"I assure you, no cow will give the pleasure I get from you."
His low voice in her ear rousing the familiar desire sparked sensations she wanted never to feel again, as far as he was concerned. The knowledge her body reacted to his no matter what she wanted only fueled her fury. She jerked her head back fast and hard, catching Ari square on the nose. He let out an enraged howl, but his grip loosened, giving her enough time to break his hold.
Now free of his dangerous yet enticing embrace, rage took over. She darted down the hill to the forest below, bending to gather a handful of rocks. The crunch of his boot behind her made her stand and whirl about, ready to defend herself. Fury etched into his face, he stalked toward her, ducking the first stone she hurled toward him.
"Kati! Attack!" She screamed at the wolf who stood oddly still, his gold eyes watching both of them. Why didn't he obey? What had Ari done to usurp her command over her pet? She tossed another rock, moving further from the cave that would trap her.
Ari ducked, clearly anticipating her evasive move. "Stop, woman!"
She threw another rock, his bellow of rage accompanying the strike of the stone into the side of his head. The small rock did little to slow him. Daring a glance at the ground as she backed away, a much larger rock caught her attention. She bent and lifted it, the size and heft assuring her this would render him harmless, or at least, slow him so she could put more distance between them. She raised her arm, but before she could hurl the rock, Ari's hand closed around her wrist, stilling her movement.
Caressing the smaller stone in her other hand, she paused, determining her best chance and place to strike. But his quick motions never gave her the chance to execute her move, grabbing her fisted hand in his before she took the opportunity to release the stone. Her frustrated cry echoed in the oddly quiet forest at the moment he once more pulled her tight against him, again leaving her caught.
His grip on her fist shifted to her wrist, squeezing until the pain grew too much and she released the rock still clutched in her fingers. She jerked against his hold, but his hold was relentless. With a choked cry of frustration and anger she slammed her head once more toward his, but this time he anticipated her intention and evaded her. Long fingers caught her chin, stilling her and forcing her to look into his fury-lined face.
"You keep adding to your debt. It would seem you will be in my service for quite some time to come."
His low voice, even and deep, terrified her more than if he had shouted.
"If you live after The Thing. From what I heard, you're an outlaw, and likely to pay for your crimes with your life. "
His eyes narrowed, gaze hardening to coal. Thora resisted the urge to shiver. He'd not see her fear.
"I've committed no crimes, and I will prove it."
The grip on her jaw loosened and the conviction in his voice near convinced her. Yet, plenty of doubt remained. Still, she'd finally seen for herself the man her father intended to give her to. No matter Ari's reasons, instinct warned her best chance for survival remained with him. Even from the shadowy shelter, she'd seen the evil in Ari's brother's eyes. Why hadn't he told her the truth of his identity, his family? Her anger rose once more to nearly choke her.
"You are still a liar! And I will never forgive you for that!"
Silence hung heavily for several moments, then he gave a curt nod.
"Perhaps, from your perspective. But you'll all see I was right. They put their loyalty into the wrong man's hands. The gods are on my side. And you will be too, when I claim you as mine before all witnesses."
Thora's breath eluded her as the implications of his determined words sank into her addled thoughts. Something in his tone hinted he might even dare to declare her his slave before all attending The Thing. Before the kings seeking alliances and meting out justice. Before her clan. Her throat tightened. Before her father. With every ounce of her will, she drew strength and determination from the knowledge of who would ultimately save her.
"My father will be there. He will fight you."
"When I clear my name and prove the guilt of those who sought to destroy me, I will be granted anything I wish."
"What are you, a jarl's son?"
He stared at her for several moments then released her. "No. I am his savior."
"I deserve an explanation."
He released her abruptly and she stumbled back before righting herself. Ari stared at her, something fierce and angry in his eyes before he closed them and ran a hand through his hair. She folded her arms and waited. Finally, he tuned his gaze to her once more.
"My brother and I were raised by the jarl after our father's death in battle. He was thirteen summers, I was ten. Part of the reason he took us in was because he wanted my mother, though she didn't return his affections."
"Did he attack her?"
He shook his head. "He was, is, a good man, mostly. He could have forced her, I suppose, but he didn't."
"So why did you try to kill him?"
"I didn't. Hersir did."
"I don't believe you."
