CHAPTER FOURTEEN #3
She still couldn't trust him. He'd deceived her and she would never forgive him for that.
How many times over the last days had she bemoaned the fact that her father had seen her only as a bargaining chip?
Not once had Ari said anything to indicate he knew exactly what sort of life she had facing her if she hadn't run away.
"Well, good luck to you, then."
"I don't need luck. I told you, I have the truth and the gods on my side. And everyone will soon know that as well."
She shook her head, still angry over his lie of omission. What else did he lie about? "I've more than repaid my debt."
"I don't consider throwing rocks at my head repayment."
"You deserved it, for lying to me. My wolves and I will go our separate ways, beginning now. Kata is almost healed."
With narrowed eyes and a shake of his head, he reached for her, but she darted back, away from his grasp.
Still, he stalked closer, forcing her to retreat.
Her foot caught on a root, wrecking her balance and she toppled backward, landing hard on her ass.
Before she could rise and evade him once more, his hand landed tightly on her arm.
He pulled her up, grabbing her free hand before she could strike.
"Didn't you hear what I said? I am claiming you, Thora, before all gathered at The Thing."
She jerked against his hold, hating the way her heart danced at his words, at the heat in his voice and gaze.
Why should she find delight in his wanting to claim her as his own?
The heartless beast didn't care for her thoughts and wishes.
She tried to ignore the ever-growing pang of hurt squeezing her heart.
"No! You have no right!" She struggled against his grip, but his hands only tightened on her.
"As the first man to lay with you, I most certainly do. I am keeping you, Thora. It's up to you how you want to be kept."
She stilled, clarity at his meaning slicing through her thoughts. She lifted her chin. Making this easy for him was not an option.
"I will not stay willingly."
"So be it."
When he switched both her hands to one of his, she didn't realize what he intended until he pulled a rope from his belt.
Though she tried to break free, she wasn't fast enough to keep him from binding her wrists and pulling her against him once again.
He caught the trailing end and wrapped it around his hand.
"My father will kill you for this!"
He gave a feral grin that sent gooseflesh rising along her arms and the back of her neck.
"Once my name is cleared, your father will be glad I claimed you instead of my brother."
Damn him to Hel, he was probably right. Stubborn as he was, her father was also honorable, and Hersir's actions would damn him in Kori Thorfinsson's eyes.
"I'll be free of you, you'll see."
"You can try." He stepped back, but still clutched the end of the rope in his hands. "Come, we have to move our camp again."
She shook her head. In another day or so, Kata would be well enough to travel longer distances. The further they rode west along the forest, the closer to Tingwalla they would be. She needed to travel in the other direction.
"It won't be good for Kata to be moved again." The moment she spoke, she knew the excuse sounded weak.
"She'll be fine in the pulka, as she was before." He turned toward their shelter, tugging on the rope and forcing her to follow. She looked over at the wolves, who sat quietly, watching all with their golden eyes.
"Traitors," she muttered. As if he understood, Kati whined and walked over to her, nuzzling her leg. She jerked back on the rope to make Ari stop and knelt before the wolf.
"Are you saying you're sorry, boy? Or that your loyalty is now to him?" She jerked her head in Ari's directions, ignoring the responding chuckle. Kati licked her chin and she ruffled the fur behind his ears. "I should be angry with you, but you must keep watch over Kata. Go."
The wolf gave another whine and trotted back to his sister. Thora stood, defiantly meeting Ari's gaze. The warm affection and humor in his glowing eyes threatened to break through her anger.
"You may have won them over, but I am not fooled. And I will be free of you!"
He merely shrugged and gave her rope another pull. She sighed and followed him to their bedding and helped him gather their belongings. All the while, she tried not to think about being in his arms atop his horse once again.
He led her back into the cave and bade her to sit against the far wall, beside Kata. "If I must bind your feet as well, I will."
She said nothing. He turned and continued packing, pausing every now and then to look at her, as if to reassure himself she obeyed.
If only she did dare try once again to flee, but not yet.
Soon. Caution and concentration must remain her guides, watching and waiting for the right chance to make her move.
After the packs had been filled and closed, the last of the fire covered with dirt, he came and knelt before her.
"I must tend Gyllir." He removed another rope from his belt and reached for her ankle.
She kicked his hand away. "Bastard! I didn't try to run!"
"I can't trust you to stay when I am out of sight."
She kicked again, catching him on the shoulder.
With a blistering oath that singed her ears, he reached for her ankle again, this time succeeding in capturing it.
Though she had little leverage, she raised her free leg, only to find he anticipated her move and caught her.
Soon, her legs were bound together. He pulled on the rope trailing from her bound wrists and fed it through the rope around her ankles, securing the knot behind her, where she couldn't reach it.
"Vile, disgusting jackass!"
He stood, his shout of laughter echoing in the cave. "Don't go wandering." He laughed again and strode out of cave. For several moments, Thora stared after him, stunned with the quick way he'd secured her and his callous attitude.
The brush of fur against her cheek drew her attention to Kati. The wolf whined, nudging her head with his. In this bent position, Thora couldn't pet him. Instead, she leaned her forehead against his soft fur.
"Kati, what am I going to do?"
He whined again and lay across her feet. Her fingers curled in his coat, calming her anger, at least a little. Only now, something rose in its place, something that threatened to leave her struggling to breathe.
Pain. Ari had lied to her. Used her. After these last several days where they'd reached an accord, and shared passion surely only the gods had ever tasted, she'd begun to believe he truly cared.
The harsh and bitter truth roiled her gut.
For a moment, she found herself thankful they'd not yet eaten today, for surely she would expel anything she consumed.
Tears burned her eyes but she refused to let them fall. Clenching her jaw in the effort to hold back the sadness caused by the agony slicing through her heart, she took several large breaths, finally satisfied she had the weak emotion under control.
He'd used her, yes, and now she would use him.
She'd occasionally seen a flash of regret in his intense stare.
An idea sparked and grew, solidifying. A way to be free of him, using that regret to her advantage.
She glanced over at Kata. The she-wolf healed further each day.
In two or three more days, her strength should be fully restored as well.
Enduring the coming days would be a true test of Thora's own strength, but she knew the wicked pleasure Ari stirred gave her power over him as well.
She'd take everything he gave her and hold the memories for a long time to come.
If only he cared for her as more than a means for vengeance, but that was a foolish and dangerous hope.
For if he did, she might never have the courage to leave.
Perhaps that frightened her most of all.