Twenty-three – 03

“She said both of you.”

Thom shook his head, downing a mouthful of coffee.  “Let her sleep.  She was a mess yesterday when I finally got her into bed.  Just leave her be.”

Matt frowned, glancing back over his shoulder, away from the fire as he zipped up his parka.  “I’m not sure it’s a good idea, Thom, whether Mar needs the sleep or not.”

“She’ll settle for me and Thordin,” Thom said, glancing toward the other man, who was lacing up his boots as he reclined near the fire.  “Ready?”

“Will be in a second.”

“You can’t possibly be ready,” Marin’s voice said from somewhere behind Thom.

He winced.  Dammit.  She was dead asleep when I got up.

“Paul woke me,” she said in answer to the question he hadn’t asked.  She buttoned her coat and crossed her arms, giving her husband a long, measuring look.  “Did you really think it was a brilliant idea to go and treat with someone who specifically asked for both of us alone?”

“It would have been fine.  It still could be fine.”  He reached out and brushed his thumb across her cheek as he cupped her jaw in one bare hand.  “Go back to bed, Mar.”

“Not until we’re done dealing with the woman who could have killed my brother last night if she’d wanted to.”  She jerked her chin toward the outdoors, away from the fire.

Thom swallowed a sigh.  Stubborn.  “Fine.  Let’s go.  Coming, Thordin?”

“Wouldn’t miss it.”  The big man rolled to his feet.  “Someone’s got to cover the two of you.  Matt can’t do it alone.”

“I could,” Matt said as he smothered a yawn, “but I wouldn’t want me to do it alone.”

“There you go,” Thordin said.

“We need to get moving,” Thom said as he swallowed the last of his coffee.  “It’s nearly dawn.”

He had no doubt that despite his cavalier attitude toward the whole affair, this mysterious lady of the Rowan wasn’t the type to keep waiting.

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