CHAPTER FOURTEEN #2
Hersir held tight to the prancing horse's reins and rode past, guiding the animal so close that Ari had to step back into the cave to avoid being trampled by the agitated beast. The wolf beside him gave a snarling howl, the menacing sound sending a shiver along Ari's spine.
Hersir's horse reared and bolted, past the other men, and leading the way out of the clearing deeper into the forest.
Ari waited with sword in hand for a time, until ensuring the men had truly left the area. Once again, circumstances forced them to move their camp. This time, in case his enemy returned. Finally, he sheathed his sword.
"Liar!" Small fists pounded on his back and shoulders.
Surprised she'd waited this long, Ari turned, catching her wrists.
"Stop!" he shouted.
Still, she struggled in his grip and he ducked to avoid her head as she aimed at his, screeching curses and spitting. He gathered her hands in one of his and caught her chin, forcing her to be still.
"You bastard! You tricked me!"
He tightened his grip on her jaw, forcing her to silence. "I did not! I merely did not share the truth of the man who would be your husband."
She spit again, and he dodged. The movement was enough for her to jerk free of his grip.
"Why would you not tell me who you were? Unless you are planning to use me as some sort of revenge."
Her eyes widened, clarity sharpening her angry stare. She bent and bit the hand holding hers. Ari let out a shout of surprised pain and released her, stunned by her move. Thora quickly moved out of his reach and waved her fingers toward Kati.
"Take him, Kati!"
The wolf didn't move. For the first time, Thora pulled her furious gaze from Ari to stare in surprise at her pet.
"Kati, now!"
The animal backed away, a soft whine escaping. Thora stomped her foot, then moving with lightning speed, charged Ari, a dagger raised high. He caught her before she could stab him, squeezing her wrist until she cried out and dropped the weapon.
He twisted her arms before her and turned her, yanking her hard against him.
She struggled in his grip, but gained no leverage.
Her efforts soon eased. Because she tired, or because she thought to trick him?
He'd not give her the chance. A shudder ran through her.
Was that a sob? He resisted the urge to confirm if she wept.
"Why? When I told you my reasons for leaving my home, you didn't tell me yours. Clearly, I am nothing more than a means to vengeance for you. You are a heartless bastard who tricked me, and you have somehow even cajoled my wolves to be loyal to you."
The break in her voice poked his conscience, his heart aching at the pain in her words.
He leaned his cheek against her head, wondering what he could say to convince her she was wrong.
None arose, because she was right. The instant he'd learned who she was, he'd plotted to use her in his final revenge.
Yet, despite the remorse over his initial intentions, he now knew he was not ready to let her go, might never be, no matter her wishes.
Once he'd tasted the fiery passion dwelling within her, he'd grown addicted, and knew he'd fight like a berserker until he'd slaked his need.
How long that might take, he didn't know.
And at the moment, he found he didn't care.
Thora was his and he had no intentions of letting her go.
Wait! What was he thinking? She was merely a tool to be wielded in his vengeance.
The gods had put her in his path to be used.
His enjoyment of her was a reward for the last years of hardship.
He must remember that, and keep his focus on the real purpose of his journey.
The last days had dulled his concentration. No more.
***
Despite the need to break free and escape the lying outlaw, Thora grudgingly admitted the feel of his solid body behind her brought an odd comfort. One she longed to give in to.
No! She struggled anew against the tight grip on her wrists. With her arms caught tightly around her, she had little leverage to fight him off.
"You thieving and lying animal! How dare you treat me as though I'm no more than a piece of property, livestock to be sold on a whim!"
"I assure you, no cow will give the pleasure I get from you."
His low voice in her ear rousing the familiar desire sparked sensations she wanted never to feel again, as far as he was concerned.
The knowledge her body reacted to his no matter what she wanted only fueled her fury.
She jerked her head back fast and hard, catching Ari square on the nose.
He let out an enraged howl, but his grip loosened, giving her enough time to break his hold.
Now free of his dangerous yet enticing embrace, rage took over.
