Past Betrayals, Past Loves

by Walters, Janet Lane;

  He turned and stared at Starr’s hiding place. When he squeezed water from his long hair she saw his male organ and held in a startled cry. The woman ran to him. He pushed her away.

  Starr began a slow retreat. To be captured by one of these strangers could endanger the homestead. Yet she felt a deep yearning to be with the stranger and touch his sun-bronzed skin.

  * * *

  Ragnar peered toward the cliff above the waterfall. He sensed someone watched but he felt no threat. Perhaps a spy from the cluster of house as a distance inland, the place where he intended to find a wife. In his meetings with his half-brother, Kendel, Ragnar had heard about the thegn’s daughters. Kendel had plans to marry the older of the two but he’d have to settle for the younger, unless he took Dagmar into his house. Once again Ragnar heard his father’s command.

  Found a settlement. Marry the daughter of a local leader as I would have done if I hadn’t been wed to your mother. Claim the land through her. Use your half-brother’s desire to be acknowledged by me.

  “Ragnar, why can’t I move into your hut?”

  Dagmar’s throaty voice made him glower. He looked up. Her heavy breasts were bare. “Go away.”

  “Let me ease your mighty spear,” she crooned.

  He reached for his breeches. “Leave me be. Find Kendel. Bind him to you and when my father comes he will free you.”

  She glided closer. Her large nipples thrust against his chest. “You have been without a woman for many months. That isn’t natural.”

  “Let me be.”

  “Your father isn’t here. He won’t know that you have made me your woman. I burn to have you fill me.”

  He pulled his tunic over his head. “Do your duty.” He strode to the crossing stones. “Kendel has come. Go to him. If you want to be free you will obey/”

  She flounced away. Ragnar followed and watched her greet Kendel. The man embraced her. With a glance toward Ragnar, Dagmar led the other man to her hut.

  A group of men joined Ragnar. “That woman breeds trouble,” one said. “Why was she sent with us?”

  Another laughed. “You should know. You’ve been with her often enough.”

  Ragnar frowned. “Heed this. She must bind Kendel to our cause.”

  The first man snorted. “You are all she talks about.”

  As they gathered for the midday meal, Kendel emerged from Dagmar’s hut. He had the sleepy-eyed look of a sated man. He sat on a log beside Ragnar and speared a chunk of meat with his knife. “Your Dagmar is a lusty woman but I’m sure you know that very well.”

  Ragnar shrugged. “She’s not mine or of my taste. Tell me about the thegn’s daughters.”

  Kendel grinned. “Starr is the oldest. She’s wild and forever sneaking into the forest. Starr needs taming and I’ll find pleasure in the doing. Wina is quiet, sweet and biddable and will suit you quite nicely.”

  “Has he no sons?”

  “He had two. The older one is dead. An impetuous youth who went after a boar alone. The younger is sickly.”

  Ragnar noticed Kendel’s sly smile. What part had he played in the death? “If you take the wild one as your wife what will you do about Dagmar? Father sent her as a gift to you.”

  “And to pleasure the men on the long journey,” Kendel said. “I’ll keep her. When my wife needs a rest Dagmar will be there to soothe my appetite. One woman isn’t enough to satisfy my needs.”

  “Walk lightly. Dagmar’s anger can be dangerous.”

  Kendel laughed. “You’re the one she wants.”

  “Perhaps but I am the one she cannot have.”

  * * *

  Starr left her pony in the pasture. She slung the game bag over her shoulder and walked to the homestead. Her sister caught her in the yard. “Where have you been? Mother isn’t happy with you.”

  Starr thrust her spoils into her sister’s hands. “I checked my traps and spied. There’s a dragon ship in the cove where the fishers once lived. OH, Wina, I saw one of the men step from the waterfall. He made me catch my breath. He is built like a stallion.”

  Wina’s eyes widened. “He was unclothed?”

  “Bathing. His hair is long and his face is the most handsome I’ve ever seen.”

  The younger woman scowled. “Why do you take such chances? You could have been caught and harmed like Kendel’s mother.”

