Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 90574 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 453(@200wpm)___ 362(@250wpm)___ 302(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90574 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 453(@200wpm)___ 362(@250wpm)___ 302(@300wpm)
He turned as Aliss slipped out of her skirt, having already discarded her blouse. Her body shivered as she attempted to slip on dry clothes. Rogan hurried to her side and helped her dress, then he took her over by the fire and, standing behind her, he vigorously rubbed her arms and shoulders with his hands to warm her.
He tried not to think of her as she had stood there naked in nothing but her sandals, but the vision refused to leave his mind. Her nipples had puckered from the dampness and her breasts sat round and firm.
Damn, but he wanted to suckle the rosy buds and run his hands over the gooseflesh that had popped out all over her. And where she kept her legs tight together, he would tease with his fingers, or better, with his lips. Then he would—
Rogan silently cursed himself.
How the hell he would make it through six months without making love to her, he did not know. What other choice did he have? He had given his word.
That did not mean he couldn’t tempt her every chance he got. Was that fair to her?
Anything was fair if he did not want to lose her.
He hugged her back against him and rubbed her midriff, his fingertips brushing beneath her breasts. “Warm enough?”
She eased away from him. “Much better, thank you. We better see to lighting other fires and I will start with cleaning up the great hall so that there will be a place to eat and sleep for everyone.”
He nodded and kept his smile at bay. “Good idea.”
His smile broke free after she rushed from the room. His touch had affected her, as he knew it would. He would be patient and seduce his wife slowly while making certain she knew he loved her with all his heart.
The rain began just as the last cart was rolled into the village. The women had joined with Aliss in cleaning the hall, scrubbing the tables and floor and cleaning the hearth before a new fire was lit.
Two cauldrons were hung from hooks over the flames and soon the scent of rabbit stew permeated the air. Chatter and laughter resonated in the room along with the squeals of playing children.
Aliss took a moment to watch the joyous scene from the shadowed corner. These people of varied origins had worked their way into her heart in a very short time. They were family to her and she was proud to be part of them.
“Hiding?”
Aliss jumped, startled by her husband’s silent approach and his arms slipping around her waist. “Admiring,” she said, and stepped to the side out of his embrace. “Don’t you agree?”
He was smiling as he drifted out of the shadows. “Definitely.”
“Come,” he said, holding his hand out to her. “It is time to address the clan.”
“You do not need me for that.”
“You are my wife. They expect it.”
She wanted to argue that they all knew of the bargain between their chieftain and her so why bother to pretend otherwise. But then this was a joyous occasion and she did not wish to ruin it for anyone, not even herself.
She took his hand.
“Clansmen!” Rogan yelled as they walked out of the shadows.
The room broke into a resounding cheer.
A tankard of ale was shoved into Rogan’s hand and one into Aliss’s hand.
Rogan raised his tankard. “To the new and permanent home of the Wolf clan.”
Cheers, hollers, and whistles sounded for several minutes.
Rogan raised his tankard again and all turned quiet. “To peace with our neighbors.”
More cheers and whistles.
A tankard went up in the crowd and all turned as Ivan stepped forward.
“In honor of our chieftain and his wife, without whose courage, strengths, and skills we would not be here.”
The cheers were deafening, the foot-stomping made the rafters shake, and tears filled the women’s and old men’s eyes.
“Time to celebrate,” Rogan cried out above the roar.
Soon everyone was enjoying the delicious hot stew and fresh bread.
Thunder roared, lightning split the sky, and the rain poured down, but no one cared. They were safe and happy.
The celebration ended early, everyone exhausted from the day’s journey and everyone excited about starting their new lives tomorrow. Rogan would decide who got which cottage; the clansmen were confident that their leader knew them well enough to make wise choices. Land needed clearing and planting; though it was late they could get at least one crop in and harvested in time to see them through the winter.
All of it, however, would be a labor of love so it was with grateful hearts the Wolf clan sought their makeshift beds and the keep finally turned silent, the only sound the fire crackling in the hearth.
Aliss had changed into her night shift and stood by the window watching the rain.
“Come to bed. It has been a long day,” Rogan said.