Page 125 of Oath of the Wolf
“Tell my husband that yes, I will share his tent.”
Lena bowed and scurried away.
“I’m trying to help her,” Esa said.“But she’s afraid of me.”
“Give her time.”Brynn watched as the former thrall retreated, head down like a frightened mouse.
“Will you teach her as you do me?”Esa asked.
“I hope so,” Brynn replied.“We can use more sorceresses in Ombra.”
Lena would have much catching up to do, but she was a sorceress.Brynn was sure of that.She’d not yet learned much of the girl’s mother apart from that she was dead and had been taken by the Valdari when she was very young.Lena did not know who her mother had been before.
Brynn had to wonder if there were more thralls in Valdar who had been taken from the Istovari as children, before they had honed their power properly.Perhaps she would be able to persuade Ovrek to free more of them at some point.It wasn’t as if he had any way to train them himself.
TheWolf Starand Hróarr’s ship had sailed through the day, reaching one of the islands halfway to Ombra.They were stopping for the night, having set up camp along the deserted shore.
Across the camp, Cenric worked to secure the ship and the canvas they would be sleeping under.Just one more night and then she would be back with her husband in their own house and bed.
Hróarr sprawled beside the fire, glaring into the flames.He was either drunk or well on his way there.He’d been silent for most the day and as soon as camp had been set up, had demanded a keg of ale.He must be grieving the loss of Vana.
Brynn knew grief well, but she had to wonder what that particular grief was like.What was it to mourn a person you loved and who loved you?What would it feel like to know that love had not been enough?
Guin trotted up and sat by Brynn’s feet.Brynn reached down, stroking her fur and ruffling her behind her ears.Guin leaned against Brynn’s leg, panting happily.She might never be as friendly or easygoing as Snapper, but she was affectionate with Brynn.
Brynn rose, patting Guin.With a brief nod to Esa, she headed into the trees behind their small camp, seeking privacy.
Guin trotted after her, sniffing at the trees and roots and the remains of an eagle’s dinner lying scattered beneath the pines.It was mostly dark, but Brynn could sensekain the life force of the world around her.
Brynn found a tree a few paces off and squatted to relieve herself.She took her time on the way back, letting Guin explore.
Brynn paused beside a smooth boulder, sensing a shape stepping into the trees after her.She might have thought it was one of the other men, but she sensed Snapper bounding beside him.
“Cenric?”Brynn turned around.She saw him approaching, outlined by the firelight of the camp beyond the trees.Her heart flipped in her chest as he came closer.
“Brynn.”He reached for her, and she reached back.He caught her hand and pulled her in.His mouth found hers in the dark, his breath hot against her face.
Brynn curled against him, enjoying the solid warmth of his body and how his arms felt curled around her.She closed her eyes, savoring the warmth of his kiss.He was here.They were safe.She clung to him as a little whimper escaped her.
Cenric cradled the back of her neck, tilting her head to the side as he left kisses along her throat.
Brynn gasped, her fingers clenching into his mantle.“Cenric,” she whispered, not sure what else to say.
“Yes, wife?”Cenric nuzzled her cheek before kissing her temple, her forehead, her nose, and then back to her mouth.
“We’ll be home tomorrow,” she rasped, fighting to keep her voice from being too loud.
“I don’t want to wait until tomorrow,” came Cenric’s flat answer.He pushed her against the rock, the one that blocked her from the view of the campfire.
The stone was cold against her back, but Cenric was warm as he pressed against her front.His kisses grew harder, more insistent.His hand caught her skirt and hiked it up, exposing her knee.
His hand found her skin, stroking up her thigh.Brynn reached under his mantle, gripping the sides of his tunic as she felt the hard lines of flesh underneath.Real.This was real.She held on tighter, wanting to cling to this moment as tightly as she clung to him.Anything might happen in the coming days or months, but she could have this moment with his body pressed to hers, his caresses setting fire to her skin.
Just a taste.She’d wanted just a taste and now like a drunkard she couldn’t seem to stop.
“The others might hear,” Brynn whispered, even as she kissed him, breathing in the smell of him, the solidness of him.He was alive.Alive.She’d been so close to losing him, to losing this.
Snapper and Guin wandered around the trees.Dogs were strange that way.There was nothing unusual or noteworthy to them about mating.
