CHAPTER TWENTY #2
Her dark eyes glowed in the firelight and he pulled her close, brushing his lips across hers and ignoring the shouts and jibes from the others.
While he had no plans for anything more than a few kisses, he cared more for Thora's ease than his own desires.
All else had worked in his favor. She was his only concern tonight.
He would not embarrass her before the others, much as his cock ached to be inside her.
He drew away and leaned back, settling her against him.
A fluff of fur brushed across his face. He looked up as Kati took up a position beside him.
It had been the end of the wolf's tail that had swiped his cheek.
He chuckled. On Thora's other side, Kata rested, her head on her mistress' hip.
Had Ari ever felt so at peace since, before his long banishment?
The temptation to dare the gods to try and take Thora from him now rose up, but he forced it aside. Now was not the time to draw Odin's ire. Especially not with her father nearby. He'd reassured her, but truthfully, the worry was never far from his thoughts.
Sleep eluded him for a long time, even as Thora still rested fitfully, half-waking every few minutes, mumbling about her father, her hand curled tightly into Ari's tunic.
The others had finally settled, either too fatigued or too drunk to stay awake.
The light from the fire grew smaller, until only crackling embers glowed in the pit.
"Thora!"
The shout jolted him from slumber and he blinked against the light of morning. Another call of her name and she bolted upright.
"It's my father!"
Ari looked heavenward, knowing full well he had let his confidence overshadow his gratitude. He made a silent apology and rose, grabbing his sword from where it lay beside him. Despite his trouble sleeping last night, the bright sun and the pumping of his heart made him instantly alert.
"Stay behind me."
By now, the others had also heard the shouts, getting louder as the man neared. Through the fog, a man on horseback finally emerged, sword raised. Two others also appeared, flanking him. Behind Ari, Thora gave a strangled cry and her hands curled into his sides.
"I won't let him take you."
The man reined his steed in and leapt from the saddle. He rushed toward their camp, but Ari's men immediately took up defensive positions. He scowled. Ari recognized the warrior in the expression.
"I am Kori Thorfinnson. Thora is my daughter." Kori pointed his sword behind Ari, making it clear he had seen her.
"I am Ari. Your daughter has been under my protection."
"Protection from what?"
Ari hesitated. How much should he share? He didn't want to speak of Hersir just yet. The other men accompanying Kori now neared, axes and swords at the ready. His men outnumbered them and he dismissed his initial concerns.
"Tell him how you saved me," Thora whispered in his ear.
He tilted his head toward her but never pulled his stare from her father. "Are you giving me orders, ástin minn?"
"Yes! Just do it!" she hissed.
Even in this dire situation, the woman had the capability of making him see humor.
"Very well." He fully faced Kori once more. "She was under attack and one of her wolves had been wounded. I... defeated the outlaws."
Now it was Kori's turn to stare curiously. He paced slowly, his fierce glare focused on Ari, clearly appraising him.
"Thora, come with me. Now." Her father pointed to her.
The shake of her head nudged against Ari's. "No."
Her refusal only served to infuriate her father more. He snarled and took several strides closer, stopping only when Karsi met him, well before he he had the chance to get closer than a few paces. The point of Karsi's sword aimed at his neck.
"Do not refuse me, Thora. You must come with me at once."
Ari tried to stop her, but Thora stepped out from behind him. His worst fear seemed to be coming to life, except she stopped when she stood only a few steps before him. She didn't go to her father! The realization eased the tight squeeze around his heart.
He drank in the sight of her, proud of the defiant tilt of her chin, her spine straight, arms folded. She looked formidable, and the thought of how he'd reacted when she'd faced him in such a manner briefly taunted him.
"I am staying with Ari."
The rest of his fear crumbled. Once again admiring her strength, he reined in the maelstrom of excitement threatening to dull his wits.
"You know I've made arrangements, alliances. You dishonor me by refusing."
The mention of her marriage to Hersir roused disgust, but Ari no longer worried Thora might suffer such a fate. He would fight to the death to prevent it.
Another shake of her head. "You dishonor me with these arrangements."
Ari's eyes widened. The hint of disrespect in her words drew some shocked murmurs among his men. And another snarling shout of fury from her father.
"How dare you? You've always been rebellious, but you go too far this time!"
"Thora, do not speak to your father that way!" One of the other men accompanying Kori shouted to her.
"Uncle Hradi, you don't know. Ari goes before the council today. After that, you will understand. All of you."
"No! I will not accept this!" Kori faced Ari again. "She is not your wife, you have no claim. I demand you return her to me."
"I will not go against Thora's choice."
The man's shoulders heaved with heavy breaths.
Finally, with a glance to his allies, he lowered his sword a little.
Ari remained in position, ready to shove Thora back behind him and face her enraged father if necessary.
She still stood tall, head high. He noted the way her fingers clenched, hidden from her father's view due to the position she took.
But Ari knew just how frightened Thora was and the urge to touch her in reassurance grew near impossible to fight.
Somehow, he refrained, knowing to further anger Kori could prove disastrous for all of them.
"I will not leave you alone with him." Kori jerked his chin toward Ari.
"I am not alone." She waved one arm toward the assembled men. Did anyone else notice the tremor? "And I have Kata and Kati."
"You will be disgraced before all."
She shook her head, sending her long dark tresses into a soft sway. "You'll see. When Ari makes his claims, you'll know I do what is right and best for me. And for you too, Father."
Kori took another step, the sword lowering further. Anger still emanated from the man, like a fog rolling in from the ocean. But now he seemed a little calmer, less like the berserker he appeared to be when he first rode up to the camp.
"I will accompany you to the council."
The declaration knotted Ari's gut. He didn't relish the idea of dealing with an angry Kori while he prepared for his turn before the council.
He didn't understand what game the gods played, but he gave thanks he and his men had prepared well last night.
Gathering the packs containing the needed evidence, he took his place at the head of his men.
Ari understood Kori and his men needed careful watching, for the concern he might try and steal Thora back.
He arranged for her father to walk between himself and Karsi, close enough to Thora to appease him, yet still give Ari the advantage in preventing any attempts to separate her from his side.
The others would be encircled by the rest of Ari's men.
Though there were grumbling complaints, all three men heeded his orders.
The trek through the market and back to the center of the city, to the longhouse where the council sat outside to hear cases, seemed to last days, though Ari knew it was only his nervous anticipation of what was to come.
In a few short hours, his name would finally be cleared, his honor restored.
The feel of Thora's hand in his as she walked beside him fed the confidence in his ultimate success.
"What have you done to her to make her refuse my orders?"
Kori's question cut into his thoughts. He met the other man's stare, grateful for the man who stood between them.
"I've done nothing to harm her." He raised his chin, daring Thora's father to refute his claim, perhaps draw him into a fight.
Not that he planned to give in to any attempt Kori might make to incite him into combat now.
If, after his appearance before the council was finished and justice claimed, Kori still chose to battle, Ari would accept the challenge.
"Thora, you can still come with me."
Kori's words held a plea, one to which Ari feared she might yield.
Yet, when he turned to study her reaction to her father's declaration, he found her expression more stony than ever.
He might laugh if the situation hadn't grown so dire.
From the first time he'd seen it, her defiant nature had drawn him in, seduced him in a way he'd never expected.
Made him love and respect her even more.