Chapter 20

Louisawoke the next morning to the sight of a frantic, flush-faced Gladys, bursting into her bedroom.

"Missus!" she yelped, her voice grating through Louisa's sluggish thoughts. "There's an orc at the kitchen door!"

Therewas an orc at the door. Louisa's heart skipped, and she shoved up in bed, rubbing at her eyes. "Which one?" she demanded, too sharp. "And what does he want?"

"He asked for you!" Gladys wailed, jabbing a finger toward Louisa in the bed. "And it's the one who grew the tree-trunk in his trousers!"

Oh. Ulfarr. Ulfarr was here? Asking for her? And wait, maybe it was an emergency, maybe something had happened, and Louisa scrambled out of bed, and threw on the first dress she could reach, before haphazardly pinning up her messy hair, and splashing her face with cold water. She'd again slept terribly, taunted by dreams of blood and mockery and furious orcs, and now Ulfarr was here —

Shenearly tripped as she raced down the stairs, sprinting past a blinking Joan in the corridor, and a terrified-looking Elise in the kitchen. And when she threw the door open, her chest heaving, there was indeed — Ulfarr. His huge, fully clothed body nearly filling the entire doorframe, his hand rubbing awkwardly at his neck.

"Ach, Louisa," he said, with a brief, uneasy glance toward the kitchen beyond her. "I — wished to ask — if you might yet wish to — come to the camp. With me."

Hewanted to go visit the camp — now? And for an instant, Louisa could only stare at him, still dragging for breath, her heart clanging wildly in her chest. While before her, Ulfarr's already-flushed face seemed to go even redder, and he winced, and lurched a step backwards.

"ButI ken — I mayhap — misunderstood," he said, rushed and hoarse. "I ought to have first — sent word. I am — sorry, I —"

Butwait, no, no, and Louisa jolted forward, clutched his stiff hand in hers. "No, of course," she replied, too quickly. "I'd be delighted to. Please. Just give me a moment, while I —"

Tell my staff, she'd been about to say, but when she glanced over her shoulder, she found all three of them standing assembled behind her, and staring at her. "Not to intrude, missus," said Gladys, curling her lip, "but I don't think it's particularly… wise, to be going out alone and unchaperoned with an orc, is it?"

Unchaperoned? Good gods, as if Louisa was a blushing debutante, and she shot an incredulous look at Gladys, even as Ulfarr cleared his throat from the doorway. "I had… thought of this," he said. "SoI asked Halthorr to come, also."

Wait. He'd invited Halthorr? As a chaperone? And yes, yes, Louisa's darting glance into the yard beyond Ulfarr found Halthorr poking his head out from behind a nearby tree, and giving her a cheerful wave. And as she blinked back toward him, there was the strangest urge to laugh, and to hurl herself into Ulfarr's arms, and squeeze him as tightly as she could, while fondly informing him that an orc was truly the worst possible chaperone, but he was so sweet to think of her comfort, and…

"I'll go," cut in a grim voice, and when Louisa glanced over, it was Joan, a look of weary resignation in her dark eyes. While beside her, Elise gasped, her hand clapping over her mouth — and at the sight of it, Louisa's muddled brain jolted into clarity again. She still didn't want to upset or frighten her staff, no — but she'd also somehow decided, without deciding at all, that she wanted to be honest about this. Maybe just because of Ulfarr, coming straight up to her door like this, just as he'd promised, without demand or complaint.

"If you're really willing to come, that would be lovely, Joan," Louisa said, as steadily as she could. "AndI know Ulfarr will take very good care of us. Right, sweetheart?"

Ulfarr'seyes widened, while behind Louisa, there were several affronted gasps — but oh, it had been worth it, because Ulfarr's mouth softened, his eyes shimmering into something warm, almost reverent. "Ach, always, Louisa," he murmured, as he gently clasped her hand, and brought it to his mouth. "It should be a great honour."

Oh. Well. Louisa's face heated as she smiled back, and she said a shaky goodbye to Elise and Gladys, before following Ulfarr out into the bright morning sunlight. It was another lovely day, the air crisp and clear, and Louisa drew in a deep breath as they began walking, with Joan trailing behind — and now Halthorr was jogging over too, and looking decidedly delighted by Joan's presence.

