The tears blinded her, and Elena shoved the food and cup to the ground, overturning the table in her fury. She wanted to shatter something, to relieve the dark anger inside. But destroying their home wouldn’t accomplish anything. Althoughthe instinct was strong to put everything back in order, she forced herself to walk away.
Outside, the afternoon sun was high, casting brilliant rays over the settlement. Their home was built among the others, and all around were the sounds of conversation, children running around, and weapons striking shields as the men trained. She stopped to watch, and at the sight of the young children, the familiar heartache slid back.
This was why she stayed with a man who didn’t love her. To give her unborn child a father. The idea of raising a baby alone, in a country filled with strangers, terrified her. Were it not for this child, she would divorce Styr.
It was simple enough to do—she merely had to announce her intentions in front of witnesses. She wrapped her hands around her slender midsection, wondering when she would feel the swell of new life. And whether it would change both of them.
It’s a lot to ask of an infant,Ragnar had said. But what other choice was there? To bring this new life into the world without a father? She didn’t want to look into her son or daughter’s eyes and admit that their father had left them.
Though it destroyed her pride to remain married to a man who didn’t want her, she would do what was necessary for this unborn miracle. She had no idea how to win back Styr’s heart, but she would try. It was all she had left.
Her mind returned to thoughts of Ragnar. He might know what else she could do, since he was friends with Styr. But unbidden came the memory of sleeping with his arms around her. He had been such a comfort to her, she was grateful to him for his protection and companionship.
But there was more between them, much as she might try to push away the forbidden thoughts. She hadn’t forgotten the warmth of his mouth or the stolen touch of his hand against her breasts. She closed her eyes, aware of how wrong it had been.And yet...her own husband had turned to another. Even if he had never touched Caragh, his heart belonged to her.
Elena forced herself to walk back to the dwelling Ragnar was building with their kinsmen. She needed to see him again, to gain his advice.
If there was any hope of saving her marriage, he might know what to do. Or possibly he could find out.
You only want to see him again, her mind taunted.
No. He was a friend. But even as she continued toward the longhouse, she sensed that she would not like the answers he would give.
Ragnar had spent all afternoon with the hammer, pounding at the beams as the shelter took form. He was grateful for the physical activity, hoping it would exhaust him until he didn’t dream of Elena anymore. But she returned to the dwelling a few hours later, and he couldn’t guess why.
“May I join you?” she asked, coming to sit near him.
He didn’t answer but kept pounding the hammer. His mood was growing even darker, and he knew the reason. The woman he loved was married to a man who didn’t want her anymore. Styr was only staying for the sake of the baby that Ragnar was more and more convinced didn’t exist.
“Do you want a drink of water?” She poured some into a cup, moving closer. He didn’t know what her reason was for coming here, but the last thing he wanted was for her to start taking care of him.
When he ignored her, she came closer with the drink, waiting. But when she lifted it toward him, he tossed the hammer aside and pushed the drink away. “Stay away from me, Elena.”
Go back to Styr. Go back to your husband and leave me alone.
Her face went white, and she looked so stricken. He realized she had no idea why he was angry. She honestly didn’t know the way she tempted him and got under his skin.
“I’m sorry. I’m in no mood to see anyone just now.” He calmed his anger and tried to push away the frustration.
“I came to ask for your help,” she said quietly. “But if it’s not a good time, I’ll go.”
He doubted if it would ever be a good time. The longer he stayed near her, the more he wanted her. Ragnar rested his palms upon the wall for a moment, taking the time to regain control of his anger. She wanted his help, did she?
He turned to face her, walking closer while he waited for her to speak. “What is it?”
“It’s Styr,” she admitted. “Ever since he came back, I don’t know what I can do to please him.”
The flush on her face spoke of sharing a bed with her husband. Was she truly asking him what would please a man? No. He couldn’t even begin to talk about that. “We are not having this conversation.”
Her face turned scarlet. “No, I didn’t mean...that. We haven’t—not since the baby.”
Relief crashed through him, though he knew it was wrong. Ever since he’d had his own moments with Elena, the idea of Styr touching her was enough to provoke him into violence. He was jealous in a way he couldn’t name and believing that Styr had claimed her body was a torment in itself.
“He won’t even talk to me,” Elena continued. “He’s so distant, I don’t know what to do.”
“Why do you stay married to him?” Ragnar demanded. “If you have no feelings for one another and you don’t talk, what reason is there?”
“He’s been good to me,” she said. “And there’s the baby.”
