They traveled in silence the rest of the morning, only stopping once for the horses and a small repast. No doubt Nika’s entire body would be sore from the ride come evening. She slid down off of the stallion’s back, into Vasilli’s waiting arms. He wrapped the borrowed coat tightly around her, gave her a chunk of dried venison, then left her sitting on a tree stump.
“I would warn you to stay put, but…”
He didn’t finish, just looked into the woods around them. With that implied reminder of the wolves, he went to talk with some of his men. Nika snuggled into the warmth of Vasilli’s outerwear, grateful he’d made her wear it after all, and ate the meat in record time. She barely had the chance to stretch her hips and legs before he came striding back to her. His long legs crossed the space with an ease of movement she couldn’t tear her eyes away from. In truth, she found him fascinating. Too late, she blinked and looked up to find him grinning. Her cheeks warmed to be caught staring. Before she could hide in the fur of the big coat she wore, though, he stopped before her. He stretched out a hand for her, giving her no choice but to look up. His blue eyes fairly danced with sunlight. When she placed her hand in his, he pulled her up off the rock. She rose on shaky legs that had nothing to do with the morning’s ride on horseback.
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