Her blue woolen gown hung in folds, and a long apron was pinned at her shoulders with two golden brooches. The moment she spied him, she stared at him in shock. “Arik…I thought you were dead.”
Katarina couldn’t believe the sight before her. Arik Thorgrim was standing outside the settlement, just as thevolvahad prophesied.
A part of her hadn’t believed the old woman, but she’d awakened just before dawn, unable to sleep any longer. All night, the wind and the rain had battered her roof, filling her dreams with fear. Without understanding why, she’d hurried outside toward the shore, as if the goddess Freya had commanded her to be there.
Now, she understood why.
She hardly recognized Arik, for his dark hair was cut short. Even his beard was far lighter than she remembered, as if he’d shaved only a few days ago. He had always been a tall, muscular man, but now, he appeared leaner and less like a brute warrior. His clothing was in rags, and he walked barefoot.
But still, the sight of him made her heart pound faster. Only a few weeks ago, one of their kinsmen had returned with the revelation that Arik was dead, struck down by a battle-ax. It must have been a mistake, for clearly he was standing here now. She tried to quell the errant thoughts, pushing back the unbidden feelings. “I cannot believe you’re alive.”
The words were foolish, but she could not pull them back.It doesn’t matter,she told herself. She had made a different life for herself now, and her girlish infatuation with him would fade.
Arik’s gaze fixed upon her, and his dark eyes drank in her features. For a moment, she remained frozen, not knowing what to think or say. Goose flesh rose over her skin, and she felt her face flush. Why was he looking at her like this? Arik had never been attracted to her. Instead, he’d treated her like a little sister, a maiden to be ignored. He had been far more captivated by Svala, a fiery beauty with a heart of ice.
But at this moment, he was staring at her in a way he never had before. She was spellbound by the intensity of his interest, and her gaze drifted to his firm mouth.
Don’t,she warned herself. There was no reason to believe anything was different now. She took a step backward as her embarrassment heightened. “What happened to you? Where is your ship?”
He didn’t speak but instead closed his eyes, as if trying to steady himself. When she looked back at the dark waters, there was no sign of any vessel—only fragments of wood. She swallowed back other questions realizing that he’d survived a shipwreck…and the other men were likely dead.
She yearned to ask more questions, but he was likely freezing from the cool summer air. “Come with me, and you can warm yourself at my hearth. We will talk more there.”
He gave a nod to indicate that he agreed with her words. Katarina took his arm, guiding him toward the settlement. Odin’s blood, his skin was like ice. He jolted at the contact, and she pulled back, realizing that he hadn’t wanted her touch.
She never should have reached out to him. He was destined to be their leader, thejarl,and she had no right to cross that invisible boundary. Katarina walked alongside him toward the settlement, keeping her head held high, hoping he would disregard the gesture. But her cheeks burned with shame.
She’d known he would return to Rogaland, but she’d been unprepared for the emotions that had risen up within her. His very presence brought back a flood of memories she’d tried so hard to forget. Once, this man had been the reason to make her smile, the one she’d adored from afar. He’d been strong and bold, the warrior she’d dreamed of.
And now, she was a broken woman, haunted by nightmares. Her life had shifted, changing in ways she’d never anticipated.
It does not matter,she told herself.All that matters is bringing Geilir and Jokull to justice.She fervently hoped that they hadn’t drowned on board Arik’s ship. A death by drowning was far too good for either of them.
They crossed over the rocky hillside, the path winding toward their settlement. The sky was deep purple with creases of pink along the horizon. The torch she carried cast a faint glow upon the grass, and Arik followed her in silence.
Her brother stood guard outside their settlement walls. The moment Hrafn spied Arik, his features turned grim. He sent Katarina a questioning look, and she shook her head in warning. Neither of them knew what had happened, but Arik would tell them soon enough. Right now, he appeared confused, as if he had barely survived the shipwreck.
Worst of all was his silence. He hadn’t spoken a single word since she’d found him. It made her uneasy, wondering if his tongue had been cut from his mouth.
Hrafn stepped in front of them, blocking their path. Her brother’s gray eyes held no welcome—only suspicion. To Arik, he said, “I heard that Björn killed you.” His voice held a trace of doubt, as if wondering why that tale had been spread. “If that is untrue, then what happened?”
Katarina wanted that answer as well. She held her breath, waiting for him to speak, but again, Arik said nothing. Her brother stepped forward to demand an answer, but Thorgrim moved aside, causing Hrafn to stumble.
She was startled when Arik moved in front of her…as if to guard her from Hrafn. His dark eyes gleamed with an unspoken challenge, and her brother reached toward his weapon with his left hand.
“Don’t.” Katarina stepped between them, holding her hands up. “This is not the time for a fight. We will hear more about what happened once Arik has dry clothes and something to eat.”
Hrafn’s expression didn’t change. “He should go to his father’s house. Not ours.”
She knew that. But Arik and his father had argued fiercely before he’d left, and she suspected Valdr had not forgiven his son for leaving. It was better to wait a little while before Arik confronted the man.
Katarina touched her brother’s chest with a palm. “So he will. In a little while.”After I’ve had the chance to speak with him.
But when she looked back at Arik, she felt the strong sense that something terrible had happened. It was as if he had returned from the afterworld after being struck mute by the gods. Katarina wanted to know why he would not speak, but she had a feeling he would not tell her. She intended to delay his return to his father, Valdr, until he was prepared to explain the reports of his death.
Hrafn’s expression tightened, and he leaned down to whisper in her ear. “I do not want you alone with him.” Both of them knew he was not permitted to leave his guard post until the next sentry arrived for duty.
“I will be fine, Hrafn,” she reassured him, resting her hand upon her own blade. “I promise you that.” She had known Arik all her life and trusted him.But if he dared to raise a hand to her, theirthrallswould come to her aid. With a slight smile, she added in her own whisper, “Else I will gut him.”
