"If I'd wanted to kill you, I'd have done it already."
Tore had said to her when he'd approached her with a sharp blade in hand. His eyes had narrowed into slits, daring her to challenge him as he took hold of her hands and cut the tight ropes around her wrists with the dagger.
She discreetly rubbed them and sighed in relief as the blood flowed easily once again. Faylin knew the only reason he had done it so was because her chances of escaping were very low. Not only did the swelling above her knee prevent her from running but in the event she could even make it out of her tent, she knew that at least ten men would be onto her in an instant.
Faylin wondered how Ahlis had made it through and where the other girl was being held. She said a silent prayer pray for the girl's well-being.
Suddenly Tore grabbed her arm and lifted her to her feet, pulling her flush against his hard body. "If you try to escape, I will find you," he said tersely, face inches from hers. "And when I do, you'll be sorry." Her eyes had widened, frightened by both his words and towering size. Faylin felt her nostrils flare and her hatred towards the man behind her raced up another notch.
Her throat was still sore and swollen from her earsplitting screams of the day before. He had pulled her out of the tent and dragged her towards a black stallion. A growling sound had come from Tore before he had smacked her rump, making her yelp and shut her mouth in rage and fear. The prominent veins on his forearm were visible as his muscular arms lifted her up in front of him, encircling her body.
The insufferable man!
His dangerous threat was still ringing in her ears as she kept her back straightened, trying with all her might to not touch his chest. She was already situated between his solid thighs, forced to suffer the feel of them along hers. She shivered in disgust.
"Are you cold?" His warm breath washed over the shell of her ear. Faylin forced herself not to react to their close proximity. So close was he that she felt the force of his every exhalation in her hair, the heat from his body and the movement of his muscles the moment he moved to adjust the cloak until it covered both of them. She tried to appear unaffected as she murmured hoarsely, "I'd rather have a cold death."
Faylin tried to push away the cloak from her shoulders but an arm slid around her waist, tightening around her as a warning. She huffed in annoyance, her eyes narrowing as she ceased struggling. The long tiring journey made Faylin aware of how exhausted and hungry she really was. She wondered if her captor was planning to feed her.
Not that I would beg for it. I would despise anything that came from him. Faylin thought with complete determination.
"Stubborn woman!" he said roughly. "You're going to be the death of me."Â She ignored him, keeping her eye on the surroundings as they rode through the woods.
My future has changed irrevocably, she thought, as she looked skyward. She would miss her old life and hold dear the moments of happiness she had, for from now onwards, this was going to be her life â this fate worse than death.
They had gone some distance when, from the corner of her eye, she saw a man approach them. Faylin paid him no attention as he spoke to Tore.
"I see you have found your match. Your sister will be happy for you," the man said.
"Are you mocking me, my friend? Whether I have found my other half or not, it will not matter. We both know what is bound to happen; it's inevitable, Audun. Besides, Turid will be happier to have another set of hands to help her with the chores than with my happiness itself."
"I should know. She's my wife," Audun snickered, "This is uncommon of you, Tore. Seizing a woman as your spoils of war...The lass must be different." He eyed the silent girl.
"She's strong, healthy and exquisite, Audun." Faylin felt Tore's gaze on her " Quite feisty, too. Makes me remember the time Turid scratched your face" Tore chuckled deeply, the sound unnerving her.
When the other man threw his head back and laughed aloud, Faylin turned slightly and glared at him. Unlike Tore, this barbarian had raven black hair neatly braided down his back and he seemed to have a much more carefree attitude. He had a well-built muscular body and a scar that ran across his left cheek.
The man raised an eyebrow and clicked his tongue when he caught Faylin's harsh glare.
"I would sleep with one eye open from now on, if I were you, my friend. She might kill you in your sleep."
There was a moment of silence before Tore spoke.
"I don't doubt she'll try, but whether she wants it or not she's mine now. I will expect her to warm my bed. The sooner she accepts her status, the better."
"And if not?"
"I will break her spirit."
All of a sudden, the men cheered as a huge shadow passed over them. Startled, Faylin looked up, watching an eagle fly away, spreading its broad wings and flapping powerfully ahead. She wanted to cry out in frustration as they rode on for a little longer and finally burst out from the trees and left the forest behind, for the sight that greeted her eyes stole the breath from her lips.
It seemed as if her faith had deserted her completely now. She could feel it â no, she knew it.
IÂ will never escape these walls unharmed!
Her eyes never left the stone fortress as she released the breath she had been holding in with a heaving sigh.