“How did you avoid the guards?”
“Drunkards, all of them.” He pulled her covers back, then stood. “Come with me.”
Kara didn’t question him, she scurried out of bed. Hand-in-hand, they went downstairs and exited through the back door. A light breeze cooled her legs.
“Wait,” she said. “I’m only wearing my shift.”
He gazed overhead. “Only the gods can see us.”
She smiled, warmth creeping slowly up her body. “Where are we going?”
“To the barn.”
She cocked her head, surprised. The same place he’d seduced Frieda. “I’m not sure.”
“Let’s make new memories—together.”
Once inside, he closed and secured the doors. Two lanterns were lit on the lower level and she pulled one off its hook. Hadn’t she compared him to a stallion earlier? She giggled.
“What?” he asked.
“Nothing, milord.”
He slapped her arse. “Hiding something from me? That earns you another swat.”
“Tis nothing.”
He whacked her again and she squealed with delight. “Did you bring me out here to spank me?”
His eyes sparkled. “I couldn’t very well give you a proper spanking in the middle of the night inside my cousin’s house. The echo of my passionate hits would wake everyone. Now,” he said. “Climb the ladder.”
The loft. She hurried to the ladder, put the lantern down, then peered above. Before she placed her foot on the first rung, he hugged her from behind. She shivered—gooseflesh covering her legs and arms. Foolish girl. She couldn’t resist his touch. He swept her hair aside, instantly nipping the back of her neck. She reached behind, grasping his hips.
“I don’t think I can wait . . .” he growled.
Eight steps and they’d be above—eight meager steps. His teeth bit into her flesh, she quivered violently. By Odin . . .
Then he cupped her breasts, his thumbs circling her nipples. She exhaled noisily. Everything she’d ever dreamed about in a man—a warrior—embraced her now. She couldn’t stop loving him if she wanted to. She surrendered to her feelings, allowing her body to melt into his.
“You’re breasts are incredible—”
The doors slammed open.
“See,” Frieda screeched. “The pig has returned to his sty.”
Kara gasped, but Aaron swiftly pulled her behind him. “What’s the meaning of this intrusion?” he demanded.
Kara couldn’t believe it. Tyr Sigurdsson and several other armed men were standing in the entry with torches.
“If you don’t protect her, milord,” Frieda continued hysterically. “Your cousin will sire another bastard.”
Chapter 18
Judgment
“Do I need to invite you inside your own barn?” Aaron glared at Tyr.
“I’d prefer to be asleep next to my wife.” His cousin stalked inside. “The rest of you come in and close the doors.”
With all the added light, Aaron could make out the hatred on Frieda’s face. What did he ever see in her? “Shall we hold the formal inquiry now?”
Tyr looked around. “You pick the most peculiar places to make love to women,” he commented, staring at Aaron. “But a man shouldn’t be falsely accused or wrongly judged for doing what comes naturally. Didn’t your own god command mankind to be fruitful, multiply, and replenish the earth?”
“Aye.” Aaron nodded. Although he didn’t see any humor in quoting the words of his former god. “Tonight has nothing to do with multiplying—not in the Biblical sense.”
Tyr snorted. “Frieda.”
“Milord?” She stepped forward.
“Two days ago, while you were taking a walk, I asked my spaewife to examine your son.”
“Is he in good health?” she inquired.
“Perfect,” Tyr answered. “Only one thing confused her.”
Aaron’s gut groaned, upset by the blasted woman he knew as nothing more than a liar. She’d latch onto any man she could find.
“What is it?” Finally, she appeared uncertain.
“Tell me again how old your son is?” Tyr asked.
“Nearly five.”
Tyr looked at Kara. “Have you any knowledge about children?”
“Yes,” she answered, stepping from behind Aaron.
“Please explain about teething.”
“I’ve counted twenty teeth in a child’s mouth by the time they are three or four years old. And of course they start to lose them once they reach a certain age—five or six seasons, milord.” Kara said.
Tyr faced Frieda again. “It seems your child is younger than you think. Although he’s tall and heavy for a boy of his suspected age, the spaewife swears he’s not a day over three and a half seasons.”
Frieda’s eyes widened. “Dare I ask why you have any reason to doubt me?”
“Birthrights are at stake. A man’s honor questioned,” Tyr replied.
Her gaze flitted around the barn, stopping on Kara. “He’s arrogant, excessively so.”
“Yet he’s honest,” Kara added.
“Believe nothing he says,” Frieda spit. “He’s as cunning as Loki.”
Tyr pinched Frieda’s chin—forcing her to look up. “You’re not looking as sly and satisfied as you were the first night you arrived here. Do you know how many lives you could have ruined with your lies?”
“The way you and Aaron destroyed mine?”
“Did I pry your legs apart?” Aaron jumped, wanting to grab more than the bitch’s chin.
Tyr raised his hand. “Wait cousin, give her every opportunity to explain.”
Reluctant to let her speak another word, Aaron fisted his hands at his sides.
“Cast from the lord’s chamber is one thing,” Frieda continued, “but when your cousin abandoned me after months of sharing my bed, I swore an oath.” She stopped.
