Rise (The Order of the Krigers #1)(20)

Horrified he’d caught me staring at him, I immediately spun away, my face flushed. I ducked under the water, for once wishing it were cold instead of hot.





Chapter Five


As I left the water, freezing air engulfed my body; I swiftly pulled on my dry clothes. Shivering, I ran my fingers through my dripping wet hair.

“It’s not far from here,” Anders said, sheathing the small dagger he’d been playing with. “Vidar can light a fire for you to warm up.”

After five minutes of walking, we reached a stream and followed it northward. The trees thinned, and the ground became rockier. Gradually, the clouds parted until the sun shone bright overhead. I stopped, dropping my head back and allowing the rays to warm me. “What?” I asked, noticing Anders staring at me.

“You don’t smile very often.”

Neither did he. Instead of arguing, I said, “I haven’t seen the sun all season. It feels wonderful.”

“Let’s keep moving.” Anders effortlessly jumped to the other side of the stream.

The water steadily swelled until the stream turned into a rushing river. We climbed over rocks, sticking close to the bank. Eventually, it opened onto a small lake. Sunlight glistened off the water, fed by an enormous waterfall easily as tall as a four-story apartment building and ten feet or so in diameter.

“There are even more waterfalls farther up the mountain,” Anders said. “We found that this location suits our needs. Not only do we have fresh water, a bathing pool, and a great fishing area, but it’s close to several villages and only a two-day journey to the capital.”

There weren’t any structures visible. “You live here?”

Anders shrugged. “In this general area. Our place is over there.” He nodded toward the trees. “Come on.”

A voice hollered, echoing with the wind. It sounded as if someone had yelled in excitement. Movement caught my attention, and I observed the top of the waterfall where a man stood, arms spread wide, his head thrown back.

“There’s someone up there.” I pointed, unable to take my eyes away from the man. He bent his knees and then jumped, his body arching through the air as he went headfirst alongside the waterfall. I grabbed Anders’s arm, squeezing hard, my heart about to leap into my throat.

Anders chuckled. “He’s fine. He does this all the time.”

I watched the man’s body cut through the water, disappearing below. He surfaced and swam toward us, climbing out of the water wearing only a pair of pants cut short above his knees. Before today, I’d never seen a man shirtless. Within the past hour, I’d seen Anders and now this man’s torso.

“Glad you’re back,” the man said to Anders before turning his attention to me, his blond hair shining in the sun. Half a smile spread across his handsome face.

“I brought someone with me,” Anders said.

“I see that.” He stuck out his hand.

I awkwardly grabbed it, and we shook in greeting. “Kaia.”

“Vidar,” he responded with a cocky grin. His blue eyes—like two pools of water—were mesmerizing. He reached out and gently tugged a strand of my wet hair. “Looks like you’ve been swimming, too.”

“Down below in the hot spring,” Anders said.

“Where are you from, Kaia?”

Before I could respond, Anders replied, “She’s from the capital.”

Vidar rubbed his chin, his eyes darting between Anders and me. “I’ve never known you to be interested in someone long enough to bring her home with you.”

My body prickled with heat from his mistaken read of the situation.

“We’re not together,” Anders hastily replied. “And I’m not interested in her that way.”

Vidar raised his eyebrows, awaiting an explanation.

“She’s a Kriger. I brought her here for you.”

“A Kriger?” Vidar laughed. “I’m not sure what’s more amusing—you claiming to have found a female Kriger, or that you’re not interested in her.” He draped his arm around Anders’s shoulders. “Kaia, please give us a moment alone.”

They went just out of earshot. Vidar bent over and grabbed his shirt, putting it on while Anders spoke to him. After a few minutes, they both turned to stare at me.

“What?” I demanded, walking over to them. “This better not have anything to do with me being a girl. I’ve left my sick father behind, been traveling for two days, and am cold. I’d like to go inside and rest for at least one night without worrying if a brunbjorn is going to eat me.” There still weren’t any structures visible. “Please tell me there is actually a roof with walls and that you don’t live in a cave?”

Vidar burst out laughing while Anders shook his head, fighting a smile.

“My friend briefly filled me in on the events of the past two days,” Vidar said. “He told me he promised to check on your father.” He paused, awaiting confirmation.

“Yes,” I replied, surprised Anders intended to keep his promise.

“I’ll be back as soon as possible,” Anders said.

“Don’t you want to rest?” I asked. “Or eat something before you go?” It wasn’t as if we were friends, but I’d been with him for two days, and he’d saved my life. The prospect of being alone with Vidar made me edgy.