As she neared the last row of houses, Noelle gazed ahead. The full moon illuminated the river. She remembered to travel westward, toward the ocean. If she were fortunate enough to find someone willing to help, she’d offerallthe jewels as compensation. They were worth a fortune. Another wave of nausea—Noelle had to stop again.
The ritual ended with Randvior’s whispered words. His tenants and servants had gathered at Odin’s altar to offer sacrifices and pray to speed Noelle’s recovery. Even Katherine attended.
They returned to the great hall and Randvior gathered everyone around the hearth to share a drink. He warmed his weary bones and remembered how terrified he’d felt after Noelle collapsed. It had been the single most horrifying moment of his life. The nerve-racking silence in the room made him uncomfortable, so he scoured the hall with his eyes while Katherine climbed the stairs. He didn’t want Noelle left alone for too long. The spaewife went home after two long days of keeping vigil at her bedside. He was satisfied she was out of danger.
“She’s gone!” Katherine screamed from above.
Randvior was across the room in seconds.
He ran upstairs and nearly tore the door from its hinges as he entered Noelle’s chamber. They searched every corner together. The maid rummaged through her mistress’ trunks, while Randvior checked his room and the hallway. He returned. Everything was in its proper place. On a hunch, he opened Noelle’s jewel box. Many of the pieces he let her keep weremissing, including the pair of silver brooches shaped like turtledoves. He set the box down and checked the wardrobe. Her best cloak and fur boots were gone. She’d left voluntarily.
He flew downstairs and organized two search parties from amongst the men. Randvior sent them north and east, and decided to ride west alone. If he knew anything about Noelle, she was headed where she felt the most comfortable. The girl came from generations of seafarers, as he did, and a mixture of salt water and blood coursed through her veins.
Without a word, he saddled his horse and galloped away, despite the deep snow. She couldn’t get very far in her condition and it didn’t take long to pick up her trail. Tiny boot prints revealed where she intended to go. He thanked the gods and rode harder and faster. Poison had surely muddled her mind. And only an idiot would have left a woman in her condition alone. His heart skipped a beat. The more people, the greater the chance his gods would grant his request.
What will she say?I’m a bastard for taking her from Durham, but a savior for rescuing her from her brother. Damned either way.He recalled the cryptic message from the spirit women in his dream.There are two possible ends for you…He tossed back his head, his heart felt so brittle it might crack.
He came across two sets of footprints in the snow nearly two miles from the house. One headed north and the other westward, along the river. Identical sets. He chuckled. She must have gotten turned around. Something dark flashed in the near distance. A cloaked figure broke into a full run. Randvior dug his heels into the stallion’s ribs. As he closed in, he could tell Noelle was struggling to stay on her feet.
“Stop!”
“Why?” she shouted over her shoulder. “So you can ridicule me?”
She tripped and fell face down in the snow. He swung down from the saddle, walked beside her, and offered his hand.
She refused it.
“Everyone is looking for you. We returned from prayers and you were gone. There are patrols to the north and east…”
Noelle sat and wrapped her hands around her head. Losing his patience or temper wouldn’t accomplish a thing. Randvior didn’t know what to say. “Are you unwell?”
Noelle gestured angrily. “Did I ask you to chase me down like a nursemaid?” She brushed snow off her cloak and bent her knees into her chest. “Make arrangements for me to go back to England. There’s nothing left between us, Randvior Sigurdsson. And I have no interest in being your concubine or any desire to spend another night under the same roof with yourdelightfulmother.”
Her complaints were justified. And much to his relief, her mental condition hadn’t deteriorated; her tongue remained as razor-sharp as always. He couldn’t fault her last grievance. Randvior didn’t want to spend another night under the same roof with his mother, either. “Be reasonable.”
“I am,”she snapped. “I hate you, do you hear me? I despise you for bringing me here. And you raped me! Dashed my dreams and destroyed everything I hold sacred!”
Could she choose more negative words? But rape… This was an outrageous accusation. His temper flared. He reached, gripped the front of her cloak, and lifted. “And what lucky bastard would have claimed you if I hadn’t?” He was frozen in the spot before her.
“Let me go,” she protested and tried to wiggle free. He let her go and she landed on her arse.
“Ignorant marauder … pirate … murderer … beast … godless heathen … barbaric, inferior man … rapist!”
This was about adding insult to injury. Damned if she was going to get away with calling him those cursed names. He lunged and held her shoulders between his hands. He wanted to squeeze every filthy thought from her mind.
Then he caught himself.What was he doing?Randvior heaved a sigh as he let her go.
She landed a solid kick on his shin and sprinted away. But Randvior recovered and tackled her. They tumbled, rolling twice before they came to a complete stop, Noelle pinned underneath. She slapped at his face, but he caught her hands midair and pinned her arms to her sides.
“I’m not a rapist!” he denied vehemently.
“Of all the revolting things I called you, why does the thought of being a rapist trouble you the most?”
“I’ve never forced a woman to bed.”
“No, only allowed your men to do it. Is there really a difference?”
“I didnotrape you.”
