CHAPTER FIVE #2
Hradi turned, still clutching Katrin's hand, and headed toward the doors.
Once outside in the glow of Sól's warmth, even this late in the season, he calmed, free of the curious and amused stares.
Even so, he was determined to get her alone and did not slow his pace until they reached the saddled horse outside the blacksmith.
The grey stallion had already been tethered nearby, ready for Hradi to lead him to his home.
He patted the beast to ride before facing Katrin.
"I will help you up." He reached for her, scowling when she backed away.
"I've never… Gunilla never had riding horses. We mostly traveled by boat, or several carts if we were inland. But there were always others to tend to that."
He offered a reassuring smile. "There is no need to be afraid. You will sit before me."
Her gaze darted between him and the saddled animal before landing on the tethered stallion.
"But there are two horses."
Hradi jerked his head toward the half-trained horse. "He cannot be ridden yet. Come, we must go now." He held out a hand.
After a few moments' hesitation, she placed her fingers into his palm.
He fought the urge to yank her against him and devour her; instead, he gave a slight tug until she was close enough that he could grab her by the waist and lift her, settling her sideways upon the seat.
She clutched at the horse's mane. Worried her fear might make her fall, Hradi quickly took the stallion's tether before swinging into the mare's saddle behind Katrin, securing her with his free arm.
Truly there wasn't much room for them both, but despite the forced closeness, she maintained a stiff posture, clearly an attempt to avoid contact.
He grinned, not bothering to point out that she failed.
Instead, he merely slid his other arm around her and picked up the reins, nudging the mare forward.
The stallion followed, keeping up when Hradi urged the mare to trot.
***
Katrin reached for something to hold on to in an attempt to steady herself from the brisk and unusual gait of the animal beneath her.
Never had she been on a horse and didn't know how to sit, and this sideways position he'd placed her in left her with little choice but to accept the support he offered.
Pressing so close to Hradi also made her feel unbalanced and light-headed.
She stifled a scream when she felt herself sliding.
Hradi switched the reins to one hand and tightened an arm around her waist, halting her inevitable tumble from the saddle.
"I won't let you fall."
His low voice near her ear sent shivers along her spine, chasing the fear that had claimed her since he had lifted her into the saddle.
Now she welcomed his embrace, the feel of his warmth against her back.
She let herself relax against him. With his face so close to hers, she felt his lips curl into a smile against her cheek.
Desire sprang to life, taking over her entire body.
Nipples tightened, sharp needy pangs warming her sex.
Flashes of the visions she'd had assailed her and heat flooded her veins.
The arm about her waist tightened, fingers curling into her hip, sending more jolts throughout her.
The intensity of her reaction to his touch left her as bewildered as she was aroused. When he lifted a hand to slide her hair away from her neck, she stiffened, her breath catching when his lips slid along her skin. A low moan escaped, startling her. His deep chuckle vibrated along her spine.
"Little witch, you feel it too."
She wanted to protest but another slide of his mouth, with the barest graze of his teeth left her with nothing but a sharp gasp of surprised delight. A whisper of warning poked through her arousal, reminding her of the dangers of the flesh, what giving in to them might cost her.
The struggle to ignore the warning tightened in her gut.
Clarity soon took hold. She tensed, fighting off the languid desire still tempting her.
Her attempt to shift further away failed when he only held her more firmly than ever.
She could not escape the tormenting heat from his body.
She closed her eyes, mouth suddenly dry, and took several deep breaths in a futile attempt to steady the erratic pounding of her heart.
"I am looking forward to showing you my home. I think you will find it most comfortable."
She swallowed, finally dislodging the lump that had formed in her throat. Perhaps talking might help tamp the ever-growing heat in her body. "Do you have any servants?"
"No, since I am alone, and it is a very small farm. I have a garden and a few cows, but I use it mostly to train horses."
"You do?"
He nodded, the sensation of his scruffy cheek against hers another torment. "All of the horses of the clan are trained by me at one time or another."
"You must be very good then." She felt his grin.
"I am. It is a gift I've received from the gods, much like you received yours. I also help breed them. The one behind us? He will be bred next summer to one of my father's prized mares."
The pride in his voice only served to increase her attraction. This fierce warrior who both frightened and tempted her now seemed more human.
"How do you do it?"
"I can show you. Tomorrow, after we've visited the village."
"I'd like that," Katrin admitted. The last of the tightness left her shoulders while they spoke.
Learning more of him made him less frightening, though not by much.
While she knew nothing of the animals, she was suddenly intrigued by the idea of watching him work with the horse.
An image flashed in her thoughts. Was it a vision?
Not entirely, and without the accompanying tingle, she couldn't be sure.
And while the sensation soon disappeared, the clear memory of the brief picture took hold.
Hradi, shirtless in the warmth of Sól's summer sun, encouraged a horse through various gaits. And though the glimpse was as tiny as she'd ever had, she clearly saw herself standing nearby, watching. What sucked the breath from her lungs was the knowledge she did not observe alone.
A small child clung to her leg.
Hers? With Hradi? How could that be possible?
She was not meant to stay here in this prosperous village.
Her future was far from here, of that she was certain.
Or did she try to convince herself, recognizing a strange longing to stay here in Grindafell.
If only she could gain a clearer vision, so she might understand and prepare herself for what lay ahead.