"Good morning, sisters," he said, with a sweeping bow toward them both, though his eyes lingered on Joan. "Are you ready for your tour of our camp, with two strong, stalwart Skai as your guide?"

Joanrolled her eyes, but didn't protest when Halthorr fell into step beside her, a satisfied smile curling at his mouth. And as Louisa glanced at Halthorr over her shoulder, she was suddenly, starkly reminded of Killik, strong enough that her own smile faded, her eyes darting sideways toward Ulfarr's face.

"So where's Killik today?" she asked, as lightly as she could. "Still — away? On whatever project he had to go off to work on last night?"

Ulfarr'sshrug was quick and jerky, his gaze held straight ahead. "Or mayhap now sleeping," he said. WhenI found him early this morning, he was yet… busy."

Theword sounded flat and bitter, hinting at some deeper meaning — and Louisa blinked at him, as a blank, shocked incredulity flashed behind her eyes. "Wait," she said. "You don't mean Killik was busy — in bed?! With — someone else? After he left you in the —"

Shebroke off there, darting a chagrined glance back at Joan and Halthorr, but they'd fallen a little behind, and now seemed intently occupied with looking through the trees. And beside her, Ulfarr heavily exhaled, and gave another sharp shrug of his shoulder.

"Ach, why should he not?" he replied, his voice steady. "Killik is a strong and lusty bedmate, and pleasure always calms him, and grants him peace and ease. And his other bedmates are always very pretty and hale, also, and they can always fulfill what a Skai ought to —"

Butperhaps he'd seen the way Louisa was staring at him, because he audibly swallowed, and looked away. But his face was flushed, his shoulders slumped, and Louisa could almost feel the ache, the misery, the shame. Far too close, too tight and familiar in her chest.

"Well, I'd say you're just as handsome and hale as any of them," she said firmly, as her hand found his, and gave it a squeeze. "And just as able to fulfill whatever you think a Skai ought to, either. I mean, last night was —"

Ulfarrshot a brief, searching glance toward her, and Louisa drew in a breath, squared her shoulders. He wanted her truth, right? Wanted her to do this with him…

"It was probably the most pleasure I've ever had in bed," she said, quieter. "Ever. Maybe only rivalled by the other night with you. You felt — you were incredible, sweetheart."

Hervoice cracked, her face heating, but she held his eyes, let him see — or smell — that truth. And yes, he was inhaling, as something like shock, and then relief, filtered across his eyes. "Ach, you also, Louisa," he replied, low. "I… I thank you."

Itcurled quiet and contented in Louisa's belly, settling her shoulders, and it felt easy, suddenly, to squeeze his hand again, and smile up at his face. "And as for Killik," she said, as bracingly as she could, "I know he cares deeply about you, too. He's made it very, very clear to me how highly he thinks of you. How much you — mean to him."

Butwait, why was she bringing Killik back into this, or defending him? Or even seeking to reassure Ulfarr on his behalf? AfterKillik had run off and left Ulfarr alone like that last night, so he could take his pleasure with someone else…

Butmaybe this was why she'd said it, that stark gratefulness in Ulfarr's eyes, his breath hitching out. "Ach, Killik is a good friend," he replied. "Better than I ever deserved. I shall never forget all he has done for me, even if he no more wishes for me in his —"

Hewinced and shook his head, squeezing his eyes shut. "Ach, forgive me, Louisa," he said, faster than before. "I ought not to be speaking of — ach. I should never wish you to think — I have no need of other — I deeply long for what we —"

Hisvoice choked, his eyes searching panicked on hers, and Louisa desperately shook her head, clutched back at his hand, and gave him a too-wide, frantic-feeling smile. "Not to worry, sweetheart," she said quickly. "I know we're not — exclusive. AndI certainly understand that you and Killik already have a long-term relationship, and that's not something you can just…"

Butnow it was her voice trailing off, because curse it, she'd been the one to demand that Killik stay out of Ulfarr's bed. She'd been the one to require Ulfarr's fidelity toward her, even after Killik had told her how unhappy Ulfarr was about it. HowKillik had needed to deny him, and had made excuses to him, and taken away his touch and his comfort…

And— wait, was that why Killik had left Ulfarr last night? Was that why Ulfarr was now so miserable about this? And damn it, had Louisa even discussed any of this with Ulfarr? She hadn't, had she?

