Aud’s face twisted. Randvior stifled his complaint with a wave of his hand before his captain had a chance to voice his dissent. “They will serve as slaves.”
Sveinn’s men fell to their knees and pledged as Randvior had commanded. This decision was final. As his rage leveled for the moment, Randvior studied the interior of the cottage.
Another room straight ahead.
He reached the door in two strides and pounded on it. “Sveinn Ovesen, come out and face me as a man!”
No answer came.
Without pause, Randvior shouldered his way through the door, quite unprepared for what he found. Noelle stripped naked with her hands anchored to a wood beam above her head and tightly gagged. Her eyes flashed warning as she jerked her head left. Randvior understood and lifted his weapon in time to deflect a blow from Sveinn’s broadsword. Randvior grunted and turned to see where his opponent stood.
The kidnapper struck again.
Visions of Sveinn’s filthy hands probing Noelle fueled Randvior’s violence. He moved mechanically. Their weapons met midair and scraped together so hard sparks flew. Randvior twisted around and punched him in the gut. Sveinn hurtledbackward, recovered his footing, then charged, whirling his weapon over his head.
Noelle’s muted cries echoed loudly in Randvior’s ears—she needed help, and he slashed his way through Sveinn, landing a damaging blow to his chest and shoulder.
“Kill me,” Sveinn provoked, “and you’ll never know the truth. Did I bed her or leave her untouched for our wedding night?”
On the other side of the door, Randvior could hear his men yelling. His chest heaved for air and he responded by pulling a dagger from his boot. With his axe in one hand and his knife in the other, they both ran and collided with the force of two rams. Sveinn punched the dagger loose and grazed Randvior’s left hand with his own short knife. A loudthwacksounded and Randvior jumped aside, his axe head deeply embedded in Sveinn’s ribs. The younger man staggered dazedly, falling over furniture in his path.
With the immediate threat neutralized, Randvior ran across the room to Noelle. He scolded her as he freed her hands and mouth. “How dare you leave my side?” Tears wet the corners of his eyes.
He was so tempted to make love to her right now. Instead, he spread his arms wide. She fell into them weeping and laughing at the same time.
“Tell me…” He pleaded as he enveloped her in his arms. The unfinished question was devoid of any vanity.Promise me he didn’t touch you…He needed to hear it from her lips.
Noelle didn’t hesitate—she shook her head slowly and said, “Only a kiss. He took my clothes and bound me because I tried to escape again.”
Randvior pulled her closer. His own brave Valkyrie, a tiny warrior the gods gifted him to love for eternity.
He still wanted to bash Sveinn’s brains in. A noise from near the entrance made him turn around and he found hismen gathered in the doorway—some watching Sveinn and three transfixed by the naked beauty in his arms. “Get out!” he snarled as he released Noelle and walked to the door and kicked it shut.
“Get dressed, little one.” He turned his fury on Sveinn.
Although Randvior was not the type to torment an injured man he felt obligated to enlighten Sveinn before he died. Sveinn was braced against the far wall, his war axe still stuck in his body. Randvior ripped it free. Sveinn screamed in agonizing pain and fell face down on the floor.
“You’ll find no mercy here, Sveinn Ovesen. You’ve shamed your father’s name and assaulted the woman I love. Were you fool enough to think I’d bring such a delicate flower across the North Sea without establishing myself as her betrothed before we landed? I made love to her over and over again. As for you, your fate rests in the hands of my captain.”
Fully clothed, Noelle joined him and stared down at her kidnapper. She had no words, perhaps this time she agreed a man should die for his crimes.
Randvior took her bag and directed her to the door.
“Are you hurt?”
“My heart aches.” Big, tear-filled eyes stared up at him.
Enough of this place. He opened the door. “Aud! This bastard is yours to do with as you please.”
Randvior brushed past his men with Noelle in tow. Once outside, he gave her a brisk kiss and lifted her onto the saddle. He climbed up behind. They rode a short distance and faced the cabin. Aud came outside, leading Sveinn on a rope looped around his neck, his hands bound behind his back. Within seconds, the cabin turned into an inferno.
Randvior mouthed a prayer as he watched the flames rise higher. “To Odin, I am beholden. To Allfather, I am forever grateful. You have delivered mine enemies. Their blood, evidence of your unwavering favor. I am your slave, even aftermy death, where I beg to sit at your table until the last glorious battle where we must all sacrifice our souls for the sake of Ragnarok.”
Chapter Seventeen
Ashes to Ashes
Time had becomea shadow while Randvior was separated from Noelle. Now it drove him, he took no chances riding in the open. Staying vigilant with every inch of ground he covered, he looked over his shoulder continuously. If Sveinn had been shrewd enough to coordinate Noelle’s kidnapping, nothing would have stopped him from planting guards along the roadway to ambush them.
