Norse Valor (8 page)

As Svana watched the boat pull away, she felt someone near
her side. She looked over at Ari who watched her quietly. He had been left
behind in charge of the other men when the raiders had struck their village.

“Are you a killer, too?” she asked.

“When necessary,” he replied.

“How do I cope with this feeling? How am I supposed to feel
safe when the one man who is supposed to protect me is someone I am afraid of?”

Ari pulled her into his arms. Svana let him hold her. His
big strong arms wrapped around her and Svana sank into his warmth.

When she saw Vakr watching them from the vessel, she turned
her head and hid in Ari’s arms. She didn’t see Vakr’s devastation.

Ari pulled her tightly to his chest. His hand ran the length
of her hair. Before long he set her from him. His finger under her chin tilted
her head.

“Vakr had no choice,” Ari said.

“We all have choices,” Svana replied.

Ari turned her around. Svana saw a lone man on the beach
crouched on his knees in the waves. The water splashed against his chest, the
spray hitting his face. He was motionless. Svana wondered why he didn’t move.
The water was like ice, and he was soaked. She turned to look up at Ari.

“Why is Ormr in the water?” she asked.

“One of the men you grieve for killed his wife. Was Hallerna
not your friend?”

“Yes.” Svana felt her eyes tear. Hallerna had been a kind
soul. She wouldn’t hurt a mouse. A raider must have attacked her in her hut.
Svana had no idea she was among the fallen. She had been trapped in her own little
world.
How could anyone kill someone so
helpless?

“Have you ever seen Hallerna wield a sword?”

“No,” Svana whispered. Her emotions were in turmoil.

“Our women never stood a chance against desperate warriors.
Even starved, the men were bigger and stronger. Three invaded your hut. They
could have killed you and Helga. Those men were lucky Vakr allowed them to
speak at all. I’m not certain I would have.”

“Two wrongs don’t make a right.”

“Go tell that to Ormr.”

Ari walked away. Svana stood and watched the grieving man
crouched in the waves. Hallerna had been her friend. Ormr was a good man. He
too never got a chance to say goodbye. Svana went to Ormr. She slumped beside
him in the freezing water, then wrapped her arms around him.

Ormr rubbed at his eyes. He was a young man. Not handsome
and not ugly. He had shoulder-length bright red hair. His damp blue eyes were
filled with sadness when he looked at her.

“I’m so sorry for your loss. Hallerna was a good person,”
Svana said.

“Do you grieve for those men Vakr killed?” he asked.

His words were flat, dead.

“I grieve for Hallerna and the others in our village who
have fallen senselessly,” she replied. She looked off over the horizon where
the vessel was barely visible. “I know this sounds selfish compared to what you
are going through, but I grieve for myself too. I’m afraid of Vakr. I’ve never
seen anything so frightening.”

Ormr nodded. “Hallerna feared me once, after a battle she
witnessed. I am a warrior without mercy when I kill. I cannot spend a moment’s
thought on any other when my family is at risk. I would have died for her. Vakr
would die for you.”

“I know.”

“Then remember, Svana. He will kill for you.”

Ormr lifted her to her feet. Blue eyes delved into her,
willing her to understand.

Svana wasn’t certain she did. Before she could reply, David
had a warm blanket wrapped around her and he led her to a bonfire.

Chapter 6

Throughout the long day the vessel moved back and forth
collecting many things from the old village. Each time they docked, Svana
refused to say anything to Vakr.

He seemed inclined to let her approach him when she was
ready.

Instead, she watched him. When the men had returned with the
strange villagers, Vakr remained behind to aid with their transition.

With trepidation, Svana had watched the women as warily as
Vakr and his men. Would they be angry? Would they try and hurt someone? What
would Svana do if someone killed Vakr and she was faced with his killer? It
provoked worrisome thought. When one woman came too close to Njall, Svana
didn’t hesitate, she pulled him away and guided him closer to his father.

Ari had lifted his eyes to her. Ever so slowly, Svana was
realizing why Vakr did what he felt he must do. If Svana was this worried about
the strange women, then she would have been terrified to see the raiders
roaming freely amongst them. Was that what Ormr had meant when he had claimed
Vakr would kill for her? The idea battled with her thoughts. She couldn’t
imagine being surrounded by strangers who lost their loved ones to her
husband’s blade. The tension was high. The men who had lost their wives eyed
the four women openly. One woman dropped to the ground weeping under the
pressure of the unknown.

It was then Vakr gathered his men and the strangers.

Svana, once more in an emotional struggle, couldn’t help but
feel bad for them. Svana couldn’t imagine being surrounded by massive warriors
who had killed someone she knew. Vakr was asking his men if they feared for
their families with any one of the women. The children were of course excluded
from the discussion. With baited breath, the women waited in terror as their
fate was decided.

“They are so frightened. I know Vakr would never hurt them,”
Svana said. It was a statement she knew in her heart to be true.

