Highlander Oath Of The Beast Read online

She barely had it in her hands when she said, “The top is identical to the one I saw in the first dead man’s boot. With the first one having been stolen, that means that someone here knows these two men or at least what they’re doing here.”

  His hand went out to take the knife back just as hers reached out to return it to him.

  “We think alike, wife,” he said and took the knife from her. “I’ll put the knife back and we’ll see who attempts to take it.”

  Chapter 25

  “I did not think you a coward,” Raven said to her husband when he entered the common room the next morning. He smiled, which annoyed her even more.

  Wolf leaned down and kissed his wife’s cheek. “And good morning to you, wife.”

  “You purposely left our bed this morning before I woke to avoid making love with me,” she accused.

  He took firm hold of her chin. “You had a restless night last night, waking on and off. I left because you finally fell into a much needed sound sleep.” He leaned close, her lips not far from his. “And I will see you fully healed before we make love since you can be quite demanding.” He kissed her quick before she could protest. Not that it mattered since he knew as soon as her lips were free of his, she would protest. And she did, though not the way he expected.

  “Of course I’m demanding. I love you and when we join, I feel that love more intensely and simply can’t get enough of it.”

  He kissed her again, purposely lingering and stirring their passions, which were already too close to the surface.

  “You kiss when a monster is close to your doorstep?”

  The familiar voice echoed in Raven’s head.

  Wolf shook his head. “I forgot to tell you that your brother Arran arrived a short time ago.”

  “Alone?’ Raven asked as Arran approached them, wishing he had brought Purity with him but knowing he wouldn’t dare chance her safety.

  “You don’t think I’d be foolish enough to bring Purity with me, do you?” Arran asked as he swung his leg over the bench to join them at the table.

  Raven grinned. “You snuck away from her, didn’t you?”

  “She gave me no choice,” Arran confessed, his fine features growing taut with anger. “I need to see this done. I need to see Brynjar dead.”

  “Royden watches over Purity and Oria?” Raven asked, concern for her friends fading her grin.

  “He was eager to join me, but one of us had to remain and see our wives and clans kept safe.” Arran turned to Wolf. “The warriors you keep at mine and Royden’s home are much appreciated. Our clans feel safer with their presence.”

  “We are family, are we not? And family protects family,” Wolf said.

  “Never would I have thought us family, but it cannot be denied. We are family and we fight as one,” Arran said. “I did bring one family member with me.” A slight smile lightened his solemn expression.

  Raven eagerly asked, “Who?”

  “Clive.”

  Raven jumped up off the bench. “Where is he?”

  “I left him with your men,” Arran said. “Brod waits outside for you.”

  Raven shot narrowed eyes at her husband.

  “You’re not going anywhere alone until this matter is settled to my satisfaction,” Wolf reminded.

  “I never thought I would take your husband’s side, but I agree with him. I was told about what happened to you yesterday. Someone continues to see you harmed and your husband takes precautions to protect you as he should. Don’t make it more difficult for him,” Arran scolded.

  Raven normally would have retaliated with a sharp remark, reminding her brother she was no longer a young lass he could dictate to, but that he took an allied stand with Wolf had her holding her tongue—more like biting it. Wolf was right. They were all family now and that was more important than anything.

  Arran laughed. “It’s killing you to hold your tongue, isn’t it?”

  “You’re an arse,” Raven said and swiped a fur cloak off the pile by the door and didn’t bother to look back at either her husband or her brother before walking out the door.

  “You know she’s going to make you pay for that, don’t you?” Wolf said, smiling.

  Arran laughed. “She can try.”

  Wolf rested his arms on the table, leaning forward. “Tell me how many times did she outwit you when she was young?”

  Arran scowled. “More times than I care to remember.”

  Raven hugged Clive tight and whispered, “Tell me you’re not here to stay.”

  Clive grinned as he stepped back. “Bethany and I plan to wed.”

  Raven hugged him again. “I’m so happy for you.”

  He gave a nod toward Fyn, holding Tait in his arms as he talked with Greta. “I predict another one of us will wed soon as well.”

  “Tait loves Fyn. He follows him around everywhere, and it’s easy to see that Greta loves Fyn as well. They make a fine family and I’m happy for them.”

  Clive gave another nod, toward George this time. “And George? How does it go for him with Eria?”

  “She’s much like him, interested in everything, wanting to learn everything she can. They make a fine pair.” Raven looked to Brod talking with Iver. “Brod talks often with Ida and I see interest in her eyes for him as well.”

  “Iver?” Clive asked in a worrisome tone.

  “He misses the adventures we had. He was happy to go on a mission for me and Wolf. He returned with Brother Noble.”

  “How does Brother Noble do?” Clive asked, worry deepening the wrinkles at the corner of his eyes.

  “His missions are at an end. He will return to the monastery very soon and live out his remaining days there.”

  “It’s for the best,” Clive said with a nod. “He’s placed himself in danger more than need be.” He cleared his throat. “I thought you quite mad when you agreed to this union with the Beast, but it turned out to be the best thing for all of us.”

