Chapter Twenty: Cool as Ice

39.6K 1.9K 96
                                    

Cool as Ice

“Lord Oren insists you reconsider a union of our clans, sire. Whatever his daughter has done to displease you, Lord Oren will handle the matter personally,” Captain Randor assured him as he drank the rest of his wine.

They were seated in Eric's study, with only Aiden and one of Randor’s men in attendance. The majority of Randor’s men were busy taking care of the horses and recovering from their long journey. Normally, the journey from Fenrir to Wolfgard would have taken several weeks, if Meghan had returned and Oren’s men already upon them, they had pushed through with little to no rest.

Upon returning to the castle, Eric had dismounted quickly, holding out his hand to help Lori down. He’d taken the opportunity to slide her body against his, enjoying the feel of her lush body pressed tightly against his own.

He hadn’t missed the way her cheeks flushed or the way her breathing had changed at the contact. He could see in her guarded eyes that she remembered their encounter the night before, and the warrior inside his soul demanded he take her back to his chambers and finish what they'd started.

But there was a more pressing concern that had to be dealt with. Kissing her hand quickly, he’d ordered Aiden to escort Lori back to her room and post the elite guard throughout the keep. The secondary guard would keep watch over Randor’s men within the courtyard.

Now, Eric sat across from Randor at the games table, a chess board and refreshments between them. Aiden and Randor’s man Odvin stood just inside the door silent but watchful sentinels.   

Eric listened patiently before replying. Lord Oren had not been the first ruler to send such a message after the rejection of a possible marriage union between clans. Thankfully, if all went well with Lori, he would be the last.  

When Randor was done Eric offered the truth, “Whatever Lord Oren may think, he can rest assured his daughter Meghan is a fine and pleasing lass, Captain Randor. She offered no offense to me or my people during her visit at Wolfgard.”    

“Then why would you send her back to Fenrir in such a dishonorable fashion?” Randor asked, his face conveying the grave insult Lord Oren and his clan had taken it to mean.  

Eric kept his temper in check as he offered further explanation, “I didna send the lass back, nor did I ask her to leave as quickly as she did.”

“She returned to Fenrir over a fortnight past; what were we to make of such a hasty return?”

“I could not guess, but if it were me I would be obligated to consider Meghan and her escort decided to leave of their own accord.”      

“Might I ask why, Lord McKenna?”

"You would have to ask either Meghan or her escort for a definitive answer, captain. I can only assume they left because I made it clear to each of them Meghan was not the woman destined to rule at my side.”  

“Was it not Lord Urek, the first in your line to take a wolf as his mate? A mate for whom your very clan and these lands are named after?”

Eric inclined his head, “Aye, that is correct.”  

“And yet, here you sit, offering Lord Oren such insult though wolf blood runs in your very veins?”

“I have offered no insult to Lord Oren. I simply did not wish to wed his daughter,” Eric replied calmly.

Randor stood; the aggression coming off the male wolf was unmistakable. “You sit as ruler of Wolfgard by your own birthright. A birthright made possible by wolves…”

Catch, Curse, Release (Immortal Warriors #1) ✅ CompletedWhere stories live. Discover now