“I do not remember him,” Arik admitted.
“He was not part of our tribe for very long.” She didn’t tell him that Grafr had hardly spoken to anyone since his return. The man had retreated into himself, becoming more isolated. “He went on another journey, and we have not heard from him in some time.”
Arik walked behind her into the forest, and she stopped a moment. It struck her suddenly that she was alone with a man whom she had not seen in over a year. She should have been wary, and yet, she found his presence comforting.
“You need not come with me if you have other duties,” she said. “I know it has been a long time since you have seen your family.”
“I would not feel right leaving a woman alone,” he said. “There are too many dangers that could befall you.”
Her hand moved to the blade at her waist. “I can defend myself, Thorgrim.” She had no intention of being any man’s victim.
“So you can.” He gave her a slight smile, and the knowing look in his eyes made her skin prickle with awareness. Why did he have such an effect upon her? It seemed that, no matter her desire to let go of the past, this man still had a hold upon her heart.
Fool, she warned herself. Arik Thorgrim intended to leave again, and the last thing she needed was to let her heart yearn for him.
“You don’t seem to want me here,” he said quietly.
“No.” She saw no reason to lie about it. “It would be better if you left me alone.”
“Why?”
She thought of lying, of insisting that she needed no protection. But it was clear that he would not abandon her. Instead, she decided to tell him the truth. Lifting her eyes to his, she confessed, “When I was young, you were the man I always wanted to marry. And after you left with Svala, it broke my heart. I grieved when they told me you were dead. Every time I see you, I remember how that felt.” She squared her shoulders and continued. “I would rather not feel that way again. I have a man now who wants to marry me, and it is past the time I should have a household and family of my own.”
With that, she turned her attention back to gathering berries. She didn’t want to see his reaction or hear any words of sympathy. There were a few early blackberries on a thorny underbrush, and she bent to pick some of them.
Her cheeks were burning, but she was glad she had revealed the truth to him. Now he would leave her alone, and it would make it easier to keep him at a distance.
But then Arik reached over to pick some of the blackberries, and his hand brushed against hers. The moment he touched her, she felt a jolt through her body. Her imagination conjured up the vision of his hands sliding through her hair while he claimed a kiss.
By the goddess, why could she not ignore these feelings? She felt as if Freya had cast a spell over her, one that drew her closer to this man.
“What made you choose Leif?” he asked, eating the berries.
She should have anticipated the question. But instead of inventing an answer about how she had fallen in love with him, she gave Arik the truth. “He makes me feel safe. I wanted to have a man who could protect me from anyone.”
“And have you decided to wed him?” The look in his eyes appeared wary, as if he did not agree with her decision.
“I think so.” Although Leif had his own particular habits, he had never once harmed her. She believed he was a good protector, and when she was ready, she would agree to the match.
Most women would smile at the idea of marriage, but to her, it was only an arrangement. Her brother, Hrafn, was strong, even with one arm—but she would never admit to him that she doubted his ability to defend her. It would only wound his pride.
“Then I hope you find happiness with him,” Arik said. He moved beside her, but instead of feeling glad of his companionship, Katarina wanted to shy away. His nearness affected her in a way she didn’t want to admit.
She continued walking along the path, increasing her pace. Right now, she wanted to check the snares and get back to the settlement. Anything to avoid the awkward sense that this manwasinterested in her. And she could not allow herself to fall beneath his spell once again.
A gleam of silver caught her eye, and when Arik saw her stopping, he bent down to pick up the fallen coin. For a moment, he studied the markings. “What is this?”
“A silver coin.” She brightened at the sight of it. “It is a sign that good fortune will come to you. Or perhaps you can use it to wager for a new ship.”
He didn’t respond to her, but kept his grip upon the coin. Strangely, he appeared transfixed by the silver, tracing the beaten edge. “Where do you suppose this came from?”
“It looks like it came from Mercia.” She had not seen the likes of it before. “Perhaps you dropped it from your belongings without realizing it.”
“Any coins I had with me are now at the bottom of the sea.”
His tone was grim, and she tried to divert his mood. “Tonight, perhaps you’ll wager it and win more silver for a ship.
“It’s not much of a start,” he replied. “A single coin will hardly buy a ship.”
