CHAPTER SEVENTEEN #3
Again, she rejected the idea. Hope might very well leave her in despair, while facing the reality of her situation gave her the best chance of building a life for herself when this was all over without living in misery.
Once her usefulness had ended, Ari would lose any interest he possessed for her.
She couldn't bear seeing the heat leave his gaze, have him withhold his touch, his kiss.
Tear burned her eyes, rousing anger that he might see such weakness. She kept her face averted when he took her wrist and pulled her to stand beside him. She curled the fingers of her free hand into a ball in order to resist wiping at the dampness in her lashes.
"Let's make camp. We'll set off again in the morning.
" Ari faced the other men and waved toward a cluster of trees that offered shelter and obscurity from the road.
He twined his fingers with hers and gave a small squeeze.
She didn't acknowledge the gesture; instead, she turned toward Kata and Kati, waiting nearby.
After a snap of her fingers, they took up positions on either side of Thora and Ari.
She held back a sigh. Her pets had accepted him, shouldn't that be enough for her to do so as well?
And fight for a future with him? Even though the hopeful thoughts rose again, she forced them aside.
She would not reveal the depth of her longing, not unless she was absolutely sure he felt even a small part of what she did.
"Take Gyllir," he said, gathering up the horse's reins and handing them to her. "I've got to help with the others. Wait over there."
He gave her hand another squeeze before letting go.
Thora's heart burst into a crazy, erratic rhythm, one she tried unsuccessfully to ignore.
Focusing on her task, her mind awhirl with myriad thoughts of Ari and the men who would stand beside him at Tingwalla, she led Gyllir toward the small grove of trees.
She secured his reins to a branch and let him graze on the sweet grass, and sat between Kata and Kati while she waited for the others to join her.
Ari laughed easily with the men, and though they were too far away to be heard, she suspected they spoke of her, judging from the way they kept glancing her way.
Once more her gaze settled on Alarr. He spoke easily with the other men, his stance now less rigid, and smiled easily.
Perhaps her initial suspicion had been wrong.
Still, she wanted to talk to Ari about it.
When they reached the shelter of the trees, the men secured the horses. Ari crouched before Thora.
"Gather some kindling. We'll build a shelter for the night, though I may have to hunt again."
"We have plenty of food, Ari," said Leif. "We rode through Manjafell the day before last. They had much bread and pork at their market. With so many traveling to The Thing, they were happy to make a good bargain."
"Then we will feast tonight! Thora here is a fine cook," Ari said. "She and I have eaten well on our travels."
"Where did you find her, Ari?" Karsi asked. "She's a pretty thing."
Ari hesitated, holding Thora's stare for a moment before answering. "We met on the road through the forest. Some outlaws were... harassing her."
"Glad we are to have you join us, Thora," Karsi said. "It's nice to look upon something other than these two ugly faces."
The men all laughed and Thora gave a small chuckle.
With a nod to Ari, she turned to tend the task of gathering kindling for the fire.
Kati and Kata took up their usual positions beside her while she picked up twigs and small branches.
Satisfied she had enough, she straightened, surprised by the sudden alertness of the two wolves.
She turned, her heart sinking to her stomach to find Alarr standing a few paces away, his penetrating stare giving him a menacing expression.
"Did Ari send you after me? I was just about to return." She shifted the bundle in her arms.
"I know you."
"Excuse me?"
"You are Kori Thorfinnson's daughter."
She gulped, trying to dislodge the sudden lump in her throat. "Why do you say that?"
"I've traded with your clan. It was a few years ago, but you were there."
"You can't possibly –"
"It was you. How did you join up with Ari?"
"What do you want?"
He took a few more steps closer and Thora was reminded of her wolves stalking prey. Beside her, Kati gave a low warning growl. Alarr glanced at the beast and paused.
"I hear your father has sent parties in search of you. He is paying any who can return you to him with gold."
So that was his game. "If you think to claim his gold, you are mistaken. I am with Ari and if anyone has a right to it, it's him."
"Perhaps. But there is another who will also be interested to know where you are. And who you are with."
"It's none of your concern. Step aside and let me pass."
He didn't move, a slow, leering smile curling his mouth. "You are worth a lot of gold, Thora. A man would be a fool not to attempt to claim it."
"Are you saying you are intending to claim the reward for my return?" Her fingers shook and she tightened them around the sticks she held in an attempt to hide her agitation. Another growl from Kati, accompanied by Kata, echoed around her.
"Perhaps. Unless you wish to offer something else to convince me not to."
Her stomach rolled. Did Ari know the sort of man he called friend? That Alarr would betray Ari roused a rage she barely held in check. She would never give in to his demands. She shook her head.
"It will never happen. Now step aside and let me pass." She repeated the order, forcing venom into her tone.
He still didn't move, just continued to stare at her with that lecherous smile, one hand resting on the handle of the axe in his belt.
"Don't think to try anything. They will attack you and they will kill you."
"I'm not afraid of your wolves."
"Then you should be afraid of me."