  Starr made a face. “I was on the cliff and in no danger. Have you no curiosity?”

  Wina shook her head. “About them? No. Maybe about Kendel. Don’t you think he’s handsome and wonderful?”

  “Kendel.” Starr spat his name. Not since Ralf was killed. I need to tell father about the ship.”

  “He knows. Kendel brought the news this morning. He has gone to spy on them. Since he’s half of their blood, they trust him.”

  “They’re fools if they do.” Starr walked away.

  “What do you have against him?” Wina caught Starr’s arm. “He’s brave and is a good hunter. He killed the boar that attacked our brother.”

  Starr pressed her lips together. She couldn’t tell Wina her suspicions. When Kendel killed the boar Ralf’s body had been so mangled any other wounds had been hidden by the slashes of the boar’s tusks. “Just let it be.” Starr entered the house.

  Her father glared. “Where have you been?”

  “In the forest. Spying on the dragon men.”

  “Pah, I know of them. They plan to build a settlement. Their leader has made an offer to marry one of my girls.”

  “Me?”

  “Wina. You will wed Kendel in two weeks.”

  “I won’t. I hate him.”

  Chatwin grabbed her shoulders and shook her. “You will do as I say. My people need a strong man when I’m gone. Since your brother’s death I have considered who will be my successor.”

  “Will you pass over my younger brother?”

  “I must. Wulf is weak. He has the breathing sickness. He’s not fit to be thegn.”

  Starr sank to her knees. “I had the breathing sickness when I was younger. It’s gone now. Won’t the same thing happen to him?”

  “You’re a woman and of value only through marriage. The men will remember your brother’s weakness and fear for the stead’s safety. You will med Kendel. He is a strong man and will be a good leader.”

  “I would rather die.” She rose and stumbled away. How could she wed a murderer? She would run away and this time she wouldn’t return.

  Her mother grabbed her arm. “Where have you been? There’s cloth to be woven.”

  “Father says I’m to wed Kendel. I won’t.”

  Her mother embraced her. “Daughter, you have no more choice than I did when my father gave me to Chatwin. I don’t want to see Wulf cast aside but the choice isn’t mine. Come and finish the cloth for your wedding clothes.”

  “They will be my funeral garb. I’ll die before I wed the man who murdered Ralf.”

  “I know how you believe that is what happened but no one saw to give evidence. All knew how daring your brother was. Without proof there is naught we can do.”

  “Let Wina wed Kendel. She wants him.”

  Her mother shook her head. “We cannot disobey your father’s orders. Wash your hands and be about the weaving.”

  When Starr sat at the loom her anger curdled her thoughts. Instead of the soft colors she wove black lines and scarlet slashes. When would her father make the announcement?

  When Kendel was absent for three days, Starr began to hope he was dead.

  * * *

  On the afternoon of the third day Starr heard Kendel’s voice and cringed. Wina entered the weaving shed. “He’s back with gifts for Father. The dragon men want an alliance.”

  Starr shuddered. Turmoil roiled her stomach. Today her father would announce his plans for her wedding with Kendel. She shoved her stool back. She had to flee.

  Wina stared at the cloth. “What have you done?”

  “Woven the cloth for my wedding dress.”

  “But those a
re the colors of death and mourning.”

  “That’s how I feel about the man Father has chosen for me.” Starr bolted from the hut and slipped across the yard. She skirted the house where the sound of men’s voices rose and fell. Once she reached the meadow she mounted her pony and sent him racing toward the forest. She didn’t know where she would go but anywhere would be better than being wedded to Kendel.

  At the edge of the trees, she dismounted and slapped the pony’s rump. “Run, run. They will think I’m dead.”

  If the dragon men hadn’t come she could have sheltered in one of the huts near the shore. Cautiously she made her way toward the waterfall hoping for a glimmer of the man she’d seen bathing. She lay on her belly to watch the activity along the shore.

