CHAPTER SEVEN
Thora woke with a start, tense against the robust hold of Ari's embrace, though her tentative glance told her he still slept.
She remained still, knowing the slightest movement would wake him.
After what had passed between them this night, she needed some time to think, without his intense stare focused on her, distracting her, as if he saw into her very soul.
A sudden fear took hold, a fear that Ari had found a place inside her she hadn't even known existed and used it against her. Was she weak for wanting the alluring and decadent delight he gave her? Or was he in league with the gods in an effort to test her?
Last night had gone beyond anything she'd ever imagined passed between a woman and a man.
When he had positioned her on her hands and knees she'd thought he meant to degrade her.
He hadn't. Instead, he'd shown her how wild and tempestuous lovemaking could be and damn her soul to Hel, she wanted more of that incredible sensual carnality.
He'd woken her two more times, each coupling fiercer than the last.
That she still owed a debt seemed a cruel taunt.
Surely he would see she had given in to his debauched demands with little resistance.
Would it be enough that he might release her from her obligation?
Even as the thought arose, she dismissed it.
Ari had made it clear he intended to control and dominate her in every way until he was ready to be finished.
She hated admitting part of her reveled in his attentions.
The idea of him leaving her seemed suddenly unthinkable.
No, she could not stay with him forever, much as the idea enticed.
She mustn't let these traitorous thoughts take solid root or she would be doomed.
She clung to her plans to find a way free of him.
At least they hadn't slept the day away this time. She lifted her head from the pillow of Ari's shoulder to see how Kata and Kati had fared through the night. Did Kata still sleep? Kati sat up, alert and watching her, waiting for her command. She smiled.
"You want to tend them?"
With a start, Thora met Ari's sleep-clouded gaze, laced with an affectionate longing. The sight sent her heart to racing once more. Throat suddenly dry, she merely nodded.
He gave her a smile that brightened his eyes and again sparked that fluttery feeling in her belly. He tangled his hand in her hair and tilted her head back, taking her lips in a bruising kiss that soon had her aching for his touch once again. Abruptly, he released her.
"Go. I will see about our morning meal."
Once disentangled from Ari's embrace, Thora reached for her undershift to cover herself and hopefully chase some of the chill.
Aware of Ari watching her every move, she rose gracefully and strode over to her pets, chin high.
Did he chuckle? At least with her back to him, he couldn't see the heat scorching her cheeks.
She knelt beside Kata, a gentle hand along her head. The she-wolf opened her eyes. No sign of fever. Relief trembled through her and she put her arm around Kati and kissed the top of his head.
"She will be fine, Kati. Maybe in only a few more days." She ruffled the wolf's fur. "Go fetch food for you both."
Kati licked her cheek and trotted into the forest. Thora once more checked Kata's bandage and gave the pet a gentle caress. "He'll bring you a meal, Kata. Soon you will be well and we will be on our way."
"Yes, we will."
Ari's voice behind her made her spin about.
She hadn't even heard him approach. He'd donned his trousers, but remained without his tunic.
The dappled sunlight danced on his shoulders, making it appear as if stars surrounded him.
The sight enticed her more than she cared to admit and flashes of recollection from the night before slammed into her thoughts, leaving her sex slick and hot, her her breasts tight and hard.
"I'll see if I can catch some fish this morning."
She nodded. "I will tend the fire and change Kata's bandages. Do you have more of the salve?"
"Yes, right here." Holding out the small jar, he crouched down before her, his heady male scent swarming her senses. She clenched her fingers to keep from reaching for him. He said nothing, and she couldn't look away from the greenish-blue gaze studying her.
"Is there something else you need to tell me?" She held back her pleased smile at the strength of her voice.
His lips curled into a small smile. "You amuse me, Thora. I am enjoying your company."
With that, he stood and walked away, pulling his tunic over his head before bending to pick up one of his packs.
Thora stared after him for a few moments then shook her head and looked away, out past the small grove of trees in the direction Kati had gone.
Yet her thoughts remained firmly on Ari, his kiss, his wicked touch, the way he filled her completely.
The recollections left her more off-balance than ever and it seemed she could think of nothing else.
At times, she swore he read her exact thoughts, but she never seemed to get a grip on understanding his.
She walked to her pack, her thoughts awhirl.
Almost absently, she removed the additional strips Ari had made from his tunic yesterday.
When she returned to Kata's side and gently untied the bandage around the injury, she forced herself to focus on applying more of the healing salve then wrapping new strips of cloth around the wound.
She was pleased to note that the wolf had not bled any further, a sign that Ari's skill in sealing the gash had worked.
Once more her focus returned to her mysterious savior. A thrill passed over her as she imagined him returning and drawing her into his embrace, sealing his mouth against hers in a kiss that would reduce her to cinders.
She shook her head. What trick did the gods play on her to leave her so addled by the mere kiss and touch of a man she barely knew?
She'd used him for her own intents as well, but knew he surely didn't feel this continually growing feeling of vulnerability.
Fear and anticipation battled to be heard, combining in a strange anticipation that threatened to sap her will and willingly give herself to Ari for as long as he wanted her.
Why did she look forward to surrendering?
***
Ari strode toward Gyllir, forcing himself not to take another look back at Thora.
