The following morning came with a strange mixture of calmness and lingering embarrassment from the previous night. The cold air bit at Ro's face as she stepped out onto the courtyard.
A bear, larger than the ones that had brought her and Geneva to the manor, stood some distance away. It pawed at the paved ground, its dark brown fur swaying with each motion.
Ro went still at the sight of the beast. But her stomach churned upon noticing the man petting it.
He stood as tall as the creature itself, his dark fur coat perfectly matching the pitch-black shaggy mane on his head. As if on cue, he turned his head in her direction.
She threw her gaze to the bear. She had woken up that morning to let Ester know she would like to see the city, hopefully for a potential means of escape.
Ro had expected Ester to submit this request to Iver.
Expected him to refuse or grant the request.
What she had not expected was for him to be her guide!
'This feels like punishment…'
She approached him with slow, heavy steps. As she drew closer, she called out, "I give my greetings, my—"
Warm hands encompassed her jaw and tilted her face up. Ro's eyes widened in alarm, and her pulse quickened.
His sharp eyes, lightly shadowed by thick lashes, studied her face. His skin was fairer than hers, yet, his chiselled face contained dignified features. One dark brow angled upwards, and his straight nose slightly wrinkled. A strange light flashed within his eyes.
"Explain what you were doing last night."
Her breath shook. Sweat trickled down her spine.
"I…" She thinned her lips and swallowed, trying to look anywhere but his face. She could not see anything beyond his huge frame. "I fell gravely ill during the trip. I needed to recover."
He leaned forward, locking eyes with her. "Here, it is disrespectful to avoid one's eyes when speaking." The deadpan tone of his deep voice sent a chill through her.
"I am… not used to the eyes of your people."
"Hmm…" Something unreadable flickered in his eyes at her initial tone.
She touched his hand, and her legs slightly trembled as she continued, "My neck hurts, please."
He straightened, letting go of her. Ro released a heavy breath and touched her chin. His hand had swallowed the width of her face, fingers thick with the kind of strength that had launched a man across a hall the day before.
She looked up to find him still staring. Heat crept up her neck as she suddenly recalled her near-nudity.
She slightly bowed. "Please, forgive me for using your grounds in such a horrible manner without notice. I—"
"You won't be falling ill now, is that it?"
She paused. "Yes…"
Without another word, he laid his hand on the bear's back and lifted himself onto it in one fluid motion. The beast had barely even buckled under Iver's weight.
"Come."
She cast a weary glance at the beast.
"She's harmless." His tone carried the faintest drop of irony.
A short dry laugh escaped Ro's lips. She immediately slapped her hand over her mouth, mortified.
"Forgive—" Her words were cut off by a squeak as she found herself picked off the ground, his arm around her waist.
Iver hauled her onto the bear's back, nestled right in front of him.
Her ribcage echoed with the sordid hammering of her heart. Her back was rigid against his chest, a chest broad enough to make her feel so small. And she wasn't used to feeling small.
"Your stiff posture is going to make her uneasy very soon," he warned.
His words did nothing to ease her. She was pressed in on all sides. Him and the bear emanated such heat that she was starting to feel warm within the cold breeze. His thighs pressed in on hers, securing her firmly.
Goosebumps prickled Ro's skin.
What was happening?
His arms encircled her, and Ro's body reached a level of stiffness she never thought could be achieved. She even held her breath. Iver paused. Then his fingers dug into the beast's hair, grabbing fistfuls of it.
"Ease yourself." His warm breath brushed her hair as he spoke. "You're more likely to be flung off that way."
Ro's hands trembled, but she slowly extended them, her fingers brushing the tip of the fur. The bear brushed a paw across the ground and snorted, causing Ro to go still. From her peripheral vision, she noticed Iver's hand shift, releasing his grip from the bear's back and reaching for hers.
She immediately dug her fingers into the beast's fur.
It was soft.
Very soft.
She subtly ran her hands over that surface, keeping a cautious glance directed at the bear's head. Her body relaxed, but her heart still beat fast.
"Hold tight." Iver snorted, and without further warning, the bear kicked off the ground and bound for the trees.
Ro's heart lurched to her chest as she crouched down, holding fistfuls of the animal's hair in a death grip.
She felt the powerful surge of muscle beneath fur as the creature raced through the woods. As a cold wind brushed past her ears, she was made aware of Iver's body against hers. He had leaned forward slightly during the ride, his legs pressed tightly against the bear's sides… and hers.
A strange sensation bubbled in her chest. Whether it was admiration or embarrassment, she could not place it.
It was strange to feel so protected by someone who terrified her.
Soon, the wind died down, and the bear was moving at a slower pace.
Ro slowly raised her head. Her back bumped into Iver's chest, and she stifled the immediate panic that flared up within her.
"How are you feeling?" he asked.
"I'm… fine."
"You can let go of Iri now."
"What?" Ro snatched her hands back to herself. "I'm so sorry. I did not know I was hurting—"
He chuckled. "She can barely feel that. You're not hurting her."
Ro cradled her hands, quiet.
Silence settled between them until Iver spoke, "We're here."
The bear crept out of the last burst of trees towards the outskirts of the city. Small stone buildings were sprawled out in no particular order. There were workshops, guard posts, and more bears pacing around, some larger, some smaller, and others dragging carts around.
Every single person there stopped what they were doing to greet them.
Iri kicked up her pace and led them deeper into the city. Larger settlements appeared, more aligned, more refined, and more crowded. Fewer people seemed to recognise Iver, which surprised Ro. Upon closer inspection, she noticed she would barely have been able to sense his presence if not for their close proximity.
Iver barely talked for most of the ride, but he commented on a few places and regions. It would be impossible for him to take her around the whole city due to its immense vastness, and Ro understood. Fewer structures belched smoke, riders and strange beasts rumbled past, and odd tiny creatures scurried, some chased by children.
Ro took in her surroundings as much as she could, marvelling at the unfolding city to the extent she failed to see how she, too, had become an object of study to her betrothed.