I bow my head to the floor, as small as possible.
“Forgive me, I beg you.” Groa laughs, but I stay low. I can’t lose her. “I enjoy Narve’s company. I feel safe with him.”
“Like I said, if you get pregnant, he will take you as wife. You will make a good one. I am not worried. Besides, you’re smart enough to make him pull away.”
I look up. She shakes her hand, palm open.
“Your other secret, you have to share. This is the last time I ask.”
As I’m leaning forward, the knife presses into my thigh.
Of course, my other secret. How am I so slow? There’s no dodging this. It’s all over. I’ve feared Groa’s wrath before, but never like this.
Reaching under my dress, I detach the knife, eyes on Groa.
“I had to,” I say. “My father, he?—”
“I know your father,” she says.
I pull out the blade, its hilt glinting as it had in the moonlight. I place it in Groa’s hand, lowering my head. Freya give me strength.
Groa examines it and releases a long sigh.
“You stole this.” She clicks her tongue, shaking her head. “Very bad idea.”
“I bought it,” I lie.
“Viper’s tongue,” says Groa. “No one would sell this. You stole it.”
“I… It… you’re right.”
“Do you know what this is?”
“A fine dagger?”
She laughs without humor. “Much more. It’s an honor blade, a gift from the warrior’s chieftain for a great feat or undying loyalty.”
“I just?—”
“You have dishonored its owner, you silly girl. He has only one way to resolve this.”
“Please forgive me, Groa. I can return it.”
“It’s too late for that.” Her gaze cuts colder than the blade. “They are coming.”
CHAPTER 4
Tension rolls through me in waves. We’ve made camp for the night. My head is heavy. It’s late, but the northern sun still brightens the sky.
I pretend everything is normal, helping the women fetch wood and water. Campfires burn, their orange blaze drowned by the white light of summer’s endless day. Groups, divided by status, boil stew over the flames. My father sits with his usual crew, the ones with no dyes in their clothes, the lonely, the thirsty. Since Mother’s death, that’s been his spot. Not with me.
The sour stink of old ale and unwashed bodies drifts from their circle.
Emotions whirl through me as I hurry to my carriage. I’m relieved that Groa forgives my fling with her son—even more that she will keep my theft to herself. She chose to protect me,yet again. The group would banish me if they knew. I would bealone, an outlaw, a bandit with no name. No laws to protect me. Laws I’ve defiled.
The snap of a twig makes me turn to the woods. Nothing, just long shadows dancing among the trees. The air is too still… No time.
Groa’s never been this worried, this scared. She ordered me to bury the blade—not tomorrow, tonight. It has to be donenow. I jump into the carriage I share with my father and search for our small wooden spade. Of course it’s an absolute mess, reeking of spilled drink and sweat. I rummage through our chest.
