Page 60 of Storm of Fury
Twelve
“I thinkyou’re going to miss him,” Bryn said, dumping her saddlebags by the river. Judging by the clouds, she had perhaps a good half hour before the sun fully rose. Sýr floated above them, keeping a watchful eye on the Blackfrost’s departing form, but apart from that they were all alone.
Tormund stilled, the water barely covering his hips. He glanced over his shoulder in surprise, then arched an arrogant brow. “Who? That overgrown black lizard?”
Bryn kicked her boots off, enjoying the sight of his bare back. “I think he wins. He called you an irritating flea on a camel’s backside.”
“He told me he liked me.”
“Really?” she drawled, tugging the leather thong from the ends of her hair. “I find that difficult to believe.”
“He said I have a good heart, which is virtually the same.”
“I’m not entirely certain the Blackfrost meant that as a compliment. Isn’t he evil?”
Tormund sank into the water, splashing his arms back and forth lazily. “He used to be, they tell me. Malin tamed the vicious beast and practically muzzled him. What are you doing?”
She could have asked herself the same question.
Whatareyou doing?
She should have been preparing for the journey home and plotting how best to finish Solveig’s contract. Instead, she’d heard him splashing in the stream and hadn’t been able to resist joining him.
“Marduk’s taking a test flight with Haakon, to ensure his wing has healed. When they return we’re leaving, which means this is my last chance to wash.” Or maybe just her last chance to spend time with Tormund. Bryn raked her fingers through her braids, loosening them. Her scalp itched in relief, and she scraped her nails over it, groaning in pleasure.
His eyes narrowed as her fingers dropped to the buttons of her shirt. “Hmm. It looks like you’re planning on torturing me.”
“Torturing you?” She paused with her fingers on the lowest button.
Tormund sighed and turned around, the broad expanse of his shoulders wet and sleek. He had a bar of soap in his hands and scrubbed it over his shoulders. “Actually, I think torturing me is the highlight of your day.”
“Perhaps a little.”
His courtesy was unexpected and she had to admit she liked it. He left her with all the choices in this situation, and it disarmed her in a way she’d never expected. Too many men had made demands of her over the years, and she’d swiftly developed the means to deter them. But though Tormund clearly pursued her, he did it in such a way that she felt entirely safe.
Bryn dropped the shirt, enjoying the way he stiffened. She started working on the buttons of her trousers. “Why do we always seem to end up in water together? Naked?”
“I don’t know. I was here first. And as I recall, I was in the bathtub at Hof first too.” His voice lowered. “Are you trying to steal my virtue, Bryn?”
“Your virtue is a far distant dream,” she replied with a snort. Working out of the rest of her clothes, she tiptoed toward the river, squeaking at the cold when she dipped a toe in. “Odin’s balls, this is freezing!”
“Bracing.”
“Is that going to be your excuse?” she teased.
“Woman, I need no excuse. Maybe now you’ll be able to handle all of me.”
Bryn laughed.
Sucking in a shallow breath, she strode into the water. Every inch bit at her skin until the best resort was to dive under.
Bryn came up with a shocked gasp, finding Tormund laughing at her. The way he threw his head back drew her eyes. He lived life to the fullest, and there was never a moment where he wasn’t simply enjoying himself immensely.
I like him, she thought, watching his white teeth flash.I like him far too much.
It would be easy to ride at his side and sit by a campfire with him, rolling her eyes at his terrible jokes. And a part of her yearned to share the easy camaraderie he and Haakon owned. She’d barely known him a handful of days and yet it already felt like forever.
She’d never missed her sisters more.
