Anya stiffened as Cuthbert’s arms enfolded her. She was not going to enjoy the embrace. Only heartache and pain lie that way. Nor would she cut off her nose to spite her face. She was cold and his body offered warmth in addition to the fire.

His large hounds came nearer the fire and lay down. She eyed them, but not warily. Over these past days, they seemed to have warmed up to her. Anya had fed them scraps behind Cuthbert’s back. She felt they wouldn’t give chase if she ran...well, not with the intent to kill.

But, did she really want to run anymore?

Unaware, Anya relaxed little by little in Cuthbert’s embrace. His presence was comforting as her mind wandered.

She was happy that the man holding her was silent, no doubt lost in thoughts of his own. They’d had a silent journey since that fateful night.

Anya’s mind shied away from that train of thought. She would not relive it yet again. She set her mind to exploring this new question. If given the chance, would she run away?

Certainly, she had no coin and no place to go. Still, she had certain skills that would allow her to make money...if a man didn’t come along and decide she was far better suited to a brothel.

She frowned into the flames pondering this.

She almost sighed aloud. Oddly enough, Anya found that she really didn’t want to peruse the question. It had become a moot point. She no longer wanted to leave.

Anya’s temper was rising as she thought, yet again, of what could not be. She didn’t need marriage. Not if it was one sanctioned by his Church and smiled upon by his peers. Her Gods were infinitely more understanding of the human condition and did not demand a huge ceremony and papers in order for a man and woman to live together. If a man wanted a woman and she wanted him, then the Gods were not concerned.

The sound of her stomach growling brought her to the present. She could almost feel Cuthbert smiling behind her, as it was loud enough for him to hear. Wisely, he didn’t say anything. He briefly hugged her tight, then rose to check on their meal.

Broodingly, she watched him as he went about the task. “Cuthbert?” she finally asked. Her voice was a little hoarse from not talking often for the last few days. “Why do we have to be married in order to live together as a man and a woman?”

There. She’d finally asked the question that had plagued her most all of these days. Her eyes rose to meet his over the flames of the fire. She could feel her heart pounding as she waited for his answer.