Thora's heart leapt with joy when Ari appeared suddenly behind Alarr, who spun about, withdrawing his axe. He lowered it to see Ari's sword raised and ready.
"She is a runaway, Ari. There is a large bounty on her head."
"I know who she is. And I know exactly who else has interest in her. Have you decided to betray me, after all?"
Alarr shook his head, returning the axe to his belt and holding up his hands in surrender.
"I didn't know if you knew. I was just ensuring she meant you no ill will."
"By asking her to lay with you in order to forego the gold she is worth?"
Thora held her breath, willing Ari to look at her, but he kept his stare focused on Alarr. She didn't dare move, waiting for some sign. He finally gave it with a crook of his finger, still watching Alarr.
"I'm sorry, Ari, I didn't mean –"
"I know what you meant." When Thora reached him, he pushed her behind him. "She is mine. And I don't share."
Ari began to pace, muttering under his breath. He paused and faced Alarr. "I should cast you out now. Do you spy for my brother?"
Alarr shook his head. "No! I still want to see Hersir judged for his crimes against all of us. Jarl Drengr will know the truth before Sol's next cycle. I never intended this! I swear!"
Ari gave a curt nod. "Very well. I will consider that. For now, I will have your apology, as will Thora."
"I am sorry. I meant no harm."
Alarr's vow rang through the forest, but the stare he fixed on Thora left her shivering. Only Ari's hand on her hip, where he held her in place behind him, reassured her.
"We need a sacrifice to thank Odin for his blessings. And you'll need to ask forgiveness. Hunt for something worthy. Maybe then I'll believe you."
Ari sheathed his sword and turned to Thora. "Come, we must light the fire."
She hesitated, waiting until Alarr had walked out of earshot. Only then did she step close to Ari. Kata and Kati sat calmly, as if knowing their mistress was safe, now that Ari was beside her.
"I wanted to talk to you about him. I had suspicions, though I didn't expect ..."
"It's not your fault, though I can certainly understand why he would attempt such."
Thora held his stare, confused by the amusement in his eyes. "What do you mean?"
He shook his head, a heavy chuckle escaping his twitching lips. "I've told you many times how beautiful and passionate I find you to be."
He stroked a finger along her cheek, the simple touch sizzling through her.
Her breasts tingled, nipples hardening in anticipation of what usually followed.
The compliment sank through her dazed thoughts and her heart slammed into her ribs.
Did he toy with her, as he often did, just to gain her obedience?
"Thora, I've claimed you, yet you still refuse to believe. I am never letting you go. Ever."
The solemnity in his tone roused the hope she tried to ignore to a pitch she had no chance of resisting. She leaned into him, letting the bundle of sticks in her hands go in a clatter, grabbing onto his arms to steady herself before she locked her lips on his.
Several moments later, she sucked in a deep breath and composed her emotions, tilting her back to study him.
"So you care for me, then, eh?" She wanted to crow with delight at the casual tone of her voice. She didn't, instead continuing to search his eyes for some clue as to his true feelings.
His eyes widened. "You doubt that?"
"Of course! You treat me as little more than a possession, a tool to be wielded in vengeance. You toy with me with little regard for my desires. Once you've regained your honor, you no longer have need of me."
"I will always have need of you, Thora."
She had to admit, she adored the way he always said her name, as if it was another way to claim her. She so badly wanted to be claimed. But only by him.
"You will not cast me aside once you have justice?"
He shook his head, cupping her jaw in his hand. "No. I said I mean to keep you, and I will."
"Why?"
He said nothing for several uneasy moments. She tried to pull free, but his embrace only tightened. His shoulders lifted with a heavy breath and ice crept into her heart. He caught her chin, holding her still and forcing her to look into his penetrating gaze.
"Because I love you, Thora."
She nearly wept, blinding joy suffusing her entire being. It was just what she wanted, had prayed and pleaded to the gods to grant this one wish. Now it was real.
Or was it? This was the second time today she felt as if the events around her were only a dream. Not real.
"Again, you taunt me." She jerked to escape his embrace, but his arm tightened further around her.
Ari shook his head, his eyes glittering with a deep affection she'd never seen before. She stopped resisting, reality seeping through the maelstrom of thoughts, hopes and prayers to bring a sense of peace. The chaotic riot of emotion finally settled on one.
Love.
He loved her! Something deep inside acknowledged that was all she wanted, from the very first moment he'd come into her life. Saved her life. From the very first time she laid eyes on him, something primal within her acknowledged the truth.
They were meant to be.
No doubt remained the gods had surely planned this, and despite her momentary annoyance at their games, Thora knew she would endure even more to stay with Ari. As long as he loved her.
Whatever games the gods played, she'd learned at an early age that to appease them ensured a happy and fruitful life.
The days ahead would be difficult and the very real threat of losing Ari forever, now that she knew how he truly felt, loomed in the distance, a dark shadow threatening to cast the sunshine from her life.
Now she wondered just how nefarious the gods' games could be.