"Wolf!" interrupted a small, squealing voice, startling Louisa all over — but when her swirling thoughts refocused again, there was… a child. A small, grey-skinned orc child, bursting out of the trees up ahead, and racing toward them. His slim body was dressed only in a knee-length kilt, his hair a wild black mess about his head, but his gap-toothed grin was broad and delighted, his eager eyes fixed on Ulfarr's face. "We found you, Wolf!" he crowed. "We hunted you, and caught you!"

BesideLouisa, Ulfarr was smiling, too, slow but genuine, and he released her hand so he could catch the little orc up into his arms. "Ach, this was good hunting, brother," he said, as his eyes angled toward the trees — toward where another small orc appeared, and then another. All three of them rushing over to pile onto Ulfarr at once, and then proudly regaling him with the details of their hunt, and how they'd so carefully tracked his scent. And glancing backwards, Louisa realized Halthorr had fallen quite far behind with Joan — but he was now fondly grinning toward the little orcs, suggesting that perhaps he'd been partly to blame.

"She scent of you too, Wolf," one of the small orcs announced now, pointing his tiny black claw toward Louisa. "Make this extra easy for us, ach?"

Ulfarrchuckled, a low, warm rumble in his throat, even as he shot Louisa a distinctly apologetic look. "This is Louisa," he told them. "She is… a friend, and the owner of these lands. And it is polite" — he raised his heavy brows between them — "to bow and say a greeting when you meet someone new. And to speak your name, mayhap."

Thethree little orcs nodded, and to Louisa's ever-rising surprise, they took turns introducing themselves, giving careful little bows toward her. The first one with the wild hair was named Leikr, and the other two were Oski and Sindri. And apparently, they all lived at the camp with their guardians, though — Leikr solemnly informed her — Sindri's father was gone, and Oski lived with his grandparents.

"But we are all brothers and sisters," Ulfarr said firmly, with a gentle rustle of his hand to Sindri's hair. "And we all help care for one another. Now, mayhap you three can help us hunt our way to the camp?"

Leikrexcitedly nodded and squirmed out of Ulfarr's arms, and soon he was racing back through the trees, with the other two close behind him. AndLouisa smiled as she watched them go, and when she met Ulfarr's eyes, he was still smiling, too, and looking more relaxed than he'd seemed today yet.

"They're adorable," Louisa told him, as they followed the little orcs deeper into the forest. "Is your son here today, too?"

Shecouldn't quite hide the curiosity in her voice, but Ulfarr regretfully shook his head. "Not this time," he said. But next time, mayhap."

Hisvoice was a little too careful, and it belatedly occurred to Louisa that perhaps it wasn't an accident that his son was away. PerhapsUlfarr hadn't wanted to introduce her to his son yet. And while she might have once been insulted by that, she now felt only appreciation, simmering warm in her chest. Because of course a good father wouldn't introduce his son to a casual bedpartner after only a few nights — and in truth, she'd likely have thought less of Ulfarr if he'd done otherwise.

"So is the camp close?" she asked. "I thought I remembered seeing a tunnel around here?"

Hergaze settled on the small clearing up ahead, where there was an obvious firepit, surrounded by a stand of tall oaks and pines and hemlocks. And beside her, Ulfarr nodded, twitched a small smile, and looked… up.

Louisafollowed his eyes, blinking up at the heavy cover of leaves and branches above them — but wait. Dotted high amidst the trees, interwoven with the thick branches, there were… platforms. Bridges. And were those… tree houses?!

Louisa'smouth dropped open, her eyes snapping to Ulfarr — who was still smiling, warm and rueful. "ManySkai like to live in trees, for it is safer, and more secret. Shall you come up, and see?"

Louisanumbly nodded, and then shot a searching look back at Joan. Who was looking just as stunned as Louisa felt, but then she sighed, and nodded too. WhileUlfarr signalled up toward the huge pine tree beside them, to where a lean, grey-skinned face poked over the edge of the nearest platform.

