Page 77 of Hungry Like a Wolf
“Aye…” She smiled. “I guess my dreams were playing tricks.”
“Your skin was hot.”
“But not because of dragons, right?”
“No, not because of dragons.”
She sat completely upright. “Can I have my tunic?”
“Of course.” He helped her put it on. “And I’ve made you porridge.”
“That’s kind of you.”
He huffed. “It is not kind—it’s necessary. You must eat.”
“Well, I thank you for caring.”
“I care more than you will ever know.” He passed her the food. “I will chop logs while you eat. Then I have a surprise for you.”
“‘A surprise’?”
“Ja. But eat up first.”
Chapter Nineteen
Carmel ate mostof the porridge. It scraped on her throat, but her stomach demanded feeding. Her mind went back to the previous episode she’d had like this. Her mother had fussed and fret, as had her father, but she’d bounced back in a few days and had almost forgotten all about it.
Until now when it had come again.
Thank goodness once more her body had fought the sickness.
After using the pail of water to freshen up, she wrapped her hands around the warm mug full of honeyed water and stepped outside into the bright daylight.
The scents of outdoors filled her nose and she breathed deep, enjoying the earthy, grassy, briny smells that were laced with salt. It was good not to have her head throbbing, though her shins and wrist ached. Ravn must have put the bandages on them. She couldn’t remember doing it herself.
“Hey, what is that?” She pointed at a big pine chair covered in soft furs.
Ravn looked up, axe in hand. “You like it?”
“Aye, I do.”
“I thought you might like to recover in comfort with a view, so I made it.”
“You’re very thoughtful.” She walked up to it and ran her fingertip over the smooth back.
“You’re still so pale.” He was in front of her. A few dots of perspiration sat on his brow and his torso was bare, showing his dark chest hair and where the sun had licked his shoulders.
“I do feel tired,” she confessed. “But I’ve had enough of lying in the dark.”
“Of course. That’s why I made this.” He sat heavily in it then reached for her.
The next thing Carmel knew, she was on his lap and his arms were around her. He pulled a fur over her legs and cuddled her close.
“Drink your honey,” he said, pressing a kiss to her temple.
She took a sip.
He stroked her hair, his touch tender. After a few minutes, he spoke. “I don’t know what I would have done if I’d lost you.”
