Hradi didn't know what to say; the sudden bolt of excitement made it feel as though Thor's thunder itself hammered through him. He had wanted the girl the moment his gaze landed upon her, but only realized the fact at that moment. That she might harbor similar feelings seemed too much to hope for.
"I see the idea intrigues you," said Kori.
Hradi grinned and nodded. "I will certainly enjoy earning her trust."
"Come brother, let's see how the maiden fares and you can begin your seduction. If theVölvameans harm to our clan, we will expose her."
When they returned to the hall, Hradi noted Katrin was now awake. She looked much recovered, sitting comfortably among the others at the head table with Thorfinn. Hradi noticed that she sat quite close to theVölvaand kept her head down. He ignored the calls from his clansmen. He wound his way through the rows of tables filled with people feasting and drinking, sharing tales and challenging others in various ways. Before long, bouts of wrestling and good-humored swordfights would break out.
"Come, my sons, and meet our guests properly," Thorfinn stood, beckoning them. Hradi kept his gaze on the girl, but she did not raise her head to look at him and Kori as the others did. Thorfinn stood, a wide grin visible and framed by his long white beard.
"These are my sons. Kori and Hradi. Fine warriors both," Thorfinn bragged.
Hradi nodded toward theVölva, his gaze sweeping over the other girls at the table. He noted many hopeful and suggestive looks cast his way, but he disregarded them, his attention returning to Katrin. As if she sensed his stare, she finally lifted her head, her gaze meeting his.
Once again, her face paled, her breathing unsteady, but this time she did not faint. Hradi recognized the alarm in her wide blue eyes and had the peculiar urge to offer words of reassurance. He remained silent, studying her while she held his stare.
Her fair skin, faintly pink and not ashen as before, and blue eyes presented an enticing contrast to her dark red hair. He imagined releasing the braids and running his fingers through the thick mass. A jolt of pure lust swept over him and he looked away, ignoring his brother's knowing grin.
He took a seat beside his brother, barely acknowledging Geira, Kori's wife, when she offered him ale. His position placed him directly across from Katrin. He sipped from the horn cup, his gaze still steadily fixed on Katrin. Her earlier alarm had fled, now replaced with an innocent curiosity that had him half-hard imagining watching her eyes darken with passion.
He vowed to make that happen, his reward for gaining the truth. His gift.
CHAPTER TWO
Katrin noticed Dream Man approaching and kept her focus on the trencher before her. But after several moments of feeling his gaze bore into her, she lifted her head and met his stare. Once more, images of intense passion, heat she'd never before seen between two people, flooded her thoughts, shutting out all else. And again, she was the woman in the vision. A moment later, the vision faded and she was once again surrounded by loud laughter and discussion, the music of harps and lurs weaving through the raucous sounds of a feast. Yet the vision lingered, especially after seeing her own face, contorted in desire. The sight alarmed her. Before today, she had never seen herself in an omen. What did it mean that she had done so twice?
The aromas of roasted boar, deer, rabbit and cow filled the room, making her mouth water and her stomach grumble. The brief stupor caused by the sudden onset of the vision ebbed. Still, she held Dream Man's stare. Hradi, wasn't that what the jarl had said his son's name was? She had to bite her lip to keep silent, finding herself oddly eager to pronounce his name, feel it roll off her tongue.
Feeling as if his gaze sliced right into her thoughts, she looked away. She clenched her fingers to curb their trembling before reaching for a rabbit leg on the nearest platter. What did the peculiar dreamscapes mean? For some unknown reason, she did not want to share the visions with Gunilla, fearing the older woman might be angry to think that Katrin had carnal desires that might destroy her gift. The other girls serving theVölvacould not be trusted with this either. Who might help her decipher the mystery? Why did she find the visions as exciting as they were worrisome?
Though she kept her focus on the trencher before her, she sensed Hradi studying her. Why had he sat directly across from her, instead of sitting beside his father and brother?
She lowered her hands to her lap, curling them into fists. Heat blazed across her face, a roaring in her ears nearly deafening. His nearness proved just as potent as the vision. She had no doubt he continued to stare, she felt his gaze as if he touched her physically. How was this possible?
"Katrin!"
Gunilla's sharp whisper at her ear drew her from the onslaught of sensation. She lifted her head, meeting her mistress' concerned expression.
"Are you falling ill again?"
Katrin sensed more than a measure of annoyance in Gunilla's voice. She shook her head. "I am not ill, just overtired from the journey."
"You should rest, then."
The deep voice rumbled through her like a bolt of Odin's lightning. She didn't answer, but Gunilla spoke up.
"And she will. I will see to it."
"I offer my bed."
The sounds of the feast faded. Katrin's head snapped up, her wide eyes meeting Hradi's. What about this man seemed to consume every aspect of her awareness? The only thing poking into the strange separate plane on which they seemed to be was Gunilla's hand tightening near painfully. Gritting her teeth to subdue her reaction, Katrin's mind whirled with the underlying meaning in Hradi's offer.
Though she was innocent in the ways of men and women, she instinctively knew that he meant to share his bed with her, not offer it for her alone. She suspected he intended to indulge in carnal activities. With her. Judging from the way her mentor dug into her inner arm, Katrin knew Gunilla held the same suspicion.
Oddly, the urge to accept his offer didn't seem disagreeable. She needed someone to help her understand what was being asked of her, and why, and without the worry of deceit. Her gaze darted briefly to Gunilla.
A sudden clarity sparked to life that the woman she'd always believed to be aiding her suddenly seemed a false ally, one who might in fact be more destructive than helpful. She didn't want Gunilla's guidance. What would happen if she made the choice to accept Hradi's proposal? Suddenly, she wanted to know.
