Landyn reached out to caress her hand. She wrapped her fingers around his, finding reassurance in his touch.
Emma disappeared into the cottage, leaving the door open as they approached.
After a moment, another woman emerged. Her dark hair was tied in a bun. She held a hand to her forehead to block the sunlight as she watched them approach.
Raven smiled. Vivian was Sybil’s daughter.
As they neared, Vivian lowered her hand to reveal a huge smile. She spoke to Emma.
Emma squealed in delight and rushed toward them.
Behind Raven, Sage grunted. Raven turned to see Cassie embracing her sister from behind. Cassie was just a year younger than Emma’s twelve summers. Her brown hair was in wild disarray around her shoulders, and her arms were locked around Sage’s neck.
Raven held out her arms as Emma launched herself toward her. She caught her with an exhalation of air. “You’re getting big,” she commented, hugging the girl tightly.
“Are you staying long?” Cassie asked in an excited voice.
“Who are they?” Emma wondered, looking curiously at Landyn and Marcus.
“Emma loves a boy,” Cassie tattled.
“I do not!” Emma replied, scowling.
Raven cast Sage a weary but happy glance. The girls had incessant questions, but they never waited for answers. It was always good to see them.
Raven handed Emma Thunder’s reins. “Can you both take care of the horses for us? They’ve had a long trip.”
Emma and Cassie nodded enthusiastically, each girl taking two horses and leading them toward a field on the side of the cottage.
Raven strolled up to the cottage, where Vivian waited with her hands on her hips. “You are late,” she said with mock sternness.
“Leave ’em alone, Viv!” a voice called from inside.
“Well, come in,” Vivian said, standing aside to let them into the cottage. She eyed the men as they passed.
Landyn nodded a greeting to her.
Marcus looked over his shoulder at the horses.
The cottage was large compared with others. A table was positioned in the center of the room, surrounded by four chairs. There was another door in the corner of the room that led to the sleeping chambers. All four slept in the same room. A hearth with a warm fire was on the wall farthest from the doorway. An elderly woman with gray hair twisted in her chair near the small fire in the hearth so that she could see the door.
A smile erupted over Raven’s lips, and she hurried in to embrace her. Sybil. Sage followed, hugging the old woman.
“It’s good to see you girls,” Sybil said softly. The fire lit her from behind, casting an orange glow over her wrinkled skin.
Raven inhaled. Her cottage always smelled of lavender and a piney, floral scent.
“And who are these men?” Vivian demanded sternly.
Sage introduced them. “This is Marcus and Landyn.”
Vivian shook her head. “Your father would not be pleased.”
“I am John’s friend,” Landyn said. “He tasked me with seeing to Raven’s safety.”
Raven rolled her eyes.
“Is that true?” Sage asked.
