I turned us back to the stairs. “You’re right. I have.”
He stopped us again and I looked up at him.
“There are people who it matters what they think. And then there are those who it does not. I can tell you now, in the case of the Drakkars and anyone who might say or do something that would upset you, they do not matter.”
“I see you feel in the mood to be a soldier philosopher,” I remarked and he grinned.
“I’m always at your service to impart wisdom,” he offered.
“I know and sometimes it’s annoying,” I teasingly returned. “But this time, it’s just plain scary.”
He burst out laughing and moved us up the stairs.
I smiled and leaned into him as we made our ascent.
But inside I was thinking about that creepy castle, the not-so-nice family who claimed it and the fact that my first gale was probably going to suck.
No, I didn’t like it here.
Not at all.
* * * * *
“I do not think good thoughts about this place,” Loretta declared.
I’d had my bath and, even though I could do it, she was brushing my hair. Meeta was across the room, arranging my clothes for the next day.
“I do not either,” Meeta agreed and I looked to her in surprise at her words. She was supposed to be my Spock—level-headed, not irrational. “There’s a chill coming down from that mountain,” she went on and I felt a chill slide across my skin when she did. Her eyes came to mine. “And it is not the normal chill of this icy place.”
“It’s all going to be fine,” I lied, and I did this because I was Captain Kirk. I was supposed to be confident and reassuring, even if I was totally full of shit.
“It will be for you in about ten minutes when Ulfr strides through that door,” Loretta noted, putting down the brush and arranging my hair on my shoulders.
I watched Meeta’s foreboding expression change to a knowing one. A small smile lit her face as she threw the dress I was to wear tomorrow over a chair and did this still smiling.
I had no response because this was true, when Apollo walked through my door, everything would be fine. At least for me.
Loretta scooted her chair around to face the one I was in and remarked, “He has not had maid or cook or wench from the village.”
This confirmation of what Apollo told me was good to know. Even so, I had no clue where she was going with it.
Then she gave me a clue where she was going with it.
“So what’s he like?” she asked.
“Do not answer that,” Meeta demanded. “I have not had a lover in months, my hand is getting tired and I share a bed with you.” She pinpointed her gaze on Loretta. “Therefore, that won’t even be of use until we’re home.”
This was not good news. Not that Meeta couldn’t engage in certain activities. No, that coupled with the fact she hadn’t gotten herself any in months and a bevy of Apollo’s boys was around, she was gorgeous, and they were active.
“I won’t answer,” I stated and aimed a smile at Loretta. “I’m sorry, honey, but that’s private.”
Her head tipped to the side. “Private?”
“As in, none of your business,” Meeta clarified.
“I know what it means,” Loretta retorted. “I just don’t know why she thinks it is.”
“Because she thinks it is,” Meeta returned.