Page 71 of Storm of Desire
Haakon peered out of the cave. "I think I've seen at least three shapesmoving."
"Then we should perhaps consider leaving ourselves." The rain had lessened, though the sun was still hours away. "We don't want to find ourselves trapped in here, and our swords will do nothing but break on theirskins."
"How do you killthem?"
"You don't," she said, heading for the horses. "Fire might drive them away, but I doubt anything will burn right now. I could strike them with lightning, if I wasn't wearing this cursed manacle, but unless you can make the sun rise swiftly, we don't have a lot of options. Are youcoming?"
"Damn it," he muttered, following her. "I'd just dried outtoo."
* * *
It was a slow chase,with Haakon and Árdís slipping and sliding down the mountain with the horses. The rain was merely a fine mist now, but Árdís squealed as her feet went out from under her and she landed on herbackside.
Haakon grabbed her before she could vanish off the side of the mountain, his fingers probably hurting her, he was squeezing her so tightly. He helped her to her feet, heart racing. "Becareful."
"Sorry. I wasn't looking where I was walking. They're getting closer," she whispered. "I think they're starting to gather their courage toattack."
Haakon cursed under his breath. "Down there," he said, pointing to a valley filled with a low-lying miasma of steam. "I can see mud bubbling, and smell the sulfur. If we can pick our way through the mud pools, then they can't rushus."
"That's your brilliant idea? They can't come at us, but what if we trap ourselves? We can't runeither."
"Running out of options," he said sharply. "As you've pointed out, I can't make the sunrise."
Árdís hissed under her breath. "Curse this stupid damned bracelet. I hate feeling sohelpless."
"Welcome to the mortal world," he snapped, guilt stirring through him. "Not all of us can fly our way to safety, or strike our enemies withlightning."
Árdís glared at him, and his blood rushed through his veins. "I cannot help being what Iam."
"And neither canI!"
He pushed her forward, hovering close enough to grab her if she fell again. She wasdreki, and he only a man. The difference between them wasn't insurmountable, but then she'd left him and he still didn't knowwhy.
Árdís marched with stiff steps, her spinestraight.
Damn it. Haakon raked a hand through his damp hair. She wasn't the only one who felt trapped or helpless. What sort of man was he if he couldn't save her? His gut knotted up tight. "I'm sorry I snapped at you. I don't like feeling like I can't protectyou."
It was worse since she'dvanished.
And now to have her back within arm's reach, but indanger?
The very thought churned withinhim.
"Apology accepted." Another couple of stiff-legged steps. Her shoulders slumped, and her voice softened. "If it is any consolation, I know exactly how you feel. I would do anything to save you fromharm."
It wasn't as if she could kick his pride any harder. "You don't have to protect me,Princess."
Árdís glanced at him, and for the first time he felt like all her defenses were lowered. There was something in her eyes—pain, sadness, even perhaps a hint of longing—that made him catch his breath. He felt like he was on the verge of discovering her deepest, darkest secrets. Hersoul.
Then her gaze shuttered. "What sort ofdrekiwould I be if I didn't protect you? I dragged you into this mess. I will get you out of it, no matter what I mustdo."
"Árdís—"
She shook her head. "Not now. We both need to focus. We're here, and while I could survive a mud bath, I daresay it would melt the flesh from yourbones."
They'd reached the bottom of the valley. Steam rose off the ground, creeping from open vents. Haakon took the lead, picking a path between the patches of bubbling mud. Behind them a loud deliberate grunting suddenly echoed through the canyon, and all the hairs on the back of his necklifted.
"You watch your feet," Árdís called. "I'll keep an eye behind us. They've paused at the edge fornow."
