Deadly. Dangerous.
Hers now.
"Your man knows his work," Maria said, appearing beside Hanna with cups of tea on a tray.
Hanna jumped slightly, tightening the belt on her robe self conciously. "I didn't hear you come up."
"You were too busy watching," said Maria, her eyes twinkling. "Not that I blame you. He's a fine figure of a man, your husband."
"Maria!" scolded Hanna, but she couldn’t help smiling.
"And he provides well. That deer will keep us in meat for weeks. The hide will make good leather. Your father will pay handsomely for it, or Alaric will sell it elsewhere." Maria placed the tray on a tree stump and sipped her tea thoughtfully. "You've done well, child. Better than you know."
"I didn't do anything. He chose me."
"And you chose him back. That takes courage." Maria squeezed her hand. "I'm proud of you."
Hanna's eyes stung with sudden tears, but Maria tutted and turned to leave.
"Hush now, go on and take your man some tea. He's been at it since dawn."
Hanna shyly carried a steaming mug into the woodshed. Alaric looked up at her approach, and the smile that broke across his face made her heart skip.
"Good morning, wife."
"Good morning, husband." Hanna offered the tea. "You should have woken me. I would have helped. I did not know you had brought home a deer."
Alaric shrugged, “His lordship allowed me to take one from the hunt, I found him a fine trophy stag that pleased him greatly.
"And, you needed rest,” he added, his eyes heated as he scanned her body in the light robe. "After last night."
"Alaric, I-”
"I will not say I am sorry," He set down his knife and accepted the tea, his fingers brushing hers deliberately. "Are you?"
"No." murmured Hanna, doing her best to meet his eyes with a steady gaze.
And she wasn't.Last night had been... terrifying, and wonderful.
"Good." Alaric took a long sip, his eyes never leaving her face. "Because I plan to do it again, tonight. And every night after."
"Insatiable man," Hanna murmured, shocked at his brazen words.
"For you? Always." He set down the mug and drew her close, careful of the blood on his hands. "You've awoken a hunger in me, Hanna. Now that I've had you properly, I can't get enough."
She shivered at the possessive rumble in his voice. "We should... You should finish your work."
"In a minute." Alaric nuzzled her neck, breathing deeply. "Let me hold you first."
They stood like that for a long moment, wrapped in each other's arms while the autumn morning breeze blew around them.
"Alaric?" Hanna said eventually.
"Mmm?"
"Thank you. For all of this. For taking care of us."
He pulled back to look at her, his expression serious. "This is what I'm for, Hanna. Providing for you, protecting you, making sure you never want for anything. That's my purpose now. My vow."