"Need the ladder, Wolf?" called a voice, and with it was another new face, joining the first. "Bringing woman up?"

Ulfarrnodded toward the faces, and then his big hand began… making movements. Pointed, purposeful movements, his fingers fluently shifting in midair, and above them, the new face rolled its eyes, and huffed a loud sigh. "Ach, ach," the voice said. "Watch your head, lady."

Withthat, something hurtled down over the edge of the platform, something big and wooden and coiled. AndLouisa ducked just in time as a large rope ladder rapidly unfurled and swung over them, swaying back and forth from the platform.

BehindLouisa, Joan let out a low, muttered curse — and no wonder, because while the ladder did look relatively sturdy, with solid wooden rungs, the platform above was still at an alarming height. And though Louisa personally wasn't bothered by heights, she'd still never climbed a tree that high in her life, and she couldn't imagine Joan had, either.

"Ach, naught to fear," came Ulfarr's steady voice, as he reached toward the ladder, and pulled it taut. "This is strong, and safe. Halthorr, you go first, to show them."

Halthorrnodded and winked toward Joan before leaping lightly onto the ladder, and climbing up with swift, impossible ease. And within a matter of breaths, he bounded onto the platform above, and his grinning face joined the other two — no, three — now watching them from above.

"Show-off," Joan muttered, frowning up toward him — but then, to Louisa's ever-rising astonishment, Joan sighed, and lurched for the ladder, too. Climbing it far more slowly than Halthorr had, but Ulfarr held the ladder firm as she went, and soon Halthorr was reaching down a hand, and helping Joan over the top, too.

"Now you, Louisa?" Ulfarr asked. "I shall be sure to catch you, should you fall."

Well. Louisa drew in a breath and nodded, and accordingly reached for the ladder. And while it was indeed awkward going — especially with her damned swinging skirts — the ladder did seem sturdy enough, and Louisa's feet moved faster and easier as she went. And soon Joan was hauling her up over the platform, too — and then Louisa froze, her breath catching, her eyes sweeping over the sight before her.

Itwas — a whole treetop village. A cozy, clever collection of platforms and small wooden structures, embedded into the trees, and connected by those long, dangling rope bridges and ladders. Spreading as far as Louisa could see into the treetops all around them, and how — how was this even possible? And how had she not once noticed it, when she'd come here before?

Butthe longer she blinked at it, the deeper the comprehension sank into her thoughts. It all seemed to have been intentionally built to blend in as much as possible, each platform shaped to mimic the branches above and below, and all of them camouflaged with leaves and canvas and furs. And the huts were small, and sometimes open on the sides and tops, and now Louisa could make out a smattering of hammocks, swaying within and beside them, the brown and green ropes and furs blending with the rich foliage all around. Just the same as the bridges and ladders, and it occurred to Louisa that they would all be easy to hide and remove, should the necessity ever arise.

Itwas truly a marvel of engineering, of sheer damned cleverness, and Louisa couldn't stop staring at it, as the awe caught and convulsed in her throat. And she gave a shaky exhale at the feel of Ulfarr stepping beside her, his hand again clasping hers — and when she turned toward him, he was watching her closely, his eyes warm and maybe even hopeful.

"Is it… what you expected?" he asked, quiet. "Do you… mind it, being here, thus?"

Louisashot another glance at the sunlit, shimmering greenery all around them, and all the cozy, camouflaged little shelters. All tucked in with such obvious care and respect for the surrounding environment, just as Killik's contract had promised — and suddenly there was only longing, or perhaps even envy, clutching in her chest. She'd spent most of her life living in cold, drafty houses, full of heavy furnishings and empty rooms, and surrounded by large, manicured lawns no one ever used. And what must it be like, to live in a place like this? To have this closeness with nature and the trees and the sky? To feel such freedom? Such… peace?

"Of course I don't mind," she said, blinking toward Ulfarr's watching eyes. "It's — it's beautiful."

Hervoice was low and fervent, her hand squeezing Ulfarr's, and oh, the way he was looking at her, his swallow bobbing in his throat. "I am glad," he murmured, with a gentle squeeze back to her hand. "It is a good, safe home for our kin, ach, my brothers?"

