He nodded and bent to kiss her cheek before taking a seat opposite her.
She stood and began to get supper on the table and as usual she talked with him easily. Though she did all the talking, his gestures or one word responses made it clear that he was clearly listening and participating.
“Moray was here,” —she caught the slight scowl that surfaced though vanished quickly— “He suffered a nasty wound to his finger. He told me about Lord Fergus ordering Chieftain Emory to have his warriors and men ready if needed.”
Saber nodded again, letting her know he heard the same.
She asked the question quickly, fearful of the answer. “Will you be called to join the battle?” She was surprised and somewhat relieved when he shrugged. “You don’t know.”
Again he nodded and pointed to his throat.
“You have no voice. That is needed in battle to call out warnings or even to let loose with the tremendous roar that many warriors sound when entering battle.”
He nodded again.
“You will remain here and protect the clan,” she said as if it had been decided. He shrugged again, but she paid it no mind. Chieftain Emory was proud of his talented warriors and brave men. A man with no voice would be a stain on his warriors. He would not have Saber fight. The thought settled her worries, at least those worries.
She talked here and there as they ate and Saber participated as much as he could. It was no chore sitting there listening to her. He loved watching her. She smiled most of the time and often found humor in her own words, which managed to bring a smile to his face, slight as it was.
After she cleaned away supper, Saber could tell by her hesitant moves that something troubled her.
He knew she wouldn’t be pleased if he spoke, but he had to ask. He stretched his hand out to her. “What bothers you?” She didn’t hesitate to take it and when she did, he pulled her gently to sit on his leg and tuck her against him.
He kissed her softly, then with his voice not going above a whisper, urged, “Tell me.”
Bliss had spoken freely to Annis and Elysia about what marriage entailed between a man and a woman. She had wanted them both prepared as to what to expect. And while it was easy to talk with Bliss and Annis about it, it was not easy for Elysia to talk with her husband. Nor did she know if it was even the proper thing to do. However, it was important she be able to talk freely and honestly with her husband. How else could they trust each other?
Saber waited patiently, but seeing the way she glanced so often to the bed, he had an idea at what worried her.
Not knowing how to approach the matter, she said, “The women say I will have trouble delivering a bairn because of my wee size. That I am too small to push out a bairn.” She hesitated, scrunching her face, then spit it out fast before she could stop herself. “I wonder if you are too big for me.”
He thought that was what worried her. While he was a good size, he’d been with small women before and it never posed a problem.
He shook his head.
“You are not too big for me?” she asked to be certain she understood him.
He nodded.
“How do you know that?”
His brow went up, thinking how he would explain that one.
She seemed to understand. “Oh, you have been with a small woman already.”
He nodded again.
“I suppose that’s good. Did it hurt her?” she asked quite innocently.
He shook his head, thinking of how pleased he had left the woman.
“Was it her first time?”
He shook his head again. He had sought only willing and experienced women for pleasure.
Elysia remained quiet, thinking on all Bliss had told her about being with a man, her experience coming from talking with married women and those who had known men intimately.
He understood her concern, but that she discussed it with him without too much difficulty meant she was comfortable enough with him to do so. She had told him more than once she found it easy talking with him, and this proved it. It also proved that she trusted him and that touched his heart more deeply than he cared to admit.
She smiled ever so softly. “I know you won’t hurt me.”
He was about to say never, but stopped himself. That was something he couldn’t promise her, for he feared a day would come that he wouldn’t be able to keep his word.
He shook his head slowly, hoping she was right.
She looked to the bed and back at him.
“Sleep,” he said and gave a nod to her tankard, reminding her that they would do nothing tonight.
She nodded and she kissed him lightly. “I am glad I can talk freely with you and you don’t think me foolish.”