Ashes of Chaos (Legacy of the Nine Realms #2) - Amelia Hutchins Page 0,110
you wanted, Aria,” he hissed. Brander dismounted, and the entire procession stopped their forward march, waiting for him to retrieve me from the cage at Knox’s bidding.
Pulling me gently from the cage, Brander handed me to Knox, who righted my legs astride the giant warhorse. One arm slipped beneath my bound arms to pull my body against his, and I sank into the heat he offered.
The sky chose that moment to release a downpour, forcing me to curl closer to Knox for what warmth I could get, trembling as the nightmare’s remnants mixed with the chill in the air from the storm.
“You’re freezing. Bloody hell, Aria, next time say something,” he snapped, turning to Lore. “Send a team out to scout the area. We’ll camp here for the night before moving deeper into the mountains.”
Lore nodded, nudging his mount toward the front of Knox’s efficiently moving army. I silently watched as men broke from the large assembly, rushing toward the meadow ahead of us to secure a perimeter. Fires lit around the edges of the clearing, and people started dismounting. Knox handed me down to Brander, then dismounted his horse. He pulled me to where a small table sat under a tent, to protect us from the rain and elements.
I’d assumed Knox would sit me beside him, but he didn’t. Instead, he pulled me into his lap, and before I could argue, pushed a drink of warm whiskey into my hands. I lifted it in my bound hands to my nose, inhaling the woodsy scent.
Tipping the cup back, I downed the fragrant liquid in one solid swig to warm my insides. Brander chuckled, refilling my glass while Knox slowly ran his nose over the back of my neck. His heated breath offered some relief from the chill of the night.
I drank the second glass of whiskey slower while my aching body grew pliant in Knox’s arms. I curiously watched as they erected the camp without a problem. The rain relented and became a light shower instead. If the weather bothered anyone, they kept it to themselves.
Women moved with the men, assisting them to get a sea of leather tents assembled to stave off the rest of the rain. Blankets were handed out or placed into tents while everyone moved to secure the area, building a small village in the meadow.
Fires lit the perimeter of camp even with the rain thwarting their efforts. I watched as several fires glowed, offering some light against the darkening night. Narrowing my eyes, I noted all the witches were eyeing me as I sat with Knox. They all wore Knox’s insignia on their wrists and didn’t seem unwelcome by the people within the camp. Knox brushed his fingers over my thigh, forcing my gaze to turn to him.
It intrigued me that with this many creatures together, they effortlessly built a village as if they’d done it a million times. Maybe they had, and perhaps that wasn’t a good thing either. My army of corpses probably couldn’t erect a tent against the rain without losing an arm or another body part in the progress.
I knew I was in over my head. I wasn’t stupid, but I also wasn’t going to give up. I’d find my footing, and I’d rattle this man until he felt me in his bones.
Brander approached, nodding toward a giant tent, constructed by several of his men completing the last stages of its preparation. It was huge, almost like an army command center, set up in the middle of the field with all the other tents surrounding it.
“They’ll have your quarters ready within a few minutes. There’s no food to prepare tonight, but I’ll have some dried venison brought to the tent. The men are already noticing Aria’s scent, and even some of the women warriors seem enticed. I’ll be right back,” Brander grunted as a growling male started toward us, coming to a stop when he heard Brander rattle a warning. The man’s hooded eyes slid over me before he slowly stepped back, glaring hungrily as he moved deeper into camp, away from where we sat.
I looked around, noting that everyone did their best to ignore us for the most part. Knox rattled against the back of my neck, causing my spine to arch as his breath tickled my hairline. Knox’s legs parted mine, allowing him access.
His hand slid beneath my bottom while his fingers slowly pushed against my core. Heat entered my belly, along with a throbbing ache in my sex.