Ivar's Escape (Assassins of Gravas #2) - N.J. Walters Page 0,17

he reached the small landing. It was only then he saw the crack in the wall wide enough for a small woman to slide between.

Everything in him rebelled against the idea of leaving the rising sun and fresh air to bury himself in a cave. Sweat dripped down his forehead and he took a step back.

Del was suddenly beside him, taking his hand. “Trust me.”

He wished he could see her face, could see her eyes in the sunlight, but the cloak hid her as surely as if she was smothered in darkness.

Nodding, he turned his back on the light and followed.

****

It was stupid of her not to anticipate how difficult it would be for him to enter a cave. After being locked up in a dark prison for weeks on end, it would be like trading freedom and being buried alive.

His fingers tightened around hers to the point of pain. She ignored it and pulled him after her down the narrow break between the thick walls. “Not much farther.” This cave held a secret that had shocked her when she’d discovered it during her explorations.

The shadows suddenly gave way and light filled a large room with a twenty-foot ceiling. The light was courtesy of several slits in the rock. They were natural, not manmade—she’d checked—and allowed light in while keeping out the worst of the wind and weather.

He released her and stared up, turning in a slow circle. Her heart clenched at the sheer wonder on his face. Watching him in the sunlight illuminated just how bad a shape he was in. His shirt was in shreds, giving her a glimpse of battered and scared flesh beneath.

“There’s more. Follow me.”

“Wait.” His urgent call made her stop and turn back. Hands on his hips, eyes narrowed, he studied her.

“What?”

“I want to see you.” He slowly made his way to her. “You were in disguise the first time we met. And tonight you’ve kept yourself covered in a cloak and hood. Who are you, Del?”

Her stomach clenched at the thought of revealing herself. It went against all her training. It should be easy to toss back the hood, but she couldn’t.

Ivar slowly raised his hands, as though not to startle her. Smart man. He fingered the rough fabric of the cloak that concealed her identity.

To her utter surprise, he dropped his hands back down by his sides.

“When you’re ready.” His softly spoken words had her eyes prickling. She blinked several times and swallowed heavily.

“Follow me.” Turning her back on him and the unwanted emotions he evoked, she stalked down the path on her left and followed it a short way until the air grew warmer. She entered a smaller cavern, the ceilings slightly lower, but still fairly high. Like the outer chamber, there were several slits in the rock. They were smaller but still, it allowed in enough light for them to be able to see without needing candles or a lamp.

He was behind her, staying close. His footsteps suddenly stopped. “Is that a hot spring?”

“Yes. Strip and get in. The water will not only clean you but the minerals in it will ease some of your aches.” She’d stored the supplies she’d scavenged in here and went to retrieve them.

A ragged moan reached her ears. She spun around and found herself staring at Ivar’s back. The remains of his shirt were on the ground. Scars in various stages of healing covered the broad expanse, along with several huge purpling bruises.

“Are your ribs broken?” Why hadn’t he told her? Not that it would have made much of a difference in her plans. Ribs would mend. Death was permanent.

“Likely cracked but healing.” He dropped his pants, displaying a well-rounded ass and muscled legs. What had he looked like before his captivity if he was still in such good shape after weeks of imprisonment and starvation?

He stumbled toward the water and stepped in, hissing out a breath as his feet hit the water. His bare feet. It hadn’t occurred to her to bring clothes for his rescue. At least she had some clean things for him to wear when he was done.

I’m a killer, not a nursemaid.

Still, she wasn’t totally without skills. She retrieved her pack and pulled out a small medipack. It was basic, but it would have to do.

Ivar hadn’t moved, the water only just past his ankles.

“There’s a ledge just a few steps in. You can sit on that.” Medipack in hand, she went to him, unable to stay away. Even