She darted down the hill to the forest below, bending to gather a handful of rocks.
The crunch of his boot behind her made her stand and whirl about, ready to defend herself.
Fury etched into his face, he stalked toward her, ducking the first stone she hurled toward him.
"Kati! Attack!" She screamed at the wolf who stood oddly still, his gold eyes watching both of them. Why didn't he obey? What had Ari done to usurp her command over her pet? She tossed another rock, moving further from the cave that would trap her.
Ari ducked, clearly anticipating her evasive move. "Stop, woman!"
She threw another rock, his bellow of rage accompanying the strike of the stone into the side of his head.
The small rock did little to slow him. Daring a glance at the ground as she backed away, a much larger rock caught her attention.
She bent and lifted it, the size and heft assuring her this would render him harmless, or at least, slow him so she could put more distance between them.
She raised her arm, but before she could hurl the rock, Ari's hand closed around her wrist, stilling her movement.
Caressing the smaller stone in her other hand, she paused, determining her best chance and place to strike.
But his quick motions never gave her the chance to execute her move, grabbing her fisted hand in his before she took the opportunity to release the stone.
Her frustrated cry echoed in the oddly quiet forest at the moment he once more pulled her tight against him, again leaving her caught.
His grip on her fist shifted to her wrist, squeezing until the pain grew too much and she released the rock still clutched in her fingers.
She jerked against his hold, but his hold was relentless.
With a choked cry of frustration and anger she slammed her head once more toward his, but this time he anticipated her intention and evaded her.
Long fingers caught her chin, stilling her and forcing her to look into his fury-lined face.
"You keep adding to your debt. It would seem you will be in my service for quite some time to come."
His low voice, even and deep, terrified her more than if he had shouted.
"If you live after The Thing. From what I heard, you're an outlaw, and likely to pay for your crimes with your life. "
His eyes narrowed, gaze hardening to coal. Thora resisted the urge to shiver. He'd not see her fear.
"I've committed no crimes, and I will prove it."
The grip on her jaw loosened and the conviction in his voice near convinced her.
Yet, plenty of doubt remained. Still, she'd finally seen for herself the man her father intended to give her to.
No matter Ari's reasons, instinct warned her best chance for survival remained with him.
Even from the shadowy shelter, she'd seen the evil in Ari's brother's eyes.
Why hadn't he told her the truth of his identity, his family?
Her anger rose once more to nearly choke her.
"You are still a liar! And I will never forgive you for that!"
Silence hung heavily for several moments, then he gave a curt nod.
"Perhaps, from your perspective. But you'll all see I was right. They put their loyalty into the wrong man's hands. The gods are on my side. And you will be too, when I claim you as mine before all witnesses."
Thora's breath eluded her as the implications of his determined words sank into her addled thoughts.
Something in his tone hinted he might even dare to declare her his slave before all attending The Thing.
Before the kings seeking alliances and meting out justice.
Before her clan. Her throat tightened. Before her father.
With every ounce of her will, she drew strength and determination from the knowledge of who would ultimately save her.
"My father will be there. He will fight you."
"When I clear my name and prove the guilt of those who sought to destroy me, I will be granted anything I wish."
"What are you, a jarl's son?"
He stared at her for several moments then released her. "No. I am his savior."
"I deserve an explanation."
He released her abruptly and she stumbled back before righting herself. Ari stared at her, something fierce and angry in his eyes before he closed them and ran a hand through his hair. She folded her arms and waited. Finally, he tuned his gaze to her once more.
"My brother and I were raised by the jarl after our father's death in battle. He was thirteen summers, I was ten. Part of the reason he took us in was because he wanted my mother, though she didn't return his affections."
"Did he attack her?"
He shook his head. "He was, is, a good man, mostly. He could have forced her, I suppose, but he didn't."
"So why did you try to kill him?"
"I didn't. Hersir did."
"I don't believe you."
"No one does. But I have proof and witnesses, and I will present them before the council. My name will be cleared."