Page 8 of Ulf's Destiny
“Listen, time is of the essence.” His face had become serious once more. “And we cannot afford to have anything happen to you on the road, especially now.”
That put an end to all her protests, because he was right. If she didn’t make it back in time for whatever reason, Judith would die. Riding had not been an option on the way to the village, but now that he was offering the choice, she would take it, even if she had never ridden a horse, or even a donkey in her life.
“Very well. Thank you. Only… Please, let us not gallop. I’m not a very confident rider.” She did not want him to retract hisoffer because of her lack of experience but saying that she was not at ease was putting it mildly. Well, how hard could it be to sit in a saddle? For Judith, she would manage.
Wolf nodded, not in the least put out by her admission. “Let’s go to my son Sven’s hut and get Doe ready for you. His wife’s mare has the sweetest disposition. Ulf can go get his horse in the meantime.”
It was not long before they were ready to depart. Because of his injury, Ulf had been sent to get the arm ring from the goldsmith while between them Wolf and Sven got the horses saddled and ready.
“Here,” he said, handing her a beautifully made silver bracelet that looked almost big enough to circle her thigh. But she wouldn’t be surprised if the Norseman’s bicep was the same size as her thigh, so it made sense. “And your dagger.”
Of course. Had she really killed Steinar, she would not have left the weapon behind. She took it with a shudder, as it was still tainted with his blood. Though she hated to see it, she thought it best not to clean it. Ulf seemed to read her mind and nodded encouragingly. She slipped it into her belt. The sooner she could get rid of it, the better.
“Go,” Wolf said, after he’d helped her into the saddle. “Tomorrow morning, I will go to the reeve to tell him about the terrible loss. Then, hopefully, before the day is over, you and your friend will be back in the village.”
“Thank y?—”
“Yes, I know. Go.”
It did not take Ulf long to see that Ylva had not lied when she’d said she was not comfortable on horseback. Even though Doe had an even gait, she seemed unable to accompany her trot with any kind of efficiency.
“Are you all right?” he asked, bringing his horse back down to a walk. No need to prolong her—or Doe’s—agony. She had askednot to gallop but he wasn’t sure she even knew how to canter. That little stretch of trotting seemed to have tested her to her limits.
“Yes,” she said through clenched teeth.
“I don’t think we will trot any more. It is more painful than I thought.”
Blaming the slow pace on his injury would hopefully help her relax and, after all, they didn’t have to rush. It was only mid-afternoon, they would still get to town well before the gates closed. The main reason he had gone with her was not to save time but to ensure her safety—and establish where this wretched Mildred was living.
Not wanting to add to her worries, he had not told Ylva what his plan was, but when they parted ways, he intended to follow her and find out where her enemy’s house was. How had she not thought it odd that he’d not once asked where the woman was? No man of sense would let a woman go to a dangerous tormentor without ensuring her safety in some way. But it was obvious her mind was focused on only one thing. Saving her friend. She saw it as her responsibility and the rest did not matter.
Well, he saw it as his to look after them both. And for that, he needed to know where Mildred was.
“We should arrive soon,” he told her once they rounded the lake. “Do you think you will be able to spin a convincing tale? It won’t be easy, I imagine.”
“No.” She paled and then nodded once, as if to convince herself. “But I will just have to.”
Indeed. There was no other choice. And if she appeared shocked and hesitant, then it would only add to the effect. He was certain she would not have found it easier to report to Mildred after a real murder.
His murder.
Ulf took in a deep inhale. He could have died this morning. It was a sobering thought, for sure, even if it was hard to fully comprehend when he felt the same as usual, save for the stinging in his left side. One moment he had been looking for mushrooms, the next he had been stabbed for a crime he was innocent—and even ignorant—of. It went to show that nothing could be taken for granted in life.
They stopped at the edge of the forest, while still hidden from view. It was important that Ylva be alone when she emerged from the trees. He could not allow Mildred, or anyone else, to see them together, it would appear too suspicious, he looked too distinctively Norse. Ylva slid to the ground on what appeared to be extremely shaky legs.
Ulf wrapped an arm around her waist before she could protest.
“Take a moment,” he said in her ear. “I trust you. You can do this.”
It was only when he felt her breath against the base of his throat that Ulf realized how close they were. And no wonder. He had almost leaned in to kiss her.
What was happening? This was not a seduction. This woman was not his and the moment was ill-chosen to say the least. And yet he could feel the unmistakable urge to place his lips on hers. Why was that? Since when did he feel the urge to kiss strangers, just to reassure them?
Ylva shuddered and he let her go. The gesture was perhaps too forceful, but better that than to appear as if he were consumed by desire when surely, he was not.
“Goodbye, Ulf. Thank you again for?—”
He cut her off, frowning. Why was she saying goodbye? Hadn’t they agreed she would visit tomorrow, or the day after? “We’ll see each another again soon, remember, when you take refuge in the village?”
