The fire took hold and spread across his enemy’s torso. Leif let out a roar, thrashing as he ran from the house. He threw himself against the ground to put out the fire, but before he could rise, Eric used the wooden stool to knock him unconscious. It was unlikely that the fire had done any damage, given the man’s layers of clothing, but he had proved his point. He could indeed win a fight against a man physically stronger than himself.
Hrafn’s expression held approval, and he nodded. “I am taking my sister home.”
“No.” Eric set down the stool and returned for the fallen blade, which he sheathed in his belt. Then he reached for Katarina’s hand. “She would not be safe in your house after what happened with Leif. She comes with me to Valdr’s longhouse.”
The older man gave a single nod, indicating his approval—but Katarina was harder to convince. “I will not go—” she started to protest, but in this, Eric would not yield. She would not be safe anywhere else—especially after Hrafn had been weakened by his injuries.
“Make a place for her,” he told Valdr, “and I will bring her there soon.” To Hrafn, he warned, “Be prepared if Leif tries to attack your longhouse after he awakens. You may stay with us, if that is your wish.”
“And what of my sister on the morrow?” He studied Eric as if he didn’t believe him capable of protecting her.
“Leif will not touch her again.”
Valdr eyed him, and said, “Bring her with you, and we will make a decision about her fate soon enough.” With that, he turned back and left.
After he had gone, Katarina’s expression held wariness. “Am I not to have any say in my own future?”
Her brother took her hand. “Go with them for your protection tonight. You will be safer there than with me.”
She looked as if she wanted to argue, but Hrafn held up the stump of his arm. “Heed my words, Katarina.” Her face softened at the silent reminder of his weakness, and her shoulders lowered with acceptance. Then, she tightened her lips and gave a single nod. “Only for this night, then.”
Yet when Hrafn caught his gaze, he suspected that her brother intended it to be for several nights. Eric had chosen to interfere, and now it meant Katarina was under his protection. It wasn’t clear what the implications would be, but he had no qualms about keeping her safe.
Before she could say another word, Eric moved beside her to escort her toward Valdr’s house. “We must talk alone.”
“I would rather return home to my brother.”
“It is not a choice, and you know this.” He continued walking with her until they reached thejarl’s longhouse. He took Katarina by the hand and led her to a small lean-to where one of the horses was standing.
When they were alone, he released her and studied her face. Her cheeks were flushed, but worse was the fear in her eyes. She was a breath away from weeping but was trying to remain strong.
“He will not hurt you again,” he swore. “No man will.”
Eric knew that Katarina was not his responsibility, and her brother was meant to protect her. But he could not shake the feeling that his fate was intertwined with hers.
If you turn your back on her, Leif will claim her. Neither Hrafn nor Valdr can stop him.
And you can?his incredulous mind countered.She is not yours and never will be.
He tried to imagine what would happen, if she had been a part of the Regency ton. If word got out about the attack, she would be forced to wed Leif. Or forced to wed Eric, since he’d dared to save her. The London gossips would believe Katarina’s reputation was irreparably damaged, through no fault of her own.
Someone has to save her,he reasoned. And why not him?
Because you don’t belong here. You cannot stay.He knew that—truly, he did. And yet, the thought of leaving Katarina to the undeniable nightmare that awaited her seemed unthinkable. There was no choice but to grant her his protection, just as he would any maiden from his own century.
Her hands were trembling, but she clenched them together, steadying herself. “Thank you for saving me. I…never saw Leif behave that way before.”
Eric acknowledged her gratitude with a nod. “You will be safe now, I promise.” But he could tell she still didn’t believe him. He studied her and asked, “Do you want to come with me, away from this place?”
Her eyes widened slightly, as if she hadn’t even considered it. “What do you mean?”
“As I told you before, I intend to travel by ship back to East Anglia,” he told her. “You could leave the settlement with your brother.”
There was a slight glimpse of hope before her mood dimmed. “I would, but—” She lowered her head. “This is our home. Hrafn won’t want to leave, and I cannot travel as a maiden alone.”
He understood that. But therewasa means of protecting her, one that would keep other men away. For a moment, he weighed the decision in his mind. Was it right to bind himself to this woman when he knew not if he could remain here?
The alternative, to leave her unguarded, filled him with far more guilt. It wasn’t right, and when he considered the consequences, there were no regrets. She had become a friend, and he would not turn away when she was in need.
“You need not travel as a maiden alone,” Eric reassured her. He took a step closer and reached for her hand. Her fingers were cold, and her blue eyes were filled with fear. “You could travel as my wife.”
She appeared shocked at his suggestion. But Eric knew full well that his time here would be fleeting. Any marriage between them would be temporary. Then, too, if she bore the protection of Valdr’s house, she would be safe from harm. When he was gone, she would have her freedom to do as she chose.
“What is your answer?”
