“Aye, along with mumblings of discontent.”
“And you?” Bhric asked.
“I see your wisdom. If we do not fight together we both lose,” Sven said. “And what better way to start than to have the tribe and clan search for anything that may lead us to whoever is killing the animals and stealing their hearts.”
* * *
“I believe three more workers are needed in the kitchen and two more in the keep,” Tavia said to Shea as they entered the Great Hall.
Even before Tavia was back on her feet, she had begun to discuss the workings of the keep with Shea. After talking with her, Tavia had more servants added in the kitchen and keep itself.
“That would be of great help, my lady,” Shea said, a bright smile lighting her pretty face.
“You will bring all complaints and problems to me immediately. Leave something to fester and it will be difficult to heal well, so do not feel any issue is too small to discuss with me.”
“As you say, my lady,” Shea said, and her smile faded as she seemed to hesitate for a moment. “There is a small issue.”
“Tell me,” Tavia urged eager to see to it.
“I worry that you have remained on your leg too long, having walked in the village earlier and then through part of the keep with me. I believe it would be wise of you to sit and rest while you enjoy a hot brew.”
A smile hurried over Tavia. “A very wise suggestion indeed, Shea.”
Shea’s smile returned, relieved Tavia took no offense to her remark. “I will fetch you a hot brew, my lady.”
Tavia went and sat near the hearth where Fen had gone as soon as she and Shea had entered the room. The hound was right. They both needed a rest. A slight pain remained in her leg, but then she had walked without rest this day. She had enjoyed her walk with Ingrid. It had been nice to talk and laugh with her and see that she was truly trying to befriend her.
Ingrid had caused Tavia’s cheeks to heat when she claimed that her brother was a virile man and Tavia would surely carry many bairns for him and she was also happy that her brother’s bairns and hers would grow together like brothers and sisters. It was a thought that had pleased Tavia, never having had siblings and wishing she had. She was glad her bairns would not face the same loneliness.
Shea returned with the brew and Tavia sat alone with her thoughts as she enjoyed it. She smiled softly when her thoughts drifted to the moment she had told Bhric about the accident. She had seen the pain in his eyes for her and also a spark of anger that she had suffered such an ordeal. But mostly, she had been pleased when he did not praise her for her bravery but told her that he loved her. That had said more to her and meant more to her than anything.
Tavia lingered at the table over her hot brew and when her head began to grow heavy with fatigue, she decided to seek her bed for a brief rest. Fen stretched reluctantly to his feet until she said, “We go take a rest, Fen.”
He shot past her to the stairs.
Once in the room, Tavia removed all but her shift and slipped into bed, cuddling the covers around her. “A short nap, Fen.”
The hound paid her no heed since he was already sound asleep by the hearth.
* * *
Bhric looked down at his sleeping wife and smiled. She was just where he wanted her and though she was not naked, he would remedy that soon enough. He went to disrobe when his glance fell on her face. She appeared in a peaceful sleep. She had to have been tired to seek their bed during the day, unless… had her leg pained her? Had she done too much? He had noticed of late the time she had spent with Shea seeing that changes were not only implemented in the kitchen but in the keep as well. Should he disturb her when what she needed was rest?
“Are you going to continue to stand there or join me?” Tavia asked without opening her eyes.
“You tricked me to think you were sleeping when you heard me enter the room,” he accused though not harshly.
She smiled as she opened her eyes. “Nay, the heavy scent of the woods entered the room with you and invaded my dream, which you must now make sure to finish for me.”
“And what dream is that, wife?”
“The part where I could feel your hard shaft slipping into me after you found me in bed sleeping and joined me.” Her arms stretched out to him and went around his neck as soon as he leaned down.
He gave her a gentle, lingering kiss. “Was I naked?”
“Aye, as was I.”
“Did I tempt you with kisses?” he asked and kissed along her neck.