The Pagan's Prize

by Miriam Minger

  "I wanted to speak with you in person, friend," Rurik said. "Not send you such news through a messenger. But first I was bound to speak to Grand Prince Yaroslav about my mission, and then there was the matter of my wedding."

  "Your wedding?"

  "Yes, to the woman Kjell was defending when he bravely met his end." Hauling Zora out from behind him, Rurik squeezed her arm to remind her to stay silent. "My wife, Princess Zora of Tmutorokan, daughter of our enemy Mstislav yet niece to our lord."

  It was all Zora could do to face Thordar as he appraised her, then his gaze swerved back to Rurik.

  "You say my son fought bravely?"

  "And honorably. Our ship was attacked by wandering thieves at our second portage, and when the princess fled in fear, Kjell went after her. He single-handedly fought off her attackers until just before I reached them, when he took a fatal blow that killed him."

  "Then Kjell died with a sword in his hand."

  Stunned by the false story Rurik had spun, Zora glanced up at him when he nodded gravely. Yet she said nothing, her heart thundering. She almost jumped through her skin when the stallion snorted restlessly behind her, breaking the heavy silence that had settled over the courtyard.

  Roused from some solitary reflection, Thordar heaved a long, ragged sigh. He reached out his hand and Rurik clasped his wrist, the two huge men facing each other squarely for another interminable moment. Then the warrior turned and strode toward the cathedral without uttering another word.

  "Does my uncle know what happened to Kjell?" she asked in a nervous whisper.

  "We discussed the matter privately and deemed which course it was wisest to take."

  "But you lied to Kjell's father!" she said incredulously, yet keeping her voice low. "Why?"

  "Because you are my wife now."

  Her cheeks flushing warmly under his intent gaze, Zora could not deny the strange niggling of pleasure his words had aroused deep inside her. But before she could say anything more, Rurik lifted her sideways into the saddle and then mounted behind her, one arm holding her securely around the waist as he gripped the reins with his free hand.

  "To tell Thordar the truth might have incurred a vow of blood vengeance against my household," Rurik continued, drawing her so close against him that she could feel the heat of his body through his clothes. "The last thing the grand prince needs in this time of war is discord between his senior warriors. Thordar will grieve for his son, but I told him what he wanted, and needed, to hear."

  As Rurik kicked his horse into a gallop, Zora felt herself a fool for even thinking he might have lied simply to protect her. His coldly delivered explanation had doused quickly enough any notion that he might be concerned about her welfare now that she was his wife . . . not that she cared if he was or not. No doubt it had been his six precious concubines who had so concerned him, not her!

  With his hand splayed beneath her breasts, her apprehension began to mount again like a fever. The hard set of Rurik's jaw was enough to tell her that if he wanted her tonight, there might be nothing she could do to sway him.

  Chapter 14

  Deep twilight had settled around them, and still Rurik urged the lathered stallion on at a breakneck pace, guiding the animal with an expert hand along a road cut between the thickest woods Zora had ever seen. The cool evening air was pungent with the spicy scent of fir and pine. Tall white birch gleamed eerily in the pale wash of light from a half moon just appearing over the highest branches.

  The heat of Rurik's body warmed her as his steely arms hugged her against him, yet she wished that Ingigerd had given her a cloak. Then she might not have been so tormented by the passionate memories their closeness evoked . . . memories that filled her not only with anxiety but a strange yearning she couldn't seem to suppress.

  As for Rurik, he seemed exhilarated by the night air. Zora imagined that must be because they were drawing nearer to his home, and when he kicked the powerful animal lunging beneath them into an even faster canter, she was forced to cling to Rurik that much more tightly. Her arms flew around his neck and her cheek pressed to his chest as the woods became a frightening blur.

  She squeezed her eyes shut, fearing for their lives and certain that at any moment disaster would befall them. All she could hear was the relentless pounding of hooves and Rurik's strong, steady heartbeat against her ear. She couldn't have been more astonished when she heard Arne bellow a command to fling open the gates in the name of Rurik Sigurdson. Wide-eyed now, she watched breathlessly as they burst into a torchlit world of sound and commotion.