  What were they doing? She wiggled closer to the edge. Earth crumbled beneath her weight and she began to slide toward the rocks below. She yelped and tried to grab bushes and tufts of grass to halt the plunge. She curled into a ball. Her head banged against a rock.

  * * *

  Ragnar heard the scream and jumped from beneath the waterfall. He saw a figure rolling down the steep slope. He dashed and caught the boy before he landed on the rocks. Then he saw the braids. “By Odin, a girl.”

  He felt the rise and fall of her chest. Alive. Was she hurt? He checked her heard and found a lump but no bleeding.

  A close study of her face made his breath catch. She was lovely. She was the one he’d been seeking. He held her against his chest and carried her to the hut he’d changed. There, he placed her on the bed and lit a fire in the central pit. Though the season was summer, the nights were cool.

  After pulling on breeches and boots he knelt beside the bed and touched her chest. Her breathing was regular. He lifted her eyelids. The pupils seemed the same, not like the ones he’d seen on men who had been bashed on the head. Her thick braids must have cushioned her from injury.

  Not knowing what more he could do, he left to collect his evening rations. Maybe when he returned she would be awake. A short time later he carried a jug of ale, bread, cheese and stew into the hut. He left the provisions on the table and returned to check his guest.

  She moaned. Her hand went to her head. She opened her eyes. “Who? Where?”

  He shifted to the language his father had made him learn. “I am Ragnar and you are in my house. Who are you?”

  Her gray eyes clouded. “I am…I am…” Tears spilled over her cheeks. “I don’t know.”

  He sat on the edge of the bed. “You fell into my arms like a falling star.”

  Her brow wrinkled. “Starr, yes.”

  Ragnar nodded. So this was the thegn’s daughter. She was his as she always had been.

  Her eyes closed. “I was ill, poisoned. Horses raced and I was thrown. He killed you. There was dust and fire.”

  He frowned. What did she mean? The day had been bright. The forest was too dense for racing horses. There was no dust and the only fire burned in the pit. “None of those things are true.”

  “They were.” Her body trembled.

  He brushed her lips with his. He unfastened the belt around her waist and tugged her breeches down.

  “What are you doing?”

  “You fell from the cliff. I fear you have injured more than your head.”

  “Ah.”

  When her mouth opened he seized the opportunity to taste her. Beneath his hand he felt her nipples tighten. When the kiss ended he felt ready to burst. He wanted to open his breeches and ravish her. “You are mine. Now and forever.”

  She smiled. “You make me feel like a burning torch.”

  He slid his hand beneath her ankle length tunic and slowly moved it along her legs. “No broken bones here.” He continued his exploration. She sighed and the sound vibrated through him. His fingers touched the nest of hair at the junction of her thighs. He pulled his hand away. He wanted her but she’d been injured.

  Ragnar rose and went to the table. His sword throbbed and he ached to spill his seed. Not yet but soon he would take her again and again until her body swelled with his child.

  “Do you think you can walk here?” he asked. “There is food.”

  “I’ll try.” She swung her legs over the edge of the bed. She swayed.

  He came to her. “You all right?”

  “The room moves.”

  “Lie back.”

  “Thirsty.” He brought a beaker of ale. She drank greedily and choked. “Strong.”

  “Let me fetch you some water.”

  She grasped his arm. “You saved my life.” She stroked his face.

  He gathered her close, feasted on her mouth, tasted ale and breathed deep her intoxicating scent. He felt her nipples tighten against his chest. He wanted her. This time he wouldn’t lose her.

  He inched her tunic upward. Her skin heated. One hand caressed the cloth over her breasts. She moaned. His urgency to take her and seal her to him grew stronger.

  A pounding on the door interrupted his concentration on the woman in his arms. The steady drumming continued. “What?”

  “I have news.”

  Kendel. Ragnar released Starr/ “Stay here.” He couldn’t let his half-brother see her. He knew Kendel’s plans to wed the thegn’s oldest daughter. Ragnar had no intention of that happening. He lifted the bar and opened the door wide enough to step outside.

