He and his men made their way to his study. There was much to see to before he left. As was their habit, they surrounded the table, standing as each took their orders. Greylen walked back and forth between the table and maps that covered the wall, marking the placement of his ships with colorful pins. The ones currently in their port and tagging the position of the others from the latest word they’d received.

Greylen knew Gwen kept busy in the kitchen that afternoon. Later, he sensed her presence and when he glanced to the doorway, he found her standing there. He smiled and was about to wave her in, but she only smiled back and quickly walked away.

They dined together in the great hall that night. Greylen knew his wife did her best to put forth a brave face, but she was clearly upset. He would try to ease her fears later, assuring her that they could at last live at peace. She’d need no further guards and the threat of Malcolm returning was finally over.

They made love by the fire and again in their bed. He brought Tristan in from the nursery so Gwen could feed him. After taking him back to Anna, he gathered Gwen in his arms, pressing her back to his chest. “I’d have you come with me, Gwen,” he said.

She turned. “You’d take me?” she asked.

“’Tis what I just said,” he remarked dryly, though he smiled and hugged her closer.

She shook her head. “Nay, just knowing you’d take me makes me feel better.”

“Why’s that, love?”

“If you feel that I’d be safe, then I know you’ll be safe too.”

“How is it, wife, that ’tis I whom you always worry over?”

“I know you’ll keep me safe, Greylen, you always have. You’ve never let me down, not once. It’s only natural that I feel the same.”

Her thoughts were so sweet that he dared not laugh at her. But she had, indeed, saved his life before and he’d not belittle her offer of protection. “Gwen, you may move more freely now, but you must always let one of my men know where you’re going. Do you understand?”

“Aye, husband, I understand. I can still run longer distances, though, can’t I? You still intend to hold the race?”

“Aye, four weeks from today. We’ve already done two of the long runs you’ve talked of. You need only two more, right?”

“Aye,” she said quickly, “I’ll have one of the men follow when I do, I promise.”

“Save the last for me,” he whispered as he kissed her. “It’s fun to push you faster.”