“You brought wine?” she asks, almost in disbelief.
I chuckle. “Of course. We need something to keep us warm out here.”
She smiles. “I suppose I didn’t quite consider what it would mean to be out all night.”
“Are you warm enough?”
She nods, even as she pulls my cloak a little tighter around her.
“Why don’t you come and join me?” I ask. “I promise it’s warmer, and there’s wine and cheese.”
“Fine,” she says, sounding resigned.
I mockingly put a hand to my heart. “Ouch, that stung.”
“What?”
“It’s just so clear you want nothing to do with me,” I tease.
She snorts as she lowers herself to the bedroll and takes a seat. “Yes, I absolutely loathe your presence. That’s exactly why I agreed to marry you.”
Her sarcasm makes me laugh again, and I’m secretly pleased that I’m able to bring out this side of her. Especially the smiles.
“Wine?” I ask.
She nods, and I pour her a generous serving.
“Thank you, Kian.”
“It’s the least I can do, considering we’re not having an engagement party or a fancy bonding ceremony.”
“It does feel fast,” she admits.
“Are you sure you want to go through with this?” I ask. Perhaps I rushed her into it, but I wanted to get her out of that manor as quickly as possible. Once we are priestess-blessed, there will not be a damn thing my father or her stepmother can do . . . at least not if I have anything to say about it.
“Yes, I’m sure,” she says before taking a large gulp of wine.
A cloud shifts, the moon casting her glow upon Rae, and I stiffen. I hadn’t noticed before in the dark, but her cheek is red and swollen, almost as if . . .
“Who hurt you?” my voice drops as I barely contain the rage welling up inside.
Her eyes widen. “What?”
My hand reaches out and oh-so-gently brushes her cheek.
“Oh,” she says, looking down. “Stepmother didn’t like what I had to say earlier this evening. It’s nothing to worry about.”
“Like hells it isn’t,” I growl. “That she would dare lay a hand on you at all . . .”
Raelyn reaches up and places her hand over mine. “I’m fine, Kian. It doesn’t even hurt anymore.”
I flinch, realizing I could have caused further pain, even if I hadn’t meant to. I pull my hand away. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to touch you without your permission.”
“It’s okay. I didn’t mind it.”
Needing to do something else with my hands, I pick up another log and throw it into the crackling fire. “Ouch!”
“Are you okay?” Raelyn asks.