  “I wonder if the one who is responsible for it was hoping it would be just that, best for all.”

  “Have you any clue as to who it might be?” Clive asked.

  “We know who it wasn’t,” Raven said. “Our king and Wolf’s king continue to squabble and have no time to care what happens between him and me.”

  “But you were led to believe otherwise as was Wolf. Who would have the boldness to do such a thing?” Clive asked.

  “I don’t know, but I plan to find out no matter how long it takes me.”

  Raven stood just inside the door of the room where Oria had slept for the five years they’d all been separated. It was more a cell than a room. She didn’t know how Oria had managed, though she had told Raven there were many nights she had slept in the Great Hall by the hearth to keep warm.

  After Arran and Wolf came to fetch Clive to go speak with Gorm and make them aware of what plans Wolf had made, she had made her way to the keep. Brod had accompanied her and she had left him in the Great Hall to talk with Ida.

  Raven had recalled Oria telling her about the window in the room and how looking out it, you could see farther than from any other place in the keep. She had wanted to see for herself. Now that she was here, it troubled her to see that Oria had been confined to this small space each night. Raven had been used to the sky as her roof more often than not and would have gone mad in such a confined space.

  “What are you doing here?”

  Raven jumped and swerved around to face her husband. “You startled me.” Her brow having gone wide. “Did you follow me?”

  “I did,” he admitted and stepped toward her.

  She instinctively stepped back, the room so small, she didn’t think there would be enough space for them both. His overpowering presence took up far too much space. “You were to talk with Clive and Arran.”

  “Gorm has that well in hand and you had me curious as to why you came here when it wouldn’t hurt you to rest some.”

  “I’ve had more than enough rest and I recalled something Oria had told m
e about this room, which I wished to see for myself.” She went to the window, drawing back the tapestry, and realizing she would have to go up on her toes to see out, grabbed the lone chair and moved it under the window. Her husband’s hands were at her waist when she went to climb up on it and he swung her up to stand on it.

  Wolf’s arm went around her waist to keep a good hold on her once she stood steady on the chair, then he moved to take a look out the window along with her. Though his wife was far from short, he possessed the extra height needed to see out the window without a problem, and he knew what she would see.

  “Are they your men?” she asked, seeing the sizeable troop camped in the distance, the area open for all to see from this height, though not from below.

  “They are,” he confirmed. “I brought a large contingent with me, though not all will remain. Some will return home.”

  “They’ve built shelters. It looks like a small village.”

  “Enough shelters for warmth, but permanent building will start in the spring. Crofts will be established as well as a small village.”

  “They keep you informed as to who enters that area.”

  “They do and their presence provides added protection for the clan,” he said. “There has been no sighting of any of Brynjar’s warriors in that area.”

  “He must know you came with such a large troop of warriors,” Raven said, continuing to stare out the window.

  “I would imagine he does.”

  “Yet he comes here anyway,” Raven said, shaking her head, since it made no sense to her.

  She looked down at her husband and was caught off guard by the intensity of his dark eyes. Passion flared in them but so did love so vibrant that it overwhelmed her.

  With his hands snug at her waist, he swung her off the chair and laid her down on the narrow bed. He waited a brief moment, staring down at her, and she worried over his decision since obviously his desire warred with his concern for her wound.

  She hurried to challenge, “Don’t start something you can’t finish, husband.”

  His dark eyes smoldered with such passion that she shivered in anticipation.

  He stepped to the end of the bed, slipped his hands under her backside to pull her bottom down near the edge, knelt on the bed, and brought her legs up to rest against his shoulders. His hands returned to her backside to lift her just enough to make it easy for him to enter her.

  There was no time for enticements, his need was too great as was hers, since a day rarely went by that they didn’t make love. Sometimes slow. Sometimes fast. Always satisfying.

  He slipped into her and her wetness welcomed him as she closed around him snugly. He dropped his head back, reveling in the pleasure that rushed through him, then he began to move inside her with haste.

  It would be a quick joining, a needy joining, but always a loving one and that thought fired his blood even more.

  Raven struggled not to moan too loudly, fearful she would bring unwanted visitors to the open door. She muffled her desire as best she could, her hands clenching at the blanket beneath her as passion mounted rapidly in her. She would come quickly, though she would have preferred not to, but he felt so good deep inside her that pleasure quickened with his every thrust.

  He squeezed her bottom as he pounded against her and she tightened around him, forcing a groan from his lips.

  “Wolf,” she begged in a whisper.

  “Let go, Raven. Let go,” he urged and let himself do the same.

  The intensity of his climax almost stole his strength, but he held firm, wanting them both to enjoy every last bit of pleasure that poured out of them.

  He wanted badly to drop down beside her when it was done, take her in his arms as he usually did when they finished making love, but there was no room, the bed too narrow. He went to pull out of her.

  “No,” she said in a labored breath and reached her arms out to him.

  He dropped down on her, unable to resist her welcoming embrace. Her arms wrapped tightly around his back as far as they could go and he relished their loving warmth.

  “I love you,” she whispered and kissed near his ear.

