Her blue eyes finally met his, and he saw the fear in them. Whatever had happened, she had not relinquished the nightmare of the past few hours.
“I want to feel safe again,” she whispered. “And I do not know if it’s possible.”
He kept her hands in his, regarding her with all seriousness. “For as long as I am with you, I will not allow Leif, or any man, to harm you.” He couldn’t know how much time he had remaining, but he intended to keep that promise.
It would mean training harder than he’d ever imagined, but he could not stand by and let her become a victim. When Leif had attacked her yesterday, he’d wanted to slaughter the man. Never had such violent instincts risen up within him, but he would have done anything necessary to save Katarina.
He could see that she was terrified of what lay ahead. Though he didn’t know what had happened to her in the past, she’d been shaken by it. His offer of marriage had not brought reassurance at all, and he needed to gain her trust.
The oldvolva’swords came back to him, that he should change what was never meant to be. And bring back what was lost.
Was she speaking of Katarina’s marriage to Leif? He doubted if that was ever meant to be. But what was he supposed to bring back?
More and more, it seemed that Fate was guiding him in a different direction. Despite his desire to journey to East Anglia, it seemed that the pathway remained closed to him. Hehadbeen given a second chance. He wondered if the old seer was right that he could only remain alive through the phases of this moon. But marrying Katarina—even if only for a short time—felt like the right decision.
He was an English marquess, not a Viking. Despite knowing nothing of their ways, he did know how to court a woman slowly, building friendship first. Eric took Katarina’s hand and kissed it softly. The gesture was meant to comfort her, and when he released her fingers, he saw the confusion in her blue eyes.
“Get some rest,” he said. “We will marry in the morning. And I swear, you will be safe again.”
The vow went deeper than words. He would never let any woman be harmed, if he was there. He might not have the brute strength of these men, but he would train until he could stand against any Viking—even Leif.
Her cheeks flushed, and she nodded. “I hope so.”
The morning dawned, but Katarina hadn’t slept at all. Her mind was churning with thoughts of this unknown day when she would take Arik as her husband. As a girl, she had dreamed of a day like this—and yet, it seemed unreal. Everything had changed so fast, and she didn’t doubt that Leif would try to interfere if he learned what was happening.
Arik was only making this arrangement so she would be protected. And although she was grateful to him, she worried about him keeping his word. He might have said that he would not demand a true marriage from her, but she didn’t believe that. In return for his protection, he would expect her to offer the comforts of her body. All men wanted that from a wife.
Her mother had raised her to know her marital duty. She simply didn’t know if she could get through it without pain and humiliation.Freya, give me strength for this,she prayed.
When he had kissed her yesterday, his mouth had evoked a strong response. Tremors had flooded over her body, making her feel a yearning she hadn’t expected. It was as if her flesh was confused about desire and fear.
She was starting to believe that this truly could be Arik Thorgrim, brought back from death. Though his strength had been taken from him, she still held feelings toward this man. The years of wanting him had flooded back, and she could not deny her heart’s wish.
Yet, she didn’t understand why he had offered to wed her. He could have granted her his protection without marriage. Valdr would have kept her safe for a time, if she had asked it of him—though she doubted if Hrafn would have permitted it. Her proud brother would have insisted he could protect her, and eventually, he would have challenged Leif. A cold fear caught in her stomach, for she didn’t want Hrafn to die.
No, Valdr could not have kept her safe for very long. Perhaps Arik had sensed this. He and Hrafn had been friends for some time, and he knew her brother would only step back if someone else was her protector. Was that why he’d suggested that they marry?
Her mind drifted back to the kiss he’d offered. From the moment his mouth had touched hers, she’d felt a sudden connection with this man. It was more than the years she’d longed for him. For the first time, it had felt as ifhewanted her, too.
There were no clear answers, but her foolish heart was glad that she would be his wife. And in time, he might help her overcome her fears of joining with a man.
Yrsa helped her to dress, and then two other women arrived to accompany her to the bath house. Ana, her mother’s best friend, accompanied thevolva, MóðirGerda. Katarina wished, somehow, that her own mother could have been here, but Kolla had died five years ago. With no sisters or female relatives to join her in the preparations, a sense of loneliness came over her.
Before she could leave with the women, Arik approached and interrupted them. “Good morn to you, Katarina.”
She murmured a greeting and reminded him, “You are not meant to see me yet.”
A kind smile came over his face, and he eyed the women. “Wait for your lady outside, and I will send her to you when we have finished speaking.”
Apprehension swept through her, and she wondered if he had changed his mind. What if he had decided not to wed her anymore?
But when they were alone, Arik studied her and drew his hand over her hair. Yrsa had unbraided it for her, and it fell in long waves past her hips. No longer was she wearing the silvercrozenaround her head, for she would not be a maiden after the marriage took place. “You are beautiful, Katarina.”
Every muscle within her tensed as she waited for him to kiss her. His thumbs brushed over the bruises on her throat, and his expression darkened. “No one will ever hurt you again.”
She hesitated but asked the question burning in her mind, “Why did you decide to wed me?”
He let his hand fall away. “Valdr approved of the match.”
