“I love ye nae just because ye’re ma sister. Ye have a kind heart, and ye’re loyal as the day is long.”
“Ye make me sound like ye’re favorite hound.” Rose pinched him again, but this was playful.
“I dinna like being at odds with ye. I’m glad it never lasts long.”
“It only happens when we want the best for each other.” Rose squeezed Thor’s waist before she released him and stepped back. She looked up at her husband and saw his relief. It was disconcerting for him to see the twins argue. When they did, it grew heated quickly, but they resolved it just as fast.
“I came down to ask for a tray for the evening meal. Today has been a lot for us both. We are tired and dinna want to have people staring while we eat.”
“I dinna blame ye. I’ll have one sent to ye. Do ye think Greer would want that feast tomorrow eve after all?”
“Aye. I hope she has fun, and we want people to see us as a truly married couple. Celebrating our wedding does that. Thank ye, Rosie. Goodnight.”
“Goodnight, Thorny.” Rose winked.
“Rose.”
“Thorny?” Blaine asked.
“I shall remember this, Sister. Aye. She would call me that when I got bad tempered as a wean.”
“And ye got bad tempered because I was better than ye at plenty of things.”
“I’d check ma shoes for snails if I were ye.” Thor waggled his brow before stepping out of the solar. His heart felt a little lighter for knowing he didn’t have to keep at least one secret from Rose. But he prayed Greer wouldn’t be upset again by the time he made it to their chamber. He felt overwhelmed by the day. He couldn’t imagine how she felt. He entered the chamber but stopped short. Greer lay fully clothed on the bed in her spot, her hand outstretched to where he would lie. She was sound asleep. Thor kicked off his boots and climbed onto the bed, drawing the plaid over them once again. He slid his arms around her and kissed her forehead.
“I love ye, wee one.”
A moment later, he barely heard her. “As much as I love ye.”
They’d said the same thing the day he asked her to handfast with him beside the loch.
CHAPTER12
Morning came, and Greer’s eyes fluttered open. She’d never felt so comfortable and content. Thor slumbered beside her; his body wrapped around hers. He radiated heat, and it was like sleeping beside a cheery fire. They’d woken for the food a maid brought to them, and they’d taken turns bathing. They knew they’d both considered sharing a bath, but they settled for only the intimacies they’d already shared. While Greer soaked, Thor had hurried down to her chamber and gathered her few belongings into the trunk at the foot of her bed. He carried it up to the chamber they now shared. She’d sat before the fire, brushing her hair as it dried while he bathed. Now she wore a fresh chemise, and he had on a fresh leine.
“Did ye sleep well,mo ghaol?” Thor’s chest rumbled behind her back. She turned to look at him.
“Have ye been awake long?”
“Nay. I woke when ye did.” He drew her closer as they embraced. “Did ye sleep well?”
“Better than I have in years. Did ye?”
“Aye. I usually dinna sleep as deeply as I did.”
“Are ye a light sleeper all the time?”
“Always, except for last night,” Thor said. “I still woke each time ye stirred and then when ye woke just now. But I feel more rested than I have in ages.”
“Did I disturb ye? I’m sorry.”
“Ye dinna have to apologize. All warriors are light sleepers, and all people move in their sleep. I didna mind. It let me savor holding ye all over again.”
“Ye are a sweet mon.” Greer pressed a brief kiss to his lips before sighing. “I really dinna want to get up.”
“Then dinna. There’s nay rush. We can go belowstairs when ye’re ready.”
“Ye need to be in the lists soon, and I told Rose I’d help her in the storerooms again.”
