She flung herself down by the riverbank, pressing a hand to her stinging eyes. She’d spoken impulsively when she’d told him to leave, but she’d made the right decision for both of them. She should never have even considered letting him share her life. She was safer and better off on her own. Now it was too late to deny that she loved him, but she could stop herself from caring any more than she already did. She could barricade her heart and try to forget the expression on his face when she’d said that she’d never asked for his love. She could even force herself to feel anger again, too. How dared he try to tell her how to live and insist that he stay to protect her! She didn’t need him or anyone. She was in control of her own life and the sooner he was out of it, the better. In a month or so, he’d be nothing more than a handsome memory.
Even though she was quite certain her heart would break anyway.
A twig cracked behind her and she spun around, the hairs on the back of her neck prickling with awareness. There was no sign of anyone or anything, but there was a new feeling of tension in the air. She had the distinct impression of being watched—hunted—and not by Danr. It was someone else... She reached a hand out for her spear and realised she’d left it behind when she’d run away. She was alone, weaponless and wolf-less...
Slowly, she reached for the cauldron handle—at least she could use that as a weapon if she had to—and braced her knees, getting ready to run when another twig cracked from a different direction and a hand wound its way around her throat, closely followed by another over her mouth. Instinctively, she kicked backwards, swinging the cauldron behind her, pleased to hear a grunt of pain as it connected with something, then she was falling and whoever was holding her was falling, too, and then...she was aware of a thud, a shooting pain in her skull, followed by darkness.
* * *
Women! Danr rammed his few belongings into a pack. No, not women—woman! There was only one woman in the world who had this much power over him, the power to make him feel angry and infatuated and distraught all at the same time, as if he were going crazy! It was ironic really. For the first time in his life, here he was trying to do the right thing by a woman, to help and protect and love her, and she’d thrown it back in his face. Why couldn’t she see that?
On the other hand, he wasn’t exactly blameless. He’d handled the whole situation badly. He shouldn’t just have announced that he was staying, or said that she needed his protection either. She’d been the capable one from the start—the one who’d rescued him—and his words had broken the rules of their arrangement. Maybe he ought to go and find her and apologise. Maybe he ought to grovel again. Maybe he ought to kiss her until she saw sense... No. He shook his head before his imagination got carried away. Kissing her would only make a bad situation even worse, just as it had before. Only, he hadn’t been able to not kiss her then. He’d wanted to hold her tight in his arms because he’d been so relieved that she was all right and because she was beautiful and infuriating and brave and everything he’d ever wanted in a woman.
But she didn’t want him. She’d told him to go and never come back.
He stood and slung the pack over his shoulder. In that case, it was probably best for him to leave without saying goodbye. I don’t want you to come back. The words made his jaw clench. For a little while, he’d thought it might be possible for them to seize a second chance together, but maybe he didn’t deserve another chance, after all. Maybe losing the woman he loved and being alone was his real punishment. It certainly felt like one. After all his years of avoiding love and the pain and regret that went with it, he’d fallen into the same trap as his mother after all...
He ran a hand over Halvar’s head, murmuring a few words of farewell, before looking around for Tove. She was stalking up and down the clearing, making low whining sounds, which was...odd. The wolf was usually Sissa’s shadow, but now she seemed anxious.
‘She’s probably just gone for a walk to calm down,’ he called across to the wolf, trying to reassure them both. ‘No need to worry.’
But he ought to go and make sure, he decided. The last time he’d seen her she’d been heading towards the gorge, a cauldron in her hand, obviously wanting to get away from him. She wouldn’t appreciate him going after her, but now the tingle of foreboding at the back of his mind wouldn’t let him leave without seeing her. He started in that direction, his footsteps picking up speed as he went, though they still didn’t seem quick enough. It felt like the day before all over again and yet somehow even worse. It was his fault that she’d stormed away this time. If he hadn’t argued, hadn’t threatened not to leave, hadn’t told her he loved her...
