Caragh wasn’t certain why she’d decided to sail away with Styr, but the idea of leaving everything behind and feeling the wind in her face was suddenly appealing. She closed her eyes, breathing in the salty air while the sun warmed her face. When she opened them, she saw Styr’s taut muscles flexing as he fought the power of the wind.
He caught her watching him, and his gaze turned heated. As if there was no one else in the world but the two of them.
He’d never openly pursued her, and it took a strong effort to guard her heart. For so long, Elena had been between them. And now, he had ended that path, choosing Caragh instead.
What if he found her wanting? The lack of a child had torn apart his first marriage, and she feared that it might happen again. She’d been honest with him; she did want a baby. She wanted to feel the warmth of an infant against her breast while touching the small feet and curled fists. It might not happen if she wed him. And if it did not, would it come between them?
“Keep looking at me like that,søtnos, and I’ll never take you back again.”
She braved a smile, and he tied off the ropes, coming to sit before her. “Do you want to see the gifts I’ve brought?”
“You didn’t need to bring me anything,” she began, though it was difficult to push back her curiosity.
Styr reached into the bag and showed her a length of crimson silk. She touched it, and marveled at the softness of the cloth. “I’ve never felt anything like this before.”
“You’ll sew a gown from it. And wear it on the day we wed.”
She brought it to her cheek, a rise of nerves gathering in her stomach at the thought. Though she wanted to wed him, a thousand doubts and fears made her nervous.
“We should sell it,” she suggested. “The harvest might fail, and—”
“It won’t.” He folded up the cloth and set it aside. “Caragh, there’s nothing wrong with accepting gifts of value.”
“We have so little,” she confessed. “I can’t forget what it was like when we nearly starved. I don’t ever want to face that again.”
“You will become accustomed to wearing finery, as a jarl’s wife.”
“But my brother Ronan is chief,” she protested.
“My men will not follow an Irish leader.” He stared out at the horizon, and pointed to the stretch of green lands further inland. “We will settle there, near the river. And you will be their lady.”
She’d never dreamed of such a life, or of such responsibilities. But she could see that it meant a great deal to Styr.
“My brothers own those lands,” she reminded him.
He inclined his head as if he’d expected this. “I will negotiate for the territory, in return for grain, livestock, and more silver. Your people will not know hunger again.” He proved his words by withdrawing a small leather pouch. Inside, Caragh found a great deal of silver and gold.
“When I returned to Áth Cliath, I relieved the Norsemen of their wealth,” he admitted. “They should have known better than to wager against me.”
She closed the pouch and handed it back. “I thought you wanted to sail across the seas to distant lands.”
He turned back to look at her, as if he were startled that she’d remembered. “Some day, perhaps.” He withdrew a folded piece of leather and passed it to her. “These came from the southern lands.”
Inside, Caragh found oval-shaped nuts that were sticky to the touch.
“Those are almonds, dipped in honey,” he told her. “The traders brought them to the city.”
She savored the honeyed almonds, holding them in her mouth until at last she tasted the crunch of the nuts. When she offered one to Styr, he raised her fingers to his mouth, kissing the tips as he took the almond. Then, he rested his arm at her waist, sitting beside her while the boat took them along the coast. The wind had slowed, but she enjoyed the way the vessel skimmed the water.
“Where are we going?” she asked.
“Does it matter?” His hand moved up her spine, his gaze upon her.
No, it didn’t. Being with him, knowing that he’d sailed hundreds of miles to return to her, was a strong temptation. Her head argued that she needed to be careful, to guard her heart.
He didn’t choose you, her head warned.He chose Elena first.
She closed her eyes, silencing the words she didn’t want to face. Caragh stared out at the sea, admitting, “I am glad you returned.” His hand moved up her back in a soft caress, weakening her resolve. Somehow, she forced herself to continue. “But I’m also afraid.”
