“That I know what my eldest son is capable of. He is bitter in his own marriage bed and instead of making peace with his wife, he has taken that negative energy and invested it in you. Hoping to capture joy in another way. By expanding his herd and making money by marrying you off to a wealthy man.”
“B-but Markkos told me you agreed to the match.”
“He only hears what he wishes to hear. My permission is required for any marriage contract to be binding.”
She gazed upon her mother with renewed, deep affection. “So you do not expect me to wed Iisku?”
“Child…” She cradled Eva’s hand. “You are my only daughter. But more than that, we are both women cursed by a talent that almost exclusively belongs to men. I carry the burden of my people on my shoulders every day of my life. Passing that on to you when it is time for me to give up my spirit is something I’d rather not do.”
By the gods… Eva had been wrong. Desperately wrong about her mother’s love. “Is this why you’d never recognize me as noaidi?”
Her mother nodded.
“Why didn’t you tell me? I’ve misjudged you. Grown up envious of my brothers’ closeness to you.” Eva embraced her mother.
“If you knew the truth, our people wouldn’t be convinced you couldn’t take my place. Especially, Markkos. I sacrificed tenderness to give you a chance at a better life. The village is no place for my daughter. Things are changing, child and not for the better. War is coming to Scandinavia. Even the Sami will be forced to choose a side. I expect great things from you, Eva. You are a true noaidi. I’ve known this since the day you were conceived. The lowlanders need a teacher, a Sami healer to broker peace between our people. Go to your Norseman. Love him.”
Eva needed to sit down. “How can you call me noaidi if I haven’t had visions?”
Her mother joined her at the table. “You’ve always dreamed. But I gave you potions to keep you from remembering.”
Eva covered her face with both hands, frustrated and happy. “If this is the case, mother, why can’t I stay here with you?”
“Markkos seeks power. He consorts with men of bad reputation and has convinced the elders to approve your marriage—to deprive me of my authority as your mother. If he finds you here, he’ll drag you to the altar and make you marry Iisku. Even though our laws are clear. I need time to set things right.”
“These are the changes you foresee?”
“Aye.”
She grasped her mother’s hands across the table. “I love you.”
“I am proud of you, child. It makes my heart sing to see you reach your full potential. You are the daughter of Bavlos and Kearte. A child of the sun and moon. Your spirit will always run free in the mountains—not far from my own. But I fear for your life at the hands of your brother. He’s blinded by ambition. And in time, he will find that power—but this will only make him more bitter. You are the target of his misguided aspirations. Though other energies are at work in the great universe that make him unhappy, he blames you. His wife will never love him. Though she carries his first born now.”
“Oggi is pregnant?”
“Aye.”
She needed time to digest everything. “Can I stay here tonight?”
“No.”
“Please. I am exhausted. And I want to be with you.”
“Listen to me, Eva. Return to your Viking. Beg his forgiveness for ever leaving. Tell him what you feel, what’s in your heart.”
Eva shook her head. “How can I when I don’t even know?”
Her mother clicked her tongue reprovingly. “Stubborn girl.”
“I learned it from you.”
“No,” her mother challenged. “That flaw came from your father.”
They both laughed.
“Who will take your place, mother?”
“Leave it to me.” She stood. “Now go, before someone catches you here.”
Eva walked around the table and hugged and kissed her mother repeatedly, sad they must part ways. “I don’t fear, Markkos. I am willing to stand up to him.”
“I will not risk your life.”
“Then take this.” Eva handed her the coins Roald had given her. “A gift from me.”
Her mother tested the weight of the bag in her palm. “Thank you, child.”
“Mun ráhkistan du.” She’d love her forever.
Chapter Twenty-One
Roald had caught up with Eva and Troel within an hour, but stayed far enough behind that she would never discover he was following them. If the girl thought their goodbye was final, she didn’t know the type of man he truly was. He’d been waiting to meet the right woman for a long time. The fact that it took a Sami healer to stir his heart, well, he now regretted the way he’d treated Silvia upon her arrival in the Trondelag.
There’d be no hypocrisy during his rule. A lesson he should have remembered well from his sire. But hatred blinded him temporarily. He hoped to make peace with Konal and his wife after he straightened out his own life. Convincing Eva to return home with him might take some time.
“Tell me again what she said to you, Troel.” He gazed at his captain over the camp fire.
“Nothing you don’t already know. She’ll miss you, milord. And she reminded me that there are bad men in every family—that we should not judge each other’s clans. The girl has an old soul, Roald. I believe she’s favored by the gods.”
“Did she open her gift?”
“No.”
“Did she linger or ride away after she said goodbye?”
Troel shook his head. “You love her?”
“Aye,” Roald said.
“If you didn’t have a head as hard as an ox’s, you might have spared all of us and confessed your feelings to the lady.”
“A fine bit of wisdom coming from a man who’s never cared about a woman.”
“You are wrong, milord. While you were still suckling your mother’s teat, I competed for a girl’s hand. Her father, a minor jarl in the south, decided to hold a contest. The winner earned the right to marry her.”
“What happened?”
His captain sighed. “What do you think? I lost.”
“I am sorry.”
