Nena by Ann Boelter (digital book reader txt) 📕

his word, Jarl rode back to check on her multiple times during the day. Each time, she saw his stern expression soften with relief when his eyes found her riding where she was supposed to be. Each time she was careful to reinforce his faith in her, by smiling and showing she was happy to see him. That was not difficult; she was happy to see him. The slow pace and lack of conversation were boring, but even she had to admit there was more to it than that; she enjoyed being with him. After riding with her and making small talk for a short way, he would leave again to check on the rest of the caravan.

Later in the day, when he approached and his eyes rested on her, they were decidedly warmer. As he rode the stallion up next to her this time, she could see the unmistakable flecks of green within them.

“If I had my way, we would stop and camp now. I was actually ready to stop at the last watering hole, when there was still probably six hours of daylight left,” he admitted. “The journey would take ten times as long and I wouldn’t care. All I could think about was taking you to the furs.” He looked at her and shook his head. “You have bewitched me.”

“I, too, look forward to the end of the day—and to the night,” she murmured, her eyes meeting his and holding them. She saw him shift uncomfortably in his saddle.

“Your words are not helpful, woman,” he growled.

Nena laughed. “They were not meant to be,” she teased, enjoying having such an affect on him.

“You think it’s funny, do you? Tonight, I will remove that smile from your face,” he warned. “You’ll pay for your shameless teasing.” His eyes were a deep green now as he brought his stallion closer and their knees bumped, momentarily pinned together between the two horses. She thought he was going to kiss her, but he smiled and shook his head, then kicked his stallion up to a canter to check on the rest of the procession.

Nena was still smiling at the encounter when she turned and found Altene’s eyes boring holes in her. Her smile faded. She didn’t think Altene had been able to overhear them, but their body language had probably been clear enough. She knew Altene was upset there had been no escape attempt today. But she also knew Altene was even more upset by the fact that, since Nena had chosen him, Jarl had not once accepted any of Altene’s repeated offers to pleasure him. Her prediction that Jarl’s lust for Nena would fade had not proven true. Jarl and Nena had spent every night together, and the passion they continued to share was evident.

That night in the makeshift trail camp was no different. When Nena was with him and they were alone, his sensitive, intimate side that no one else saw, made it easy to forget her circumstances and lose all sense of urgency to escape. But every morning when she stepped outside the tent, the reality was a slap in the face. She was a slave. Whether Jarl treated her like one or not, the fact remained.

She longed to reach the next full campsite—longed for the day of the battle to be here so she could escape. To finally put an end to the push and pull of her contradicting feelings. Before something happened and the opportunity was lost. Before Jarl’s tender acts chipped away further at what remained of her slowly eroding resolve.

It was the middle of the fifth day of travel when Jarl rode up beside her and announced, “We will be stopping up ahead in about an hour.”

“For the night?” Nena asked.

“No, to set up the next full camp. We’re close enough now.”

Nena nodded as she digested the information. The next full camp—for her, the last full camp.

Like Jarl’s tent, the camp was set up almost identically every time, varying only slightly with the differences in the terrain. Over the next few days, Nena verified that was the case this time as well. The horse enclosures were in the same place in the rear of the camp. The prisoner compound was laid out in the same rows of temporary shelters. It made it easy for Nena to locate the mother and Exanthia. She confirmed with relief there was still no guard on the child. With so many men needed for the upcoming attack, Nena did not anticipate that changing before the raid.

Jarl made time to ride with her every day. Most days they stayed close to camp, as his time was limited, but a few times they rode further—always to the south, away from the next target so as not to accidentally alert them. Daily she sucked the bitter leaf. The second branch she had received from Altene was almost bare. With her escape near, it appeared she would have just enough, depending on when Jarl gave the order to attack. Nena knew it would be soon.

She listened as each of the last detailed scouting reports came in. The men were excited at the prospect of a larger score and a tougher opponent. Jarl gave the order. They would attack the following day. When the men left and Nena was alone, she pulled out the branch. There was one leaf left. It would cover her for today, but she would need one more for tomorrow. She set out to find Altene.

“I need more herb,” Nena said when she finally discovered Altene leaving the baths.

“I don’t have any more,” Altene said, her voice cold.

“But I need it,” Nena said, shocked at the other woman’s obvious lie.

“And I need you to be gone, yet here you remain. You swore to escape, but you do not—do not even make attempt. Days with the camp on the move and you with a horse. No Jarl. No guard. Yet you rode so close to the wagon you