It was something close to a pout that rugged at her lips when he forced her back outside the felt to face the elements. The heavy chill in the air was even more apparent now that she had experienced the heat radiating from his large form. Even the horses back offered no warmth as she was left void of any contact with him.<br/><br/>His words exacerbated the shiver wracking her body and once again goosebumps rose across pale, vulnerable flesh. She was certain the chill would never leave her bones now and somehow, she found herself angry that she hadn’t simply entertained whatever need it was he’d had. At least then she’d be warm, covered in his cloth and limbs and not naked against the night air.<br/><br/>The horse stopped for water and she momentarily contemplated leaping from its back and making a run for it. But, the tall man had his fingers coiled into her long hair and her eyes slid shut against the possibilities of what he’d do next. Her hands slid over his in an attempt to protect her tender scalp and the pained gasp that left her lips when he lifted her to easily off the horse was followed by shock when he dipped her into the freezing river.<br/><br/>The pain tending to her scalp did little to negate how furiously her toes ached and how it was now her bones that shook within her flesh. Soaked hair hung limp over her shoulders when he propped her back up on the horses back and she curled herself over its neck, shaking violently. He some comment about her needing to be clean, while he himself was still cover is said soot with her father’s blood still smeared across his features.<br/><br/>Humiliated, wet and freezing, the wolfgirl remained silent. She didn’t make any more attempts to find his heat, but sat in anger and contempt as her body protested with every lerch of the animals lumbering form.<br/><br/>Unsure whether she had fallen asleep, passed out or simply hadn’t noticed, time slipped by them as the forest shifted. It wasn’t much longer until she saw campfires between the trees. A large clearing opened behind the trees against the river, welcoming them with a promise was warm fires and food. Eithne wasn’t hopeful enough to think either would ever be hers again.<br/><br/>When the sturdy horse plodded into the camp, all eyes turned the man sitting behind her, before moving to judge her naked, shivering body.