“Why? The better man won.”
“Have you ever seen her again?”
“Once,” Troel said. “Years ago when I traveled south to find new recruits for your sire’s army. I stayed the night at her father’s keep. She had three children by then.”
“And was as round as a longhouse.”
“Nay. More beautiful than I ever remembered.”
Roald didn’t want to suffer the same loss. Though Troel served his family faithfully, the man rarely expressed himself. He didn’t drink in excess and rarely showed interest in women. That kind of empty existence would slowly kill any man.
Troel yawned and stretched. “I am weary. There is nothing more we can do tonight.”
“Sleep, old friend. I’ll take first watch.”
Hours later, Roald heard something moving in the tall grass. He unsheathed his sword and crawled along the ground in the direction of the noise. He’d purposely camped in this spot, hoping to catch Eva’s brother on his way home—they had unfinished business to discuss. And Roald owed him another thrashing.
With a full moon and clear sky overhead, he could see well. A lone figure stood in the open, staring at the heavens. Staying on his hands and knees, he watched in fascination, recognizing Eva’s curvaceous silhouette immediately. She wore a white shift with her long, golden hair loose.
Joy flooded his heart, but he wanted to see what she was doing before he made his presence known.
“Hear me mother and father. Sun and moon and stars. Wind and rain. Land and water. Creatures great and small. Embrace me, forefathers, and my cousins yet to be born. I am noaidi. So named by my mother tonight. I am a healer. Sworn to preserve life, not take it. I am a woman with a heart, in love with a man I should not seek. I am a daughter and sister. Soon to be a mother. Hear me Biegkegael
lies and Beaivi—father and mother of humanity. Hear me Sarakka—goddess of love and fertility, Juksakka—protector of the womb, Uksakka—the one who shapes my babe. Bless me. Fortify my heart. Give me life. Let it grow inside me…”
Roald couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Eva was begging her gods for a child, their child. But why?
“No one should live alone. Give me a child to raise in the old ways. One who will serve. One who will understand. One who will love all life unconditionally. One who will be revered as a peacemaker.” She dropped to her knees and beat her fists on the ground. “I will mourn the loss of my people. Never forget the faces of my father and mother. But I will obey your command, Beaivi-nieida—the great healer. Show me where you wish me to go…”
As she chanted her last words, a bright light surrounded Eva. So bright, Roald had to look away. Seconds later, he braved a second glance in her direction and the darkness had been restored.
“By Odin,” he whispered to himself. “It is as Troel stated. The girl is favored by her gods.”
He stood then and sheathed his weapon.
“You couldn’t stay away, Jarl Roald?” Eva faced him.
He chuckled as he closed the distance between them. “You’re a haughty woman, Eva.”
“Am I?”
“Presuming it was me hiding in the brush.”
“I sensed your presence.”
He could scarcely breathe after she said it. “Why are you begging the gods for a child when I’d gladly give you one?”
“Things have changed since we’ve parted ways. I never expected to see you again, so I asked the gods to bless me with a child so I would never be alone.”
If she’d only recognize what he had to offer her, all of her dreams would come true. “I heard your prayer.”
“Spying is rude. It was meant for the gods, not you.”
“Did you really think I’d let you go?” With only a foot between them now, he wanted to touch her.
“Twould be easier if you found a Norse woman to love.”
“After having you, Eva, no other woman would satisfy me.”
“I am Sami.”
“No.” He cupped her cheek. “You are mine.”
She leaned into his palm, then kissed his fingers. “I spoke with my mother, Roald. She enlightened me tonight, told me everything I’ve always wondered about. I am noaidi. All this time I thought I was a failure, the greatest disappointment to my family. She drugged me so I wouldn’t dream, to protect me from my brother’s plans. I don’t understand why I didn’t see it. Why I couldn’t sense my mother’s true feelings.” She explained everything.
He hugged her tight, playing with her soft hair while she talked.
“I am happy for you, Eva. Now there should be no questions about where you belong.”
She withdrew from his arms and gazed up at him. “The world is vast. What if I am needed elsewhere?”
“I want you, Eva. My people need you.”
“Give me time to think.”
“Why?” He rubbed his chin, then smiled. “Perhaps you will accept a challenge.” Roald liked games and always won.
“What sort of challenge? I am familiar with the games you play, Roald. Isn’t that how your brother ended up in Northumbria?”
“Aye.”
“Do not trick me.”
“I’d never do that to you, sweet Eva. Did you open my gift?”
“Yes.” She reached for her boot and retrieved the ruby encrusted knife he’d given her. “Thank you.”
“Did you test the blade?”
“It is sharp.”
“Sharp enough to severely wound a man.”
“What is your challenge?” she asked, looking too beautiful to resist much longer.
“Do you remember what I told you after you missed me on purpose with your knife?”
She grinned. “Aye. You warned if the chance arose, you’d ask me to prove it.”
“That’s my challenge, Eva. Take twenty-five steps and turn around. Aim true, girl, for I intend to win this bet.”
“And what do you get if you win?”
“You will marry me.”
She tilted her head, studying him for a long time. “And if I hit the target?”
“I will set you free, forever.”
