CHAPTER ELEVEN #2
"Explain to me how." She lifted her shoulders, the sight of his rolling eyes rousing a small delight. His exasperation amused her, even as she knew she played a dangerous game that could easily turn back upon her.
"If you must know, there's a mountain at the edge of the forest and a stream runs beside it as far as I can see. There's a formation of rocks leading to a small cave."
"Have you inspected the cave to ensure there are no animals that could harm us?"
His muffled groan nearly drew a laugh. The sobriety in his dark gaze when he took a step closer stifled the urge.
"Thora, you will trust me!"
"As you must trust me."
His head tilted, and he bore an expression similar to the one Kati gave when he didn't understand her command. If only Ari shared the same eagerness to obey her as the male wolf did.
"When you don't share information, I think you have a motive that could pose a danger to me."
The corner of his mouth quirked and he gave the faintest of nods. "Very well. You have made your point."
"So?"
"So...?" Confusion twisted the handsome planes of his face.
"Tell me of this cave."
The lines of puzzlement faded and he smiled, giving a small chuckle.
"It's situated higher than the stream, in such a way that we can see any who approach us, though they will not know we are there until they round another cluster of rocks and trees that block the path to the cave.
And that is only if I allow us to be seen.
The cave will conceal us for as long as necessary. "
"Very well. Thank you."
She hoped she didn't reveal the relief that left her knees trembling at his knowledge and understanding of how to use his surroundings to his benefit and safety. Her worries for her protection from outlaws lessened, though she must still remain guarded. Against Ari.
A moment later, the question of why it was so important to him to know how to stay hidden spiked into her thoughts. Forgetting he held secrets, possibly treacherous ones, of his own could be disastrous.
More than ever, she must never forget to follow her plan to be agreeable.
She had to convince Ari she followed his command willingly, even as she searched for a way to unearth his secrets, learn everything about him that he seemed to want to keep secret.
He gave her a curious look, but she ignored it.
"The fish are plentiful as are the other forest creatures. Come, help me secure the pulka and soon we can settle for the night."
A hint of innuendo laced his words. Thora did her best to disregard it, though her fingers suddenly seemed unwilling to obey when she set about assisting him.
When the sled had once again been fastened to the saddle, she turned to face her companion.
As always, he watched her intently. And as always, her heart raced and her palms grew damp.
She pressed them against her dress and turned to the stallion, waiting for Ari to help her up.
He did so silently and once more mounted behind her.
Senses assaulted by the recollection of the earlier ride, she forced herself to look straight ahead.
She must keep her wits in order to ensure her own well-being.
Ignoring the warmth of his nearness, however, made achieving that goal much more difficult.
***
Ari sensed a new uneasiness in Thora that hadn't emerged before now. What had happened in the short time he had wandered away? The need to know grew swiftly, and he nearly blurted the question.
She wouldn't tell him, not now, with tension stiffening her entire body.
Her fingers remained clenched into fists.
He wanted to know, with a fierceness he hadn't felt since he'd been cast out and struggled to understand why.
Realizing his attention to Thora, her safety, her happiness, her every need, was attended to had muddled his focus roused a pang of annoyance.
He wouldn't let her get away with making him appear less than the warrior he was.
He'd spent three years gathering the proof he needed for justice and to clear his name.
Her presence would not interfere. He wouldn't allow it.
Still, a part of him warned he risked her hatred if he treated her poorly, as though she were an ambátt, a female slave, worthy only of his attention when her service was needed. He wanted her affection and loyalty, not her hatred. Keeping her after his quest ended depended upon her willingness.
He smiled. He knew just how to ensure that.
Knowing how easily he could rouse her passion near guaranteed his success in making her want to stay with him.
A few caresses would have her willing to perform any task he wanted.
At the moment, only one rose in his thoughts.
Would the gods look favorably upon his plan and gift him with that delectable pleasure?
Would she resist? Part of him wanted her to, wanted to bend her to his will. The other part wanted her to offer herself to whatever he wished of her.
Which he preferred, he couldn't say.
The trees thinned as they grew closer to the stream.
Once again, he studied the area, satisfied he had found the perfect location for their camp.
He looked forward to the time spent in the tucked away cave, knowing he still had at least a few more days before the she-wolf was ready to travel any distance on her own.
Days in which he could convince Thora staying with him was best. Id if she still insisted on leaving, he had other ways to prevent that until he was ready to release her.
He reined Gyllir to a halt and once again helped Thora to dismount before following her to the ground.
He kept his focus on her while he unfastened the pulka and pulled the saddle from Gyllir's back.
For a moment, she looked wary and unsure.
A second later, her chin lifted. Ari concealed a smile at the way she recovered her determination, and patted Gyllir's neck.