“They do not fear they will be harmed. If Vakr had intended
to kill them, they would have died at their village. They know that,” Helga
said. “They are more frightened of being cast out. It would be death to send
one or two women away. Without a village or home, they have no protection. If
the elements didn’t kill them, wild animals would. It would be a terrible
death, but you are right, Vakr would not allow a blade to be taken to any of
them.”

Svana hoped the men would decide they could stay. They
seemed harmless enough. The four of them were in tears and clinging to one
another. A pitiful bunch to be sure. Certainly the men could see this? Svana
would be willing to help them set up a safe home for the night. If they stayed
together, they would be fine until they made new friends, or even caught a
man’s eye. Maybe she could convince Vakr to aid in building them a shelter.

As Vakr called to each man, Svana held her breath.

One by one, the men agreed they felt no concern with any of
the women. Indeed, half-starved as they were it was obvious they were no
threat.

Svana breathed a sigh of relief.

Vakr caught her eye and smiled at her. With hesitance she
returned it.

Then one by one the four men of the slain women came forward.

Svana blinked hard. Then she began shaking in sudden fury.
How could Vakr?
Helga was smiling in
delight beside her. Just when Svana had thought she had figured him out, the
man went and did something boneheaded.
Men…

Later that night, Svana said nothing to Vakr when he entered
their small lean-to. He leaned down and came in on all fours as there was no
room for him to stand. A heavy wool blanket dropped back over the entrance.
Everyone in the village was huddled in lean-tos across a small area for protection.
Many fires burned brightly both around their area and on the close shoreline to
keep animals away. There was no fire in their shelter, but many furs littered
the ground and it was comfortable enough.

“You are still angry.” It was a statement.

“How could you?” Svana demanded.

When the warriors decided the women posed no threat, Vakr
had given them to his men like sheep.

Svana had gone from fearful to furious. Not one of the women
was able to voice a complaint, say no, nothing. They were given no choice as to
their own fate. It was appalling. When Vakr had approached her after his deed,
he had been smiling like a hero. Svana had scowled at him and turned on her
heels and marched into the lean-to. Vakr now plopped down beside her onto the
furs; she scooted away from him.

“What would you have me do? Bring them all in here with us?”
Vakr asked.

“You gave those four women to men whose wives were killed by
their husbands. How do you know they won’t be abused?”

“Do you think Ormr will kill his new woman?”

Svana had seen the look on Ormr’s face when a young
beautiful woman was handed to him. The poor thing was terrified. Ormr was huge
next to her. He could break her in half. Svana had been surprised the girl had
remained standing she was shaking so hard. The poor thing was so thin and pale.
Tears had streamed down her porcelain face, her loose long blond hair streaming
in the current of wind, fanning her cheeks and throat. Ormr had circled the
girl like a wolf, deciding whether or not he wanted her. Vakr had claimed it
his right, as her husband had killed Ormr’s wife.

When Ormr nodded and said he would take her and care for
her, the girl had fainted. There were a few grumbles from other men who would
have liked her. All of the men had claimed the women they were given. There was
no fear of starving with such a prize on the beach. The children were as easy
to pass off. Three couples had lost their own children to famine and they took
two. It was Vakr’s hope to make their transition easier if they were paired
together.

“It should have been the women’s choice,” Svana insisted.
“They have minds, you know. They’re not cattle.”

“So you think I should have brought all of them here and
dumped them in the middle of this chaos and said fend for yourself? Make your
own huts, find your own food?” Vakr sighed deeply.

“Well no, but…”

“Svana, they are frightened. What would you have done if I
had brought you here off my vessel and told you that you were on your own? Now
feed and clothe and house yourself and you have no protection against any man
or animal.”

“You could have offered to…”

“To what? Watch out for each one? Ten extra women and
children would not fit in this lean-to. I watch out for an entire village, remember.
Even I need some help sometimes,” Vakr said, then seemed to think of something.
“What would your men do with them?”

“Our men wouldn’t
do
anything with them. The women would go to a womens’ shelter.”

“But that’s exactly where I’ve sent them, to safe shelters.
Where would your children go to?”

“To homes where they can stay until adopted.”

“I have given them to homes where they are wanted and will
be loved and have already been accepted. Are your women loved and cared for at
these shelters?”

“Well sort of. They have people to talk to and food.”

“They live in these places for life?”

“Well no. The idea is to get back on your feet.”

“I’ve skipped another one of your steps. They have a home
for life. Are you certain you are from the future?”

“I don’t think I like your tone, Vakr.”

Svana crossed her arms over her chest. He always made her
arguments sound so stupid. In her time, the women would have needed help, but
they would have the means at their disposal. But this wasn’t her time. There
were no shelters and Svana knew Vakr thought he had done what was best for
them. It didn’t make her feel any better. Feeling grouchy, she slapped his hand
when he reached for her. He chuckled and as the shelter darkened, she saw his
cheeky smile.

“You are no longer afraid of me?” he said.

“Maybe not as much, but I’m still mad.”

“Mad I can live with. Seeing you hide from me in Ari’s arms
was hurtful.”

“You have been a Viking all your life. I’ve only been here a
few months.”

“Fair enough. Our ways are harsh, sometimes brutal, but so
is the land.”

“When will you start making homes?” she asked.