At last he emerged out of the trees, his heart stalling at the sight of the cauldron lying on its side by the riverbank.
‘Joarr.’ He ground out the name, the sight of two sets of footprints in the mud telling him everything he needed to know. In one spot in particular they were all muddled together and overlapping, as if there had been some kind of struggle.
He dropped his pack and ran back to the clearing.
Chapter Nineteen
There were raised voices around her. Sissa became aware of them gradually as she rose back to consciousness. By the feel of it she was lying, tied up, on some kind of bed, but she didn’t move, listening to the argument going on around her. Tempted as she was to open her eyes and watch, too, she suspected the voices would stop the moment she did. Not that it overly mattered since she recognised them anyway. They belonged to Knut, Joarr, Alva and Hilda, all of them in varying degrees of anger or distress.
‘You shouldn’t have done this!’ Knut sounded angriest of all.
‘She had the pendants.’ Joarr’s response was terse. ‘That means she’s seen him and she probably knows where he is.’
‘You thought he was dead a day ago. Maybe she only found his body.’
‘He’s alive, I know it. Why would she have come here and accused Hilda unless he’d sent her? Trust Danr to find the only woman in an entire forest!’
‘I don’t know why she came, but you still shouldn’t have attacked her.’
‘Knut’s right.’ It was Hilda’s voice this time. ‘You said you were going to look for Danr, not her.’
‘I found her first. She was alone and it was too good an opportunity to lose, but I didn’t attack her. I was only going to gag her mouth and tie her hands, but she wouldn’t stop struggling. She knocked us both over. That’s how she hit her head.’
Sissa winced. At least that explained the sore feeling on the back of her skull. Obviously Joarr had brought her back to the village, but how long had she been unconscious? How long had it been since her argument with Danr? Would he have guessed what had happened by now? And if he had, would he come after her?
She almost moaned aloud at the thought. Of course he would come. He’d been about to come here with a branch of peace anyway, only now she had a horrible feeling that he wouldn’t be feeling quite so peaceful...
‘This isn’t my fight.’ Knut’s tone was grave. ‘I want no part of it.’
‘You don’t have to be part of it. He’ll come. Danr’s many things, but he’s no coward.’
‘And then what?’
‘Then we fight properly. To the death this time.’
‘No!’ Hilda’s voice rose higher in protest.
‘Yes. You said he was convinced that you had some part in the massacre and that your sons thought so, too. That means he came here for revenge. I won’t let him hurt you.’
‘If I could just go and speak to my sons face to face...’
‘Sandulf knew he was coming.’
‘But if you kill him...’ her voice cracked ‘...they’ll never believe that I’m innocent. They’ll never forgive me either. There has to be another way.’
‘There isn’t.’
‘My lord?’ A new voice spoke up. ‘There’s a warrior outside the gates. He looks Norse.’
‘Good.’ Joarr sounded pleased. ‘He’s here even sooner than I expected.’
Sissa tensed, waiting a few moments until the sound of hurried footsteps had receded before opening her eyes and wriggling up into a sitting position. She couldn’t just stay there. She had to free herself so she could stop Joarr and Danr from killing each other. Her hands and feet were bound, but perhaps if she... She blinked, suddenly aware that she wasn’t alone in the chamber. Hilda was sitting on a stool beside the bed, clearly as surprised to see her awake as she was to be seen.
‘You’re awake!’ After a moment’s hesitation, Hilda shot out of her seat and made for the door.
‘Wait!’ Sissa called out impulsively. Given time she might have thought of some other way to communicate without revealing her secret, but she didn’t have time...
‘You can speak?’ Hilda stopped and swivelled around, doubly surprised now. ‘They said that you couldn’t.’
‘I know.’ Sissa rolled her legs over the side of the bed with an effort. ‘But we need to talk—and we need to hurry.’
‘I should summon Knut...’ Hilda glanced towards the doorway uncertainly.
