Ari somehow managed to maintain an air of casual interest, but his excitement built at the thought of snatching away his brother's bride grew near as strong as his need to clear his name.
"What have you heard?"
She hesitated, her hands once again twisting in her lap. "That he once killed a boy who stumbled in front of him. And that he uses his power to take whatever he chooses from those not as strong as he."
That sounded like his brother. Hersir always took what he felt should be his, whether it was right or not. Having the ear of the jarl made it unlikely most would protest. Ari remembered one time when Hersir had helped himself to a family's harvest, claiming it for the jarl. The man had dared to refuse and ended up dead, leaving a widow and four orphaned children, without their crops to feed themselves. Hersir then availed himself of the widow's body for months afterward, until she finally gathered her children and fled the village, seeking refuge with family from another town.
"So you are to wed him, then?"
She nodded. "My father has made the agreement. After The Thing, he was to bring Hersir back to Grindafell for the wedding."
"You fled before they could return."
She nodded. "I won't go back. And I can't go to Tingwalla."
"An impossible dilemma." Ari leaned back against the log once more, his thoughts racing with ideas. "But I must be compensated. Don't you agree?"
Again, she nodded. "I've given your demand some thought. If I were to… offer myself to you, then afterward you can continue to Tingwalla, and I will go my way. But I will no longer be valuable as a bride. I would ask that you take a message to my father and perhaps he will stop searching for me."
Ari sucked in a breath. The wench was cunning and his admiration for her grew even more, as did his yearning. He shifted, his cock now hard and uncomfortable. He cleared his throat.
"Aren't you worried your father's honor will be ruined? You place him in a difficult position by refusing a marriage he's agreed to."
Thora shrugged. "I know. But I have no choice. My father married my mother for love, and when she died, he found another, and their love is strong. I only want the same for myself."
Ari nodded in understanding. Thora was like most other women, wanting a love match, rather than an alliance to ensure the strengthening of both families and clans. He also knew full well that she would never have that while wed to Hersir. But Ari had no intention of letting Thora leave his side. She'd likely be furious when she realized his lies, and again the idea of binding her so she couldn't flee poked at him. Hel, once she learned the truth, he'd have no choice. He held back the eager grin and thought carefully on his next words.
"Very well, Thora. I will accept your offer of payment, however, there are conditions on this agreement."
Her lips pressed together, her eyes flashing with suspicion. "What are your conditions?"
"I decide when it is time for us to part ways."
She nodded. "What else?"
"You will obey my every order. Please me and you shall be rewarded."
"And if I don't?"
He shrugged. "You'll be punished."
Only the crackling of the flames broke the abrupt silence. Even the creatures of the forest had quieted, as if all waited to hear her reply. He held her stare, daring her to refuse.
She didn't. In fact, he wasn't sure he managed to completely contain his surprise when she nodded again.
"Very well. I accept your terms." She looked away for a moment, then leveled her dark stare on him once more. "When… I assume you want…"
He chuckled. "Yes, Thora, I want you. And I will have you. Tonight."
***
Thora sucked in a breath. The husk in his voice sent heat pulsing through her veins. Her sex throbbed, growing hot and damp, her breasts swelling and tingling in anticipation. While she'd not wanted to give herself to a man she didn't love, Ari did stir a fierce yearning, one she found herself curious to explore further. She would get much out of this, even if she did it only to repay her debt.
Strangely, the biggest relief came at the idea of her ruination, making her unwanted as a bride for a jarl's heir. Ari's point about dishonoring her father had stung, but little choice was left to her. Her father was prepared to barter her away as if she were no more than livestock, and that knowledge still cut deep.
All thoughts of her father vanished when Ari stood and walked over to her. He held out his hand and she hesitantly placed her trembling fingers in it. He pulled her up and close, his mouth coming down hard on hers, muffling her surprised squeak. Already, the fever he'd sparked earlier roared back to life, rushing through her with such force, she would have fallen had he not been holding her. His tongue swept between her lips and she responded eagerly to the velvety caress.
His hands slid down her back to her ass, cupping her and pressing her even tighter against him. Even through their clothes, his hard shaft pressed against her core. Need rose, a hunger she'd never known taking over her senses. She held tight to him, her tongue dueling with his and not caring when he reached for the laces at the back of her neck. The brush of his fingers as he untied them was a teasing torment, one that left her breathless, her head spinning.
