Desire's Fury (Viking's Fury Book 2) (7 page)

Of all nights to expect his family to gather. “Can it wait until tomorrow?”

“Do you put your gods off, Jarl Roald?”

“No.”

“Then offer my gods the same submission. After you are crowned, not a moment later.”

“Y
ou understand I
have no quarrel with you,” Roald said as he sat beside Eva at the high table.

With the great hall nearly empty, she felt comfortable eating with the jarl in a seat of honor. “Yes, I do. However, milord, I cannot overlook the negative reaction your brother and captain had, nor the hateful looks I get whenever someone sees me. All the more reason for me to complete my work and depart for home tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow?” He’d started to take a drink of ale, but he slammed the cup down. “No.” He shook his head. “I won’t allow it. Tis too soon.”

Eva swallowed a bite of warm bread. “Dependent on Silvia’s condition, of course.”

“Of course,” he said, sounding despondent as he gazed at the hearth. “Even if she’s alive and well, I ask you to stay.”

“A request I must regrettably deny.”

“Why? Is my hospitality not good enough?”

Eva pulled her shawl tighter about her shoulders. “Your kindness has exceeded all of my expectations.”

“Aye,” he agreed. “I could have sent you to the slave quarters and denied you access to my hall.”

“But you didn’t.” She took a drink of water. “Nor do I believe you’d treat anyone you invited here with such indignity. There is more to you than meets the eye, Jarl Roald. Oh, you roar like any wild beast, but I sense the goodness in you. You are worthy of my family’s respect. And I plan on telling them as soon as I get home.”

Roald took another deep drink, then turned in his chair so he was facing her. Her insides boiled as his lingering gaze swept over her. “Such strength…” he said softly.

“Only fools are fearless, sir.”

“Is that a confession, then? You fear me?”

“In a way I cannot describe with words.”

“Can it be shared with a second kiss?” He leaned closer.

Her throat went suddenly dry. She must do everything to protect herself against this magnificent man. Another kiss would only make it harder to part ways with him. “I haven’t been completely honest with you…”

“I forgive you.” He captured her shaking hand. “We met under less than favorable conditions, with little time to discuss our histories.”

She tried to pull away, but he held on tight.

“I-I…” she faltered. “I am betrothed.”

His brows shot up, but his eyes still held a dark passion. “To who?”

“A man I am sure you’ve never heard of. A wealthy herder. Though I am unhappy with the match, my eldest brother insists I marry him.” She hated lying to the only man she’d ever felt such an absolute attraction for. “Before you found me in the foothills, my brother, Markkos, was there. He’d tracked me down to remind me of my responsibility to marry well for the benefit of my family. I’ve resisted for months. But it appears I have no choice now.”

Roald massaged her fingers vigorously. “There is always a choice, Eva. Your own words.”

“Not after violating the laws of my people by coming here alone. My virtue will be questioned. And my mother…”

“I will account for your virtue,” he said angrily. “And will personally escort you home.”

“No.” She stood up, anxious to get back to Silvia, and desperate to get away from him.

“Listen to me.” He tugged her back down. “You are a grown woman. Capable of making your own choices.”

“Am I?” She doubted he really felt that way. “Do you offer your sister the same freedom? Is she allowed to choose who she spends time with? Who she beds?”

“Did I say anything about bedding you, Eva?”

She sucked in a breath as their gazes locked. “I-I…” Curse how he always made her stumble over words. “What else would I think?”

“It’s just a kiss.” He reached for her hair covering, but she escaped his wandering hand.

“A kiss with you will never be
just a kiss
.” Her whole body heated with embarrassment. “And now that you know my deepest shame, Jarl Roald, please let me go.”

He didn’t protest when she rose to her feet again and walked away from the table. Sarakka help her—the goddess of love and fertility might be playing tricks on her. Opening her heart to a Norseman would only end in strife. And though Eva had spent her life caring for and healing people, she didn’t possess the magic to mend a broken heart.

*

Hours later, after
Roald had accepted his crown, he still couldn’t get the lovely Eva out of his mind. Something about the girl moved him, and it was much more than the respect he felt as he watched her weave her healing spells around Silvia. Her perfect smile and dancing eyes were partly to blame. And that indomitable spirit could drive any man mad.

Once he finished his fourth measure of wine, he knew it was time to assemble in Silvia’s bedchamber. He’d already put it off long enough.

Troel followed him to his chamber.

“Bring my sister and brothers here.”

“Aye, milord.”

Konal arrived first, a drinking horn in hand. “You’ve cut the celebration short.”

Tired of his brother’s continued insolence, he snatched the vessel from his hands and threw it against the far wall. “The time for tolerance is over.”

“My lord.” Konal saluted him with a mock bow.

“Enough,” Roald said, fisting his hands at his sides—tempted to beat some respect into his errant sibling. “Since the day you stepped foot on our soil, you’ve done nothing but accuse me of treachery. If you hate me so much, why did you bother returning to Norway? Why visit this steading?” He wished he knew what had made Konal so bitter.

“To reunite with my family.”

“And who am I, Konal? Your brother or enemy?”

“His brother,” Runa interjected as she entered the room. “This squabbling must end. The people are chattering about it—casting lots on which of you will survive the summer.”

“Who gave you permission to speak?” Roald asked.

“The same man who sired you, fathered me, Roald. That alone makes us equals. I will no longer sit idly by and wait for the two of you to make peace. If you cannot bear the sight of one another, then for Odin’s sake, for all our sakes, once this celebration is over, leave this place, Konal.”

Konal frowned. “You choose him over me? Haven’t I always been sympathetic to your causes?”

“Yes,” Runa said. “But Roald is Jarl now. I must obey him.”

“Or leave with me and Silvia.”

