Highlander Oath of the Beast (Highland Promise Trilogy 3)

It would not be a chore to bed her—when necessary. But first there were things he needed to know.

Wolf reached for his tankard and swallowed the entire contents, easing the thirst that had plagued him. It was quickly refilled and he drank half the contents this time. He ate from the food offered, the flavor far better than he expected.

He caught his sister, Oria’s eye. She was a beauty, though opposite in coloring to Raven, her hair a honey blonde, her features soft, and she was shorter in height. It pained him to think of all the years they’d missed together, she having been abducted from their home when a mere baby and taken to Scotland and sold to William and Clare of the Clan MacGlennen. The couple hadn’t known she belonged to the Northmen and it had been a shock to him when he had discovered her here. Even though he had helped Royden save her life when she’d been taken captive by a man once loyal to him, she still didn’t seem to trust him or show any signs of truly accepting him as her brother.

“You feel well, Oria?” he asked, though she looked well enough.

“I do,” she said with a soft smile. “I am well and I am happy.” She turned a broader smile on Royden. “That is all due to the love I have for my wonderful husband.” She turned back to her brother, her smile fading. “That would not be so if he was to be taken from me.”

“Royden isn’t going anywhere,” Raven assured her and turned to face Wolf. “Your brother gave his word to honor the agreement. And I was told he is a man of his word.”

Wolf brought his face close to hers. “Unfortunately, your word couldn’t be proven as honorable, since you and your crew are nothing more than a band of thieves.”

Raven’s men shot to their feet before Royden and Arran could, and Wolf’s men did the same.

“Disparage her again and she’ll gladly make herself a widow, while we see to your men,” Clive warned and grinned at Wolf’s men, a little more than an arm’s length from their leader. “You’d never reach him in time. The knife she holds to his side will see to that.”

Wolf looked down, shocked to see the point of the blade nearly pressed to his side. He hadn’t even seen her move. “You better know how to use that, wife.”

“Trust me, I do,” she warned.

That her hand was steady and her startling blue eyes showed not an ounce of fear, told Wolf she’d use the weapon without pause. It annoyed him that he’d been caught off guard, and by his wife, and that she was skillful enough to see it done. He’d have to keep that in mind.

She raised her hand, signaling her men without taking her eyes off Wolf, and they sat. “I gave my word and I will honor it. Now you have proof of my word, since I could have easily killed you and between my men and my brothers your men wouldn’t have stood a chance.”

“My warriors are far more skilled then your men,” Wolf said.

“Then how is it that one of my men holds a knife to one of your warriors?” Raven asked with a smug grin.

All eyes turned to see Wolf’s warriors glancing around, except one. He stood stock still, anger flaming in his eyes.

“He’s under the table, holding a knife between my legs,” the warrior said.

Arran laughed, though it did nothing to ease the tension. “I think your warriors have met their match.”

“Brod,” Raven called out and by the time she turned her head, Brod was back at the table, slugging down a tankard of ale.

Her men laughed and sat, refilling Brod’s tankard when he was done and returning to enjoy their food.

With grime faces, Wolf’s men sat and quickly reached for their tankards.

“It is good your men show me their skills,” Wolf said, his words measured so as not to show his anger. “They will make me fine warriors.”

That got Raven’s men’s attention, though they held their tongues.

“My men will be no warriors of yours,” Raven warned. “My men stay my men. Or did you forget?”

“Forget?” Wolf’s brow scrunched, then went wide.

“He remembers,” she said with glee that sounded far too victorious.

Wolf nodded. “You had protection for them put into the agreement with the proposal you offered. They remain free of my dictate and free to stay with you.”

“That’s right,” Raven grinned and reminded. “And you are a man of your word, so you say.”

Wolf stood and his men stood with him.

“Taking your leave so soon?” Raven asked, her smile remaining victorious.

“I’ll return,” Wolf said and stepped around the table and grabbed his cloak.

“See you tomorrow,” Raven called out.

Wolf stopped and turned to glare at her. “You’ll see me tonight. I’m your husband and it’s your duty to share my bed—and that starts tonight. And since you are a woman of your word, I expect you will honor it.”