Page 45 of Obeying the Orc
“Natalee. Gods, Natalee, are you all right?” He pulled back to peer down at me, his handsome face etched with concern. “Are you hurt? Did the wildcat touch you?”
I gave a slight shake of my head. “I’m fine, thanks to you. It didn’t give me so much as a scratch. I’m so very glad to see you. I-I had no idea you could roar like that.” My ears still hurt from the thunderous sound.
“What happened?” The first hint of sternness appeared in his gaze, and my stomach flipped.
Aside from our escapades in the bedroom, I had never truly disobeyed him before, not as I had today, and surely he would punish me for it. Severely, judging from the tightness of his jaw. He must have been worried sick. Shame filled me as I stood circled in his arms, protected. Safe at last.
“I-I took Lady for a ride.”
“I gathered as much, little female. But why? Did something happen? Were you looking for me?” His eyes searched mine.
I swallowed hard and stared into his dark depths. “I wanted to try to find Logan’s claim. He’s buried there, and I wanted to visit his grave. I thought it was closer though, and I didn’t make it there before Lady became spooked and ran off while I was trying to guide her over a fallen tree.”
A look of understanding overcame his visage, but then in the next moment anger firmed his features. “Natalee, you could have been hurt or even killed. What were you thinking?” He gave me a brief shake. “Why didn’t you ask me to take you? I would have gladly taken you to visit Logan’s grave.”
I was crying now, and I couldn’t seem to stop the flow of tears. “I’m sorry. Please don’t be mad. I’m all right. I’m sorry I lost Lady, but maybe…”
“I don’t care about a lost horse! I care about you, Natalee.”
“I’m so sorry.” I looked at my dirt-covered boots and sniffled. If only I’d obeyed my husband. If only I had stayed in the cabin and awaited his return. We would probably be making love right now. I despaired over having caused such a deep rift between us. I had never seen him so angry before. All because of me.
“Come,” he said, leading me to Telrud. “We’ll finish this discussion back home.”
We rode in silence and reached the cabin just as total darkness descended. Lady was found lingering by the stable, thankfully, patiently waiting on our return. Stars sparkled overhead and the moon appeared as only a sliver of white in the sky. I would’ve had a difficult time finding my way through the darkness and I felt fortunate my husband had found me in time. I was utterly exhausted from all the excitement and worry I’d endured today, especially the fear I’d experienced during my encounter with the wildcat.
I stood outside the stable while Knot got Telrud and Lady inside their stalls and fed. Once he finished, he grabbed my hand without a word and led me into the cabin. It was dark inside, and Knot immediately set about lighting the lanterns that were scattered about the downstairs.
I remained as still as possible near the front door, expecting him to start raging at me at any moment. I certainly deserved to be yelled at. And punished. My bottom tingled at the thought. Surely, he would take his belt to me.
“Natalee, come sit down by the fire.” He looked up as he got a blaze going in the sitting room hearth. “Natalee.”
After he called me the second time, I managed to cross to him, though my legs felt so weak with fear that moving was slow and difficult. He nodded at a plush chair in front of the fire. I sat in it and tried to meet his eyes but couldn’t hold his gaze for more than a second. I was so ashamed of what I’d done.
He took a long breath and then exhaled slowly. “Natalee, what you did was incredibly reckless. Even if you were an expert rider, I would not have let you venture off on your own on a trip that would take several hours. Furthermore, you promised to remain within eyesight of the cabin. You’re lucky I arrived when I did. That wildcat could’ve easily devoured you.”
“I-I told you I thought it was closer.” I forced myself to look into his eyes but regretted it at once. He appeared more livid than he had moments ago, with his jaw clenched tight and a mixture of anger and disappointment gleaming in his dark eyes. The disappointment devastated me. How could I have done something so stupid? “Knot, please forgive me. I promise I’ll never do anything so dangerous again.”
“Not only did you disobey and break a promise, but you risked your life. If something happened to you, wife, I-I couldn’t bear it.”
My remorse deepened, and I was still shaking slightly from my encounter with the wildcat. Knot had arrived just in time, and he’d probably saved my life. “I know, I know, and Knot, please believe me when I say I’m sorry.” I wept into my hands. Logan had warned me about snakes all the time, but he’d also warned me about the forest beasts. I had never disobeyed Logan and wandered off alone. I was so ashamed to have disobeyed Knot, especially so soon after we’d gotten married. I had promised myself I would try to be the perfect wife, yet not even a week after our wedding I had erred badly.
Knot reached for my boots and pulled them off my feet. To my utter surprise, some of the fire left his gaze and he commenced rubbing my aching heels. “You’re in a lot of trouble, little female. By the time I’m through with you, you will never, ever think of doing anything so reckless again.”
“Are-are you going to punish me right now?”
He shook his head. “Not tonight. You’re exhausted, Natalee. But tomorrow after breakfast, I expect you to meet me in the woodshed. I will mete out your punishment there.”
“Yes, sir. Thank you, sir.” I lowered my head, feeling thoroughly chastised from his scolding.
“Now,” he said, standing up. “I’m going to get you something to eat, and then we’re going to bed.”
He disappeared into the kitchen before I could protest.
CHAPTER27
KNOT
I awoketo the smell of pancakes cooking on the stove. I crawled out of bed and got dressed quickly, my heart heavy. Natalee had not only disobeyed me yesterday, but she had risked her life in the process. If I hadn’t arrived when I did, the wildcat would’ve likely mauled her. The thought of finding her remains on the mountainside was too painful to bear. She was my wife and I loved her, and I couldn’t fathom losing her. I couldn’t endure that kind of heartbreak again.
