“What’s on your mind?”
“Svanhild, she—”
“You no longer need to worry about her,” Njord interrupted him.
Thori felt it was best not to push the matter. He would anger Njord again after just calming him down. The last thing he wanted was to anger him again. And hadn’t it been his clever plan only seconds ago to play the obedient thrall for now? Yes, he would do the sensible thing and keep his mouth shut.
“She’s dangerous,” Thori blurted. “I underestimated her, which was stupid, and you’re probably wiser than I am, but—”
So much for keeping his thoughts to himself. But damn, it was hard not to voice them when his head was spinning, and he was worried not for himself, but for Andora and the other thralls from her village. And maybe, just a tiny bit, for Njord, who had saved him from herseiðrdespite their enmity and who was playing a dangerous game by deceiving Svanhild. A game whose purpose Thori did not quite understand.
Njord chuckled, and Thori could feel the deep rumble of his laughter reverberating in his chest.
“So she scared you, huh?”
“Nonsense.”
“It’s wise to be afraid of her.” Njord’s hand trailed gently down his spine. “But I promised you I’d protect you, and I stand by my word.”
“I wasn’t asking for your protection,” Thori mumbled. Njord’s teasing should incense him, but he couldn’t muster the energy for anger any longer. He was too tired, the warmth of the bath too comfortable, and Njord’s touch too soothing.
“Whether you want it or not, you have my protection,” Njord grumbled.
And distantly, Thori wondered why Njord was so insistently pointing this out, why he even cared. He could feel the hold of Svanhild’sseiðrslipping with every second, leaving him exhausted but not as drained as before when he’d felt as if he was bleeding out.
“Does your back still hurt?”
“The oil stung, but it’s better now.”
Thori yawned, curling up in his spot more comfortably. He could stay here, just resting for a while.
“Good.”
By the way Njord moved, Thori could tell that he wanted to leave now. Groggily, he lifted his head. Thori had lost track of time since he’d woken in Njord’s tent this morning, but it probably wasn’t even midday. Njord had talked about breaking camp. Maybe he wanted Thori to pack his things?
“Can you stand up for me?” Njord asked, his breath tickling the top of Thori’s head.
“Sure.”
Thori rose on unsteady feet, and Njord moved with him to support him as he swayed.
“Easy. Did I say to stand immediately?”
“No?”
Dizziness clouded Thori’s vision. Maybe standing up hadn’t been such a brilliant idea. Njord wrapped an arm around his waist, and Thori was suddenly very aware of the fact that they were both naked. Rivulets of water dripped down Njord’s broad chest, and Thori was struck by the urge to trail them with his fingers.
“You’ll have to learn to listen to me,” Njord said softly.
Absently, Thori plucked a herb leaf from Njord’s hair.
“Are we breaking camp now?” Thori asked.
“You’re not doing anything. Lean on me. We’re stepping out of the tub now.”
“I don’t need to—”
Njord almost lifted him out of the tub, and Thori clung to his shoulders with a surprised squeal.