‘Why? He’s not the one who wants to kill Danr. That’s Joarr, but you don’t want them to fight either, do you?’
‘No.’ Hilda put her hands over her cheeks and shook her head. ‘Joarr thinks he can win, but Danr’s a fearsome warrior even with an injured arm and I know he spared him the last time. I saw him hesitate. He won’t do that again, especially if he’s come to rescue you.’
‘Danr spared Joarr?’ Sissa felt her spirits lift. He hadn’t told her that.
‘Yes. There was a moment when he could have killed him, but he didn’t. He didn’t want to. I could see it in his eyes.’ Hilda paused and frowned. ‘Danr hates me, but he and Joarr were close once.’
‘Good. Now tell me the truth and quickly. Did you order your husband’s murder?’
‘What? No!’ Even from the across the room, Sissa could see the blaze of anger in the other woman’s eyes. ‘A hundred times, no!’
‘I didn’t think so.’ Sissa lifted her legs and jerked her head towards them. ‘Now untie me and we can stop them from killing each other.’
‘How?’
‘Let me speak to Danr. I’ll tell him you’re innocent. He was halfway to believing it already. He was getting ready to come here under a branch of peace.’
‘He was?’ Hilda blinked. ‘But what does that matter now? After what Joarr’s done to you, he won’t care. He’ll fight just to avenge the insult.’
‘I’ll convince him there’s no need for bloodshed.’
‘I don’t think so.’ Hilda’s expression turned faintly pitying. ‘I’ve known Danr all his life. He’s good at convincing women to do things for him, but just because he’s seduced you doesn’t mean that he cares or that he’ll listen to you. He’s only been using you like all the rest of his women.’
‘You’re wrong.’ Sissa lifted her feet higher impatiently. ‘He’s not the man he used to be and I’m nothing like the rest of his women. I know he’ll listen. Now, untie me. It’s the only way.’
‘How do I know this isn’t a trick?’ Hilda took a few cautious steps forward. ‘They told me you’re dangerous.’
‘They also told you I couldn’t talk. Do I look dangerous to you?’
‘Not at the moment.’
‘Exactly! Look, my name’s Sissa, I’ve absolutely no power over the weather and we’re wasting time and energy. Somebody could be dead by the time you decide what to do.’
‘Do you promise not to hurt me?’
‘Only if you hurry.’
‘All right.’ Hilda crouched down and pulled at the bindings. ‘But I know Danr and he won’t listen.’
‘I know Danr better and he will.’ Sissa stood up and flexed her muscles. ‘Or I’ll fight him myself.’
* * *
Danr walked undisturbed through the open gates of the village. After donning his mail and weapons he’d stood for a few moments with Tove and Halvar beside the fire pit, reining in the feelings of dread and anger and trying to think clearly. The time when he might have gone to the village under a branch of peace had passed. Joarr’s actions weren’t those of a man who wanted peace. They were a deliberate insult, a declaration of war. They left him no option about what to do next. It wouldn’t get him the answers he’d come for or fulfil his oath either, but at that moment he didn’t care. All he cared about was rescuing Sissa and returning her back to the forest again.
He found Joarr standing outside the great hall as he approached, sword already in hand. A red-haired and stern-looking man, most likely his kinsman Knut, stood beside him, while warriors were lined up around the walls of the surrounding buildings, though their weapons were all sheathed. At least the fight would be honourable then...
‘How’s the arm?’ Joarr called out when he saw him.
Danr didn’t answer, coming to a halt a few feet away instead. ‘Do you have her?’
‘Your woman? I do.’
‘She’s not my woman. She’s her own. And if you’ve laid as much as a finger on her...’
‘I haven’t.’
‘Good.’ Danr drew his own sword from its scabbard, holding it in front of his face despite the spasm of pain that immediately shot up his arm. ‘Because she has nothing to do with any of this.’
‘You involved her when you sent her here with those pendants.’
