`` i need you , please , '' she whispered , her mouth against his , and without reply he took her up in his arms-christ , she was right , that cloak stank of dead meat ; had the man who sold it to him used it to haul a butchered deer in from the forest ? -and kissed her deep , then put her down and led her down the hill , the light snow seeming to melt away from their feet as they walked .