Bree had to fall back behind Horland and hang on to his shirt or she would have lost him in the total darkness. The girl held on to Bree’s cloak and had to trot to stay connected.
“Slow down, Horland, the little girl can’t keep up.”
He did, but still didn’t stop completely. In fact, she believed he would have kept going throughout the night if he didn’t walk straight into a tree.
Bree couldn’t help a giggle escaping her lips. She couldn’t see his expression but felt the wind as he snapped his head around to face her.He’s glaring at me.
They stopped where they stood among the trees and undergrowth.
“There will be no fire,” Horland said. “Sleep and we will continue when the sun rises on the morrow.”
That was the most he’d said since their last rest stop and although Bree couldn’t see his expression, she knew by his tone he wasn’t in the mood to talk any more. He sat down and material rustled. Bree figured he was covering the girl with her coat. Bree felt around until she touched the girl and lying on the cold hard ground, she pulled her cloak over her and slept.
She awoke with a start. The girl was shaking her shoulders, her eyes wide with fear.
“What is it?” Bree looked for Horland but couldn’t find him anywhere. “Where’s Horland?”
The girl pointed into the forest and Bree squinted, trying to see through the dim morning light.
A wolf’s howl echoed around them, another wolf answered and still a third joined in the chorus. Bree gave the girl a one-armed hug. “It’s okay, sweetie, they’re a long way off.”
Bree stood up. “Come on, let’s go find him.”
The girl held tightly to Bree’s hand and they pushed their way through the undergrowth into a small clearing. The whispering of a running creek floated to Bree’s ears and she hurried forward, but stopped abruptly and gasped at the expanse of naked flesh in front of her.
Horland was pulling his tunic over his head but stopped still at Bree’s cry gasp. He peered out through his arms and set his jaw.
Bree couldn’t take her eyes off his muscled chest. His pecs rippled as he tugged the tunic down, slowly concealing his body.
Bree raised her eyes to his and was sure a small smile tugged at the corners of his mouth, but he frowned, and his eyes went cold as he looked at her.
She turned her attention to the stream. It was narrow and shallow, not even wide enough to break the trees’ canopy. It was more of a brook really, but a beautiful sight to see. Deciding to ignore Horland’s bad mood, she beamed at him. “Mind if we have some privacy for a bit?”
He scooped up his coat. “Not at all.”
And with that, he turned his back to them.
“Um, I meant, could you leave us?”
A wolf howled.
“No.”
Bree was about to tell him where to go but the girl yanked on Bree’s sleeve and shook her head.
“Okay,” Bree said. “But don’t turn around.”
She and the girl quickly washed what skin they could without taking off any clothes. Just washing her face and feet made Bree feel better.
“Okay, you can turn around now.”
Horland knelt close to the water’s edge, filled the water bag, and strode back to the path.
Bree grabbed the girl’s hand. “Come on.”
They walked all morning and Bree didn’t even try to engage Horland in conversation. In fact, she sulked so much that even though she knew her bottom lip dropped low, she couldn’t help it. She stayed behind while the girl held Horland’s hand and walked with him.
Bree glared at his back but couldn’t help smiling as he paced his steps to the child’s. She shook her head.There’s nothing to smile about, he’s a beast.
