"You had never spoken ill of Gunilla before."
She tilted her head, a curious expression lining her face. After several moments, she answered, "You are right. I had my doubts, but I did not share them. Perhaps if I had, I might have learned the truth sooner."
Now she turned away, her arms wrapped around herself. "Perhaps I should have trusted you, after all, in my dreams, there were no doubts."
"Don't you think the gods intended you to trust me as you did in your dreams?" Hradi forced his hands to his sides, though he longed to draw her close and soothe the tightness in her shoulders. She gave a stiff shrug. He found himself wishing she would turn so he could see her face.
"Maybe. But the visions I receive can have more than one possible reason or outcome. Nothing can be proven until they came to pass."
"But your dreams did come to pass," he reminded her, keeping his voice soft and gentle.
"My dreams terrified me."
He held back the string of curses he wanted to direct at Gunilla. By filling Katrin's head with lies and outlandish tales, she had caused the young Seeress to feel blame, as well as doubt and shame. No longer. The old witch was dead and could hurt Katrin no more.
But Hradi worried he was not enough to reassure her she no longer had anything to fear. Her newfound family would be the key to that, but could also mean his losing her forever. Still, he must try.
"You have nothing to fear from me."
"Don't I?" She turned to face him.
"What do you mean?"
"I just… I don't… " She heaved a deep breath. "With only a few words, you were ready to condemn me to the same fate as Gunilla. How can I be sure you will not do the same thing in the future?"
He looked away, guilt and embarrassment making it impossible to meet her gaze. "You are right. And I was indeed afifl. But you know why I would feel that way. You know more about me than any other person, including my brother."
"You cannot treat others the way you treated me, not without proof. Surely you can see why I have doubts."
He nodded, still avoiding her stare. "All I can ask is for the chance to prove you can trust me. I… I was… I was…"
"Wrong?"
He nodded, finally returning his gaze to her. A hint of a smile tugged the corners of her lips. He scowled. She ridiculed him, no doubt remained. He had half a mind to turn her over his knee right now for taunting him this way.
"You toy with me."
Finally, a full smile brightened her face., making him want to take a deep and leisurely taste. Somehow, he refrained.
"Perhaps." The smile faltered. "But I do have some doubts Hradi. Can you not blame me?"
He shook his head. "I cannot. All I can do is admit my error, and hope you will give me the chance to prove myself."
With her head tilted to one side, she contemplated him. He felt like a small child under her critical scrutiny.
"You know I will stay here in Grindafell, along with the other girls, at least until the weather warms again."
"And after?"
"I must have a strong enough reason to stay."
What did she mean? Narrowing his eyes, he stepped closer, pleased to see the slight tremor moving over her. His nearness still affected her. Triumph rushed through his veins. He would show her just how strong a reason he could give her to stay.
"As you asked me, I will ask you," he said. "Trust me. And beginning tonight, I will prove to you that we are meant to be together. That the gods sent you here. For me, and for you."
Several tension-thick moments passed before she finally nodded. Hradi released the breath he hadn't even known he'd held.
"I will give you this chance." She jabbed a finger into his chest. "But know this, the first time you hurt me, or any of my girls, I will make you pay."