Unable to control his temper, Roald lunged at his brother, catching him by the throat. Runa’s worried gaze flew to Roald’s and he loosened his hold on Konal.

“I offer you a last chance at a truce. Accept your place in this house as my brother and adviser. When the right time comes, I will bless your departure to start a new steading. For now, I need my family behind me.”

“Including Silvia?” Haakon joined them.

Roald rolled his eyes. Were all of his siblings in collusion against him? “Yes,” he said hesitantly. “My sister-in-law is part of this family now.” He let go of Konal then. “But don’t expect any great revelations. I will treat her with dignity.”

“I have your word?” Konal asked, straightening his tunic.

“Aye.”

A moment of intense silence followed.

“Good,” Haakon said. “Now that it’s settled, I think all of you should come with me.”

He led them to Silvia’s chamber and opened the door.

Sitting up in bed with a trencher of food on her lap was Silvia, eating and chatting with her maid.

“By Odin!” Konal rushed to her side. “How?”

Silvia’s radiant smile even warmed Roald’s heart as she thrust the tray in her servant’s hands, then threw herself in Konal’s arms.

“Hours ago,” she answered. “That lovely Sami girl greeted me when I awoke. She looked so relieved to see me well.”

“We all are,” Konal assured her as he lifted her from the bed.

“Where is the girl?” Roald asked. He must thank her, kiss her, and convince her to stay longer.

“Gone,” Silvia said. “She mentioned a brother.”

Twas his fault for losing track of Silvia. He’d been so caught up in the celebration. “Haakon, Runa. Tell the guards not to let anyone leave the great hall. I must speak with Eva.”

Judging by the way his heart raced, he’d search anywhere to see her again—Allfather help him.

“S
top babbling.” The
older woman clapped her hands like she was trying to get the attention of children. “The six of you are fortunate to get this far. Tis an honor to be chosen to warm the master’s bed on the night of his inception as jarl.”

Her words did little to quiet Eva’s beautiful rivals.

All she could think about was what Silvia’s maid reported about the goings-on in the great hall. How Roald had been drinking in preparation for his
special
night with a virgin of his choice. A gift every jarl received. It stunned Eva that any father would willingly sacrifice his daughter’s virtue for such a selfish tradition.

But the servant had assured her that many chieftains’ wives had been chosen from such a pairing.
Because of pregnancy…
That’s what Eva decided would be the only reason a man of power would marry a girl he didn’t care for or know.

She couldn’t let Roald make that mistake. She wanted a chance to be with him. One kiss. One intimate embrace. One night of lovemaking before they parted ways forever.

Only after she was convinced Silvia was recovered, did she beg the maid for help. In return for healing her mistress, the servant gladly brought her a sheer gown and veil, the type of garments the other girls would wear. She bathed and dressed Eva, then brushed her long hair out.

Silvia even donated a gold necklace and bracelet, seeming to enjoy the trap Eva planned to set for the jarl.

“He doesn’t deserve you,” Silvia had said. “But I recognize the look in your eyes. The need to love a man you shouldn’t.”

They’d tied a ribbon about her arm to cover her tattoo so Roald wouldn’t recognize her. Then the woman in charge of the maidens called for all the girls to veil themselves and meet in the jarl’s chamber. One-by-one, the woman inspected them, dismissing ten, the rest would have a chance to impress Roald.

“Do not speak unless you are given permission. And do not remove your veils. Names will not be exchanged. Call him lord or master. Curtsey when he arrives and never look him directly in the eyes. You are not his equals tonight, only vessels of pleasure. Do you understand?”

Once she was convinced they understood, she signaled to the thrall standing at the door. “Bring our master, the girls are ready.”

When Roald arrived, butterfly wings fluttered wildly in Eva’s belly. She’d never seen him look so lighthearted before. He emptied the cup in his hand and handed it off to a servant before he sat down in the carved chair at the foot of his bed.

His vast chamber was richly decorated. Tapestries covered the walls and abundant furs concealed the dirt-packed floor. Her gaze slipped to the expansive mattress, the headboard matched the wood of his chair, figureheads of dragons, the kind seen on Norse longships, were carved into the posts.

“Good eve, Hulda,” he addressed the older woman. “I believe you presided over my sire’s bedding the night he was crowned.”

“Yes, milord.” She smiled. “Tis an honor to do the same for you.”

Roald gazed past her. “What delectable morsels have you picked for me tonight?”

Hulda turned around. “You.” She pointed at the first girl. “Stand before our master.”

It pained Eva to think Roald would even consider another woman when they had shared such intimate moments together. But she also accepted that such a virile man required sex. As a healer, she often advised husbands and wives on how to improve their chances at pregnancy. She even had herbal mixtures that enhanced fertility and passion.

“Turn around slowly,” Hulda instructed the first girl.

“Thank you,” Roald said gently, then dismissed her.

It only took a few minutes for Roald to view the first four candidates, but it was the fifth that worried Eva the most. Blessed with pitch-colored hair and the darkest eyes Eva had ever seen, she recognized rare beauty, even behind the veil. And when she walked…

Should Eva give up now?

“You.” Roald gestured at her. “Come and stand beside your friend.”

Eva did as he commanded, happy her face was covered.

“Turn for me,” Roald said.

Reluctant to continue, she slowly turned her back to him. Did the man really need to stare at her arse?

After what seemed forever, he finally spoke. “Is there a chance to keep both?”

Hulda cleared her throat. “Both, my lord?”

“Did I stutter, woman? Odin gave me two hands and legs. So why shouldn’t I bed two women?”

“Because the gods didn’t give you two cocks,” she admonished. “Twould be an insult to their fathers. It’s never been done.”

Eva couldn’t resist turning around. She wanted to slap the whoremongering jarl in the face for being so lewd.

“Wait!” he said. “Did I give you permission to move?”