  * * *

  For a brief time Starr cowered on the bed. She knew that voice. She’d heard the man’s angry tones before. She didn’t know his name but she feared him. She rose and smoothed her tunic. Chills shook her body. She rubbed her arms. Was the man a friend of the one who had rescued her? Would he give her to the man she believed was her enemy?

  She reached the door and pressed her ear against the rough surface. The words were muffled. She searched the room, saw where light shone through a gap between the logs. She scurried to the place and peered outside.

  Ragnar stood with another man. Murdered! Fear became terror. Her knees buckled. She slid to the floor. When the door opened panic erupted. She pressed against the wall and shoved a fist against her mouth to muffle the scream clawing her throat.

  She heard the scuffle of boots on the wooden floor and tried to vanish into the wall. One man or two? She was too terrified to open her eyes. Then she was lifted to her feet and enfolded in a tight embrace.

  “Starr, what’s wrong?” Ragnar asked.

  With blinding force all her memories swamped her. “Will you give me to him?” Her voice quavered. Tears trickled over her cheeks.

  “To Kendel, never.”

  “He killed my older brother. There was no proof but I knew. My father wants me to wed him.”

  “You’ll wed no man but me>”

  She met his gaze and his words brought a sense of safety and belief. His mouth covered hers. His tongue prodded her lips and then slipped into her mouth to tangle with hers.

  She felt feverish. Her breasts ached. What magic did he evoke? Her tears stopped and she rested her forehead against his chest. He made her feel safe. He made her wish. Once again, he inched her tunic up.

  “Ragnor, what are you doing?”

  “Be easy. I will put my mark on you so no man can deny you’re mine.”

  He stroked her back. His mouth devoured. She felt as though he seared his mark on every part of her skin. He drew her tunic over her head and pressed her against his body. He inched her back until her body touched the wall. When he stepped back she reached for him.

  “Soon.” He placed a large fur on the floor at her feet. Then he sat on the bench to remove his boots. He stripped off his breeches. Her eyes widened. His male organ seemed much larger than when she’d seen him step from beneath the waterfall. She stared. Heat surged along her skin.

  He laughed. “Don’t be afraid. What I do to you will be good.” He braced his arms on the wall and brushed his mouth back and forth over hers. No other part of him touched her. He flicked his tongue over her chin to lave her throat.

  “What are you doing?�
�

  “Making you ready for me.”

  He slid a leg between hers and moved his hands down the wall. When he drew one nipple into his mouth her body jerked. She braced her hands on his shoulders. Surely she would burst into flames. He grasped her hips and suckled the other breast. She moaned. The sensations flowing from his mouth were fire arrows piercing her lower abdomen. Her women’s parts throbbed. Her legs felt weak. She wanted but she didn’t know what or why.

  He went to his knees. As he did his mouth trailed over her abdomen. His tongue flicked her navel. He sat on his heels and spread her legs. His fingers delved between her nether lips. Her moans became a mewling cry. His tongue touched a place that sent lightning coursing. She grasped his head and called his name. She felt wet. Had she disgraced herself?

  He sat on the fur and pulled her down until she straddled his thighs. He pulled her close for a kiss. Inch by inch he drew her closer. He grasped his organ and guided the large male part toward her. When he pressed into her, her eyelids flew open. She tried to pull away.

  He stroked her hair. “Will hurt but once.” He shifted position and laid her on the fur. He pushed inside again. Her nails bit into his shoulders. He caught her cries with his mouth and remained still.

  The pain ebbed but the fullness remained. Star moved. He released her mouth and thrust and withdrew again and again. She felt warm and then hot. Excitement built. She felt the way she did when her pony raced across the plain. She caught his rhythm and moved with him. Sensations sped toward a peak. He roared her name. She cried his. He collapsed pinning her beneath him.

  “You are mine, now and forever. Time and time again we will do this. When you’re with child we will go to your father.” He rolled to his side and pulled her closer.

  She stroked his chest and touched a pair of gold medallions. “As I have before I will stay with you.”

  He kissed her. “Soon, one of these will be yours.”