"What do you mean?" While Thora agreed, there was a time when she'd disliked Geira immensely and had treated her very badly. She found herself unwilling to share that with Ari. Shame over her selfish and cruel behavior still tasted bitter on her tongue, despite the sacrifices she'd made to win back Odin's favor in the past few years.
"She was taken as a slave, yet is now your father's wife."
"Yes. She is a brave woman." Especially after the way she'd saved Thora from a deadly wolf attack. The very wolf who had birthed her beloved pets.
"Like you."
Thora gaped at him. "What do you mean?"
"You stood up to two outlaws and then again to me, and today to this Muli. You are brave."
"I have my wolves to protect me."
"True, but you still were ready to fight if necessary."
Thora narrowed her eyes. "You said I couldn't defend myself."
"Not against two, but today you could have."
Did he truly believe that, or did he taunt her again? He seemed sincere and delight shimmered through her to think he thought her capable. Why should she care? She owed him only the debt for saving her life.
In an attempt to dislodge the troubling thoughts, she bit into her food, the flaky moist fish satisfying her hunger as well. The rest of the meal passed in companionable silence. With a start, Thora realized how at ease she felt beside him. She frowned. She shouldn't be comfortable with him, she needed to focus on getting free from him her debt.
When they finished eating, Thora carefully wrapped the remaining portions of fish for later. She stood and turned to resume her packing. Ari's hand on her arm stopped her.
"There is no need to panic."
She wanted to believe him, but knew Muli to be a cruel man, yet one who somehow still maintained, no, enjoyed, several allies in the clan. If any of those warriors had traveled with him, they could be upon them soon. She refused to speak aloud the depth of her worry, for fear of making it real.
"I am not panicking. But it's no longer safe here. I want to leave."
"Soon. But not now."
"Yes, now."
He tilted his head and considered her. "Why?"
She hesitated before answering. The men who would accompany Muli were vicious and cruel. She didn't want to tell Ari about the terrifying images her mind insisted on rousing. Damn his insistence on keeping her, for those situations might truly occur. If Muli had indeed convinced others to join him in searching for her, Ari would be outnumbered. The very thought sent a chill along her spine that left her breathless with fear.
Why should she care? She wanted to be free of him, didn't she? Yet, the idea of Muli and his collaborators harming Ari, or worse, left a lump that threatened to expel her meal.
"Thora? Why do you insist we leave this very moment?"
She sighed. "Because Muli may have others with him. We cannot hope to repel them all should he decide to attack."
A smile slowly curled Ari's lips. "Are you worried for me?"
She fought the urge to slap the smug grin from his face, though she suspected part of her annoyance came from the fact he'd echoed her very thoughts.
"No, but I will not be responsible for your… possible death. Now that I think on it, it would be best if you were to go on your way and leave me to my journey."
He chuckled and stepped closer with a slow shake of his head. "Your debt is not fully repaid, and you know this. And I have no fear of Muli."
"But –"
"We will be gone before he can return, if that is indeed his intention."
"Yes, but only if we leave now!" Why didn't he worry Muli could return at any moment? His arrogance could mean both of their deaths. Her fingers curled and uncurled, an attempt to keep from striking some sense into him.
