She nodded. "There is much you must tell me. What happened to our mother?"
"She died of a broken heart after you were stolen from us. Her sorrow took her will to live." Oleg‘s voice rang was low and sad.
"She lasted only five more summers," said Artur.
"We promised her we would never give up searching for you," Henrik added.
"But why? Why would Gunilla take me that way?" she asked. "I don’t understand. Did she know our mother?"
"She claimed to be a cousin and Mother took her in. Once she learned you possessed the same gift, she decided to simply take you for her own, and try to have us all killed as well." Henrik swore and looked away. Taking in the sight of his broad shoulders sparked a deeply hidden memory. Not really a memory, more a feeling. A sensation of warmth and safety.
She raised her eyes skyward, trying to maintain a hold on the rage and confusion threatening to erupt. What had she done to anger the gods that they would do this to her? She wanted to rail at them, demand they explain, but somehow suppressed the compulsion. Her head seemed to spin, her stomach threatening to empty its meager contents. She gulped several times, fingers tightening around her wand. The feel of the wood soothed her. She inhaled sharply.
A hand on her shoulder brought an added sensation of peace. Hradi. His touch sparked the usual warmth and excitement, though muted, but also another feeling of security, though different than what Henrik inspired. She turned to meet his gaze, placing her fingers atop his. Tears burned her eyes. She loved this man, despite how he'd almost hurt her just a day ago. Those moments did not define him. While indeed a fierce and ruthless warrior, he was a kind and loving man. She'd seen it over and over. Knowing she could not tell him this now, she smiled, hoping he understood her thankfulness for his presence beside her. She returned her attention to her brothers once more.
"Please tell me more. She told me that my… our mother pleaded with her to take me. To save me."
Henrik whirled around to face her. The fury in his eyes forced her to take a step back. Hradi's fingers tightened. In response, she held fast, knowing he wanted to draw his own weapon in her defense.
Thankfully, Artur stepped up, placing a restraining hand on Henrik's chest. The older man calmed, a deep breath lifting his shoulders.
Artur faced Katrin once more. "All a lie. She tried to convince Mother to give you to her at first, but Mother refused. The witch set up a raid and made it look as if our father had betrayed our clan. The jarl saw through her scheme though and was able to repel the attack."
"By the time it was all over, you were gone." Henrik spat the last out, the anger in his words hot and sharp. Katrin winced.
Her oldest brother continued. "We searched for years, but Gunilla had disappeared. We finally were able to track her down about three years ago, but she’s managed to elude us. Until now."
Katrin let her thoughts wander back over the last three summers and realized that was about the time their village stays grew shorter. It was also the same time Katrin’s suspicions had started. She wondered just how close her brothers had come to saving her before now. If they had, would she have ever met Hradi? She dared a glance at him, noting the wariness in his dark stare. The idea of not having him in her life seemed suddenly unthinkable. She would tell him. Later. She faced her brothers again.
"I was told our mother had the same gift of sight. Is this true as well?"
Artur nodded. "Oh yes, she was the clan Seeress and was also gifted in making healing potions and draughts of all kinds."
"Even after…?"
"After what?"
"After she wed. And had children. She could still see?" The idea seemed to go against all she’d been told. Then again, she had just learned that all she’d been told had been a lie. A cruel, twisted lie.
"Of course. Why wouldn’t she?" Henrik asked.
Katrin hesitated, embarrassed to share what she’d been taught. She dared another look at Hradi.
The heat and eagerness lighting his eyes left her suddenly breathless, her knees trembling. She knew that look and as it always did, it sparked an excitement within that left her breasts tingling and her sex throbbing. He shared her thoughts, of that she had no doubt. She forced the befuddling realization aside.
"I was told that if I ever wed, I would lose my gift."
The three men looked at each other.
"That makes little sense," said Henrik. "It is true many Seeresses do not wed and have a family, but it is not required."
"I was the only one," Katrin explained. "The other girls were free to dally with whomever they chose."
A panicked thought sparked. She turned a pleading gaze to Hradi. "The girls! Are they safe? What are you going to do to them? They’ve done nothing wrong!"
"Calm yourself, Katrin. The girls will not suffer for Gunilla’s betrayal. We know they were not part of her plan."
Relief left her momentarily weak and she walked to the bunk, leaning weakly against it. Hradi’s bunk. She’d been in it before, though she’d never shared it with him. The sudden desire to do so left her feeling oddly adrift as if she knew that no obstacle lay between them any longer.
