The Viking's Captive(44)

“Shh, it’s over now.” He pulled her close, his arms pillars of strength around her, holding her up.

She gripped his tunic and pressed into him.

“Did they… did they touch you?” he asked against the top of her head.

“Apart from throwing me to the ground and pulling my clothing up, no.” She looked up at him. “You got here just in time, Master.”

His eyes softened. “Praise Odin for that.”

“And I’m thanking God for it.”

“I would never have forgiven myself,” he said, tugging her closer still.

She was aware of the entire length of his body against hers. Her breasts were shoved up against his chest.

“If anything had happened to you, if you’d been violated, hurt, or worse.”

“I’m unharmed.” She hated seeing his face twisted in anguish. “You came to me in time.”

“I will not leave you again. It was foolish, you didn’t even have Raven to protect you.”

“But I had you, my strong Viking warrior.”

“I am your warrior,” he said quietly. “And I will never leave you again.” He pressed his lips to her forehead, a soft kiss that spoke a thousand words.





Chapter Sixteen


They stood locked together, with the sun beating down on them, for several minutes.

Duna was thankful when her heart rate and breathing returned to normal and her limbs began to feel like hers again.

Her fingers ached, though, from gripping Halvor’s tunic. She’d never been so glad to see anyone as when she’d turned and seen him defending her. And now she didn’t want to let go… ever.

For she’d known, in that moment, that when he’d said he’d protect her, he’d meant it to the core of his being. He’d taken on two warriors who had better weapons than him… and won.

“We should go indoors,” Halvor said eventually. “And eat.”

“I have food cooking.”

“You are a good thrall.” He smiled and stroked his hands down over her hair, until he cupped her face.

She stared up into his eyes. They were the same color as the sky behind him.

He dipped his head, his nose almost touching hers.

She held her breath. What is he doing?

“Duna,” he whispered.

“Did you get the leather?” she asked.

Something in his eyes changed. He pulled back and released her. “Aye.” He turned away. “You will be pleased with the quality.”

She stared at him as he strode toward Ivan who was happily eating the grass Misty had been chasing the butterfly in.

Had he been about to kiss her… on the lips?

It had seemed as if that was about to happen.

So why didn’t he?

She hugged her torso, missing his arms around her, as she went into the longhouse.

Halvor didn’t appear for some time. He was sorting out Ivan and the leather he’d bought. When he did come indoors, rather than making for the meat, he cut himself bread, layered it with the elderberry jelly she’d made, then went back outside without a word.

She continued preparing vegetables, stoked the fire, then began to heat water.

She needed to bathe. The sense of the men’s hands on her lingered, and she was sure their putrid smell had gone onto her clothes, hair… skin.

Raven was barking in the meadow and she smiled. He must be feeling better if he’d been able to gather the sheep into the barn for the night.

After tipping water into the tub, she reached for a pot of lavender she’d brought indoors. She broke off several sprigs, something her mother had always done, and rubbed it between her palms, filling the water with its sweet powdery scent.

The meat on the spit was ready, so she calmed the fire and set the vegetables on to roast then took off her clothing.

Don’t forget the hens.

She was tired, as if the emotions of the day had drained her energy. And the hot water used for bathing always made her sleepy.

Lowering into the water, she sighed. It crept around her buttocks, between her legs and up her back. She kept on going, until she lay fully in it, the water over her face, and her hair soaked through.

She heard the intruders’ voices again. But it was only in her head. She knew that. It would take effort to bury the memory.

Her father had always said that even the biggest storm cloud had a lining of silver somewhere upon it.

In this case it had been Halvor arriving, saving her, and him being unharmed in his battle. That was her silver lining.

She sat, pulling in a lungful of air.

When she opened her eyes, shock filled her. “Oh!”

Halvor was standing by the tub staring down at her.

“I thought you were still… outside.” She crossed her arms over her breasts and pulled up her legs.

“No, thrall, I am inside.”

“I can see that.”

She held her breath as his gaze roamed over her body. But unlike the lecherous stare of the intruders, Halvor’s eyes held admiration and respect.

“Would you reach me the soap?” she asked.

Wordlessly, he picked it up from the shelf and handed it to her. He then turned and walked to the door. “I will put the hens in their coop.”

“Thank you.”