Page 19

Chapter Seventeen

Susara

M y breath caught in my throat and my cheeks went hot, and all of a sudden, my body was ignited again, even as his cock was still inside me. I squirmed against him.

He hissed and pulled me up further. His cock popped free from me, and I lamented at the loss. “Careful, woman or I’ll take you again.”

His voice was so warm and rich. I wanted him to rumble words into my ear until I’d turned to jelly. “I wouldn’t mind that.”

He groaned low in his throat. “You are insatiable, woman.”

“Yes, I am.” I stroked my fingers down his chest. “ You don’t like it?”

“Oh, I like it,” he said low and sweet. “I just need a little time to refill. But the sun has only begun to rise. We have the whole day ahead.”

Sunrise?

I looked up, remembering where we were and what we were doing. The shelter was illuminated dimly by sunlight.

I gasped and sprang up away from him. The chilly morning air made my panic worse. “Oh no! Caivid, it’s morning. My father is going to be worried sick! We have to go back. Right now.”

His eyes widened as if he’d only just realized. “Fuck, yes. Let me help you.”

I was so glad he didn’t argue or make parting from him harder. He was dressed almost instantly, with only a pair of leather slacks. Then he turned to help me.

The feel of his hands on my body as they helped smooth down my underdress in the small space eased away the sharp edge of my panic. The way he brushed back my hair and how his fingertips lingered on my neck allowed me to take a deep breath.

I felt like I was melting into a hot pool of contentment, even as my heart was thundering with the thrill.

I get to spend every day out here guiding my sheep with him.

He pulled my thick wool overdress over my head with a furrowed brow and arranged the creases as I shoved my arms through the sleeves. His look of concentration was adorable like he wanted to get it just right, and my heart swelled.

He met my gaze and any worry he held in his eyes dimmed as he looked at me. It was a wonder that such a powerful and dangerous male could look so soft. So open.

So loving.

Fades, I hoped. . . my eyes fell to his lips.

He rumbled a pleased moan and cupped the back of my neck with his huge, warm hand. He pulled me down for a kiss that curled my toes and made me melt. His lips were so soft but relentless .

And then he froze, jerked back.

My stomach flipped in shock. “What is it?”

“I heard Brovdir.”

“The warrior chief?” I asked as he hurriedly guided me out of the shelter. “Where is he? ”

“Far off.” Caivid tipped his head and closed his eyes to concentrate. I stood still and quiet, trying not to breathe too loud.

“Fuck,” he said sharply. “Something’s. . . happened. He’s looking for us. Why didn’t he send a bird. . .?” Realization struck across his features.

I touched my fingers to my lips. “Oh no. The birds can’t reach us here, can they?” I glanced at the sky. It was still early dawn. “If my father woke early and found me gone, he’ll be worried sick. I need to get home.”

“I’ll take you,” he said, only to flinch and then glance in the direction of where his chief was calling. “Fuck. He’s brutally mad.”

Alarm burned in my chest. “Will he hurt you?”

He exhaled sharply and looked away. “Not if I go to him now and try to placate.”

“Then. . .” My chest felt heavy. “Then I guess this is where we part ways.”

Before I could say another word, Caivid had stepped close. He loomed over me and the warmth of him soaked through my gown. “I will not allow you to walk back alone. ”

I rolled my eyes at him. “Caivid, I walk alone in these woods all the time.”

“Not anymore,” he said so fiercely I could hear the crackle of fire in his tone. “I’m your protector now. I won’t allow you to be unguarded again.”

My cheeks heated at how delighted his words made me. “But I don’t want you to get in any more trouble than you already are. I guess we only have one choice. I’m coming with you.”

His brows shot up.

“I can send a message to my father as soon as we’re in an area where birds can be called.

And then you can walk me back to Oakwall after you’ve checked in with your chief.

” I tapped my chin. “Or I suppose someone else could do it if your chief disapproves. What if. . . Caivid, do you need to ask him before you become my protector?”

“No.” His voice was sharp. “If he tries to deny me, I’ll challenge him.”

“Challenge?”

“Fight.”

I huffed out a nervous laugh. “Don’t do that.”

His eyes softened slightly, and he leaned in close again, looming over me in a way that made me feel shielded from everything around us. Not even the chill in the wind could touch me.

“I would do anything to keep you with me, sunshine. Never doubt my devotion to you.”