Heglanced backwards as he spoke, toward — right. Joan and Halthorr, and the three new orcs. All of them younger, perhaps in their early twenties, and all eyeing Louisa and Joan with open, incredulous curiosity.

"Uh, this is the landlady, ain't it, Wolf?" one of them finally asked, high-pitched. "How'd you get in bed with her?!"

Therewas an instant's awkward stillness, during which Louisa's face heated, and redness crept up Ulfarr's neck, too — but then he raised his hand, and began making more of those swift, purposeful movements. Movements that clearly meant something to the three young orcs, because the one who'd spoken grimaced, and then bowed low toward Louisa, his long braid falling over his shoulder.

"Sorry, woman," he said. "An' welcome to the camp. I'mRagni, and these are my Skai brothers, Kori and Fasti. We three live here, and oft serve as the camp's scouts and guards, when Killik and Wolf ain't around."

Hischest puffed out, a proud smile drawing at his mouth, and Louisa couldn't help a warm smile back toward him. "That sounds very important," she replied. "Thank you so much for welcoming us to your lovely home."

Theorc's chest puffed out even further, and after a glance toward Ulfarr, he waved Louisa toward the rope bridge at the platform's edge. "Well, come and see it, then," he said. "Watch your step on the bridges!"

Louisashot a rueful grin at Ulfarr — hopefully he didn't mind? — but he was smiling fondly toward Ragni, and his hand had slipped to her back. Guiding her gently forward, toward where Ragni and his brothers were already breezing across the bridge.

Itcertainly wasn't as easy as they made it look, but as Louisa carefully followed, she could almost hear Killik's voice, firm and decisive in her thoughts. Breathe, feel the earth, draw it up into your foot. AndUlfarr's steady hand on her back helped too, and thankfully, they reached the next platform without incident. Where an eager-looking Ragni had already begun talking, and waving at the attached little cabin, which apparently served as both a defensive structure, and where they kept all their tools and weapons.

"There's only one easy way up for humans, see," he said, pointing back toward the ladder, "and you gotta get past this to get to the living quarters. Keep our kin safer this way, ach?"

Louisatried to ignore the fact that he was referring to possible invasions by humans like her — or perhaps LordRikard — and smiled back toward him. "That sounds very wise," she replied. "And what is that one for?"

Shewaved at the next open-walled structure up ahead, with what appeared to be a variety of chests and shelves — and Ragni rapidly led their little group across the next bridge toward it, explaining how it was used to store food and goods. And finally, across another bridge, were the houses. The half-dozen small, cozy little houses, tucked into trunks and leaves and branches… and all of them occupied by people. Not just orcs, but women, and children, too. Families.

Andwhile that shouldn't have been a surprise, Louisa's astonishment kept rising higher as Ulfarr and Ragni made multiple rounds of introductions. A small, dark-haired woman named Polly was mated to a tall orc named Igull, and not only were they Leikr's parents, but Polly had a small, wide-eyed orcling on her hip, too. Another woman named Annie was plump and blonde, and she laughed as she chased her equally plump orc toddler over the rope bridges. And a smiling, white-haired woman named Flora was curled up in a clever rope swing with a bald, one-armed orc named Galmr — who also turned out to be Oski's grandfather.

Andthen, in the last tree-house, they met a human man. A slim, smiling, sandy-haired man named Thomas, who'd been bustling about on his little platform, laying out strips of seasoned meat to dry in the sun. And once he'd whistled a tune across the clearing, he was soon joined by the rest of his family — a small, sandy-haired human boy named Angus, and a burly, stern-faced orc named Elgr.

"It is good of you to share your lands with us thus, woman," Elgr told Louisa, in a deep, slow voice, as he settled his big arm around Angus' shoulder. "It means much to us, to have such a safe home for our mates and sons."

Oneither side of him, Thomas and Angus aimed matching, stunning smiles toward Louisa, and something skipped in her chest as she smiled back. "I'm so glad it helps," she said. "You've all built a lovely camp here."

