The Viking's Captive(59)

“She will not!”

Duna started at the sudden roaring voice at her left.

Halvor withdrew. “What?”

She turned, blinked, and staggered backward.

Charging over the small cove, sword raised, was Esca.

Esca?

Was he a ghost?

He wore a leather tunic and breeches, black boots, and his arms were bare. He roared as he lunged at Halvor and it was clear he was very much alive.

Esca’s not dead.

Halvor, naked, stepped to the right to avoid him.

Esca stumbled slightly as the weight of his sword landed heavily onto the sand. “Do not fear, Duna, I have come to save you from this Nordic savage.”

“Esca!” she shouted. “No!”

He dropped his attention down her naked body, then lifted his sword and charged at Halvor again.

Halvor had his dagger in his hand.

“No,” she gasped, lunging for her dress. Quickly she tugged it on. “Halvor, please, don’t hurt him.”

Halvor threw her a scowl. “Stay back, stay back or you will be punished again for disobedience.”

“You brute,” Esca said, jabbing the sword at Halvor. “You beat her.”

Halvor quickly dodged it, circled behind Esca, and kicked him in the center of his back.

Esca catapulted forward. He released his sword, which flew to the left disturbing a puff of sand, then fell flat on his face. Quickly he turned onto his back.

Halvor was there with his dagger, and in an instant he had it angled at Esca’s throat.

Esca froze. His eyes widened.

“Halvor, no, that’s my friend Esca.” Duna rushed forward. “Don’t hurt him.”

“Don’t hurt him?” Halvor was breathing fast, the air snorting from his nose. “He just tried to kill us.”

“Not her,” Esca managed. “Only you, for stealing her away from me.”

Halvor snarled. “She’s mine now.”

“Not by choice. You can’t hold her prisoner.”

The dagger drew a drip of blood.

“Stop, please, I beg you.” Duna tugged on Halvor’s arm. “Do not hurt him, please. He’s my friend.”

Halvor seemed to finally hear her. He frowned and lifted the dagger, but kept it aimed at Esca. “Your friend?”

“Yes.” She gave him a shove, surprised when he moved a pace away, and dropped to her knees. “Esca, what are you doing here?”

“I came for you, to save you from a life as a slave.”

She took his hand. “Oh, Esca. You have traveled far.”

“Yes. I used all my coins to buy passage then have spent many months asking around, searching for you.” He sat and eyed Halvor who was pulling on his breeches. “And then I find you and he is raping you.”

“I was not.” Halvor set his hands on his hips.

“You cannot deny it.” Esca stood and glanced at his sword some ten paces away. “I heard Duna shouting no, crying out, screaming for you to stop. I have seen the savagery of your Norseman ways. There’s no defense.”

“I am not a rapist.” Halvor took a step toward Esca and pointed at him. “And you would do well not to accuse me of such.”

Duna quickly set herself between them. Esca didn’t stand a chance against her husband; he would squash the smaller man like a gnat. She set her hand on both of their chests.

“Please, stop,” she said. “Esca, you don’t understand.”

“I understand perfectly, and I know I am not a Viking warrior, but if this savage here would care to fight again, I will do my best for your honor.”

“Her honor?” Halvor said. “What is that to you?”

“She is my betrothed.”

“No, Esca, you don’t understand,” Duna said. “I never agreed to marry you and…”

“This man wanted to marry you?” Halvor said, his voice full of disbelief.

“And I still do.” Esca tipped his chin and scowled at Halvor.

Halvor tipped his head back and laughed, a big bellow of a sound, which filled the valley and rolled up the hills.

“What is funny?” Esca demanded.

“You, you are.” Halvor slipped his arm around Duna’s waist, tugged her to his side, then looked down at her. “Do you really think you could handle this woman?”

“I will provide well for her.”

“She is wild, like a feral cat, disobedient too, not to mention far too clever for a wench. And her cooking, it could kill you.”

“Hey!” Duna said, enjoying the playful sparkle in her husband’s eyes. He was teasing her. “You make me sound like a terrible wife.”

“Wife!” Esca said, his mouth dropping open.

“Aye, we are married.” Halvor swept his lips over Duna’s.

“It can be annulled. You do not have to put up with these Viking savages, Duna. The Lord will understand that your hand was forced.”

“But it wasn’t.” Duna smiled at Esca. “I wanted to marry Halvor, indeed I suggested it.”

Esca blinked rapidly and shook his head. “You suggested it?”

“Aye,” Halvor said, “told you, stubborn woman wouldn’t let me take her to bed until I said the vows.”