Chapter 6

CHAPTER SIX

W ulf kept a discreet eye on Kari as he talked to Lothar, smiling when she finished her bowl of gr?d. Feeding her satisfied his instinctive desire to provide for her.

To provide for my bride.

The knowledge that he'd found his mate at last filled him with happiness, despite his lingering doubts about Wold's intentions in sending her to him. Was there a greater significance to her arrival than just fulfilling his own longings? He'd told Wold that he'd put her happiness above all else, but he prayed that it wouldn't be at the expense of his people.

He watched as she gathered up both bowls, then reached for Egon's. When his brother gave her a confused look, she mimed wiping out the bowls and pointed in the direction of the stream.

"I was going to wash them. Wash."

"Vas," Egon translated, then gave him a quick look.

He didn't like the idea of letting her out of his sight, but he trusted Egon with his life - and hers. He nodded, fighting back the urge to go after them as they gathered up the rest of the breakfast dishes and went towards the stream.

"I'm glad to see you're behaving more rationally this morning," Lothar teased as he skewered the marta carcasses and place them over the fire to smoke.

He frowned at his brother as he set to work scraping one of the small hides.

"I was never irrational."

Lothat shook his head as he took up the other.

"A foolish male never knows his own foolishness. I'm surprised you're not still insisting on carrying her around this morning. She's certainly small enough for you to do so."

Small and perfect. Her soft curves tucked against him all night had been an agonizing pleasure, his body responding to her closeness despite his guilt. He'd spent the night in a constant state of arousal, his cock still hard and aching when he carefully extracted himself from their bedroll, leaving her to sleep.

"She will need to be protected," he muttered, to himself as much as Lothar.

"Then she could ask for no better mate." Lothar's face turned serious for once. "You will care for her just as you have cared for all of us."

"A leader protects his people."

His father had impressed that on him since he was small. When he'd had to assume the leadership role after their father's death, he'd done his best to follow it. Doesn't that mean they deserve a chance for brides as well, his conscience prodded, but he pushed the thought aside to focus on the reality of making his bride more comfortable.

He took the now clean hides and spread them out on a flat rock, deciding how best to use each skin. He'd finished cutting each one into the rough shape of a shoe when Kari and Egon returned. His heart skipped a beat when she immediately looked over at him, a tentative smile on her pretty lips.

He returned the smile, then gestured for her to come closer, patting the rock in front of him. She hesitated for a moment then sat down in front of him, near enough that the sweetness of her scent threatened to renew his arousal. He did his best to ignore it as he pointed to her feet and then to the hides.

"Cobbes."

"Shoes?"

She nodded, but her breath caught as he gently grasped her ankle, marveling at how delicate it felt in his hand. He forced himself to focus on the task, measuring her foot against the leather and refining the shape to conform to her feet. As he worked, he notice the gentle curve of her calf, so different from the muscular legs of orc females. His fingers brushed against her skin as he adjusted his measurements, and she shivered slightly at his touch. The reaction sent a jolt through him, and he had to remind himself to concentrate.

She seemed equally affected. Her cheeks flushed pink, and she bit her lower lip, a gesture he found inexplicably alluring. Their eyes met, and the air between them crackled with unspoken tension, before he cleared his throat and returned to his task, breaking the spell. He refused to explore the attraction between them until they could communicate more readily. That didn't stop the warmth spreading through his chest from her response to his touch.

He returned to crafting the shoes, shaping the leather and using strips of cured rawhide to lace up the front of each shoe, then adding another strip to tighten the heel and tie around her ankles. He'd allowed room for the thick woolen socks she'd been wearing and replaced them with a clean pair before fastening the shoes in place.

Her shy smile of gratitude made his efforts worthwhile, even if they were far from perfect. They weren't the elegant footwear she deserved, but they'd protect her feet on the journey home. He nodded and looked over at this brothers.

"Are we ready to go?"

"Eager to bring home your bride?" Lothar teased.

"Yes," he said truthfully, unwilling to give Lothar the satisfaction of a reaction. His younger brother's mockery was familiar, comforting in its normalcy amidst the strange events of the past day.

