“There’s a body,” Snow said, pointing to the ground. “I think it’s the man with the markings. Thaw discovered the scent and was digging. I leaned on a section of the hut wall and it collapsed, then Thaw led me here.”

“Bring the torch closer,” Tarass commanded and when the warrior did, Tarass saw that his wife was right. “Dolan, get Rannock and more warriors.”

“Aye, my lord,” the young warrior said and hurried off.

Snow went to speak.

“Not a word, wife,” Tarass ordered. “You have disobeyed me twice tonight and put yourself in unnecessary danger.”

“You’re right. I followed Thaw without thinking. It was foolish of me and I called out to you as soon as I realized my mistake. I’m truly sorry.”

That she admitted her mistake and apologized for it caught him off guard. He expected her to argue and make excuses, but he should have realized that was not what his wife would do. She spoke her mind to him and she spoke the truth.

“We will discuss this later,” Tarass said.

“Aye, my lord,” she said softly, hearing footfalls approach and feeling as he might, that it was not a matter to be discussed in front of others.

While dark and gray shadows remained for Snow, she felt the heat of several torches around her and her husband’s hand clutching hers. He squeezed it now and again to either make it clear he had no intention of letting her go or to remind her that he was there with her. Either way, it comforted her.

Snow listened to the conversation between her husband and Rannock, offering no opinions, at least not yet.

“How do you get blood from a dead man who’s been frozen for a couple of weeks?” Rannock asked after some discussion.

Just as Snow had thought, someone had taken the dead man’s blood. “Your healer might know, if not, my sister would,” Snow offered and couldn’t stop the yawn that rushed up and out of her mouth.

“You’re tired,” Tarass said and got annoyed that it took a yawn for him to realize it. It had been a long, exhausting day and his wife needed sleep, which meant…

He silently let loose a string of oaths in his head, frustrated that their union would not be sealed tonight.

“See that the hut is repaired and the body returned there and keep two warriors, front and back of the hut, on guard,” Tarass ordered. “We’ll discuss more on the morrow.”

Snow yawned again as they walked away, Thaw following along with them.

“You need sleep,” Tarass said.

“I was so concerned over marrying Lord Polwarth that I didn’t sleep at all last night, the reason why I am so tired tonight,” she admitted and to prove it true, another yawn escaped her.

Tarass scooped her up in his arms and got a snarling bark from Thaw for it.