"Why?"
"To give thanks."
"For the success of your quest?"
Her perception, as always, both surprised and pleased him. She knew him well, these last weeks bonding them in so many ways. Though to Ari, he could no longer clearly remember the time before she'd entered his life. Yes, Odin had blessed him in many ways. One more reason to thank the god who held many a man's fate in his hands.
"Among other things." He slid his lips over hers, drawing away with a smile.
Her dark eyes glittered and he wished they were back at their camp, where he could take her into the forests and claim her in all the ways he now knew she wanted to be claimed. He held back his growl of frustration and faced the men once more.
"Let us find a meal. There is much to discuss for tomorrow."
He led them into the longhouse, where most of the long tables inside were filled with people. Spying a few empty seats along the far wall, he snaked his way through the chaos of benches and people, servants placing platters of food and children running amongst the adults' legs. His grip on Thora's hand never loosened until he had seated her closest to the wall, sliding onto the bench beside her. The other men squeezed into the small space.
Within minutes, large tankards of ale and mead had been placed on the table, accompanied by large wooden trenchers of meat and vegetables, and even fresh bread. He handed Thora a chicken leg and a flagon of mead.
"Thank you." She sipped at the mead. "That is delicious."
He smiled. "Nice not to have to catch and cook our own meal, isn't it?"
She nodded, biting daintily into the chicken. Ari looked over the now nearly two dozen men who stood with him. And with Thora beside him, he truly felt the luckiest man in Midgard.
CHAPTER TWENTY
Weary and sated from the large meal, Thora didn't protest when Ari urged her from the table.
"We'll return to our shelter. All is ready for tomorrow."
By the time they made their way back toward the edge of town, the crowd had thinned, though many people still milled about, fighting, drinking and celebrating. Word had passed that the council would convene at first light and Ari had arranged for his cause to be among the first to be heard. Thora suspected that with so many witnesses to stand beside him, the kings and jarls would easily decide in his favor.
Ari continued to hold her hand, the contact reminding her that as long as he was beside her, she would always be safe. They passed through the market, where several of the vendors still hawked their wares. Thora's gaze landed on a woman bargaining with a fur trader. She stopped short, the long blond hair more than familiar. Two small children stood beside her as she haggled with the man, a dark-haired little girl clutching a small woven doll and a slightly bigger boy, with hair as fair as his mother's. Thora's heart seemed to stop for a moment before resuming a frantic racing beat.
"Ari, we must go another way," she said, her gaze still settled on the woman's back. As long as she didn't turn, there was a chance Thora could avoid being noticed.
"Why?"
"That is my stepmother. And my brother and sister."
"Are you sure?"
She nodded. "This way, please."
She backed away, her stare still focused on Geira, Gunnar and Elin. She couldn't be seen, not now. Not when Ari was so close to achieving his goal, and his public claim on her.
"Thora! Look, Mama, it's Thora!"
Gunnar's voice rang out over the noise of the market. Before Thora could decide which way to flee, the boy ran over and threw his arms around her legs, hugging her tight. Ari's grip loosened and slipped away. She met his gaze, calmed by the reassuring smile he offered.
"We missed you Thora. Why did you go away?"
A moment later, Elin joined her brother in welcoming Thora, her gleeful laughter bringing the sting of tears. She hugged them back, realizing just how much she had missed her younger brother and sister. She squeezed her eyes shut, not releasing them until the threat of sobs had been brought under control. When she straightened, her stepmother stood a few steps away.
"It is you! I'd heard talk of a woman with wolves here in Tingwalla, and I'd hoped..."
Thora found herself encased in another hug. When Geira stepped back, her smile soon faded.
"Your father is sick with worry. He's sent several parties in search of you."
