Katrina filled the two extra bladders full of milk, before wrapping up the hard cheese and bread. She didn’t know if they would have to leave or not, but she knew that just in case, it was best to be prepared.

Had Morgana and her men found her and Arthur? The last time they attacked her, they killed all the Kings’ guards, and the wolves and Bryan had saved them. Would they be able to save her again?

Feeling the panic begin to rise up inside her, she turned to see Bryan coming from the room, the light from the windows catching the blade in his hand. The thought of something happening to him made her heart stop. She loved him. Bryan had saved her and taken her in. Each morning he woke up and took care of Arthur for her, so she could sleep. He treated her differently than other men. Despite his large size, he was gentle and had taken in two wolves and earned their trust. Bryan was not like anyone she had ever met before.

When he walked up to her, she noticed he was frowning. “I want you to keep this on you,” Bryan said, as he looked her over trying to figure out where on her dress he could possibly hide a dagger.

“I –– I don’t know how to use one of those,” Katrina said, taking a step back from him.

Bryan frowned, and she realized he must have come to the conclusion that there was nowhere on her dress that she could possibly hold that thing in his hand.

“Katrina, I will do my best to protect you, but if I fail…” his voice trailed off and she swallowed hard thinking about what he meant.

“If you want to marry me, you won’t fail,” Katrina said, blurting out the first thing that came to her head.

Bryan growled and pulled her into his arms. His mouth came down hard upon hers, his tongue thrusting inside her claiming her with a dominance he had never used before. Unable to help herself, she melted into him, her hands coming up and holding onto his shirt, as his tongue dueled with hers, laying claim.

When he broke the kiss, she slowly opened her eyes to find him breathing as hard as she was. “We are getting married, lass. I will not fail.”

Bryan’s words made her smile. She watched as he slid the dagger into the bag. “Put this by the bolt door and be prepared for anything.”

She nodded and quickly went and placed the bag where he told her to. When she was done, she watched him as he pulled out a thick, leather shirt men wore during training from his bag he had kept near the door. It helped from piercing or stray arrows. It was light enough not to hinder his movement but added a layer of protection. After Bryan had put it on, she stepped up, putting her hand on his to stop him from trying to tie it.

“Let me,” she whispered.

The shirt tied on the sides. One string was long enough to wrap around him and tied to the one in front. Doing this for Bryan put her right up against his body. She blushed being so close to him. When she fell asleep last night, she was so angry at him for assuming what she wanted and not asking her, but at this moment all she could think about was, if they survived this, she would do anything he told her.

“Katrina,” Bryan whispered, causing her to look up at him.

Their eyes locked and she blushed pulling the last string. Her hand on his side, he turned toward her and cupped her cheek. She leaned into his touch and closed her eyes. His lips brushed against hers, and she smiled.

“Come lass,” Bryan said, as he took her hand and guided her to the window. “The wolves went in that direction. I need you to watch out this window. I need to see what is going on. If you see one shadow, of anything, you run out the bolt hole and head straight. Do you understand lass?”

Katrina nodded, blinking back tears. Before he could take a step back, she pressed her lips against his. It was a quick, hard kiss and when she broke it, she took a step back and her eyes met his. “Come back to me.”

With a nod, he stepped from her, and she watched as he looked at Arthur before grabbing the quiver of arrows and his bow. Then, he strapped his sword to his back and walked out the front door. She watched as Bryan followed the trail the wolf took into the woods. She took a deep breath, got the dagger out of the bag he’d left for her and sat near the window. As she kept an eye out, she also said her prayers to the gods above to protect Bryan and keep her and Arthur safe.