Page 2 of Victoria's Embrace

Victoria’s jaw dropped when he finished. She looked like a Viking shieldmaiden. It was impossibly intricate, looked like he’d layered braids over and into other braids. He made a noise when she reached up to touch it, making her pause.

Holding her gaze through the mirror, he reached up and blindly withdrew a metal cuff from his own hair then fastened it to one of the smaller braids on the side of her head.

The gravity of that action clued her in that him braiding her hair held more meaning than just a desire to take care of her.

Reaching back for his hand, she held it and his eyes. “What did this mean?”

She saw his throat move in a swallow. His handsome blue face was set in hard lines, but she could see the emotion in his bi-colored eyes and what looked like vulnerability tightening the corners.

His voice was low, rough, as he explained, “Dressing a hess’s hair is something only ever done by her mother. Until she is mated. Then it becomes her males’ duty, a skill taught to them by their fathers. I–” His eyes flashed to her hair, tracing over the design almost self-consciously. “–it is a simple design. My fathers died before they could teach me anything more complex.”

Her heart squeezed in her chest and a lump formed in her throat. Turning, she wrapped her arms around him tightly and craned her head back to look up at him. “It’s beautiful, Thorn.”

He didn’t look like he believed her at first but gradually relaxed at the earnestness in her eyes.

“And the cuff?” she asked, reaching up to trace it with her fingertips.

“A debt acknowledged, for saving my life.”

Victoria frowned. “You don’t owe me a debt for that.”

“Ah, but I do.” A sly smile flickered at the corner of his mouth. “And I cannot leave your side until it is paid. I imagine that will take many, many years.” His gaze became sharp, intense on hers. “The rest of my years, even.”

Her stomach went weightless, and her heart leapt. “Oh. Well, if that’s a tradition among your people, who am I to say no?” she murmured, smiling back at him.

He chuckled lowly. “You cannot say no. That was the point.”

Her eyes widened and a startled laugh bubbled up. “How very sneaky of you. I approve.”

Fisting his shirt, she went up on tiptoe, pulling him down to meet her, and nipped his bottom lip. His hands tightened against her back, a deep groan vibrating his throat as hunger flashed in his eyes. Without warning, he lifted her up, set her on the sink, and kissed her, hard. Moaning, Victoria wrapped her legs around his hips, pulling him closer, arousal flooding through her in a rush.

Vi’kail’s amused voice sounded from the doorway, startling her. “If you’re hungry, I found food. No need to eat Thorn.”

In answer, Thorn pulled away just far enough to growl, baring his teeth at Vi’kail, and flicked his hand in the gesture that had gotten her into trouble with Catty. Vi’kail just chuckled and returned it.

From her perch on the sink, she turned and gave Vi’kail narrowed eyes. “You know, I made that gesture at Catty, thinking it was a hello. Like you said. She almost clawed my face off.”

His face went blank before it twisted into an expression of guilt. Rubbing a hand over the top of his dreadlocks, he gave her a sheepish look. “I knew that was gon’ bite me on the ass. Maybe don’ make that at anyone else?”

Her lips quirked into a wry grin. “I hadn’t planned on it. But, what does it mean, exactly?”

“Uhh… what’s that?” He turned to look back down the hallway like he’d heard something. “Foods burnin’.”

Victoria huffed a laugh and shook her head.

Thorn set her on her feet, and they followed after him, meeting Thegan in the hallway, who’d just come down from the roof. He smiled widely in greeting, but it faltered when his gaze landed on her hair. He cast a surprised look at Thorn before his face softened. Reaching out, he gripped his friend’s shoulder.

“You did well, brother. She looks beautiful.”

Thorn grunted dismissively, but she caught the pleased glint in his eyes just before he turned and continued down the hall.

Glancing at her as they followed Thorn down the stairs, Thegan whispered conspiratorially, “He plays at gruff, but inside he is as soft as ahvolkett. ‘Small, herbivorous animal.’”

They both snickered at Thorn’s grumbling as they all sat down to eat the little bit of food Vi’kail had managed to find and began discussing a plan.

Vi’kail estimated it would take them three or four days to reach the closest slave market, being as they’d only be able to move at night and the early hours of dawn. They’d also be taking a circuitous route so they could stay out of densely populated areas and move in stealth as long as possible. One would scout ahead while two stayed behind with her.

At that, she paused mid-bite. Before she might’ve been fine hanging back, sure she’d have only gotten in the way otherwise, but not anymore.

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