‘I didn’t send her.’ He clenched his jaw at the accusation. ‘I didn’t know she was coming.’
‘Then why did she?’
‘To help me.’ Danr tipped his sword sideways, laying it across both of his hands before tossing it into the dirt at Joarr’s feet. ‘Now let her go and you can take me as your prisoner instead.’
‘What is this?’ Joarr glanced down at the sword and then back up again. ‘Some kind of trick?’
‘No trick.’
‘You’d exchange places with her? What if I intend to kill you? Are you really prepared to die for a woman?’
‘Yes.’ He didn’t hesitate. ‘She’s innocent in all of this. Just like Ingrid and Gilla were. Enough innocent blood has been spilled. So let her go and kill me if you have to.’
Joarr lowered his blade halfway to the ground. ‘I don’t want to kill you, Danr, but Hilda’s innocent, too. If you can’t accept that, then we need to end this once and for all. Either you leave Skíð or we fight, to the death this time.’
‘I’m not going anywhere until I find out the truth about those pendants. They belonged to Hilda and they were used to pay the assassins.’ Danr lifted an eyebrow. ‘Doesn’t that seem suspicious to you?’
‘I don’t care what it seems. I know what I know.’
‘I only want to talk to her.’
‘Do you really expect me to trust you?’ Joarr took a threatening step forward. ‘The last time I saw you, you had a sword to her throat!’
‘That was a mistake. I thought I could provoke her into admitting her guilt, that’s all.’
Joarr’s brow creased before he kicked the sword back through the dirt towards him. ‘You were always a wily one, boy, but I won’t let you within ten feet of her. I’ll let your woman go, but only on condition that we fight.’
‘If that’s what you want.’ Danr reached down, taking hold of his sword again. ‘But I don’t want to kill you either, Joarr. How many times have we fought side by side? You were like a father to me once.’ He felt the old rush of resentment. ‘Before her.’
‘I know.’ For a moment Joarr’s voice betrayed a hint of sadness. ‘But that was a long time ago now.’
They stared at each other for a few seconds, both of them sombre, before Joarr lunged, thrusting his sword out like a spear. Danr twisted away quickly, lifting Bitterblade to parry the blow and twist it sideways, then using both of his
hands on his sword to push Joarr and his weapon backwards. With his weakened arm, he wouldn’t be able to fight for long. He still didn’t want to kill Joarr, but if he could just incapacitate him...
‘Stop!’
They both froze, their weapons suspended in mid-air as Hilda’s voice rang through the village. Except it wasn’t just Hilda’s voice, Danr realised. It was Sissa’s, too.
He exchanged a swift look with Joarr and then turned his head to see the women standing side by side outside the hall.
‘Don’t interfere.’ Joarr’s voice was a growl. ‘This is between me and him.’
‘No, it’s not.’ Hilda’s voice was as imperious as Danr remembered it. ‘It’s between all of us and there won’t be any more fighting between the two of you, not today, not ever.’
‘Sissa? Are you all right?’ Danr started forward, but Joarr’s raised sword held him back.
‘Yes, but you need to put your sword down, too, Danr. There’s no need for fighting.’
‘You can speak?’ Knut looked stunned.
‘She can and she’s very persuasive, too.’ To Danr’s amazement, Hilda reached for Sissa’s hand, clasping it in hers before glaring at him and Joarr. ‘And if the two of you want either of us to as much as acknowledge your existences ever again, you can stop being so foolish and male and come inside. We have a lot to talk about.’
Chapter Twenty
‘What’s going on? What is this?’ Danr glared across the hearth to where Sissa stood calmly beside Hilda. As relieved as he’d been to find her unharmed, the sight of her clasping hands with his old enemy made him livid.
‘Patience, Danr.’ Hilda fixed him with a look, as if she knew exactly what thoughts were going through his mind. ‘We’re going to talk properly, the way we should have done that first day on the beach.’
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