"When the time is right, Thora, you will know everything."
A healthy portion of doubt reigned in her thoughts. When would that right time be?
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Sol's chariot had raced more than halfway across the sky, seemingly faster than Ari could remember and he reined Gyllir to a halt. The animal needed to rest, and he needed to stretch his legs. More importantly, he needed to be away from Thora's tempting form for a few minutes. Holding her, teasing her and bringing her to climax had taken a toll on his control. If he didn't take some time to gather his senses, he just might give in and take her then and there. But he had plans for later and doing so would ruin them.
He shifted her away from him, urging her without words to lift her leg over the saddle so she could slide down. She turned and gave him a questioning look but obeyed without voicing her concerns. Without the warmth of her body a shiver passed along Ari's spine. He suppressed it and took a deep breath, carefully dismounting. His cock, still hard with need, finally started to calm. He walked a few paces, ignoring the way Thora stared at him. For a moment, he thought she might ask what troubled him, but thankfully, she turned her attention to her wolves.
He tethered Gyllir to a nearby tree and made sure the animal had something to eat before walking further into the forest. The sound of water indicated they path had been fairly straight along the nearby stream. He should bring Gyllir over now, but needed more time to cool the heat still engulfing him. When they resumed their ride, he would follow the flow, and hopefully find a suitable place to make camp near the water.
When he turned, his gaze immediately settled upon Thora as she sat beside thepulka, the male wolf on her other side. One hand slid along the she-wolf's head, but Thora's stare focused firmly on Ari. He found breathing difficult at the inviting desire he found in the depths of her dark eyes. Fingers tightened on the hilt of his sword and he deliberately looked away. Reminding himself of the need to find the fresh water, he once again strode away from her. Her allure tempted him nearly beyond his endurance. If she knew just how she affected him, she would take advantage, of that he possessed no doubt. Better he appeared cold and uncaring. Refusing to answer her questions had been a good start to maintaining his aloof demeanor. He'd almost answered them automatically before realizing he didn't want her to know everything yet. Once he'd shared his past with her, she would hate him. Admitting that the notion bothered him more than a little came hard. Was that why had he been reluctant to push her to that point? She was only a part of his vengeance, he reminded himself. Then why did he care so much?
Because he wasn't ready to give up her passion. She had more fire than any woman he'd ever encountered and he wanted to enjoy it as long as possible, keep her as long as he could. Eventually, the time would come she wouldn't watch him with such hope. When she realized he intended to compel her to attend The Thing, it might hurt her less.
He slammed his fist against his thigh, frustrated at again worrying so much for her tender feelings, when she said so often she wanted to be out of his debt. But he knew the lies she spoke. They were the same ones he told himself. The ones he told her were so much worse. What might she do if she learned the brute she was promised to, despite her objections, was the very same brother upon whom he'd sworn vengeance?
And that she would ultimately be part of that vengeance?
***
Thora watched Ari as he paced a few yards away. Her questions clearly unnerved him. And so did her nearness. She'd felt his hard cock against her bottom, had been aware of it from the first moment he'd settled behind her in the saddle. Even through his tempestuous assault on her body and senses, she'd known he'd been as lust-filled as she. She smiled. This was a way to get him to lower his guard, trust her enough to tell her what she wanted to know.
No sense denying the enjoyment of their shared passion. Perhaps this was Freyja's way of easing the difficulty of her predicament. She was indebted to a powerful and attractive warrior, and for the foreseeable future, she had to stay with him. Making the journey gratifying was her reward for enduring. But she didn't endure. She reveled in the passion her stirred, the way he made her body sing with delight.
She stroked Kati's head and leaned in close to the wolf's ear. "Go find food for you and Kata."
"I must unfasten thepulkato take Gyllir to water. When I do, your wolf may accompany me."
Thora turned to see Ari standing behind her. She hadn't even heard him approach.
"All right. I will remain until you return."
Something about the way he stared at her set off a delicious flurry of heat through her veins. Despite the pleasure he stirred, she must remember to focus on a way to be cleared of her debt so she could go on to live her life the way she chose.
"Will you?"
She almost laughed at his obvious concern she might flee. Only knowing that she eventually would confirm his suspicions when she ventured off on own journey kept the mirth from escaping.
"I can't very well leave my wolf, now can I?" She placed a hand on Kati's head. "Go. I will stay with Kata."
The wolf licked her cheek then trotted to stand at the horse's head. Ari continued to study her, then with a nod, turned his attention to the sled. Within moments, he'd unfastened it and led Gyllir away, Kati at his side. She realized her own thirst. Surely Kata must need water. She stood.
"Ari!"
He turned and she shivered under the intensity of his gaze.
"Kata needs water too."
He gave her another nod and indicated his pack then resumed walking. The questions to which she wanted answers loomed larger than ever. How long had he been wandering? And why? She needed to know, to understand what had made him into the man he was. Was his journey a test of the gods? She'd known of many warriors from her clan who had quested on the gods' whims and come back stronger and with many blessings. Was this what drove Ari?
Or did something more sinister in his past haunt him? Something that might come back and harm her as well? Her gut knotted. She'd questioned him about being an outlaw, but he hadn't denied it outright.
"Oh, Kata, how could I be so foolish? I was too quick to trust him, wasn't I?" She stroked the wolf's fur. The animal moved closer to her touch. The apparent understanding of the she-wolf warmed the suddenly cold edges of Thora's heart. She'd made a huge error in allowing herself to be caught in Ari's snare, rescue or not.
She sighed. In the last two days, she'd been caught up in the tempest of a passion so tantalizing, she'd tossed off her caution like letting a handful of flowers be swept off in a gusty wind. After all that had passed between them, this time alone with her thoughts ran rampant, wild and uncontrollable. Just like her body felt when he touched her. The images in her head both terrified and excited. Somehow, she knew she'd never taste passion like that with anyone else. What she feared most was the power Ari possessed to utterly destroy her.
She needed guidance from the gods. A sacrifice would ensure an answer, maybe not the one she truly wanted, but at least she would have some idea of how to deal with Ari. No time now. The sound of Ari returning with Gyllir and Kati reached her and she turned.
