Page 84 of Ensnaring the Dove
They walked back to the fort over rolling hills. The sky was still clear, although the shadows were lengthening now. They were marching ever closer to the shortest day and longest night of the year, and the breeze that stirred their hair and snagged at their clothing had a sharp bite to it.
A group of soldiers waited for the wedding party a few furlongs from the oakwood and escorted them back to Onnum.
The attack had made the commander wary—and he hadn’t wanted his daughter venturing beyond the walls this afternoon without protection.
Severus stalked ahead, while Keir and Ultan followed. Colombia and Aedan brought up the rear of the small group.
Walking hand in hand with her husband, Colombia didn’t mind the cold or the damp grass underfoot. Instead, happinessswelled inside her, the sensation so strong that it made her chest ache.
“I never thought to see your father attend our wedding,” Aedan admitted then.
“Me neither,” Colombia’s gaze shifted forward to the tall figure in the distance. As always, a fine scarlet cloak rippled behind Severus. He’d donned his crested helmet and full lorica for the ceremony too. “I never thought he’d fall for his slave either … but my father is full of surprises.”
“He’s not bad,” Aedan admitted then, “for a Roman.”
Colombia cut her husband a sidelong glance, to see he wore a teasing smile. She’d once believed he’d never let go of his resentment toward her people, yet she’d noticed a change in him over the past couple of days—a softening. He appeared happy to make a life with her at the fort, although she would have departed with him if he’d asked.
A gust of cold wind buffeted them, and Colombia shivered, moving in close to Aedan. He put his arm around her shoulders, drawing her against him as they crested another hill.
“Jupiter,” she murmured. “The wind this far north has teeth.”
He huffed a laugh. “It does … but just wait … it gets much colder than this.”
Colombia muttered an oath, and Aedan gave her shoulder a gentle squeeze. Then, after a moment, he asked, “Do you miss Italia?”
Colombia glanced up at him to see his expression was serious now.
“No,” she said after considering his question. “I don’t.”
“Why not?”
“Asculum offered me a comfortable life,” she replied, favoring him with a smile. “But I never fitted in there. I was always too outspoken, too independent. My aunt and uncle were happy to be rid of me, I think.” She paused then, her smile widening. “Theways of your people suit me better … the strength of your women is celebrated. Moira tells me that she can wield a sword and fight like a man … for a Roman woman to learn such a skill is rare.”
Her voice must have sounded wistful, for Aedan made a sound at the back of his throat and gave her shoulder another squeeze. “Well, that can be remedied. I can show you how to handle yourself with a blade, if you like?”
Colombia cut him a sharp look, sure he was teasing her. However, his gaze was steady, and there was no trace of humor upon his face. “You’re in earnest?”
“I am.”
A smile flowered across her face. “When can we begin our training?”
“In the evenings, after I finish up in the workshop … and before we sit down to supper.” He paused then. “A woman should be able to defend herself.”
Colombia couldn’t have agreed more.
“I also need to master your tongue,” she said then. “Moira taught me a few phrases, but I feel like a halfwit whenever I try to speak it.”
His mouth curved. “And I’ll be happy to teach you that too,” he assured her, his blue eyes crinkling at the corners. “I’ve already discovered you’re a quick study.”
The intimacy of his tone made warmth rise to her cheeks.
She knew what he was referring to.
They’d spent every night together over the past days, but both had gotten little sleep. Instead, they stayed up late exploring each other’s bodies. Aedan had taught her how to give and receive pleasure, and Colombia was greedy to learn more. He was a wickedly sensual lover—and whenever Colombia thought of the things he’d whispered in her ear as he’d taken her, her body flushed hot.
As it did now.
“You’re blushing,” he observed, his smile widening.