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“You can feel the snow that will fall,” Tavia said, keeping hold of her husband’s arm not that she needed his help to walk. She liked his warmth and the strength of his arm and wished more from their marriage. She would even take friendship, since at the moment she did not feel they shared even that.

“Aye, we will have snow sometime today,” he said and thought how pleasant it would be to pass the snowy day in bed with his wife.

The unexpected thought startled him. What was the matter with him thinking that way? It would get him into trouble and yet the thought lingered.

Fen suddenly stepped in front of them, preventing them from taking another step. Bhric immediately stepped in front of Tavia, shielding her with his big body as he shouted out, “WHO GOES THERE?”

“It is Glenna, my lord,” the old woman said as she drifted out of the receding darkness.

“What has you about so early?” Bhric demanded.

Glenna lowered her head when she stopped not far from them. “My husband is feverish, and I sought Hertha’s help.” She held up a pouch. “She gave me this. My apologies that we linger here, but William is far too ill to travel.”

“Stay as long as necessary,” Tavia said.

“See that your husband rests, we will discuss your stay here later,” Bhric said before his wife could say more.

“Why not invite them to stay with the clan? Do you fear they are too old and are not fit enough to contribute their fair share?” she asked after Glenna took hasty steps away from them.

“Until I know more about them, I will not offer them anything other than a temporary place to rest,” he said and took hold of her arm once again.

“You do not trust easily.” She welcomed the return of his arm, curling hers around his snugly.

“A necessary and beneficial skill for a wise leader,” he said without apology. “Besides, trust is better off earned.”

Her question came without restraint. “Will I earn your trust, husband?”

His response did the same. “That remains to be seen.”

His remark did not give her hope.

Dawn had the sky partially lit when they reached the cottage where Lath lay. Hume was standing outside stretching his arms to the sky and kept them that way when he spotted Fen beside Tavia.

“Fen will not harm you,” she said, thinking she would no doubt repeat those words often today.

Hume appeared to be skeptical of her claim and lowered his arms slowly and was surprised when Fen obeyed Tavia’s command to sit and stay.

“He is a war hound, Lady Tavia, and will attack with the least provocation. He may seem docile, but trust me, he is far from it,” Hume warned.

“Your friend speaks wisely,” Bhric said, glad someone else cautioned her and thinking he himself should heed the reminder. The glare his wife set on him was not meant to make him smile but he could not help it, her scowl was more adorable than threatening. Though, his smile did not last long.

“You are a warrior who has fought many battles and has worn the blood of your enemies… will you attack me without provocation?” she asked.

“Humans and animals are far different creatures,” Bhric said.

“Are they? It seems that both have an animalistic nature to them,” Tavia debated. “Isn’t it that distinct nature you take into battle?”

Bhric recalled the deafening roars and snarls of his men as they charged into battle. Rage blazed in their eyes ready to kill which was not much different than an animal who attacked.

“Battle holds its own distinct nature,” Bhric said.

Seeing Hume’s eyes round with concern at her made Tavia realize that it was not wise of her to question her husband in front of others, and she acquiesced. “That it does, my lord.”

Bhric found himself disappointed when his wife did not continue the debate. He liked that she got him thinking, questioning things. It made for better understanding and possibly different decisions in the future.

“Is Hertha inside with Lath?” Tavia asked.

“Aye,” Hume said with a nod. “She is seeing to his care before his mum arrives with his breakfast.”


Tags: Donna Fletcher Historical