The Chosen Mate (9)

Elizabeth paced the longhouse. Occasionally, she looked toward the doorway, straining to listen for Marcus return. It had been more than an hour and still the centaurs hadn't returned. Now with each passing minute, she got more nervous. Marcus was going to be furious. She lay on the cushions that made up their bed. Their bed. When did she start thinking of it as being hers, too? The doorway lifted as Marcus entered. Elizabeth immediately sat up, eyes wide with worry. Marcus met her gaze silently and held it for a long moment before he turned to take off his armor. Outside she could here soft voices of others returning to their homes. Marcus's silence only made her more nervous. "I had to do it, Marcus." She saw his jaw tense. "Then why did you come back?" He asked curtly. "I'm not exactly sure." He didn't look at her, nor did he answer. His back and shoulders were stiff and his dark eyebrows were drawn together in a frown. Nothing but the crackling of the fire filled the silence. She