Sunlight slanted through the narrow window, painting thin golden stripes across the rumpled blankets and Mara's bare shoulder. Alex woke slowly, the ache in his muscles a pleasant reminder of the night before. Mara lay curled against his side, one leg draped over his thigh, her auburn hair fanned across his chest like spilled wine. Her breathing was deep and even, lips slightly parted, a faint smile lingering even in sleep.
He let his hand drift down her back, tracing the dip of her spine, then lower to cup the soft curve of her ass. She stirred with a quiet hum, pressing closer, but didn't wake fully. Alex smirked to himself. The woman had taken everything he gave her, multiple times and still looked this peaceful. He liked that. A lot.
A soft knock at the door broke the quiet.
"Hero?" Chief Eldric's voice, low and respectful. "Breakfast is ready in the hall when you're able. No rush."
Alex glanced at Mara, still dozing, then called back, "Give me a few minutes."
He eased out from under her carefully. She mumbled something incoherent and rolled onto her stomach, hugging the pillow where his head had been. The sheet slipped low, exposing the faint red marks his grip had left on her hips. Alex's cock twitched at the sight; he considered waking her for another round but the smell of fresh bread and sizzling meat drifting under the door won out. Hunger of a different kind.
He washed quickly with the last of the basin water, pulled on his trousers and tunic, and stepped into the main room of the chief's house.
The long wooden table was already set. Chief Eldric sat at the head, flanked by two of his guards, broad-shouldered men who nodded respectfully when Alex entered. A young girl, no older than twelve scurried in with a platter of food: thick slices of fried bacon, eggs scrambled with herbs, warm oatcakes drizzled with honey, and a pitcher of fresh milk. The chief gestured to the seat opposite him.
"Sit, hero. Eat. You've earned it."
Alex took the chair, piling his plate high. The first bite of bacon crisp, salty, and perfect made him groan appreciatively. "This is damn good," he said around a mouthful. "Better than anything I've had in… well, ever."
Eldric smiled faintly, though his eyes remained serious. "We may be a small village, but we don't starve. Not usually." He paused, folding his weathered hands on the table. "Those raiders you spared… we have them chained in the barn. Twelve men, still breathing. They've taken from us for too long food, livestock, and daughters."
Alex swallowed, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. "You want them gone."
"I want them sold," Eldric corrected. "There's a slave market in Eldoria—two days' ride southeast. The city guard pays good coin for able-bodied fighters, even broken ones. Enough to rebuild what was burned, replace what was stolen. And enough left over for you to take a generous share."
Alex leaned back, considering. The idea didn't shock him. In this world, it seemed practical, almost expected. And the thought of coin, real power in his pocket instead of just blood on his hands, appealed to the greedy streak he was quickly discovering in himself.
"How much are we talking?"
Eldric named a figure, three hundred gold for the lot, maybe more if the auctioneer liked their look. "Your cut would be at least a third. A hundred gold, perhaps a hundred and fifty if the bidding goes high. Enough to buy fine armor, weapons… or other things a man of your appetites might desire."
Alex's gaze flicked toward the doorway where Mara had appeared, now dressed in a fresh blue kirtle, hair re-braided, cheeks still faintly flushed from sleep and memory. She carried a tray of more oatcakes and set it down with a shy smile, avoiding his eyes but not before he caught the way her thighs pressed together under the table.
He grinned slowly. "I like the sound of that."
Eldric nodded. "Then ride with us. We leave at midday—wagon's already being loaded. You'll have a horse, your own mount. The road to Eldoria is safe enough in daylight, and with you along…" He spread his hands. "No raider would dare approach."
Alex speared another piece of bacon, chewing thoughtfully. Eldoria. Bigger city, bigger opportunities. Bigger women, bigger beds, bigger purses. And if the slave market was as lively as the chief implied, maybe a few pretty things to warm his nights once Mara's gratitude ran its course.
He glanced at her again. She was watching him now, openly, lips parted just enough to show the edge of her tongue. Yeah. He'd keep her close for the journey. A man needed entertainment on the road.
"Deal," Alex said, pushing his empty plate away. "I'll ride with you. And when we get to Eldoria, I'll make sure those bastards fetch top price."
Eldric rose, clasping forearms with him in the old way. "Then it's settled. Rest, gather what you need. We depart when the sun's high."
As the chief and his men filed out to prepare, Mara lingered, clearing dishes with slow, deliberate movements. When the room emptied, she stepped close, close enough that Alex could smell lavender on her skin again.
"Hero," she murmured, voice low. "You're leaving?"
"Not without you," he said, catching her wrist and pulling her onto his lap. She straddled him without hesitation, skirts bunching around her thighs. "You're coming with us. Someone's got to keep me… entertained on the road."
Her breath hitched as his hand slid up under her skirt, finding her already slick and ready. "Yes, hero," she whispered, grinding down against his growing hardness. "Anything you want."
Alex kissed her hard, swallowing her moan. "Good girl. Pack light. We leave soon and I plan on fucking you in every inn between here and Eldoria."
Mara shivered, nodding eagerly. "I'll be ready."
By midday the wagon was hitched, the chained raiders loaded in the back under heavy guard, and four horses saddled. Alex swung up onto a sturdy bay gelding—strong, steady, perfect for a man built like him. Mara rode pillion behind him, arms wrapped around his waist, breasts pressed to his back. The chief took the lead wagon seat, guards flanking the procession.
As they rolled out of Willowbrook's gates, villagers lined the road, cheering, throwing flowers, calling blessings on the hero who'd saved them. Alex soaked it in—the adoration, the envy, the open hunger in some of the younger women's eyes.
He glanced over his shoulder at Mara, squeezed her thigh possessively. "Ready for the road, sweetheart?"
She leaned up to nip his earlobe. "Ready for anything you give me, hero."
The dust rose behind them as Willowbrook shrank in the distance. Ahead lay Eldoria—gold, power, and whatever else a man like Alex could take.
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