“No.” She crossed her arms. “I could never hurt you.”
“I didn’t say aim for my heart.”
“No.” she repeated.
“Where’s the courageous girl I know?”
She ran her thumb over the edge of the blade. “You are a dangerous man.”
“I’m a man in love, Eva. Desperately in love with you. So I am willing to take a chance.”
She turned around and counted the twenty-five paces out loud, then froze.
“Eva,” Roald called. “You have to face me.”
“I can’t do it.”
“Turn around.”
She did, then pushed her hair back and raised her hand, taking careful aim. The steel shimmered in the bright moonlight as it came at him. And when it found its mark, he cried out and crumpled to the ground. “Eva…”
Chapter Twenty-Two
Fear enveloped Eva. “Dear gods, what have I done?” She rushed across the field and dropped down next to Roald who was on his side. “You are hurt and I am to blame.”
She’d never forgive herself. The man had a way of making her do things no sane person would even consider. “Speak to me, Roald. Where did I hit you?” When he didn’t answer, she gently inspected his body. She couldn’t find the blade or a visible wound. There was no blood, yet he remained motionless and unconscious.
Did his heart give out? Did he faint when he saw the knife coming at him? Had the gods passed judgement on them both? “Please…” Tears filled her eyes as she leaned close and listened for a breath. Relief washed over her when she felt him exhale. “I must get you back to your camp.”
As she started to get up, Roald came to life and grabbed ahold of her, pulled her down, and flipped her over. “Did I hear correctly? You called me your love?”
“Incorrigible beast!” She beat his chest with angry fists, though deep inside she rejoiced. “Why did you scare me so? For that alone I should walk away and never talk to you again.”
He grinned. “Talking is a waste of time, sweet Eva. But this…” He captured her mouth and nibbled on her lower lip. “Or should I call you wife?” He sat back on his heels and brandished the knife. “I will teach you how to throw properly. After I make love to you.”
“Roald…” He’d done exactly what she’d asked him not to do. Tricked her … no, scared her to death. But she knew in that moment, if she wanted to be happy, to have children and a home of her own, if she wanted to draw another breath, Roald must be at her side. His warped sense of humor and all. “You are a devil.”
He silenced her with another kiss, tugging her into his arms. She positioned herself on his lap, locking her ankles behind his back and interlacing her fingers behind his neck. Their tongues tangled, her desire once again ignited. Any doubt disappeared. Roald loved her. And her mother knew it, even advised her to return to him and accept her happy fate.
Eva clung to him. Though they hadn’t known each other long, the eternal fire that few people ever found together could not be denied. Love conquered all, time and distance, birthrights and people.
“Are your kisses a symbol of your acceptance?” he asked.
She rested her forehead against his and closed her eyes. “I am angry at you, Jarl Roald. How could you play such a trick on me? My heart is still racing. I honestly thought I’d killed you.”
“With that aim?” He chuckled. “You couldn’t hit the side of a longhouse.”
She gazed at him, his face alight with joy. “Yes, Roald. I will marry you.”
“You’ve made me a happy man, Eva.” He hugged her close again, kissing the top of her head repeatedly. “Shall we tell Troel the good news?”
“The captain is here?”
&nbs
p; “Aye. Forty yards in that direction.” He pointed. “Didn’t you see our fire?”
“No. I came here to commune with the gods.”
“I knew this spot held some significance for you, not just a place to gather herbs.”
“Why did you follow me?”
“Need you even ask, Eva?”
“But what if I didn’t come down from the mountains?”
He tipped her chin upward. “I would have visited your mother.”
She shook her head. “Nothing impedes you.”
“Not when I want something.”
She crawled out of his lap and stood. “Troel wanted me to return with him.”
“He’s a loyal friend,” Roald said, climbing to his feet. “With his help and Konal’s, you will win the hearts of my people.”
“Your brother would aid me?”
“We had a quick word before I left. Tentative peace has been reached. In exchange for my acceptance of Silvia, and because you healed her, he will welcome you into our family.”
“How quickly you make plans.” His self-assuredness awed her. “And what if I’d refused your proposal?”
They walked hand-in-hand to his camp.
“Then I would have locked you in my bedchamber until I changed your mind.”
Days in bed with Roald? Maybe she should have said no. “Can I change my mind?”
He growled and spun her around. “The grass is softest beyond those trees, Eva. Nothing would please me more than stripping you naked and kissing and licking you all over.”
As he lowered her to her feet, their lips met. “I think about it too much.” She caressed his manhood through his breeches, loving how hard he was. “Can Troel sleep a bit longer?”
“Aye.” Roald swept her up and carried her beyond the trees. “After I make you scream my name, you can sing me a song about how much you love me.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
The sun had just started to set as Roald, Eva, and Troel reached the border of his northernmost lands. Fortunately, Eva’s camping site was within a day’s ride of his home. He’d not waste another moment wrestling with his conscience over how to break the news to his people that he intended to marry an outsider as his brother, Konal, had done. Yes, he’d made mistakes when Konal first arrived home, letting the past cloud his mind and fill him with anger.
Desire's Fury (Viking's Fury Book 2) Page 9