  His warm breath fanned her cheek as he raised his head and said, “More—I love you so much more.”

  Her smile bordered on a gentle laugh. “I won’t argue with you, since your words touch my heart.”

  “A heart that belongs to me and me alone,” he said as if it were a command.

  “And your heart belongs to me alone,” she countered.

  “Always.” he kissed her slow and easy, then reluctantly slipped off her and the bed. He reached his hand out to her. “It will grow dark soon. We should return to the longhouse unless you prefer to spend the night here.”

  “No,” Raven was quick to respond, hurrying off the bed. “I’m ready to return home.”

  That Raven had embraced the longhouse as home filled him with a sense of peace. His hands went to her waist and he hurried her off the bed and through the open door, then took her hand to walk to the stairs.

  “We should stop and see if anyone has dared to steal the knife from the dead man,” Raven said.

  “It grows dark,” he reminded. “The theft would be more likely to take place at night under the cover of darkness. We can wait until morning. The guards will let me know if anyone enters throughout the night.”

  “Are you sure no one will spot them?”

  “The guards won’t be seen but our culprit will,” he assured her.

  “Still, it would be wise to see if the knife is still there and limit the time to when it may have been stolen.”

  Wolf nodded and they were soon out of the keep and taking careful steps down the hill, patches of ice almost causing Raven to slip a couple of times if Wolf hadn’t kept firm hold of her.

  Torches lit a path through the village and Wolf grabbed one of the smaller torches before they entered the shed.

  Raven went straight to the dead man’s boots and turned wide eyes on Wolf. “It’s gone. The knife is gone.”

  Raven remained in the shed while her husband stepped outside to summon the guards who had been watching it. She hoped only one person had entered, then there would be no question as to who it had been.

  Wolf entered with three of his warriors and they stood at the one end of the table while Wolf joined his wife at the other end.

  “Tell me of anyone who entered the shed after I left it,” Wolf ordered.

  “Lady Raven’s brother was the last person,” the one warrior said.

  Arran wasn’t even a possibility and she eagerly waited to hear who else had visited the shed.

  “Lars was here,” another warrior said.

  The third warrior added what he knew. “The healer, Greta, was here.”

  “And Eria as well,” the warrior who first spoke said.

  “Were Greta and Eria here together?” Wolf asked.

  “No, they came separately,” the one warrior confirmed.

  “Who was here the longest?’ Raven asked.

  The three warriors cast a quick glance at one another and their baffled expression was answer enough, though one spoke for them all. “None stayed that long so it is difficult to say.”

  “Your duty is done here. Go home and stay warm,” Wolf ordered and the men smiled their appreciation and hurried out.

  “Now we question them,” Raven said, “except my brother. He wouldn’t have anything to do with this. Besides, he wasn’t here when the first man was found.”

  “Lars has been a trusted friend for years. I can’t see it being him,” Wolf said, though there was a question of doubt in his eyes.

  “What troubles you?”

  “I thought another man a trusted friend.”

  “The one who tried to kill Purity,” Raven said.

  Wolf nodded not surprised she knew. Purity probably told her, though Raven had an uncanny way of finding things out.

  “I doubt it’s Lars. Anyone can see how loyal he is to you, to the tribe. B
ut it would be wise to ask all of them, even my brother, why they were there.”

  Eria stood in front of the table, wringing her hands. “Have I done something wrong, Wolf?” she shook her head. “I mean, my lord.”

  “We’re friends, Eria.” At least he hoped they were. “You can call me Wolf as you’ve always done.”

  She folded her hands in front of her, her worry eased some. “I’m glad. Our friendship means much to me.”

  “Sit and have a hot brew?” Wolf offered.

  Eria cast a hasty glance to the door. “George waits for me. We will sup with Fyn and Greta at the keep, Detta as well.”

  “Then I won’t keep you. Tell me why you went to the shed where the dead men rest.”

  “Greta suggested it. She thought I might recognize one of the men since many say the two are Northman.”

  “Wise of her,” Wolf said.

  “And did you recognize either of them?” Raven asked, sitting beside her husband pressed close to him, enjoying his warmth.

  “I’m afraid I didn’t.” Eria’s brow knitted.

  “Anything you may have noticed would be of help,” Raven said.

  “I thought there was something familiar about the one dead man, but I can’t figure out what it is,” Eria said, it obviously troubling her.

  “If you think of it, let me know,” Wolf said.

  Tears quickly glistened in Eria’s eyes. “I am forever grateful to you for protecting me, but then you always did. You truly are a good friend, Wolf.”

  “I will always keep you safe, Eria, though I believe there is another man who would gladly take on the task.”

  Eria’s cheeks blossomed red.

  “Go and enjoy supper with your friends,” Wolf said. “Please send Greta in. I won’t keep her long.”

  Eria hurried out and Greta entered a moment later.

  Greta stood in front of the table as worried as Eria had been. “How may I be of help, my lord?”

  “Tell me why you went to see dead men.”

  “To see if I could recognize the second dead man,” she said and hesitated as if she stopped herself from saying more.