Page 18 of Oath of the Wolf
“I was going to find her one tomorrow,” Cenric explained.“Vana is helping me with that.”
“No need.”Tullia waved her hand dismissively.“I have several Hyldish girls in my household.I will send one to you.If she serves you well, you can keep her.”
Brynn’s eyes widened in surprise, but if she was scandalized at being given a Hyldish thrall, she had the good grace to hide it.“Thank you.”She bowed, hiding her face.“I appreciate your kindness.”
“I must go.”Tullia pointed to Cenric.“But I will expect to see you again.I demand it.”
“Of course.”Cenric inclined his head one last time.
Brynn watched Tullia go, people moving out of her way as she marched across the hall, two maids in tow.“Did you ever—?”
“No,” Cenric cut her off before Brynn could finish asking the question.
“But she’s beautiful.”
“She’s also Ovrek’s daughter and even then, I wasn’t fool enough for that.”Cenric kissed Brynn’s temple.Tullia had been like an older sister to Ovrek’s young warriors—a domineering older sister who it was best not to offend.“Let’s find a seat, love.”
Brynn followed him as he led her through the crowd.“I’m sorry.”
“For what?”Cenric found them a spot at one of the many tables, guiding her to a place on the bench beside him.
“I know I have been anxious these past days.Not myself.”
Cenric had noticed.He stroked up and down her arm.“I love you.”
Brynn flushed, ducking her head.
“Do I not say it often enough?”He lifted her chin back up to meet his gaze.
“No—yes.”Brynn cleared her throat.“It’s just that anyone could hear.”
“I don’t mind.”Affection for one’s spouse was in no way required, but it was hardly forbidden.“Most of them wouldn’t understand unless I said it in Valdari—I love you.”
Brynn licked her lips.“That’s how you say it in Valdari?”
“Yes.”
Brynn shifted.“I’ve heard you say that quite often when we’re…”
Cenric raised his eyebrows.“When we’re what, love?”
Brynn’s cheeks pinkened and she ducked her head.“We’re in public.”
“Ah, but now I’m thinking about having you in private.”
“Cenric!”Brynn covered her face with her hands.
Cenric fought back a laugh, leaning over to kiss her cheek.“You delightful creature.”
Brynn giggled despite everything.“You should teach me Valdari.”
Cenric rocked back a little at that.Pleasant surprise flushed through him.“You’d want to learn?”
“I would,” Brynn murmured.“We deal with them often and I expect…” She paused.“I expect you’ll want our children to speak it.”
Warmth spread throughout his chest.Cenric had assumed that Brynn, like most of Hylden, merely tolerated his Valdari half.He thought she did it exceptionally well, but he’d tried to stifle that part of himself with her the way he did with everyone else.
But she wanted to share this side of him?She wanted their children to keep his ties to Valdar?