Thomasand Angus both beamed even brighter, and then plied Louisa and Joan with snacks of dried berries, and strips of delicious, honey-flavoured meat. And once they'd finished and said farewell, and climbed back down to the ground again, Louisa still felt slightly stunned, staring up at the circle of tree-houses high above. These orcs had truly built a life here. A community. A home.

"Now, our tunnel toward the mountain is over there, but it's not much to look at," Ragni cheerfully cut in. "ButI ken you'd like to see our underground common-room? It still needs work, but it's an important part of the camp, too."

Louisatook a deep, bracing breath, and nodded — but then caught sight of Joan, whose mouth was hanging open. "Really?" she asked, high-pitched. "Underground? Into a place that's likely to fall on our heads at any moment?"

Butbeside her, Halthorr gave a broad, reassuring smile, and swept into a graceful bow. "I swear to you, woman," he said, his hand over his heart, "naught shall fall upon your pretty head whilst I am with you, ach?"

Joanrolled her eyes, but then sighed, and threw up her hands. "Fine, let's go," she snapped. "You realize it might kill you too, though."

ButHalthorr just kept grinning, and waved Joan ahead of him with a flourish. Past the edge of the clearing, and toward a tall, jagged wall of stone. And when Halthorr and Ragni pulled on a jut of rock, a large, square section of the stone drew out, as if it was an actual door.

Louisagasped, her eyes meeting Joan's equally shocked face, while Ragni ducked through the door, and waved them into the darkness. AndUlfarr's hand was still on Louisa's back, gently guiding her forward, though his eyes had flicked backwards, toward Ragni's companions Kori and Fasti.

"You two stay here and stand guard, ach?" he told them. "And call if aught is amiss."

BothKori and Fasti nodded, their expressions solemn but pleased. And as Ulfarr guided Louisa toward the cave's dark opening, it occurred to her that while Ulfarr hadn't often spoken during the tour, instead allowing Ragni to take the lead, he still seemed very much in charge, somehow. And even now, as they stepped into the cave, Ulfarr was again signing something to Ragni — and Ragni accordingly nodded and spun around, snatched something from the wall, and blazed it into light.

Itwas a torch, Louisa realized, squinting in the sudden light — and then she stilled all over, blinking around at… the room. The large, stone-walled underground room, with a smooth polished stone floor, a huge stone fireplace, and a variety of furniture scattered about. Long wooden tables and benches, shelves and chairs, and even what appeared to be a few fur-covered beds, partially obscured behind a large, hanging red curtain.

"This is our common-room," Ragni proudly announced, with a sweeping wave of his hand. "It is where we oft come to rest and play, and also our safe place to stay whenever we are under threat. And when the rest of the tunnels are finally dug" — he waved at the bare stone walls around them — "they shall lead into other rooms, also."

Louisawas struck truly speechless by this point, gaping at this impossible room, and then at Ulfarr's face. At where he was twitching another small smile toward her, his hand squeezing against hers.

"Mayhap now this is too much, ach?" he asked, quiet. "I ken you did not expect to find all this here."

ButLouisa flapped her hand toward him, and shook her head, blinking back the prickling behind her eyes. Because suddenly it just felt — right. Right, somehow, that this camp should be here, on this land.

Because— how many orcs had LordScall killed, in that endless war? How much grief and pain had he caused, when Louisa had been powerless to do anything about it? And now — now LordScall was dead, and the orcs were still here. Louisa was still here, using LordScall's land to help the people he'd harmed. Giving them… peace.

"No, I'm glad it's here," she told Ulfarr, and she meant it. "I mean, yes, it is definitely more than I expected, but none of it is beyond what Killik's contract said, either. And it's — so lovely. I appreciate how it's camouflaged, and how it respects the natural surroundings so well. AndI'm so glad you have such a lovely place to call home. You" — she drew in a deep breath — "you deserve it, sweetheart."

Ulfarr'shand spasmed against hers, and his eyes flicked past her, toward where Halthorr and Joan were now standing with Ragni by the fireplace. "This is so kind of you, Louisa," he said, hoarse. "ButI — I do not make my own home here. I must needs yet live back at the mountain, for I am not —"

Hebroke off, grimacing, his eyes darting back toward the fireplace. "But ach, it is a good home for them," he added, faster than before. "And it shall be even better and safer once the tunnels are dug, most of all for our orclings."

