As I depended on you all these years?She didn't voice the errant thought, unwilling to start a fight now, in front of all those assembled, and fully aware that many watched them closely. Katrin suspected Hradi would enjoy witnessing her argue with Gunilla. Thankfully, he was no longer present.
"Fear not. He has done nothing but ask that I help with cooking and tending his home. I might think he depends on me more."
Gunilla's lips pressed tightly together, her brow furrowed with anger, but she said nothing. Katrin heaved a deep sigh and leaned back against the chair, closing her eyes. She still had much to uncover about her mistress, but knowing she would be expected to summon more visions today, she wanted the coming hours to be peaceful and calm. This afternoon, when she finished receiving premonitions, she would need to sleep. After that, with her body and mind restored, she would give thought to confronting Gunilla once more.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Hradi whistled, making his way to the blacksmith through the alleys behind the main square's stalls and buildings. Recollections of the night before, of Katrin becoming bolder and more eager in their physical delights, lifted his mood. While still she refused to let him take her completely, he knew it was only a matter of time before he convinced her that laying with him would not harm her powers. If the gods truly intended that, they would have stripped her of her gift by now.
While the battle she had foretold had yet to occur, the premonitions she had received for his clansmen in the days since had all come to pass. He knew now her skill was true. He recalled how a young mother had saved her child from being trampled under a horse's hooves in the village square, and how one of his warriors had asked the daughter of the smith for approval to wed the young woman. When his father made his speech last night, Katrin spoke the words a moment before Thorfinn, sealing the jarl's approval.
Since that first vision, Thorfinn had led the village's warriors in battle preparation. While he and Kori had yet to discern which clan, led by a red-haired warrior, dared to attack, Grindafell was ready and would repel any invasion.
He turned into another alley, stopping short to see two people huddled in a corner ahead. Though he couldn't see her clearly past the man before her, Hradi had no doubt it was Katrin's mistress, the glint of silver hair giving away Gunilla's identity. He ducked back against the wall. Some instinct told him the older Seeress planned something nefarious. He slowly edged out, eying a path to get closer and better hear her conversation.
The man's back faced Hradi, making it difficult to know with whom who Gunilla spoke, though he felt certain it was not one of Grindafell's own. Hradi inched along the building walls, takingadvantage of blind corners to make his way. Soon enough, Gunilla's voice reached him clearly.
"They are getting closer. We cannot outrun them this time. We have chosen well for our final stand. As soon as …"
A gust of wind whistled around Hradi, drowning the rest of Gunilla's words. He scowled and slowly crept closer.
"She agrees to the match, I assure you. We spoke of it just this morning."
Was Gunilla marrying off one of her servants? Hradi held his breath, daring a peek around the corner. Definitely not of his clan. So who was he?
"You have the payment?" the man asked.
Gunilla pressed a small sack into his hand. "The last one will come when you leave. You must be gone beforeManíreaches the end of his journey and take her with you. Before…"
Damn the woman to Hel! Again her words were muffled, this time by the calling of an overhead flock of geese. Silently cursing, Hradi kept his focus on the pair. The need to seek out his brother took hold, but not before he learned more of the woman's plans.
"You have promised she will not fight."
Gunilla gave a brief nod, her gaze darting around the area. For a moment, Hradi worried she spotted him. He ducked back behind the building.
"Katrin is aware her path has been chosen for her since before her birth. I am certain you are the one the gods told me long ago to give her to."
Hradi's heart seemed to stop beating at hearing Katrin's name. The roaring in his ears rose before fading back to a low throb. He released several harsh breaths and forced his astonishment aside, closing his eyes to aid his hearing.
"She has barely acknowledged me. The jarl's son has made a claim."
Hradi silently drew another breath and held it. Yes, he had made a claim. If necessary, he would fight to keep his possession.He refused to recognize the bizarre maelstrom of anger and hurt that battered at his soul, fighting to be free and driving him to challenge Gunilla and this strange man right now. Where the strength to contain the instinct came from, he might never know.
"Katrin has always known the time would come for her to repay the gods for her gift. That time is at hand, and the gods have made their choice. The jarl's son is not the one."
"You know for sure that I am the one the gods have chosen?"
"I do. Despite my … age, I am still blessed with the ability to receive their commands and desires. Katrin has helped me with that as she nears her full strength. She did, until we arrived here and were separated."
"Explain," the man demanded.
Several moments passed before the traitorous witch spoke again. The first part of her words were again muffled when she lowered her voice, but Hradi heard the next clearly.
"I worry she may have lost her focus since she was forced to leave my side. She falls deeper under his influence with each day."
"You had better put an end to that. I have not spent the last years as your messenger to lose what you have promised. It is thanks to me that your allies will soon arrive. I expect to be rewarded as was promised."
"Do not fear. You will be. She will obey my orders."
