He noted the way her hands shook as she accepted the salve. Her stare held his, gratitude shining clear.
"Thank you. For saving me. And for saving Kata."
He gave a nod before turning back to the fire. The afternoon sun had faded, signaling Sol had neared the end of her daily journey. He'd hoped to be several miles closer to Tingwalla by nightfall, as weeks of his journey still stretched before him. Another glance at the woman tending the injured animal roused a riot of conflicting thoughts.
Leaving her alone was not a consideration and the interruption to his plans roused a hint of annoyance. Still, he couldn't deny the fact Thora was one of the comeliest women he'd ever encountered. The thought of ending weeks of celibacy with her had his cock already half-hard. Caution must remain his ally. He eyed the healthy wolf seated beside her. No doubt the beast would attack if he thought Ari threatened his mistress.
If he was truthful with himself, he might admit he rather liked the idea of company for the rest of his journey, but suspected she might not want to accompany him. She'd indicated she had no plans to attend The Thing. He must make her think she no longer had any choice in that matter.
His stomach gave a low grumble, reminding him he'd eaten nothing since waking this morn. He rose, drawing Thora's attention. Beside her the male wolf stood. Ready to defend her, or attack Ari? The beast made no move other than to watch him as intently as his mistress did.
"Are you hungry?" he asked.
Thora blinked, clarity sharpening her gaze. "Actually, I am. I'd not given it much thought."
He nodded. "I must fetch my horse, then I will find something for us to eat. What about them?" He nodded toward the animals.
Thora ran her hand along Kati's head and Ari found himself wishing her hands were on him instead. His cock tightened further.
"Kati will hunt for them. Kata still sleeps."
He turned and strode deeper into the forest, where he'd tied his steed. The animal pranced in apparent excitement upon seeing him. Ari grinned and gave the black a hearty pat.
"Good boy, Gyllir. Come, we are making camp over here." He led the horse back to where Thora remained. At the sight of the wolves, Gyllir rebelled, his movements now jerky and filled with agitation. He dug his front hooves into the dirt and refused another step. Ari patted the steed's neck.
"It's fine, boy. They'll not harm you." Still, he couldn't coax the animal to come closer to the clearing. With a heavy sigh, he tied the reins to a tree. He turned to Thora. "He fears your wolves. Can you keep watch over him while I hunt our dinner?"
"Yes." She turned to the male wolf and spoke to him. The animal sat, obeying what must have been an order. "Kati will not harm your steed."
"Thank you." With a brief wonderment at the way she communicated with the animals, Ari once again trekked into the forest, moving carefully as he listened for sounds of any small game. Pulling his sling from his belt, he bent and picked up a couple of small rocks. A few steps later, a hare darted out from the underbrush. It hopped away, then paused for several moments, giving Ari just enough time to load and fire the sling. The rock landed squarely on the animal's head. It toppled over and Ari hurriedly picked it up. At that moment, another hare emerged, this one running in the opposite direction. Ari quickened his pace and followed, tying the slain hare to his belt. Once more loading the sling, he kept his gaze on the animal when it slowed. A few minutes later, several more stones used this time, the second hare hung beside the first.
He made his way back to where Thora waited. She had eased the injured wolf from her lap and now tended the fire. She turned when he neared.
"How is your animal?"
"She still sleeps."
"I've found ournáttmál" He patted the hares on his belt.
She nodded then looked over her shoulder, in the direction he'd laid the outlaw's body. When her gaze swung back to his, it held a note of revulsion.
"Is there any way you can carry Kata back to the grove where I sheltered the last two days?"
He looked over at the still form of the wounded animal. Truthfully, he could easily carry the wolf, but how far away was this grove? He posed the question to her.
She pointed behind him. "That way."
Ari turned in the direction she indicated. A thick cluster of trees lay several long paces away, snug against the foot of a rocky hill. Similar to many places he had slept during his years away from home. He found himself admiring her instincts at finding a fairly safe place for a camp.
"How did they find you?"
Her shoulders heaved with a heavy breath. "When we set out this morning. That's when we encountered them. I found a place for us to hide, and it was a long time before we came out again. I thought perhaps they'd forgotten about us. I should have waited longer."
Something about the way her shoulders slumped, the waver of guilt in her tone, roused the need to assure her she'd done nothing wrong. He clenched his fingers to restrain the impulse.
Saying nothing, he strode to the wounded wolf. He knelt beside the animal.
The beast slept. Would she wake if he touched her? He reached out a hand and stroked the fur along her back. She didn't even flinch. Beside her head, the male wolf watched him with golden eyes, a sight that might normally terrify Ari. The animal made no move to prevent Ari from sliding his arms under the she-wolf.