Though he'd watered the animal a little while ago, he gave the stallion the freedom to once more return to the stream and drink.
Thora had made her way to Kata's side and now busied herself checking the animal's wound.
To Ari, it seemed as if she deliberately avoided looking at him.
He remained where he was, content to just watch her for a few moments.
An echo of her body in his arms still clung to him and he savored it, knowing she would soon be there again.
He strode over to her, waiting until she lifted her face to his.
Her eyes danced with a strange trail of emotions.
His own gut tightened when he recognized desire for a moment, before she once again concealed it with her cool, aloof expression.
He found himself impatient to watch her face dissolve into passion again.
He forced the thoughts aside and held out his hand.
"Come, let me show you the cave."
She hesitated but a moment before her warm fingers slid into his palm.
Even that simple touch had him near ready to toss her to the forest floor and take her there at that moment.
Teasing her this morning had ended up more of a torture to himself.
He gave a tug and she stood before him. He liked that the top of her head came to his chin, though he admitted to some relief that he was still taller than she, a sure sign of his greater strength and power over her.
Silently, he led her along the inclined path leading to the cave's opening. At the edge, Thora pulled against him, making him stop. He faced her with curiosity.
"What's wrong?"
"It's dark. How well did you inspect it?"
Her brow furrowed and she stared into the darkness.
"Well enough."
"We need a torch. How far back does it go? The wolves must stay inside with me."
"Aye, Thora. I would not expect you to leave them unprotected outside. We will light a fire and then you will see there is ample room and no danger from within."
She pulled her hand free of his and the loss left a momentary chill. "I will gather kindling."
He nodded, allowing her to tend her task.
He set about gathering rocks and placing them in a circle near the mouth of the cave.
Though enough daylight remained before Sol's chariot reached the end of her flight, the fire would provide warmth and light and not fill the cave with smoke.
When she returned, he fished his fire-steel and striking stone from the pouch on his belt.
A handful of touchwood ensured a quick light, with only a couple of strikes needed to spark the fire.
He fanned the growing flames and Thora added more twigs, until the flames grew stronger, the heavy scent of the smoke mingling with the earthen aroma of the cave.
Finally, Thora laid a thick log upon the small fire and the flickers flared into a full blaze.
He stood, once more taking Thora's hand and leading her deeper into the cave.
The now-prosperous fire gave plenty of light.
"See? This is all of it. We will be quite comfortable here."
He waved one arm around the expansive cavern, the stone and earth forming the ceiling laced with a thick netting of roots from trees and plants above, adding to the structure's strength.
The soft dirt of the floor could be quickly manipulated to their comfort.
Ari had learned over the last years to find his small luxuries in many different ways.
This cave was one of the most secure he'd encountered.
Judging from the way her mouth twisted and her eyes narrowed in skepticism, Thora didn't agree.
"Are you sure it won't fall in on us?"
The need to reassure her rose swiftly and unfamiliar on his tongue. "Don't worry, Thora, I am familiar with caves such as these. We will be safe here."
The uneasiness never left her eyes but she nodded anyway, saying nothing. He led her back toward the mouth of the cave.
"I'll help you bring the female inside."
She remained silent and Ari swore he could almost hear the riot racing in her thoughts.
Still, she allowed him to lead her to where Kata rested on the pulka.
When they approached, the wolf pushed herself to a sitting position, tail wagging.
Thora pulled free of his grip and hurried to the animal's side, a joyful cry echoing in the forest. Ari found himself enthralled watching her kneel beside her pet, accepting the she-wolf's licks and laughing when the male forced his way into her embrace.
"You're getting well so fast, Kata."
The delighted excitement in Thora's voice sent a sizzle of lust straight to Ari's cock.
He ground his teeth and forced the surge of lust back, knowing he must still wait before he could slake his desires.
He slowly walked over to where she knelt, willing his cock to calm.
His success was minimal. Thora looked up at him and the grin on her face slowly faded.
"What's wrong?" she asked.
"Nothing. Come, let's get her into the cave."
Thora nodded and stood. "Can you walk a little, Kata?"
The wolf actually seemed to nod and gingerly raised herself onto all four legs. Thora clapped her hands, her grin returning. Despite his discomfort, Ari found himself caught up in her enthusiasm.
"Look, she's standing." Thora once again ruffled the wolf's fur and walked beside the animal as she took several limping steps toward the cave.
Ari followed a pace or two behind, and Kati ran and jumped in excited circles around them, yipping happily.
An odd sense of peace settled around Ari.
He shook his head to clear the muddled thoughts.
Once again, Thora and her wolves had nearly made him forget his goals.
She was the reason he acted like a lovestruck lad.
He didn't like this unsteady sensation assailing him.
There must be some way to make her pay for leaving him feeling unfocused and confused.
A grim smile curled his mouth.