"I am staying with Ari."
The rest of his fear crumbled. Once again admiring her strength, he reined in the maelstrom of excitement threatening to dull his wits.
"You know I've made arrangements, alliances. You dishonor me by refusing."
The mention of her marriage to Hersir roused disgust, but Ari no longer worried Thora might suffer such a fate. He would fight to the death to prevent it.
Another shake of her head. "You dishonor me with these arrangements."
Ari's eyes widened. The hint of disrespect in her words drew some shocked murmurs among his men. And another snarling shout of fury from her father.
"How dare you? You've always been rebellious, but you go too far this time!"
"Thora, do not speak to your father that way!" One of the other men accompanying Kori shouted to her.
"Uncle Hradi, you don't know. Ari goes before the council today. After that, you will understand. All of you."
"No! I will not accept this!" Kori faced Ari again. "She is not your wife, you have no claim. I demand you return her to me."
"I will not go against Thora's choice."
The man's shoulders heaved with heavy breaths. Finally, with a glance to his allies, he lowered his sword a little. Ari remained in position, ready to shove Thora back behind him and face her enraged father if necessary. She still stood tall, head high. He noted the way her fingers clenched, hidden from her father's view due to the position she took. But Ari knew just how frightened Thora was and the urge to touch her in reassurance grew near impossible to fight. Somehow, he refrained, knowing to further anger Kori could prove disastrous for all of them.
"I will not leave you alone with him." Kori jerked his chin toward Ari.
"I am not alone." She waved one arm toward the assembled men. Did anyone else notice the tremor? "And I have Kata and Kati."
"You will be disgraced before all."
She shook her head, sending her long dark tresses into a soft sway. "You'll see. When Ari makes his claims, you'll know I do what is right and best for me. And for you too, Father."
Kori took another step, the sword lowering further. Anger still emanated from the man, like a fog rolling in from the ocean. But now he seemed a little calmer, less like the berserker he appeared to be when he first rode up to the camp.
"I will accompany you to the council."
The declaration knotted Ari's gut. He didn't relish the idea of dealing with an angry Kori while he prepared for his turn before the council. He didn't understand what game the gods played, but he gave thanks he and his men had prepared well last night. Gathering the packs containing the needed evidence, he took his place at the head of his men.
Ari understood Kori and his men needed careful watching, for the concern he might try and steal Thora back. He arranged for her father to walk between himself and Karsi, close enough to Thora to appease him, yet still give Ari the advantage in preventing any attempts to separate her from his side. The others would be encircled by the rest of Ari's men. Though there were grumbling complaints, all three men heeded his orders.
The trek through the market and back to the center of the city, to the longhouse where the council sat outside to hear cases, seemed to last days, though Ari knew it was only his nervous anticipation of what was to come. In a few short hours, his name would finally be cleared, his honor restored. The feel of Thora's hand in his as she walked beside him fed the confidence in his ultimate success.
"What have you done to her to make her refuse my orders?"
Kori's question cut into his thoughts. He met the other man's stare, grateful for the man who stood between them.
"I've done nothing to harm her." He raised his chin, daring Thora's father to refute his claim, perhaps draw him into a fight. Not that he planned to give in to any attempt Kori might make to incite him into combat now. If, after his appearance before the council was finished and justice claimed, Kori still chose to battle, Ari would accept the challenge.
"Thora, you can still come with me."
Kori's words held a plea, one to which Ari feared she might yield. Yet, when he turned to study her reaction to her father's declaration, he found her expression more stony than ever. He might laugh if the situation hadn't grown so dire. From the first time he'd seen it, her defiant nature had drawn him in, seduced him in a way he'd never expected. Made him love and respect her even more.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Thora avoided looking toward her father, much as she hated to admit a powerful sense of comfort had surged through her at the first sight of him. Refusing him hadn't been difficult, she'd rebelled against him often enough when she was younger, but somehow, this time seemed to create a chasm between them she feared they'd never bridge again. Still, despite the familiar comfort his arrival had stirred, apprehension overpowered the brief moment of happiness to see him again.
This morning, the crowds seemed bigger than ever, the merchants' shouts grating uncomfortably on her ears. She held tight to Ari's hand, forcing her attention anywhere but toward her father, who still tried to catch her attention.
The smoke from the cooking fires burned her eyes and her stomach rolled once more at the smells from the roasting pigs and goats. Kata pressed in closer and the feel of the wolf's fur beneath her fingers soothed her a little.
