Trella almost caught up to Latham but held her horse back to let him hold the lead. That’s where he should be. Not at the feet of a cold-hearted female, but in control with someone behind him who could support him. She smiled to herself. Latham was hers, and she would not give him up.
And by the grace of the gods, she would help him take Solveig’s place. Then, finally, Trella would be above her.
They finished their patrol hours and made their way back to Latham’s tent. Trella had started leaving some of her things behind every time she stayed the night, and now her own tent was practically bare.
She entered first and began slowly undressing. Latham was brooding again, and she wanted him to focus on her, not onher.
The horrible pants she had to wear while giving riding lessons were the first piece of clothing she slipped off, revealing the impractical underclothes. Latham stepped into her from behind, his fingers tracing the bare skin on the outsides of her thighs. He dragged his hands up her body and under the tunic she still wore.
Gripping the hem of the shirt, he brought it over her head and tossed it to the ground. Trella stuck her hips back, grinding against him, causing him to suck in a breath. Undoing the binding on her breasts, he palmed her roughly. She preferred gentler sex, but she would give Latham whatever he needed.
He was still fully clothed and that just wouldn’t do. She twisted to undress him, but he held her to him, pushing himself against her backside. His teeth scraped her skin before he sucked her neck. Shemoaned for him as he walked them to the bed and pushed her onto her hands and knees. Her ass stuck in the air when he pulled back to drop his pants.
When he pressed back into her, his hard length rested between her cheeks. He parted her with his fingers, moving her panties to the side and using her wetness to coat himself before pushing inside her.
His pace was hard and rough, but Trella moaned for him, encouraging him to take and take from her. Her face hit the mattress as he thrust into her. His fingers fumbled for her clit but she wasn’t concerned with her own pleasure. She cried out for him anyway.
He pounded with abandon, and she held on until he let out a grunt as he hit his release. He slumped over her and they toppled on the bed together.
“Thank you,” he whispered in her ear. Trella smiled as his breathing deepened. She would not let Solveig take him from her.
No matter what she had to do.
Helleseemedtosenseher mistress was near, pulling on the reins and giving Gerrie so much attitude she was forced to halt.
“You listen to me, you big stubborn animal. Solveig is hurting. She needs us, and if you don’t stop giving me sass I will turn around right now and dump you back in the stable.” If any horse could glare, it was Helle. “I’m serious, you will not get to see her.” Gerrie tugged at the reins for emphasis.
After a moment Helle snorted as if in understanding and Gerrie continued. When they reached the tent she looped the reins to the post outside before entering. Laeknir was kneeling at Solveig’s feet, helping her put on her boots. Solveig’s face was pale, her eyes wide and unseeing.
“Are you okay, Sol?”
She nodded once.
Laeknir scoffed. “She’s not alright. She had a panic attack when I brought a needle and thread to her shirt to stitch up a tear in the fabric.” He focused on Solveig until she met his eyes before continuing in a muchgentler voice. “She’s not alright, but she will be. She simply needs time to adjust.” He gave Gerrie a meaningful look.
They didn’t have the luxury of time, but that would have to wait. She needed to take Solveig out of here.
“Helle is waiting for you. That big she-devil you call a horse hasn’t let anyone near her while you’ve been away.” Some life returned to Solveig’s eyes and one corner of her mouth tugged up in a smile.
“You’re good to go, Sol,” Laeknir said as he stood, brushing his knees. He reached out to touch a finger to her chin, tilting it up so he had her attention. “Have fun, yeah?”
Solveig nodded, gratitude shining in her eyes. She stood carefully, taking a few clumsy steps, and grimaced.
“Is something wrong with the boots?” Gerrie asked. Solveig shook her head. Gerrie understood then. She must not have worn any shoes for months.
Gerrie forced a grin, taunting her. “You look like a baby deer.”
Solveig smiled bigger and wobbled her legs harder on purpose. Gerrie laughed and looped her arm through Solveig’s, leading her outside. As soon as she saw Helle, Solveig let out a small sob and ran to her, all awkwardness about the boots fading into the background.
Helle neighed and snorted in greeting before Solveig threw her arms around the horse’s neck. Gerrie walked around her own horse and untied her, giving the two some space for their reunion. Solveig pressed her face to Helle’s, tears streaming down her cheeks as she breathed in the scent of her horse.
For as long as Gerrie had known her, Solveig had always had Helle. Or Helle had Solveig. With those two she couldn’t quite figure out who was in charge. But Solveig had a way with horses. She could tame the stallions that came through, even the temperamental Asgardian horses.
They never bucked her off or showed her signs of aggression. If Solveig gave anyone’s horse a command, they followed it, even with a rider astride them. Helle was a different beast though—Gerrie wasn’t even sure she was purely a horse—but she stood tall and proud beside Solveig as her companion.
Solveig untied Helle’s reins but made no move to mount her. Instead, she led her along behind Gerrie who headed towards the outskirts of camp. Gerrie took them to the south entrance so they wouldn’t have to pass by too many people.
Those they did come across straightened immediately and put their fists to their chests in respect as Solveig passed. She nodded at each individual, and Gerrie was relieved to see she appeared strong and capable. She would need to be.