Oh, Fades, my heart felt like it was going to burst from beating so hard.

He grinned as if he knew exactly what he’d done, and his eyes dipped to my mouth. My lips parted in preparation for his kiss.

But then he jerked away, and his eyes snapped back in the direction his chief was calling. “We have to go.”

“Carry me?” I reached up to him. “It will be faster, I think.”

He hummed with delight and lifted me into his arms. Fades, it felt good to be carried by him. To submit to his embrace. To give in and let him take care of me.

The morning light was beautiful as the sun crested over the distant hills.

It bathed the red and gold trees in bright light, making them glow.

I breathed deep, this moment felt like magic.

Carried by Caivid. Content. Safe. I snuggled in closer to him as we made it to the path. I should call a bird now.

Maybe just a few more moments .

Caivid let out a happy little huff as I relaxed against him. He started walking toward Rove Wood Clan. After a few moments, his brow furrowed. “Chief Brovdir is with some of your villagers.”

“Some?” I asked as his expression went tense with concern.

“We should hurry.” He picked up the pace.

The breeze stung my cheeks. We rounded a bend and—

And a full mob of villagers was waiting.

Caivid halted so fast the world was a blur for a moment, and then we all stared at each other in shock.

Wool and wails! They had pitchforks and scythes and knives. Their faces were contorted with shock and rage.

“There she is!” someone cried.

“He’s got her!”

“Gut him.”

They bolted toward us with such speed and fury it made panic rise in my throat. Caivid backed up a few rapid steps, ready to bolt.

“Stop!” I finally found my voice. “Stop! What are you doing ?”

But they didn’t stop! If anything, they started moving faster .

Thundering footsteps sounded and Caivid set me down so fast the world around me spun. I could hardly get my bearings.

A crack sounded so sharp I scrambled away, feet sliding on the muddy ground. My arms were caught in a tight embrace, and the familiar smell of mutton stew followed.

My father was holding me.

“Susara, my daughter, thank Fades!” he cried.

What was going on? I looked back toward Caivid and saw Chief Brovdir, with his massive body and his deadly-looking scars, hauling Caivid up off the ground and holding his arms tight around his back.

Caivid’s face was colored up dark and his right eye looked swollen.

Chief Brovdir had slugged him in the face.

“Don’t hurt him!” Panic squeezed my throat. The mob was all hollering and raging so loud I could hardly hear my own voice. “Caivid didn’t do anything wrong!”

“Susara, what are you saying?” My father gripped me tight. His terrified eyes pleaded with me and my heart squeezed .

What had happened while I was gone? “Father, why are you here? You shouldn’t have come all this way in the cold! Your joints are going to swell again.”

“You’re all right? You aren’t hurt?” he asked, running his slender hands over me.

Before I could respond, someone bellowed over the chaos.

“Calm down! Calm down! ” The familiar voice of my headman made me want to collapse with relief, even as I saw how tense his usually jovial face had gone. “Susara, thank Fades, you’re all right.”

Father squeezed my arm again, and I took his hand. “I’m just fine, Father. Truly. I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to worry you.”

He looked like he was about to collapse. He was so pale and shaky. There was a boulder nearby, and I took his arm. “Here, let me help you sit down.”

“Find Chief Sythcol and his conjurers! Tell them she’s found.

” Chief Brovdir’s voice was ragged and sharp as he ordered two warrior orcs I hadn’t even noticed.

There were a few conjurers as well, standing back from the crowd.

“Fuck, Caivid, we’ve been looking half the night.

Where did you go that Chief Sythcol’s magic could not reach? ”

“We were just in the woods,” Caivid said as the orcs ran off to do Chief Brovdir’s bidding. “Near Susara’s pasture that was flooded out recently.”

Chief Brovdir’s eyes widened. “Did you say a flood ? Was it growing larger?”

Before either of us could respond to that odd question, one of the villagers cried. “You stole her!”

“We demand justice!”

“Silence!” Headman Gerald’s voice echoed off the trees. “Susara is safe! She’s well. It’s over! You must yield!”

But his words only made the group angrier.

“We will never yield.” Waston stepped forward, her dark eyes peering at me as she spoke with such vigor that it felt like ice had formed in my veins. “Not until this male is gutted for what he did! Every warrior here should be punished for his horrible crimes!”