Page 78 of Hungry Like a Wolf
“You lost a wife before and you survived.”
He frowned. “That is true. But…”
“‘But’?”
“But with you, it is different. I feel that we were destined, that the gods set us on a long path to find each other and then be together. I couldn’t have stood it if we’d walked that path for so little time.”
“I am almost better.” She touched his cheek. He had a thick fuzz of dark stubble.
“I thank the gods for that.” He tipped his head back, gesturing behind himself. “If you had been taken from me, I would have forsaken my crown, my life would have been over, and I would have come to live here with nothing but my memories.”
“My love, but you are a king.”
“I would not wish it any longer.”
“So you would become a hermit? Here?
“Ja.”
“Without a wife, you would grow a great, shaggy beard. You would wear unkempt clothes and have long, unsightly toenails.”
He chuckled. “And a handsome sight I would be.”
“I think not.” She shook her head. “And it would make me sad, looking down from heaven to think that was what you’d become.”
“So, my dearest, beautiful wife.” He nipped her chin. “Do not die on me. For now you know my dismal fate if you do.”
“I will try my best”—she swept her lips over his—“to stay alive.”
He held her tighter.
Carmel adored the way her husband made her feel so cared for. As though she truly was the only woman he saw. She hoped she’d give him many sons and that they’d have a long and happy life together.
“Here, let me take that.” He set her empty mug aside.
“Thank you.”
“And rest. You need to regain your strength.”
“Do you have chores?” she asked.
“Ja, this. My job is to hold you safe and warm.”
She sighed, settled her head against him, and looked out to sea.
It was a calm day. The waves whispered onto the sand and the water reflected the blue of the sky. The sun shone bright and white, a brilliant, diamond orb, and to her right, the horses grazed and swished their tails.
A sense of contentment filled her. God’s beautiful creations were awe-inspiring and the love in her heart for Ravn overflowed, filling her with warmth.
He drew a gentle circle on her arm and his breathing slowed.
She guessed he’d had a broken night worrying about her. He could do with sleep too.
A warbler set up its familiar chirpy song in the reeds and she let her thoughts drift as she watched the constant movement of the ocean.
She was just starting to fall asleep when she spotted something on the horizon. Shielding her eyes, she peered forward. Was it what she thought it was?
“Ravn. Look.”