Itwas a clear bid to change the subject, and despite the sudden surging question — why wasn't Ulfarr able to live here? — Louisa attempted to nod, to follow. "Er, so why haven't you dug the tunnels yet, then?" she asked. "Is it a matter of not having the workers to manage the job?"

Ulfarrshook his head, his shoulders sagging. "It is not the workers we lack, but the guidance, and the safety," he replied. "TheKa-esh are the only orcs amongst us who can guide this, but they shall not even grant us a date to visit. Helping the Skai is not their —"

Hebroke off again, huffing a heavy sigh, his eyes squeezing shut. Suggesting that this was something deeply important to him — indeed, something that again had him speaking with confidence and purpose and ease. SoLouisa forced her scattered thoughts to keep following, to draw together everything she remembered about the Ka-esh clan. Killik's obvious derision toward them, and that sweet clever girl Rosa she'd helped…

"What about Rosa?" Louisa asked, searching Ulfarr's face. "Is she still living at your mountain? Maybe she would be able to help, somehow?"

Ulfarr'sglance toward Louisa was surprised, but he nodded. "Ach, she yet lives there," he said, "and we did seek help from her and her mate, but they were not able to sway their kin upon this, either."

Oh. Louisa grimaced, and squeezed Ulfarr's hand. "I'm so sorry to hear that, sweetheart," she told him. "IfI knew a geologist, I would march them off to you at once."

Ulfarrsqueezed her hand back, and then slowly brought it to his mouth, as his warm eyes held to hers. "You are again too kind, Louisa," he murmured, with a soft kiss to her skin. "But we already should not have any of this without you, ach? We are most glad for what you have yet given us."

Hisvoice rumbled into her belly, firing low and hot, and Louisa's brief glance toward the fireplace now found Halthorr, Joan, and Ragni all caught in what appeared to be… a dagger-throwing game? But yes, Joan was even reluctantly smiling as her dagger sank into the wooden panel above the fireplace, while Halthorr loudly whooped beside her.

Itmeant they weren't paying the slightest attention to Ulfarr and Louisa, to how Ulfarr's warm mouth had begun gently kissing up Louisa's hand, to the sensitive skin of her wrist. And oh, Louisa knew how this went, and her breath caught, her eyes snapped wide on Ulfarr's face — but yes, he was still doing it, still kissing higher, his breath inhaling as he skated his lips over her sleeve, up her arm, over the curve of her shoulder…

Louisagasped as his mouth met her bare neck, his lips so warm, so sweet, so alive. And somehow she'd already clutched him closer, her hands spreading against his solid back — and then she even drew him a little sideways, behind that nearby red curtain. Where she could still hear Halthorr and Joan and Ragni, but they could no longer see this, Ulfarr's hungry face buried in Louisa's throat, kissing her, tasting her, his teeth gently scraping her skin, as her tingling hands stroked up and down his back. Feeling the impossible breadth and strength of him, feeling him shudder as he eased closer, his body so big, so strong, quivering with need and longing…

Louisa'sown longing was hitching, surging, so strong she scarcely heard Halthorr cheerfully calling toward them, saying something about waiting outside. But it meant they were alone down here, oh gods, it meant Ulfarr's big hand could skim down over her arse, and she could arch back into his touch, his solid, steady certainty. And even skitter her hand over his own arse, too, feel the firm muscle of it, feel how it pressed his hips forward, grinding him into her belly.

Andnot just grinding him, but… that. That bulge in his trousers, which wasn't soft in the slightest, and seemed to be growing, thickening, hardening, with every gasping breath. Expanding into something impossibly, unthinkably large, something very akin to that stone rassja he'd plunged inside her the night before, and oh, there was only more wild, desperate craving, firing Louisa from the inside out. She needed more, more, please…

"Ach, how sweet," drawled a voice, thick with scorn and fury. "Now you learn to do this, now that you are well rid of me?"

Louisa'sheart kicked, her body flailing back, away, as Ulfarr staggered back, too. But it was too much, too little, too late…

Itwas Killik. Standing there watching them, with his dagger in his hand, and murder in his eyes.