A wolf howled in the not-so-far distance. She felt her hair
stand on end. Another wolf answered its call. Svana scooted closer to Vakr.
When her shoulder bumped his, he wrapped his arms around her. She felt his warm
lips kiss her forehead.

“Don’t be afraid. The wolves won’t come near the fires,”
Vakr soothed her as another answering wolf made her shiver.

They seemed to be all around them.

“Even in my time wolves, will brave a fire if starving,” she
whispered.

“I’ve seen these wolves. It was one of the reasons I chose
this spot. They are plump and numerous. We will kill them and take their
hunting grounds. The village will have many furs for this coming winter.”

“Winter?” Svana said with surprise. “It’s only now spring.
Why worry about winter?”

“You have never seen real hunger, Svana. We collect and
store and harvest in the months we can so we are able to survive the winter
months. Winter is a time for stories and making babies.”

Vakr rolled on top of her.

“Winter is the time for making babies, it’s spring,” she
reminded him.

Vakr’s lips pressed hers stilling any protest. His warm
tongue invaded her mouth.

Svana could taste his breath, and it wasn’t unpleasant. Her
belly was full from dinner. She had never eaten whale before and decided she
liked it. She was tired of fighting and fearing him. He provided her with
everything she needed. She would see how the strange women were doing in the
morning, and if any were unhappy, she would plead their case to Vakr. The land
was primitive as was the man. The land could be harsh as could the man. But
Vakr wasn’t harsh with her, and right now she wouldn’t mind one bit if he
became primitive.

The wind outside whipped against the logs of the lean-to.
The wool drape was secured with rocks but flapped occasionally. Vakr pulled her
shirt up. When he pulled her arms up, his mouth settled over her breast. When
he laid her down, Svana’s arms were pinned in the material. Vakr moved lower to
remove her pants. Her outfit had been given to Vakr by the natives. Svana
didn’t think it was meant for a woman, but there was no way it would have fit
any one of Vakr’s massive warriors and until Vakr could hunt and get a pelt,
she was stuck wearing whatever was on hand.

Svana groaned as Vakr slowly made his way up her body. His
mouth kissed and sucked each inch with delicious torture. Soon her heart was
pounding. She remained motionless, just feeling him as he reached her vaginal
area. First his fingers teased, then his mouth. Svana finally began struggling
to remove her hands from her shirt when his tongue and teeth became demanding.
She was surprised when Vakr moved away from then over her. She wondered if he
would help her with the blasted garment.

“Have you ever been helpless, Svana?” Vakr asked throatily.

Svana stilled and swallowed hard. “What do you mean?”

Vakr had the sleeves of her shirt and began wrapping them
around her wrists.

She whispered his name uneasily. No man had ever attempted
any type of bondage with her before. To do so in such a wild place was
frightening. They were in a shelter of twigs, for heaven’s sake. Wolves prowled
all around them. This would make her vulnerable. She was now not only nude but
her wrists were secured over her head.

“Vakr?” she whimpered. “Wolves are outside.”

He chuckled. “There is a hungry wolf inside.”

Svana’s eyes rose.

Once more Vakr lowered himself then stopped.

He turned around and Svana had no choice but to open her
mouth and accept him when he pushed his cock past her lips. Lower and lower he
went and deeper she took him. She arched to accept even more of him. She could
utter no protest. Her thighs were spread and Vakr’s mouth ravished her.

Small muffled whimpers escaped from her throat. Another wolf
howled in the distance and Vakr’s tongue delved farther inside her. His teeth
grazed her nub and she shuddered. Vakr set the pace at her lips, both top and
bottom. Her mouth slid over him and she tasted the first few drops of his cum.
She gagged for a moment as it slipped down her throat then she settled. She had
never tasted a man before. It wasn’t as unpleasant as she had thought.

The yipping of more wolves brought a fine layer of sweat to
her skin. Still Vakr’s mouth ravished her. One large hand reached back and
gripped Svana’s breast and squeezed. His fingers rolled her nipple.

Svana’s knees rose higher as she twisted and squirmed
beneath him helplessly. If a wolf wanted to, there would be no stopping it from
coming through the meager wool door. Svana could feel a sob building.

Vakr turned and, spreading her legs wider, pushed his cock
into her heat. Svana gasped.

Vakr was so big. His body was so well muscled. He covered
every inch of her with room to spare.

If a wolf came inside, it would have to go through him
first. Vakr’s arm wrapped under her behind and he pulled her to meet his eager
thrusts. One hand kept his weight from crushing her into the furs. She could
feel Vakr’s sweat as it dripped onto her hot skin. She knew he wasn’t afraid.
Vakr feared nothing.

“Let me hold you,” Svana pleaded.

“No.”

The word was growled out in a deep commanding voice. His
thrusts became more brutal and Svana cried out as her body slid across the many
furs. Their pelvises slapped together drowning out the sounds of the night.
There were no more wolves howling, only the sound of heavy breathing as both
lovers struggled for breath. Svana gasped Vakr’s name, as her legs clamped
around his waist. Her body went rigid when she came.