Total pages in book: 19
Estimated words: 17251 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 86(@200wpm)___ 69(@250wpm)___ 58(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 17251 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 86(@200wpm)___ 69(@250wpm)___ 58(@300wpm)
But still I hoped.
I kept my focus on Egil as I pushed the furs off of me and slowly stood. He faced me on his side, his eyes closed, his breathing even. But I wasn’t fool enough to think he wouldn’t be awake and ready in a matter of seconds. I was breathing hard, a dizzying feeling consuming me, my heart racing.
I started slowly moving away from him, closer to the tree line, knowing he’d probably catch me, but I had to try to gain my freedom. I couldn’t be a prisoner, wouldn’t have anything to do with him. I would reject him every step of the way, even if that was just staying silent and refusing anything he offered.
That was all I could do, and I would do it with everything in me. I looked at the tree line and then quickly back at Egil. He still slept.
Everything in my body was running on high the closer I got to the deep shadows, those thick trunks that would hide me, give me protection.
I held my breath as I took another step, and then my foot snapped a twig in half, the sound echoing, making every part of me tighten. I held my breath as I slowly looked back at Egil. His eyes were open, his gaze trained right on me.
And then I ran, not even thinking about the repercussions, not even pretending like my life was in my hands in this moment.
I couldn’t see much, but I kept my hands out in front of me has I ran. Everything melded together as I breathed hard, blinking as if that would clear my vision, making things more visible. I could hear twigs snapping behind me, the low rumble of Egil as he charged toward me.
I was thinner than him, maybe a little bit faster. He was bulky, with furs and weapons strapped to him. That was my advantage.
I darted to the left, going down a slope, trying not to fall and hurt myself enough that he could catch me. I ran faster, stumbled slightly on a fallen log, but righted myself and kept going.
The air sawed in and out of my lungs, burning, propelling me forward.
I was foolish enough to look over my shoulder, not able to see much, but I did notice Egil gaining ground on me. I screamed out on instinct, knowing that no one would hear me. We were out in the middle of nowhere, the forest surrounding us, civilization too far away to help. I took a right, weaving my way through the trees, going faster, panting harder. I darted behind a thick tree, keeping my body flush with that, trying to catch my breath, to keep my fear down enough I could control myself.
And then I held my breath as best I could. I could hear him gaining, but stood still, pushing my fear down even more. He growled low, so close to me now that the hairs on the back of my neck stood on end.
He’d stopped running, but I heard his footsteps as he walked, searching for me, maybe listening to see if I was running, if he could hear me breathing.
I still held my breath, and when I could no longer do that I slowly, quietly blew it out of my mouth before inhaling gently and holding it once more. My heart thundered behind my ribs and it sounded loud, so loud that I felt that he could surely hear it.
And then he started running and I closed my eyes, thinking he’d caught me, but then hearing his footsteps grow farther away. I opened my eyes and could see his silhouette continuing forward, as he searched for me.
For long moments I didn’t move, too afraid to, scared he’d hear me, circle back around, and find me. I was afraid of what he’d do to me, how he’d punish me. He hadn’t hurt me thus far, but with Egil, I didn’t know what he’d do, didn’t know how he’d react. I was pushing my luck with him, I knew this, but I didn’t care.
I stayed still for long moments, and finally forced myself to push away from the tree. I turned, about to go in the opposite direction Egil went when a large hand clamped over my mouth. I was gently pulled back against the trunk, my eyes wide, tears streaming down my cheeks. I screamed, knowing Egil had found me, but it was muffled behind the heavy hand.
“Shhh,” a deep voice whispered by my ear and everything in me froze.
I knew that deep, baritone voice.
Calder.
I closed my eyes and cried harder. He kept his hand on my mouth, thank the gods, because surely, I’d be sobbing in relief. I finally got control of myself enough that he pulled his hand away and turned me to face him. It was too dark for me to fully see him, but a break in the trees allowed the moonlight to shine down and make a swatch of silvery, bluish light move over his face.