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Something new gleamed in her eye. ‘I believe you.’
‘My son is my future. I want him to succeed rather than feel he will never measure up. I want him to feel that he can always return home.’
‘Good, I’m glad. Sometimes you seem more intent on showing off your skill than teaching.’ She held up her hand, stopping his protest. ‘Only an observation, Ash...from where I stand.’
He winced. He supposed he deserved the rebuke for his earlier remark. ‘Your observations are always welcome.’
‘That is kind of you and unexpected.’
‘It is the truth.’ He reached out and caught her hand. ‘I will take good care of him, Kara, I promise. He is no less precious to me than you. I simply haven’t known him as long, but I like what I see. He is a boy that any man would be proud to call son. And I can never repay you for what you did to ensure his survival.’
Her hand curled around his. ‘My pleasure.’
‘What are you afraid of?’ he enquired softly, watching her mouth.
Her eyes slid away from his and she withdrew her hand from his. The cool autumn air rushed to fill the space between them. The ease vanished faster than the morning mist. ‘I’ve tarried far too long.’
‘A pity. Maybe next time, you will stay.’
‘I will think about it.’ Silently Kara vowed to find another way to keep an eye on Rurik, something which didn’t involve Ash getting the wrong idea about her. Or was it precisely the right idea? a tiny voice questioned in the back of her head. Angrily she silenced it.
Ash was going to leave when the winter snows melted. Seawater and the love of raiding ran in his veins. It was why he trained the warriors so hard. He would go. This time he would not be taking her heart with him. Except she knew her thoughts lied. Each time she encountered Ash, her heart opened a bit more. Kara stuffed her hand into her mouth as she hurried away from him. He was entirely too unreliable to love.
* * *
‘I surrender!’ Saxi put up his shield. ‘You have proved your point.’
Ash checked his next move and lowered his sword. Sweat dripped down his face. It felt good to be moving and fighting. ‘You are a bit slow today, Saxi.’
‘You work too hard, old friend. You will end up injuring your leg again.’
Instinctively Ash leant down and rubbed the knot in his upper thigh. Now that he had stopped, the pain started. But it was easier to work hard, rather than to think about Kara and the way her dress moulded against her curves. ‘I know what I am doing.’
Saxi pursed his lips as if he wished to say more. ‘You’re the man who pays the gold.’
‘You will consider staying after...?’ Ash tilted his head to one side. He was being pragmatic. Kara seemed further away from him than ever. It was only a matter of time before his uncle made his move and he’d have to fight for real. Whatever happened, he needed to know that someone he trusted would watch over his family.
Saxi drew a line in the dirt. ‘You know how much of a life debt I owe you.’
‘And you like the look of the area?’ Ash lifted a brow. ‘Or the women?’
‘It amazes me that you waited this long before returning.’
‘I had my reasons,’ Ash said, looking over to the tuntreet. Tall and unyielding. ‘You never met my father.’
‘And did those reasons include your wife?’ the other man asked softly.
‘None of your business.’
‘It is my business if you force us to work this hard so that you don’t dream about her. You still sleep outside, Ash. It is not good.’
‘You are getting soft. Too much ale and feasting. Too many women. I want you all in the best condition.’ Ash regarded the empty river. ‘My uncle will make his move soon. I want to be ready.’
‘You think your uncle will come after you?’
‘Our escape from Sand was too easy.’
‘Does your lady wife know it was an escape?’ Saxi asked. ‘She appears more concerned about getting the food stored than about taking precautions.’
‘She thought the speed of the journey had to do with my desire to see my son. I didn’t bother to enlighten her.’ Ash stretched. ‘I did want to see him, but I wanted to be in possession of Jaarlshiem when my uncle made his move.’
‘Tell her, my friend. Immediately. Women like to make preparations in case of war.’
‘I refuse to borrow trouble. It is possibly my instinct gone all wrong. When I was young, my uncle was ever a friend to me.’