“Finish,” Aaron demanded.
She glared at him. “You fathered my son. And if I have to plead my case in the highest court, I will.”
“Tell the truth and I’ll see you generously compensated,” Tyr offered.
She rolled her eyes. “And you’re known for justice, milord. Sometimes gold and silver aren’t enough.”
“Have you any proof?” Tyr asked. “A kinsman who will vouch for you. A woman who nursed you through your pregnancy? Anyone who can confirm when you conceived, when you gave birth?”
“I love him,” she fired back. “Why would I intentionally hurt the sire of my only child? All I want,” she sniffed, “is a chance to have my own family.”
“And my wealth,” Aaron snarled. “I’ll ask the same question you left unanswered the night you arrived—why did you wait so long to contact me?”
“I didn’t know where you were.”
“More falsehoods,” Aaron said. “Half the country knows where I am at any given time. We were banished together. I told you on more than one occasion I had ideas about joining the king’s military. Once we separated, why didn’t you send word to Nidaros?”
“You kept company with the king,” Frieda said. “As unattainable as you are now—imagine how humiliating it would have been trying to pry you from Magnus’ side.”
The guards standing behind Tyr grumbled.
“So you did know where he was . . . It’s late,” Tyr commented. “And I’ll be damned if I allow this to go on under my roof. My wife is with child again, she deserves peace. If you cannot substantiate your claim on Jarl McNally, by law, I’m forced to rule in his favor. If at a later date you can present witnesses who help support your claim, I will gladly hear their testimony. Until then . . .” He signaled his guards. “These two will escort you and your son wherever you wish to go.” Tyr reache
d inside his tunic, pulling out a leather pouch. “Silver—enough to buy a cottage and food to last a lifetime. Take it.”
She refused. “You cannot buy my silence.”
Tyr dropped it at her feet. “No, but I can remove you from my land.”
Kara breathed a sigh of relief after everyone left the barn. If anyone doubted what she and Aaron meant to each other before, they’d know now. She paced anxiously, waiting for her lover to say something. He stared at the far wall, expressionless.
“She’s gone, Aaron.”
“But not out of mind.” He faced her. “And look what shame I’ve exposed you to. Word of our intimacy will reach your father now, I’m sure of it. Rumors travel faster than fire in Norway.”
“Do I look afraid?”
He grasped her arms. “You don’t need to convince me of your bravery, Kara. I know what you are. I’ve seen you handle a sword—demand to fight your own battles.”
“We’ll make amends with my father.”
“How?”
“You can start by confessing to the world that you no longer worship the White Christ.”
He gave her a weary look. “I’ve waited a long time to hear you say something about it.”
“Why are you hiding behind the cross?”
“I hide from no one.” He squared his shoulders. “King Magnus advised me to hide my conversion from the world. On his deathbed, he made me swear many things. Olaf is a devout Christian. Few pagans frequent his court, much less serve in his personal guard. Magnus believed his brother needed protection. And he asked me to provide it.”
“Very few men are worthy of trust, Jarl McNally,” she expressed. “But I’m beginning to understand why King Magnus relied on you. He’s gone. Your future depends on many things now. And I believe you must align with the northern lords to achieve the peace you so often speak of. What better way than showing them you worship the same gods?”
He let go of her arms, then walked to the far side of the enclosure. “I never wanted my acceptance amongst my cousin’s allies to be based on our shared faith. My actions alone should garner their support.” He kicked the wall.
“It’s easier to run downhill.”
He grunted. “Warrior—stargazer—and now a philosopher. How shall I ever be deemed worthy of you?” He twisted around, his eyes clouded with emotion.
“Let me be the judge of that.” She slinked closer, intent on lightening his mood. “Though I wish to know how you managed to hide your tattoos for so long.”
“I don’t shed my clothes for men,” he answered in a tight voice.
She swallowed her laughter. “None of the women you slept with reported you?”
“I’m too skilled a lover for them to wag their tongues.” He winked.
“Arrogant.”
“Perhaps,” he teased. “But I make a fair point.”
Indeed, he did. She forced her jealousy aside. “I’m sure my father will arrive within a few days.” Although she didn’t want to ruin the moment, so much had been left unsaid. One thing Kara had learned about herself over the last few weeks—she disliked not knowing her future. “We must face him.”
The thought hung between them.
“With so many eyes upon us now,” Aaron said. “We must choose our next move carefully. I won’t tolerate any slander.”
“Milord.” She remembered her state of undress. “I’m afraid we’ve given people cause to gossip. Look at me. And Frieda is determined to have you. You heard her, she’ll petition the king, press her case until she’s proven wrong or you’re forced to acknowledge a child that isn’t yours.”
“Never.” His shoulders tensed. “I’m single-minded on this, lass. There’s only one woman I want to share my life with.” Aaron gently pulled her in front of him. “I choose you as the mother of my future children.” He dropped to his knee, then grasped her hand. “Marry me, now.”
Kara gasped. “Tonight?”
“Now,” he emphasized again. “My cousin can perform the ceremony.”
Her mouth fell open. “But—”
“My heart is only half a heart without you, Kara. I asked you before to accept the man I am, instead of condemning who I used to be. Will you?”