  "Hail, Lord Rurik!" came exuberant cries of welcome as they rode past massive timbered gates into a fortified compound that stretched into the night farther than Zora could see.

  To her surprise, Rurik's estate resembled a settlement not unlike a town. Men, women, and children poured from row after row of longhouses built in the Norse fashion.

  Wondering at the great wealth he must possess to support such numbers of retainers, Zora could not help asking Rurik as he slowed the stallion to a trot, "How—how many people are there?"

  "In my personal druzhina, three hundred seasoned warriors, many with families. Counting slaves and their children, my concubines who have borne me five sons and three daughters and now a new wife who I hope proves as fruitful . . ." He shrugged, his tone brusque. "The number is always growing."

  Beset by fresh dread at the import of his statement and wishing that she hadn't asked, Zora said no more as he rode on through the swell of warriors pressing eagerly around them. At first it appeared Rurik was heading toward a huge longhouse near the center of the compound, the building flanked by what appeared to be an assembly hall. But he swerved their mount to the left and rode to another, and decidedly smaller, dwelling with a half dozen guards posted at the door.

  "This will be your home." Rurik jumped to the ground and hauled Zora from the saddle.

  Noting her heightened color and the apprehension in her eyes, he could imagine what she must be thinking. The same image had been burning in his mind since they had left Novgorod, but his was fueled by desire, not fear. It had been torture to hold her so close for so long, the warmed rose scent of her skin intoxicating him. He wanted nothing more than to take her to his own longhouse and disappear with her for days until his lust was satisfied, but he was determined to give her a very important first lesson.

  "These men have been assigned to protect you," he said, practically pushing her toward the wooden structure. "Inside you'll find female slaves waiting to see to your every need. Do you weave?"

  She looked up at him in confusion. "What?"

  "Do you weave?"

  "No—"

  "Then your women can teach you. It will keep you busy and out of trouble."

  Shoving open the door, Rurik didn't follow Zora over the threshold and he could tell she was surprised when she spun to face him. "Good night, princess."

  "G-good night?"

  He nodded, not trusting himself to speak. His throat had tightened just in looking at the ripe fullness of her rose-red lips and her breasts, rising and falling with nervousness, which he ached to caress. Before he could change his mind, he left her and went back to his horse, doing his utmost to keep his resolve firmly in front of him.

  Since there were six women he planned to summon to his longhouse before her, Zora would not share his bed for almost a week. It would be a worse torture to wait that long to claim her, yet there was no better way to show her that she held no distinctive place in his life. Just because she was his wife didn't mean he would put her before the others.

  Zora could hardly believe her eyes as Rurik rode away in a swirl of dust without sparing her another glance, his clenched fist raised high in greeting as he gave acknowledgment to the resounding cheers of his men.

  Good night? Did that mean, then, that he was not going to force his demands upon her, at least not this evening? Believing it must be so, she was struck by a swamping wave of relief that, unsettlingly enough, held di
sappointment.

  Holy Mother of Christ, what insanity was coming over her? Angered that she would even think she might have wanted Rurik to stay, she grabbed the door and hurled it shut.

  "Filthy barbarian!" As shocked gasps sounded behind her, Zora whirled to find two slave women regarding her with widened eyes while another seemed more amused than stunned.

  "What are you staring at?" she demanded, although she quickly became distracted by the savory smell of stew bubbling in the iron caldron hanging above the central hearth. It was obvious from the meal cooking that when Rurik had sent for his fine clothes and fancy gold ornaments, he had sent word of her imminent arrival as well. Looking around the large room, she could tell that this longhouse had been prepared for her from the fragrant green rushes strewn upon the floor to the table laid with a white, embroidered cloth.

  Her prison, Zora amended, remembering the guards outside her door. Rurik had said they were there for her protection, but she knew better. No doubt he imagined that she might still try to escape, and he was right. But until that blessed day, there was no sense in venting her anger upon the slaves assigned to her service. They had had no hand in her misfortune. Regretting her unkindness, she walked farther into the room.

