The task went quickly, perhaps too quickly. Needing to keep herself busy, rather than give in to the pull of Ari's stare, which she felt on her as if his hands slid along her bare skin, she knelt before her pack. She removed the dried fish and leftover hare from yesterday's meal, keeping the food wrapped in the cloth. She must send Kati to hunt for his and Kata's dinner. Another cloth holding the remainder of her dried berries soon sat beside the others. There wasn't a lot of food here. Ari would have to hunt or fish again. Finally, she turned. He leaned against the wall, near the mouth of the cave, illuminated by the late afternoon sunlight breaking through the leaves. Her breath hitched before she steadied herself, his image seared forever into her memory.
"We'll need more food for our meal." Thankfully, she succeeded in injecting a commanding tone into her words.
The corners of his mouth twitched and she found her gaze locked there, recalling the heat of his kisses. She blinked, wishing he didn't have such a physical pull on her. Surely exhaustion made her susceptible to these errant thoughts.
"Yes, I thought to find more fish in the stream. You will accompany me."
"But I can't leave them alone!" She nodded toward where the wolves lay on their pallet of furs.
"They will be fine for a short time."
"But –"
"Would you rather I bound you again?"
She narrowed her eyes. Damn his soul! He'd given her an impossible choice and he knew it.
"Fine. But I've not much skill at catching fish."
A lie. Her father and uncle had taught her well how to catch fish with a hook, spear or net, but Ari didn't need to know that. Let him do the work. She'd not make his life easy. Maybe he'd even think her a burden and agree to let her go before they reached Tingwalla. The thought evaporated as soon as it arose. She'd worked too hard to prove to him shewascapable of taking care of herself. Surely he'd see through the ruse.
"I will catch the fish. But I'll keep you where I can watch you."
She frowned. How long before he let his guard down again? Clearly, she had much work to do in order to get him to trust she wouldn't flee. Once he believed she had given up that hope, she'd take her chance.
She stood and followed him out of the cave. The stream was not far from the cave and soon she sat on the bank, watching in silence as Ari cast his line and pulled in several fishes. Once the pouch was filled, he motioned her to join him when he turned back toward the forest.
With the pouch of fish slung over one shoulder, he slipped his free arm about her waist, holding her near as they walked. Did he do it apurpose, knowing the heat from his nearness wreaked havoc on her senses? After the last days of shared passion, he knew very well how his touch affected her. Even now, his hand resting casually on her hip, set her entire body to trembling, anticipating a more intimate touch.
He leaned close to her ear. "Afternáttmál, I am looking forward to the night."
She didn't answer, working too hard to suppress the quiver of delight sliding along her spine. Despite her lingering anger, her body responded, her sex slickening, her breasts tightening to hard points that ached to be touched. She clenched her fingers to stop their shaking.
"I am very tired. I have no wish to lie with you tonight."
He chuckled, the sound like a caress against her ear and neck. She gulped.
"You will change your mind."
"You are very sure of yourself."
"I am sure of your desire. Try as you may, you cannot hide it. I can smell your passion, Thora. It is as intense as my own. I will prove it to you."
Why did she look forward to his keeping that promise?
When they reached the cave, Ari handed her the pouch of fish and turned his attention to lighting the fire. Without his nearness, Thora found breathing came much easier and she set about scaling, cleaning and spitting the fish. By the time she finished, the flames crackled noisily and she laid the skewered fish across the fire. She took a seat opposite Ari, unwilling to be near him again. Her wits needed to be sharp if she intended to hold him at bay.
Ha! Who did she try to fool? Herself? She knew damn well that once he touched her, kissed her, her desire would surely rise and she would be helpless to resist. The wicked pleasure he bestowed on her always left her forgetting anything but being in his arms. Somehow, she had to find a way to break the spell the gods had surely cast upon her, leaving her weak under his passionate assault. What had she done to displease them so? Perhaps a small sacrifice might go a way toward easing their discontent. How she might manage such a feat depended on Ari. If she didn't find some way out from under his watchful eyes, the chance might never come.
Aware he watched her over the flames, she ignored him and turned the fish to cook evenly. Satisfied, she turned to the wolves. Kata slept, the steady rise and fall of her belly assuring Thora she continued to heal. She knelt beside Kati and stroked his head while he licked her chin.
"Go and hunt, boy. When Kata wakes, she will be hungry."
He gave her another lick then trotted out of the cave. Thora resumed her seat beside the fire. The aroma of the cooking fish teased her nose. A fierce hunger overtook her, unlike any she'd known before. Had Ari heard the rumble of her belly? She dared a glanced at him, but he seemed to pay her no mind, carving a small branch with his dagger. She longed for her own, and her axe. She doubted he'd let her have them back before reaching The Thing. Once more, the goal of getting him to trust her, leave her unattended and unbound, took hold, stronger than ever. But how?
The questions that had danced on the tip of her tongue since this morning rose again, demanding answers. While she desperately held onto her anger, she had to know.
"Why didn't you tell me who you were?"