Egon merely nodded, but a flicker of longing crossed his older brother's scarred face before it was quickly masked. Guilt swept over him again, but he pushed aside his conflicting emotions as he prepared his own pack. The rest of the camp had been dismantled while he worked on Kari's shoes, leaving no trace of their presence.

As he rolled up his sleeping furs, he began making plans to prepare his home for Kari's arrival, to make her feel welcome and safe. The thought of her in his rooms gave him great satisfaction, but he needed to concentrate on ensuring her comfort during the journey first.

"Should we create a litter for your little bride?" The teasing tone was back in Lothar's voice, but Wulf heard the genuine concern beneath it.

He looked over at Kari, watching them with a mixture of curiosity and apprehension. He suspected that the trek would be difficult for her, but the thought of conveying her like an invalid didn't sit well with him. He'd rather have her at his side as an equal, even if it meant a slower pace. He shook his head.

"Not unless it becomes too much for her. Despite my eagerness - as you put it - we can take our time on the journey."

Lothar rolled his eyes and grinned at him as he shouldered his pack. He picked up his own as Kari rose, giving him a questioning look.

"Time to leave," he told her.

She gave a quick look around the now deserted clearing, then fell into step beside him, her smaller strides matching his purposefully shortened ones. Her presence beside him felt right, as if she'd always belonged there, but he couldn't let it distract him. He didn't anticipate any immediate threats but the wilderness was not be taken lightly and her safety was paramount.

As they headed back towards the shrine, the forest path narrowed, and he moved slightly ahead to push aside low-hanging branches and clear the way. He kept a careful eye on her, enjoying the wonder on her face as she took in their surroundings.

She was so busy looking around that she stumbled over a fallen branch. His arm shot out, steadying her before she could fall. The brief contact sent a jolt through him, reminding him of their newfound bond. He lingered a moment longer than necessary, savoring her warmth before reluctantly letting go.

Despite his watchfulness, he continued to consider ways to make his rooms more welcoming. They were utilitarian at best and she deserved a place more suited to her delicate beauty. Perhaps he could trade some furs for embroidered fabrics, or fashion some furniture better suited to her smaller frame. The thought of her in his home filled him with joy.

A rustling in the underbrush caught his attention, his hand flying to his weapon. But it was only a startled marta, bounding away through the ferns as Kari watched with wide-eyed curiosity. Lothar hadn't missed his reaction, shaking his head in amusement, but Wulf didn't care. He'd rather be prepared for a threat that didn't occur than overlook one that did.

The path widened again as they approached the lake and the shrine. He would much rather have avoided the spot but it was the only direct path to the pass leading towards his holdings. Despite his apprehension it looked peaceful enough, sunlight dancing on the shimmering expanse of water that reflected the surrounding peaks.

As they emerged from the woods, she froze, her eyes fixed on the lake. She looked from it to the shrine on the hill next to it and her eyes widened. She gestured towards the shrine, then back to the water, her movements becoming more frantic.

"Is this where I arrived? Will it send me back?"

His chest tightened as she spoke, her words incomprehensible but her meaning clear. She wanted to go back. Back to the lake, back to the shrine, back to wherever she'd come from before Wold had answered his prayers.

His instincts demanded that he comfort her, that he give her everything she desired. But this... this was the one thing he couldn't give her. And would I, even if it were possible?

The thought of losing her was unbearable, but it didn't prevent guilt from gnawing at him. His actions had brought her here, torn her from everything she knew. His chest tightened as he watched the hope drain from her face. He steadied himself against the weight of her disappointment and his own conflicting emotions and stepped towards her. Slowly, he shook his head, watching as the last flicker of hope faded from her expression.

He held out his hand as he had the previous night. Although he'd failed to give her what she truly wanted, he needed her to know that he would protect her and care for her.

Her eyes darted between his outstretched hand and the shimmering lake for an endless moment. Then with an almost inaudible sigh, she placed her small hand in his.

Relief flooded him as he gave her hand a gentle squeeze, marveling at how perfectly it fit in his own. With a final glance at the shrine that had changed both their lives, he led her away from the lake and towards her new home.