Without warning, we left the forest behind. One minute we were riding between thick trees lined with foliage, and the next, we stepped out into the wide-open steppe, the same kind that surrounded Steppenfort from all sides.
Here the sun was a lot hotter than in the forest, and soon I took the sleeves off my gown and wished I could hike my skirt up. I envied the men as they took off their shirts and wondered how they didn't burn under the merciless sun, which now stood high in the sky. But the Thyres' thick, reddish skin was used to the sun's rays, either that or not even the sun dared to burn a Thyre. A notion that made me giggle but seemed very likely.
We broke for a midmorning meal and to give the horses some rest. Curious I leaned back in the saddle to look around and was stunned into silence. Our caravan snaked from the distant yet visible forest through the steppe in a trek that had to be a mile long, if not more. As of yet, I couldn't even see the camp followers. The foot soldiers were still emerging from the forest.
"Damaris?" Vandor's voice brought me back, and I turned to find him standing on the ground next to my horse, his hands ready to encircle my waist to pull me off.
"I'm ready. I was just amazed by the sight."
Vandor's gaze followed mine and took on a faraway expression. "It's really something, isn't it? There's nothing more exciting than the sight of a marching army."
I stared down at his enraptured face, reveling in the new side he was exposing to me, the side of the warlord who almost wistfully craved the action of a battle.
"Are all Thyre's this bloodthirsty?" I asked as he helped me down.
"Only when they are not distracted by lapping at delicious juices," he replied with a mischievous grin that went straight into my loins, making my knees falter.
He caught my balance and laughed. "Careful, Lady Damaris, you are a sore temptation when you look this aroused." His head moved from side to side. "Unfortunately, I don't see any secluded place I can take you to, to… take care of your needs."
"My needs?" I laughed and pressed my hip against his hardened cock. "I'm hardly the only one with needs."
He threw his head back and laughed. "I love your wit, czira."
I wasn't sure what it was about him, but he brought out a new side in me, one I had never known existed. Adrian and I used to tease each other, without the sexual innuendo of course, but I missed our banter and wondered if I might find something similar with Vandor.
"Would you like to walk for a little bit and stretch your legs?" Vandor invited.
"I would love to," I replied. Stretching my legs and back sounded like heaven. I was used to riding, but I had never ridden as much as I had in the last week and my body already hurt, making me wish for Gryck's warm bathtub.
I was sore between my legs too, from last night, and the constant up and down and chafing of the saddle didn't help matters.
"You are a good rider," Vandor said as we slowly strolled from the main group.
"Thank you. I grew up with horses."
"I heard your father breeds some of the best on Thyre."
"That he does," I said pridefully. "Actually…" I remembered one particularly mean-spirited stallion, "I think we have the right horse for you. I noticed yours seems to be getting older."
"My lady is as observant as she is beautiful," Vandor praised, making me blush. "You are right, I will need to retire Ramsy soon. He deserves to enjoy his senior years in peace."
Every time I found a new side to Vandor, he surprised me and made him rise in my estimation. Many people would have their horses killed after they served their purpose instead of keeping an unnecessary mouth to feed. That he was planning on doing so for Ramsy spoke highly of him.
"Mordakay is very spirited, but I believe you will tame him," I said confidently.
"Sounds intriguing. I can't wait to meet him," Vandor agreed, taking my hand.
This simple gesture tugged on my heart. Here he was, this brutal, fear-inducing warlord, holding my hand and talking idly with me, while I was sure he had a hundred thousand more important things to attend to.
"Thank you," I said, stopping.
"What for?" He seemed baffled.
"For taking the time to talk to me," I elucidated.
"There is no other place I would rather be," he replied, making my heart stutter for a moment.
"Maybe," I allowed. "But I'm sure you have a lot of other, more pressing matters to attend to."