Willa wanted to say something to Jorvun. She wanted to tell him that she liked the way his hands felt on her body and she wanted him to keep holding her by the neck. It triggered some primal creature inside her that rumbled warmly when he touched her like he owned her.
She also wanted to ask questions. Did this mean she was free to be her own woman? Were his punishments going to be like the one dealt by Torin? Or her punishment in the bar?
She was beginning to believe that he was going to keep her safe, but what exactly was his definition of safe? She hoped it did not include the loss of her will. Willa chewed her thoughts. Perhaps she would press him after they ate. She began to redress, unable to find the words or the courage. He admired her quietly while she dressed.
They left the tent and the couple settled in front of the glowing embers in the center of their small camp. The sun had fallen completely beneath the hills and the moon cast just enough light for them to make their way from the tent. Barr and Oro were still at the fire. Hilda had reappeared and settled in close to Oro. All three were having a quiet conversation as they watched a beefy hare roasting above the coals. When Jorvun settled on the sandy ground, pulling a flushed Willa into his lap, the warriors smirked at them. Willa knew they'd heard her in ecstasy.
Hilda's eyes fell on Willa as she spoke of her hunt to Oro and Barr, looking the merchant up and down. Willa stared her down nervously, curious and intimidated by the lioness. The marauder's dark, plaited hair shimmered under the moon and the geometric design tattooed on her chin and down her neck was softened by the hot, glowing embers. The red-orange firelight made her dark skin glow. Willa could tell that beneath Hilda's black canvas jacket there was wiry muscle and bulk to back up the warrior woman's imposing presence.
"Have a nice talk?" Barr interrupted Willa's thoughts.
"I think we came to an understanding." Jorvun answered easily, squeezing Willa's waist. Willa flushed but curled herself into his body, appreciative of his warm embrace against the chill of the desert night. She glanced back at Hilda, whose eyes still explored her body. Oro was muttering something to his ferocious-looking partner. Willa tried to read her expressions but Hilda was a wall of cool, unreadable intensity.
"Hilda says we're about two nights from town if we follow the creek." Barr addressed Jorvun, passing him a flask. Jorvun tipped it back and took a swig before passing it to Willa. She brought it to her face, breathing in its scent. The liquid smelled intensely of alcohol and spices, making Willa wrinkle her nose. She tried to pass it to Hilda but instead of accepting the flask, the warrior just gave her a cool smile, nodding encouragingly at the steel flask. The petite woman swallowed hard but withdrew the flask and brought it to her face again. This time, she tilted to her lips and took a small sip.
The liquid burned her tongue and she winced at the heat as it slithered down her throat. The four of them chuckled low at her. Willa eagerly handed the flask back to the other woman. Hilda accepted the flask from her this time, taking a deeper swig than Jorvun had.
"Good. I already sent word to our contact." Jorvun grumbled. Willa could feel Barr's eyes on her as well. What were they so curious about? She tried to ignore the stares. She was at least protected by a layer of clothes now. Hilda stood and turned the rabbit over.
"Last turn. It'll be done soon." Hilda settled back down and turned her gaze on Willa. "Oro says you wish to learn my art."
"I... I'm sorry, I don't..." Willa was confused and frustrated. She had said no such thing. Hilda grinned at Willa's flustered response. Her eyes were sparkling. Willa looked at Jorvun for help, but he only nodded at her.
"You should know how to defend yourself. You've got a lot of enemies now." Hilda was suddenly solemn and Willa frowned, nodding. She was right. Willa had made dangerous enemies in the past week or so. In her business, she naturally had rivals. But she did not have many enemies. Now, things were different.
"I would be honored to learn." Hilda beamed at Willa's consent.
"Then we begin tomorrow evening."
Willa became excited the more she considered Hilda's proposition. She knew the basics of self-defence but the merchant knew real fighting skills would serve her better in this hostile world.
"Pet." Oro startled her from her thoughts. Willa tried not to react to the title but her stomach turned slightly. "I've been wondering. Did your ol' man tell you how the ritual was supposed to go?"
"I... thought so..." Willa answered nervously, unsure what Oro meant. She glanced at Jorvun, who was trying not to laugh at Barr's flushed face. Her eyes dropped to Barr's tented jeans as she thought about the way he'd filled her up.
"Did he tell you that you were supposed to be shared?" Willa was now flushed as dark as Barr.
"Yes." She muttered.
"Did he tell you that Barr holds the same stake on your body as he does?" Willa looked between Barr and Jorvun, stunned.
"No."
There was silence around the fire for a moment. They watched Willa process the new information.