Tears gathered in the corners of her eyes.
“I will always protect you. By marrying me now, your father cannot contest the legitimacy of our union once he arrives. It will silence anyone who doubted us forever.”
A chill went through her. The echo of her mother’s voice filled her mind. Love him, marry him. “Yes.”
He rested his head against her stomach. “You’ve made me a happy man.”
She caressed his cheek with the back of her hand. “I forgive you, Aaron McNally. I hope our union brings you the redemption you’ve fought so hard to find.”
He pushed himself to his feet, his gaze still locked on hers. “The gods will bless us,” he declared.
He spoke so reverently, so confidently. All this time, she’d felt as if the gods had abandoned her. Odin never revealed her future whenever she prayed. He didn’t speak to her in dreams. Nights were filled with sad memories of her mother, nothing more.
“We have a household to wake.” He offered his hand.
Their fingers laced together. But she stopped abruptly at the door. “You want this?” She felt unsure of anything.
He turned, an expansive smile on his face. “See how dark it is outside?”
The stable doors were wide open. She focused all her attention on the blackness and nodded.
“If I cannot call you wife before the sun rises, I’ll be forced to swat your backside until you beg me to stop.”
Her gaze roved over him. He often veiled his deep feelings with humor. A habit she understood. Then he touched a finger to his heart.
“Bundet av himmelen, Bundet av blod, Bundet av lidenskap, bundet av kjærlighet. Lady, vennligst ikke la meg stå alene på din gate, eller gudene vil fordømme meg til en heftig skjebne.”
“These words are meant for me?” she asked.
“Only you.”
She repeated the oath inside her head. Bound by heaven, bound by blood, bound by passion, bound by love. Lady, please do not leave me standing alone at your gate, or the gods will condemn me to a fiery fate . . . She took what comfort she could in his poetry, then gently pulled him outside.
Surrounded by nine torches, representing the realms of the gods, and a dozen witnesses in the clearing next to Tyr’s house, Aaron removed Thor’s hammer from around his neck and placed it on Kara’s. “In absence of a ring or sword, this necklace represents my pledge of fidelity and love.”
Kara thumbed the amulet. “In absence of a ring or sword, I, too, gift you with a token of my fidelity and love.” She opened her left hand.
Aaron eyed the heavy silver chain.
“Show me your right wrist,” she said.
He held up his hand. Smiling, she connected the clasp. He couldn’t stop staring at her. Dressed in a borrowed linen gown, with a snug fitting bodice and her blond hair combed to silky perfection, he couldn’t help thinking about the first night he’d seen her at the feast table in Lagenheim. When she smiled at him and sucked on that blasted grape—he knew his fate had been sealed. He shifted, his breeches growing tighter. Then he touched the white blossoms pinned in her hair. “I love you, lass,” he whispered.
The warmth of her smile sent hot chills down his spine.
“Aye.” She blinked, then gripped his hand. “I love you, milord.”
“I Odins navn jeg nå uttaler dere mann og kone. La ingen utfordre gudene med mindre de søker døden,” Tyr pronounced. “Don’t gape at your bride, cousin, kiss her.”
Aaron’s lips had barely grazed Kara’s when the small crowd applauded.
“Odin
’s blessings,” a guest offered.
“May Frigg open your bride’s womb and give you a son on your wedding night,” a woman said.
Sighing at the lack of privacy, Aaron scooped his bride up, then walked to the white altar stone. “Now we must offer blood to Allfather.”
Tyr signaled to a thrall standing beyond the ring of fire. The slave walked slowly, leading a ewe chosen for the bridal sacrifice.
“This sacred place has witnessed the love of many generations of Sigurdssons, including my father, Jarl Randvior, and my beloved mother, Lady Noelle. It is fitting that my kinsman and his new bride chose this location to exchange vows and honor the gods.”
The ewe’s feet were bound, then Tyr carefully laid it across the altar. Kara slid to her feet and accepted a dagger from Aaron. They faced the altar. With both their hands gripping the handle of the knife, they slit the animal’s throat.
“A life for a life,” Aaron called. “Allfather, I beg your favor. This woman is my future.”
Kara let go of the dagger and gazed heavenward. “Odin, I am your humble servant. Give us many sons and daughters who will be raised to glorify Valhalla.”
After pledges were made, Tyr and Rachelle sounded the ceremonial ram’s horn.
“A call for celebration—come to the wedding feast,” Rachelle said. “This is a day of great joy, I’ve gained a sister.”
Chapter 19
Missed
“Three days and not a moment more.” Aaron kissed the tip of Kara’s nose. They’d spent the whole day and night in bed. If Aaron didn’t get back home, the longhouse would never be properly prepared for his wife. “Not all of us can afford to lounge around in bed all day, milady.”
His bride stuck her tongue out. “You think me lazy and spoiled?”
“I believe you are well on your way.” He rolled out of bed naked, then strode to the table on the far side of the room. Grabbing a linen, he washed himself, stealing a look at his curious wife. “You like what you see, lass?”
Blind Redemption (Viking Romance) (Blind Series) Page 17
