“We will wed,” Rhodes declared, his deep voice carrying through the chamber.
Cheers erupted, cups lifted, fists pounding the tables in approval. The sound filled the rafters. Boyce’s cheer, though loud, was shadowed by an urgent look in his eyes. He had seen that look before. It portended trouble, something they had not had to deal with since his wish had been granted.
Rhodes lifted Fawn’s hand, displaying their entwined hands openly, for all to see she belonged to him as he guided her toward the benches where Sara and Elune sat.
“Sit with the women,” he told her firmly, his tone leaving no room for argument.
Before Fawn could protest, Sara caught her arm with a smile, easing her down beside them. Sprig poked his head from the pouch, mewling curiously, drawing a ripple of laughter from those nearby.
Rhodes turned then, his dark gaze settling on Boyce. With a subtle tilt of his head, he drew his right hand to the edge of the hall, away from listening ears. Boyce followed without hesitation.
“What is it?” Rhodes asked, his voice low.
Boyce leaned close, his words clipped and grave. “The sheep pen. Wolves attacked in the night. Nearly six slaughtered.”
Rhodes’s jaw clenched, his face unreadable to any who might glance their way. “And no one heard it? No sentinel saw it? Or were they heavy with sleep from too much ale? And what took so long to discover it?”
“I will find out, but with the pen a distance from the nearest cottage it could have sounded like a screech from deep in the woods and easily ignored.” He hesitated but the scowl thatflashed on Rhodes’s face had him speaking up. “Dugan was late in seeing to the sheep this morning.”
Rhodes gave a brief nod, his eyes narrowing. “See that he is punished for his failure.”
Boyce nodded.
Rhodes turned his head to where Fawn sat talking with Sara and Elune, his expression cool, controlled, and thought for a moment.
His decision came quick, and he ordered, “Ready the men, but first…”
He crossed back to Fawn, the noise of the hall thinning around him as if the room understood to listen. He stretched his hand out to her, and she didn’t hesitate to take it.
“We handfast now,” he commanded. “A ceremony officiated by a cleric will follow soon, but our bond is sealed this day.”
Words failed her. She had thought she would have a few days at most, though she had hoped for more, until she became his wife, giving her time to adjust to the idea.
A strip of cloth appeared as if the hall itself had been waiting for such a moment. Rhodes took Fawn’s hand in his own and wrapped the cloth around their joined hands. With their free hands they worked together to secure a knot that would bind them together as husband and wife.
“Before my clan and the heavens, I vow myself to you.”
Fawn swallowed, pulse fluttering. With the whole hall watching, and something fierce and inevitable thrumming in her chest, she lifted her chin. “And before everyone, I vow myself to you.”
The cheer that followed rolled warm and wide. Sprig let out a proud little mewl that sent laughter skittering along the benches.
Rhodes squeezed her hand once, hard, then loosened the knot and pressed the cloth into her palm, closing her fingers over it.
“I’ll return before dusk,” he said under the din, the words meant only for her. His eyes held hers for a heartbeat longer, and then he turned away.
He left quietly with Boyce and a handful of chosen men, slipping through the open doors without fanfare while the hall’s celebration masked their departure.
Fawn stared after him, her frown deepening, and went to Sara. “Do you know what that’s about?”
Sara hesitated, then leaned close, voice pitched low. “The flock of sheep was hit in the night. Wolves. He’s gone to deal with it.”
Fury sparked in her eyes as she scooped Sprig out of the pouch and handed him to Sara. “Take care of him until I return.”
Elune’s thin fingers caught her sleeve. “Let it be. He goes to protect his clan. His family.”
Fawn shook her head, fire bright in her eyes. “And I go to protect mine.”
CHAPTER 10