He enjoyed watching the bewilderment creep into her eyes.
Dark and expressive, they told him exactly what feelings and sensations she possessed at any given moment.
He especially liked the way they glazed over with passion.
Passion that he caused. His grinned, proud of how easily he made her succumb to his touch.
After tending to his saddle and pack, he mounted the stallion and guided him toward the stream. When he reached the bank, he dismounted, yet held tight to the reins. He pulled Gyllir around to face him, staring right into the tall animal's dark eyes.
"I won't have you chasing all the fish again today." He led the animal to a patch of sweet grass and tethered him to a nearby tree. The steed could reach the stream to drink, but not go all the way in. Satisfied with Gyllir's security, Ari took his pack from the saddle.
He pulled out a hook attached to a short rope and moved closer to the riverbank.
Many decent sized fish swam in the clear running water, for the moment unaware of the intruders on the bank.
Not for the first time, he wished for a harpoon, for his aim was excellent with the tool, but carrying such an implement had early on proved difficult.
Not that he lacked skill using the line, for he'd often dined on fish, catching plenty for both his immediate and future needs.
But the extra time involved in using the hook had always left him uneasy and on edge.
Perhaps because he so wanted to end his journey.
This time, however, he felt no such agitation.
Because his justice was close at hand? He refused to consider any other reason.
He crouched and dug into the muddy dirt of the stream bed, turning over a large handful.
Several worms squirmed and he caught one and quickly jammed it onto the hook.
He flung the baited rope into the water, holding tight to the end.
It didn't take long before a tug forced him to tighten his grip and he pulled the rope back in, pleased with the size of his catch.
The fish flopped wildly on the bank for a few moments.
Ari laughed. "Look Gyllir! Thora and I will feast on the fat fish in this stream!"
He removed the hook from the fish's mouth and secured the creature in a pouch on his pack. Bending to grab another worm, he repeated the process, several times, until a half dozen fish filled the bag.
While he fished, his thoughts veered toward The Thing.
In a few short weeks, he would finally have his reparation, his name once again honorable.
The runes carved into the daggers and pieces of tree bark in his pack contained testimony from the men who would not meet him in Tingwalla.
Those who agreed to attend would verify all of Hersir's foul deeds and the way he had set Ari up for banishment.
Ari imagined the surprise on his brother's face when he and his fellow witnesses stood before the high council and presented the facts.
He would be reunited with his clan, his mother and sister, and Hersir would face justice for his crimes.
It seemed he'd waited his entire life for the day of reckoning.
The last three years had stretched out endlessly, one lonely day after another.
He'd been welcomed in several towns, taken his pleasure here and there, but he longed to be back among friends and family.
In his imaginings, an additional person remained near. Thora.
Now why would he think she might want to stay with him?
And why did he find the idea of her doing so more than appealing?
He'd known her two days, had shared two incredibly passionate nights, incomparable to anything he'd experienced before.
Surely it was only the lust she inspired, with her delectable curves and passionate responses.
The idea of taking his pleasure with her for years to come grew stronger.
What would she look like, large with his child?
With silver streaking her dark hair? With crinkles of laughter around her mouth and eyes?
"Bah! I am a fool, these wishes are nothing more than bards' nonsense!"
Gyllir whinnied, almost as if he laughed at Ari. Ari scowled.
"Silly beast, mocking me will not get you any treats." Again he had the sense the horse found his concerns humorous. "Be careful, or I'll let Thora's wolves have you."
Gyllir shook his head and Ari's chuckle burst free. Truthfully, he would never endanger Gyllir in such a way. The steed had been his only companion for all of his travels, and the animal showed more loyalty than some of Ari's friends.
Catching one more fish, he put the flopping creature into the sack and sealed it.
Striding to Gyllir, he mounted and guided the horse back into the forest. Again his thoughts focused on Thora, waiting for his return.
A smile formed as he recalled her passionate responses to everything that passed between them last night.
She'd seemed stunned at the way he'd positioned her the first time he took her.
But soon her passion had taken over. When he'd woken to take her again, he'd bound her, stretching her arms up over her head, allowing him to explore every inch of her trembling body.
The thought of her stretched out beneath him, helpless to his whims, hardened his cock faster than when he'd first touched her.
He shifted in the saddle, the glaring sun dimming as he rode into the forest and headed toward their small camp.
He looked forward to another night of similar pleasures.
He leaned over and patted Gyllir, hoping to stem the never-ending tide of recollection.
Her needy pleas had spurred him, savoring the way she'd called his name, begged him to bring her completion.
Only once he was deep inside her had he allowed that, rewarded with the blissful sound of her screams of completion.
Those he heard most clearly, as if she shouted now, crying his name while caught in the throes of her climax.
Instantly he knew it wasn't just his imagination. Those shouts were real!
Thora.
He cursed loudly, hating how easily, and not for the first time, the recollection of her passion distracted him, made him careless. He kicked the horse into a lope, ducking to avoid low-lying branches, desperate to get to her.
Why did the sound of her shriek spur such a fierce and desperate need to protect her, almost to the point that he disregarded the goal he been striving for these last three years?
How had his priority fallen to the wayside?
He'd think on it later. No time now to focus on his own plans. At the moment, he had only one goal.
To save Thora.