Page 49 of Storm of Desire
"I don't think I like the idea of you riding off alone with her," Gunnarmuttered.
"Yes, but a pair of riders is going to attract less attention than a handful of dragon hunters. None of us look like farmers or merchants," Tormund said quickly, slapping Gunnar on the shoulder. His fingers locked there, as if to restrain the man. "This isn't going to end in a fight, if Haakon uses his wits. He knows what he's doing. And one or more riders at his side isn't going to be able to drive adrekiaway. We'd need the entire company and the ballista for that, and we might as well burn a massive beacon and drag it along behindus."
Haakon ground his teeth together and glared at his cousin.I don't have a fucking clue what I'mdoing.
Tormund flashed a quick smile. Then waggled his eyebrows up anddown.
Curse him.This wasn't going to go the way Tormundexpected.
The next few days stretched in front ofhim.
Alone. WithÁrdís.
And thenights....
Pure bloodytorture.
And now she insisted she wasn't going to ride the baggagepony?
Tethering the reluctant pony to Sleipnir, he shifted his saddlebags, relocating some of the straps. This was not a major problem. He could work out a solution. His willpower wasn't going to fail at the thought of having her in hisarms.
"So youaregoing to ride the carpetbag?" Árdís looked brightened by theprospect.
If Sleipnir could handle this, then so could he. It was just a few days in close proximity toher.
She was the one who'd be getting a sorebackside.
"No," Haakon snapped, swinging up into the saddle and adjusting his seat as the stallion danced. His sword and crossbow were going to be a problem, but he could manage. "You're going to board the ship while I ride out of Reykjavik alone, just in case anyone is watching. I'll meet you five miles north of the town, where Tormund can row you ashore. Then you can ride behindme."
He nudged Sleipnir forward, nodding at Tormund. "Make a fuss out of taking her aboard. Make sure she's seen, so if anyone comes offering gold around, they'll happily say she boarded a ship. I'll see you in a couple ofhours."
"See?" Tormund said, offering Árdís his arm. "Your husband is a strategic man. You'll be safe withhim."
Haakon met her eyes as he reined Sleipnir in a tightcircle.
Who was going to protect him fromher?
* * *
It swiftly becameclear Árdís had few allies aboard theship.
Marek had vanished inside Haakon's cabin, and sought the bed, proving Haakon's assessment of his condition correct. Most of the men ignored her, a few gave her curious looks, but Gunnar outrightscowled.
"Stay there," he snapped, pointing to what he called the bow of the ship. "And don't move. Don't speak. Don't get in theway."
Then he turned and strodeaway.
"Have I done something to offend you?" shecalled.
Gunnar paused in mid-step. "Did you not hearme?"
"I think the not speaking rule is a trifle overwhelming." And she had her pride, after all. She wasdreki.
He turned on her. "I've spent the last seven years at Haakon's side, hunting for you. He never gave up hope, until last month when your brother told him the truth of your deception. He went mad. Tore apart his room, shattered furniture like it was made from sticks. We had to chain him up for days, so he wouldn't mount an armed assault on yourdrekicourt by himself. You did that to him. Mendiedbecause of your lies. I've lost good friends to dragons’ teeth because you decided to toy with Haakon's heart on a fuckingwhim."
She was taken aback. "It wasn't a whim," she saidsoftly.
"That's enough,Gunnar."
