Free Blind Redemption by Violetta Rand Page B

solely responsible.”
    Shame flooded her body. How could she and her brothers have been so absent-minded to let these bastards get that close? Even Marteinn had missed them. “Why? What did you hope to gain?”
    “Access to you .”
    “Are you going to rape me?”
    Despite the dire circumstances, Erling smiled. “I think you already know the answer to that question.”
    True, if the man wanted to violate her, he would have done so. “I don’t understand. Are you familiar with my father?”
    “I know who he is,” he answered. “But this has nothing to do with your family, Kara. Sometimes a man needs a diversion. When I happened upon you in the woods, the seed was planted. I decided to take you. I’ll teach you to be ruthless—a real warrior.”
    “What authority do you have? Are you a soldier?” She felt wretched standing naked and shivering in front of this animal.
    “I’m a self-made man,” he said. “Discharged from the king’s service for insubordination and any other misconduct you can name. Instead of crawling back to my father’s home, I chose to establish my own steading. The forest is mine.”
    She still feared for her life. Nothing made sense. “So you steal and kill for your living?”
    “I do whatever I must to survive.”
    A man without limitations. Kara cringed at the thought of spending time with him. Her heart beat so fast she felt dizzy. “You’re a criminal.”
    “I’m a loyalist—against anyone who threatens the survival of my country and family. Now . . .” He shoved her. “Get dressed.”

 
    Chapter 7
    Timing
    After the longboat anchored at the mouth of the river that bordered his cousin’s lands, Aaron disembarked, then walked to the only village nearby to borrow a horse. He rode for hours. He didn’t remember his cousin’s home being this far inland. Perhaps it seemed longer and farther away because he dreaded the confrontation. Tyr had promised certain death if he ever found him in the Trondelag again. Aaron wanted to win back his confidence, his respect. Tyr’s influence stretched to the farthest reaches of the northlands. There wasn’t a jarl in Norway who didn’t seek his friendship. Even Christian leaders respected him.
    Days after his banishment, Aaron had determined two choices for his future. Slither back to Scotland and beg his father’s forgiveness or prove himself as a soldier under King Magnus. With Magnus now dead, the chance of seeing his cousin had increased because his own lands were located so close to Tyr’s. The army had met all his needs short of mother’s milk.
    As he neared Tyr’s steading, he dismounted and led his horse the rest of the way. As the large house came into view, music filled the air; he smelled roasting meat—a feast. His cousin was a generous man who treated his tenants and thralls as family. Nothing had changed, a gaggle of children were running wild in the fields. Women were working in the vast gardens, while the men drank in the courtyard.
    As Aaron entered the courtyard, someone called his name. Onetooth . The loyal henchman lived.
    “ Fortelle min frende den fortapte sønn tilbake ,” Aaron answered.
    “Prodigal son, my arse,” the burly soldier uttered as he ducked inside the house.
    Memories brought a smile to Aaron’s face. Within the span of two breaths, Tyr appeared in the doorway with a young boy perched on his back. No mistaking the boy’s parentage, he favored his father. His cousin swung his son around, then set him on his feet.
    “ Mine øyne bedrar meg, fetter? ” Tyr’s lips curled in revilement.
    Aaron ignored the words and hissing sounds coming from the men sitting nearby. This was the moment he’d anticipated . . . how he proceeded would have great consequences. It might give him a new future or deprive him of one altogether. “No, cousin, your eyes don’t deceive you.” He knelt at Tyr’s feet, bowing his head.
    During the period of uncomfortable silence that followed, Aaron didn’t move. He