“Aye,” Elspeth said.
Coinneach kissed Aisling. “We’ll be outside planting seeds. After we break our fast, I’ll walk you back to the castle.”
“I would like that.”
Then the men went outside to work on the crops, Coinneach winking at Aisling as he left the croft.
She smiled and saw Elspeth watching them. “You know he has never been interested in a she-wolf like he’s intrigued with you.” Elspeth prepared oats.
“The feeling is mutual.”
Elspeth sighed.
Aisling realized his mother might be worried that she was leading him astray and might break his heart. But she had genuine feelings for him. She knew he felt the same way about her.
She sliced the rye bread. Then Elspeth left the croft and brought in five eggs and boiled them.
Once they were finished, Aisling called out to the men that it was time to break their fast. She was beginning to feel anxious because she needed to arrive at the castle on time. She served up honeyed mead, and they all sat down to eat.
“Were the long sword, bow, and arrows from the same Viking you had killed?” Tamhas asked Coinneach.
“Aye,” Aisling said. “But the bow and arrows are mine.”
Tamhas smiled at her and raised his brows at Coinneach. He was busy eating his bread and reached over to squeeze Aisling’s hand. Once they were done eating, she grabbed her bag of herbs, then seized his hand and pulled him out of the croft, saying, “Thanks,” to his parents and brother.
Then she walked as fast as she could while she held his hand, loving the intimacy between them.
“I wish we could prolong this between us, but I know you’re anxious to get back to the castle.”
“Aye. I canna afford to lose my job.”
Coinneach wantedto enjoy the walk through the meadow with Aisling at a slower pace, but he knew she worried that she might be late. “You didna want me to tell my family that you killed the Viking?”
“Nay. What would everyone think of me?” She looked serious when she glanced at him.
“That you are a great warrior wolf.”
“That’s all right for a male wolf, not a she-wolf.”
“No’ in my estimation. If you hadna killed him, I wouldna be alive.”
“I couldna have allowed that.”
“I was lucky you were there when I needed you.”
“Aye, you were.” She smiled at him.
He loved her quick-wittedness. Sleeping with her last night had been the highlight of his life.
“About last night…” she said.
He hoped she didn’t regret that they had slept together. Not that they had mated, but even so, sleeping with an unmated she-wolf wasn’t usually done.
“I was glad for it. I have never slept so well in my life.” She squeezed his hand.
“Me either. What were you doing outside the castle walls at night?”
“I didn’t want to wake up so early to gather the herbs before the morning meal. I thought I could get what we needed and return before the castle gates were closed.”
