He was smiling as he drifted out of the shadows. “Definitely.”
“Come,” he said, holding his hand out to her. “It is time to address the clan.”
“You do not need me for that.”
“You are my wife. They expect it.”
She wanted to argue that they all knew of the bargain between their chieftain and her so why bother to pretend otherwise. But then this was a joyous occasion and she did not wish to ruin it for anyone, not even herself.
She took his hand.
“Clansmen!” Rogan yelled as they walked out of the shadows.
The room broke into a resounding cheer.
A tankard of ale was shoved into Rogan’s hand and one into Aliss’s hand.
Rogan raised his tankard. “To the new and permanent home of the Wolf clan.”
Cheers, hollers, and whistles sounded for several minutes.
Rogan raised his tankard again and all turned quiet. “To peace with our neighbors.”
More cheers and whistles.
A tankard went up in the crowd and all turned as Ivan stepped forward.
“In honor of our chieftain and his wife, without whose courage, strengths, and skills we would not be here.”
The cheers were deafening, the foot-stomping made the rafters shake, and tears filled the women’s and old men’s eyes.
“Time to celebrate,” Rogan cried out above the roar.
Soon everyone was enjoying the delicious hot stew and fresh bread.
Thunder roared, lightning split the sky, and the rain poured down, but no one cared. They were safe and happy.
The celebration ended early, everyone exhausted from the day’s journey and everyone excited about starting their new lives tomorrow. Rogan would decide who got which cottage; the clansmen were confident that their leader knew them well enough to make wise choices. Land needed clearing and planting; though it was late they could get at least one crop in and harvested in time to see them through the winter.
All of it, however, would be a labor of love so it was with grateful hearts the Wolf clan sought their makeshift beds and the keep finally turned silent, the only sound the fire crackling in the hearth.
Aliss had changed into her night shift and stood by the window watching the rain.
“Come to bed. It has been a long day,” Rogan said.
She turned. Her husband lay naked beneath the fresh bed linens she had dressed the bed with. The soft green wool blanket rested just below his waist and he held his hand out to her.
She had tried to stop admiring his nakedness, but it was no use. She enjoyed seeing him nude, his body ever so appealing to her eyes and her senses. And she feared if she climbed in bed with him at this moment, she would attack him and demand he make love to her.
Tired as she was, she still wanted him. It made no sense but there it was and she refused to surrender to her traitorous feelings. She had to remain aware of his betrayal. How he ever thought to convince her that his love for her was real, she didn’t know.
“I am enjoying the rain.” She hugged herself.
“You are cold.”
“No!” she shouted as he threw the covers back. “I am fine, stay where you are.”
Had she heard a laugh? She was not certain.
“Go to sleep,” she ordered. “I will be to bed soon.”
“Do not be long. I miss you.”
Aliss was glad when he blew out the candle on the small table beside the bed. The only light now was from the fire in the hearth, which granted her a modicum of solitude in her dark little niche at the window.
She stared out at the dark night, letting the steady pounding of the rain fill her mind. No thoughts, no wishes, no wondering what tomorrow would bring, just here and now with the rain.
She took a deep breath, when suddenly she thought she saw a greenish glow. She squinted, searching the darkness again.
Aliss strained her eyes some more, gasped and made a dash for the bed. She jumped in, pulling the covers nearly over her head and pressing her body against her husband.
He turned and draped an arm over her, his light snores telling her he was sound asleep. She did not care as long as he was there beside her.
She tried to close her eyes, but she popped them open as soon as they closed. She continued in that fashion until finally sleep claimed her and filled her dreams with two blazing green eyes staring at her from the woods.
Chapter 24
Aliss had been thrilled to find the remnants of a garden just outside the cottage. Wild onions grew between the weeds and she had even found fairy ring mushrooms. Of course, she would leave them undisturbed, not wanting to upset the wee forest people.
After the heavy rain, she intended to give the rich soil another day to dry. Besides, there was much to keep her busy.
The kitchen in the keep was being cleaned by a bevy of women. All would make use of it until the cottages could be fully repaired and their hearths made ready for cooking.