  "Forgive me for snapping at you. It's been such a long and trying day—"

  "Aye, I do the same to my Vasili if I've had a bad time of weaving, but he always forgives me," interrupted the slave who had appeared the least startled by her behavior. The comely, thick-waisted woman with wavy brown hair, green eyes, and an engaging smile chuckled as she patted her stomach, which was clearly rounded beneath her woolen dress. "Sometimes too well, the randy devil."

  "You're with child?" Realizing she was staring stupidly, Zora lifted her gaze to find only warm humor in the young woman's eyes.

  "Four months gone. But don't worry that I won't be able to keep up with my work. My first babe came right on shearing day after I'd helped to herd the sheep." She gave a hearty laugh, but catching her companions' frowns, she suddenly sobered. "Aye, well, enough of me. If you're tired, Princess Zora, I'll be happy to show you to your bedchamber."

  "You know my name, then."

  "Indeed we do. Word came this afternoon that Lord Rurik was bringing home a royal bride." The slave woman gestured to her companions, who stepped forward a little. "We're honored to serve you, my lady. I'm Nellwyn, and this is Greta and Katerin."

  Touched by Nellwyn's earthy friendliness, Zora took an immediate liking to her. The two older women, although reserved, also smiled a welcome. But Zora had already decided that she would soon send them away. One slave was enough to help her with her modest needs, and the less pairs of eyes she had watching her every moment, the better.

  Zora winced in embarrassment when her stomach grumbled loudly. "I'd like to see my room, Nellwyn, but first if I could have a bite to eat . . ."

  "Aye, you'd better from the sound of it, my lady," came her good-natured response. Suddenly the room was abustle as Zora was led to the table and a steaming bowl of stew placed before her.

  Tasting the spiced venison and cabbage, she deemed it far better than an elaborate wedding feast especially since she could enjoy it alone, Rurik not there to plague her. Perhaps he would allow her to eat all of her meals by herself, which would suit her just fine.

  It appeared that Ingigerd had been wrong, Zora thought, jabbing her spoon into the bowl. Rurik favor her? Hardly. He had easily and without regret left her alone on their wedding night, proof that he wasn't in too much of a hurry to beget his legal heirs. She hoped that he would take all the time in the world, and when he finally came to her door, he would find her gone!

  ***

  Zora awoke deep in the night to the feeling that someone was watching her, but the feather bed was so warm and comfortable and she was so bone-tired that she readily fell asleep again without lifting her head to look.

  When she did open her eyes with a start much later that morning, however, she remembered the odd sensation as vividly as if she could still feel it. Yet this time the feeling was almost menacing whereas last night she had not felt threatened.

  Was it just a lingering remnant of her bad dream? Trying to recall the nightmare that had so suddenly awakened her, she rolled onto her back and gasped in surprise. A lithe, strikingly lovely young woman with the glossiest black hair she had ever seen stood at the foot of her bed, glaring at her.

  "Who are you?" Zora yanked the coverlet to her breasts even though she wore a light linen shift. "What are you doing in my chamber?"

  "I am Semirah." The woman spoke proudly in a husky foreign accent, her agate eyes fixed upon Zora's face as if studying her every feature. "You are Lord Rurik's new wife, yes?"

  Zora nodded, wondering how this woman had slipped past her guards. Then she noticed that the fur covering at the single window across the room was hanging askew, bright golden sunlight spilling onto the planked floor.

  "You climbed in my window," she said in disbelief. Semirah smiled as if pleased with her cunning.

  "Why have you come here?"

  "To see you for myself," snapped the woman, walking around the bed with the sleek litheness of a cat until she stopped even with Zora. Caressing the nearest pillow with slim white fingers, her voice became a throaty purr. "What a pity for you to spend your wedding night alone. Lord Rurik spent his with Semirah, a mere Khazar slave, instead of his most beautiful royal bride."

  Zora gaped at her. So it had been Semirah on his mind when he left her so abruptly last night! Stung by a sharp and wholly unexpected pang, Zora angrily swallowed it down.

