Donna Fletcher Short Story Collection by Donna Fletcher Page B

“I will suffer whatever
punishment you feel fit to bestow on me, but I ask that it wait
until I know that my sister and her babe have survived and are
well.”
    Cavan nodded. “I will wait.”
    Hours passed and then just after midnight
Honora entered the great hall looking tired and worn. “You have a
nephew, a bit small, though with proper care Zia claims he will
grow strong in no time. Thora is sleeping after a much difficult
birth and will require rest for at least a week if not more. But
mother and child have survived and according to Zia, if looked
after, they will thrive and do well.”
    “That’s my wife,” Artair said proudly, “an
extraordinary healer.”
    “I give thanks for her,” Tyr said. “And I
give thanks to all of you for helping my sister.”
    “All you had to do was ask,” Honora said.
    “Not something I’m used to,” Tyr admitted.
“Most people run when they learn who I am.”
    “You now have friends here,” Honora said.
    Tyr looked at Cavan. “Do I?”
    ~~~
    Cavan and Honora settled into the narrow bed
in Zia’s healing cottage. Cavan didn’t mind in the least. They were
alone and snuggled together while snow fell heavily outside. Zia
was spending the night watching over Thora and the babe, and though
Honora offered to help, Zia, Alyce and Carissa refused. They
ordered Honora to rest after her ordeal; they would look after the
children. Only after she had seen her twins and daughter bedded for
the night had she agreed.
    Before they left the keep Honora had insisted
that Tyr not be kept a prisoner so that he would be free to spend
time with his sister and the babe. Cavan hadn’t cared for her
adamant suggestion. He would have preferred to see him locked in
the grain shed. But he had bowed to her insistence, feeling guilty
for what she had been through, though had ordered several of his
warriors to keep an eye on the Norseman.
    “You cannot punish a man for seeing to the
care of his sister,” Honora said and snuggled tight against her
husband.
    “Did he frighten you?” Cavan asked his hand
tenderly caressing her back.
    He didn’t worry about an honest answer from
her. She spoke the truth, even when he didn’t want to hear it.
    “Of course he did. What a fool question is
that?”
    “A fool question that will determine his
fate,” Cavan said emphatically.
    Honora kissed her husband and then ran tender
fingers across his lips.
    He liked when she did that. It was as if she
sealed her kisses with her touch.
    “Tomorrow is a special day in more ways than
one,” she said. “It is Christmas, your mother weds and a child has
been born that might not have survived if it had not been for your
forgiveness and generosity. We have much to celebrate.”
    Cavan was ready to protest since he wasn’t at
all forgiving just yet.
    Honora stilled him with another kiss and
whispered in his ear, “I love you.”
    Cavan smiled and eased himself over her. “I
intend to show you how much I love you.”
    Honora grinned and wrapped her arms around
him in a welcoming embrace.
    ~~~
    Snow continued to blanket the land while the
great hall was aglow with festivity. Vows had been exchanged,
shouts of good cheer extended to Addie and Hagen and food and drink
was now being enjoyed. The many animals Hagen had fashioned for the
children from wood were keeping them entertained, the horses and
cows being favorites.
    “My mother looks beautiful,” Cavan whispered
to Honora who sat cuddled beside him on the bench.
    “She does, doesn’t she,” Honora said looking
at Addie, her red hair piled in curls on top of her head and her
long-sleeved, emerald green velvet dress falling in a swirl from
beneath her breasts. She was thanking all who came up to
congratulate her and Hagen, who grinned gleefully beside her.
    “It is good to see her so happy again,” Cavan
said.
    “Your father would be pleased,” Honora said.
“He was a man who understood that love was always unpredictable and
that forgiveness was not