it could cost me my life. So promise me you will take no unnecessary chances. You will let me and Arran deal with Brynjar.”
She settled her brilliant blue eyes on his dark ones. “If your life is in danger I will not hesitate to help you, otherwise I will take no unnecessary chances.” A slight scrunch of his brow told her that he wasn’t too sure of that. “You have my word.” Her smile surfaced as his scrunch vanished and they kissed.
Arran looked up from the table in the common room when they entered. “You will keep yourself safe, Raven, and take no part of any fight.”
“How sweet of you to worry about me, Arran, but you don’t get to tell me what to do anymore,” she said with a pleasant smile.
“But your husband does,” Arran said and turned to Wolf.
“Raven gave me her word. There is nothing to worry about,” Wolf assured him.
“I don’t believe that for a minute,” Arran argued.
“Then believe this,” Raven said when she saw worry heavy in her brother’s eyes and the wrinkles at the corner of his eyes that seemed to have deepened overnight. “I will not rob you of the pleasure of killing Brynjar, nor will I make it difficult for you to do so.”