  "Did Lord Rurik send you to taunt me with this news?" She drew herself up to a sitting position to better face the woman. "If so, you can tell him for me that I couldn't care one whit if he had spent last night with all six of his women!"

  Semirah appeared momentarily flustered. "You . . . you are not displeased that I share your husband's bed?"

  "Not in the least and why should I be?" Zora's anger was growing. How dare he allow this woman to come here! "I was forced into this marriage by my uncle, the grand prince. I do not wish to be here but home in Chernigov! Surely as a slave, you can understand—"

  The woman tossed her ebony hair. "I rejoiced the day Lord Rurik bought me from slave traders in Kiev and then brought me here. Rejoiced! All was well until now, when a wife has come into our midst."

  "And I'm telling you that you have nothing to fear from me," Zora insisted. "You and the other concubines are welcome to Lord Rurik. The less I see of him, the better."

  Semirah shook her head then, her dark eyes grown hostile. "No, lovely princess, we have much to fear from you, unless . . ." The concubine appeared about to say more, but hearing a noise suddenly outside the door, she fled with agile grace to the window and climbed through it just as Nellwyn entered the room.

  "So you're awake," said the slave woman with a cheery smile. "I was just setting up a loom for you and I heard your voice, so I thought I should come and rouse you. Having a bad dream, were you?"

  Wondering how Nellwyn could have known, Zora stared at her in confusion.

  "You must have been talking in your sleep. Vasili says I do the same thing—"

  "Ah yes, a bad dream," Zora agreed, catching on. Grateful that Nellwyn had discerned only one voice instead of two, she rubbed her temple. "But I awoke so suddenly . . ."

  "Aye, and just as well. A nightmare is hardly the way to start a bright sunny day like this one. Would you like some breakfast, my lady?"

  "Yes, thank you," Zora replied distractedly, mulling over her strange encounter with Semirah as Nellwyn bustled out the door. What could the Khazar woman have been thinking? One moment she was flaunting that Rurik had slept with her, then the next she had seemed startled when unable to rile Zora. Then she had ended with such a cryptic statement . . .

  Throwing back the covers, Zora decided not to bother trying to decipher anything. What went on between Rurik and his concubines was none of her concern. She had to co
ncentrate on escape and until she got a good look at the compound, she wouldn't know how best to proceed.

  Zora had already changed hastily into the same blue tunic she had worn at the wedding—Rurik had obviously not given any thought yet to her wardrobe—by the time Nellwyn came back bearing a tray.

  "I'm going for a walk," Zora announced. Helping herself to a roll drizzled with amber honey, she took a bite as Nellwyn settled the tray on a table.

  "A walk? Now there's a fine idea. I'm sure the guards will be happy to accompany you wherever—"

  "Without the guards." Pushing aside the fur at the window as the slave woman spun in surprise, Zora peered outside. Seeing no one near, she hoisted herself onto the narrow sill. "Don't look so worried, Nellwyn, I'll be back soon."

  "Aye, I certainly hope so, my lady. What shall I tell Lord Rurik if he comes by to ask for you? I've a feeling he might, especially since he stopped here last night."

  "My husband was here?" Zora asked, startled.

  "Indeed he was, long after you went to bed. He came into your room, but you mustn't have heard him. I scarcely heard him come in the door myself, I was so busy stoking the fire. He near scared the wits from me."

  Remembering the sensation of someone watching her in the dark, Zora shivered. Why would Rurik have done such a thing? And had he then summoned Semirah to his longhouse, or had he already partaken of his carnal pleasure?

  "If Lord Rurik should ask for me, tell him that I'm still sleeping," Zora said tightly, then she jumped to the ground.

  "But I can't do that, my lady! I'd be lying and no one crosses Lord Rurik if they've any sense . . ."

  Nellwyn's protests faded as Zora hurried to the rear of the longhouse to elude her guards, then she set off at a brisk pace between two more buildings. Licking the sticky honey from her fingertips after finishing her roll, she smiled to herself. It felt so wonderful to walk at will and without Rurik hounding her every step.