“Is that a challenge I hear?”
“Are you up to the challenge?” she asked with a laugh.
“Princess, you are going to be sorry you challenged me.”
She laughed again. “Don’t you mean that I am going to be extremely pleased that I challenged you?”
The suggestive banter had been slowly arousing Torr and if it continued he knew that they would not be remaining in the Great Hall for long. So with reluctance he whispered, “Later.” And he turned away from her to turn and speak with—Kellmara. He had been so caught up with Wintra that he had forgotten that Kellmara had been seated on his other side. And it had not been by chance. He saw the look on Cree’s face when he sent Kellmara to sit there.
Torr supposed he could not ignore the man forever. After all, he was Wintra’s father, which meant he had little choice but to speak with the man.
Kellmara, however, made the first move. “You love my daughter.”
Torr noticed it was not a question, perhaps Kellmara finally realized the truth. “I love Wintra very much.”
“You will treat her well?”
“Always. You have my word on it,” Torr assured him.
Kellmara smiled. “Wintra told me that you were an honorable man. I am beginning to see it for myself. I hope that you and Wintra will come spend time with me. What is mine, you and my daughter will inherit. And hopefully there will be many grandchildren to carry on my legacy.”
“Your legacy will surely pass to many generations since your daughter wishes many children.”
“That would be so very nice. I never got to see Wintra grow. It would be wonderful to see her children—my grandchildren—grow. Something I thought I would never have in my life until Wintra.”
“You do realize that if Wintra and I have a daughter that there is a good chance she will be born without a voice just like Dawn. It seems to be an inherited affliction in the women of my family,” Torr said feeling the need to protect a daughter that had yet been born.
Kellmara looked taken aback for a moment, and then quickly said, “Well, then we will have to make certain she is well protected. I will not allow any harm to come to my grandchildren, though I must admit that if she is anything like Wintra, it might be more difficult than we think.”
Torr had to laugh. “Getting to know your daughter, are you?”
Kellmara laughed along with him and shook his head. “I do not know how Cree did it, though he has done a fine job.”
The two men continued talking, the conversation flowing more easily the longer they talked until anyone looking upon them would think them friends.
Wintra looked around her and her heart swelled with joy. She was home with family and she couldn’t be happier.
Chapter Thirty-two
Lila stood with tears in her eyes. “You look so beautiful.”
Dawn gestured, pointing to her friend, and then at the dress she wore.
Lila shook her head. “I stitched a nice dress for you, but you made it beautiful.”
Dawn smiled, running her hand over the soft, deep blue wool. Lila may have thought that, but to Dawn her friend had made a gorgeous dress for her wedding day. The soft wool hugged at her neck and ran loosely down her arms to gather tight at her wrists. It also gathered just below her breasts leaving plenty of room for her growing stomach, which had rounded considerably in the last three weeks.
“I cannot believe today is your wedding day,” Lila said. “The villagers had worried over the delay. Until they discovered you had delayed it until your father was well enough to attend. It is a shame that he took ill on his return journey here with his troop. He is well now?”
Dawn nodded and gestured how Elsa had taken good care of him.
“Elsa is a blessing to all here,” —Lila giggled—“especially Neil. They are like two young ones in love.”
Dawn smiled and agreed with a nod.
“They have been together ever since that day he took the arrow meant for you.” Lila shook her head. “I am glad those days are behind us. I worried so for your life. Now things have been good. The villagers are happy, food is plentiful, and today we all celebrate your union with Cree.”
The door to the small sitting room opened and Cree walked in.
Lila was quick to bob her head and excuse herself, though not before giving Dawn a hug and having her thank Lila again for sewing such a beautiful dress.
Cree walked over to his wife and the sight of him never failed to catch her breath. This remarkable, handsome man belonged to her. He was her husband. The breadth, width, and strength of him stole another breath, and he stole yet another when he claimed a kiss.