Free Malice Striker by Jianne Carlo

spoke of a ruthless determination. If she betrayed him, she died, mayhap by his hand. What choice had she?
    “I have wed you. Does that not suffice?”
    “We wed in the Christian way. All who accept my protection swear fealty to me in the Norse way.”
    “Then I will swear the oath. I cannot speak for the rest on so serious a matter. I must warn you, sir, that Lady Gráinne is a devout Christian and may scoff at the notion of your sister being sired by ThMrr in his hall. She may not agree to swear fealty to one who worships the pagan gods.”
    “Though I was born and raised in the Norse way, King Harald has seen fit to convert to your Christianity and has bid his warriors to take Christian instruction. I care not whether there be one or many gods. I married you in the Christian way, and I will vow to pay honor to your god as well as those of the Norse. Think you your Lady Gráinne will consent if I so swear?”
    “Mayhap.” In truth, Skatha knew the abbess would acquiesce simply to ensure her charge’s well-being.
    As would Brökk for his sister.
    How dire it must have been for a girl of such tender years to suffer the pain of being torn from the only home she had ever known. And how terrified she must feel being held captive. At least when the same had happened to her, Skatha had her friends and Lady Gráinne for comfort. Hjørdis had no one. “Think you Baron Loudon treats Hjørdis gently?”
    “She is of considerable value to him alive and well. He would be a rank fool not to treat her with care. Howbeit, I have watched Hjørdis’s sadness when she sees death stalking a man or knows that many will die in battle on the morrow. The sorrow is so great she has to take to her bed and does naught but cry for days. She is inconsolable. Konáll and I have sought to protect her by keeping her apart from the warriors.”
    Her husband’s voice had grown hoarse with pain and anger as he spoke.
    “I know not if she will be able to disguise her feelings if the death or battle knowledge comes upon her in his care. I know not how Loudon will react, but he ne’er failed to clout any who annoyed him whilst he was at Bita Veðr.”
    Hope blossomed in her chest at Brökk and his brother’s open affection for their little half-sister. Surely men who held a mere girl in such regard would be honorable and true to their vows.
    “Is she a child accustomed to good health otherwise?”
    “Aye. Our Bjartr Stjarna is strong and lithe and full of good cheer.”
    Skatha heard the smile he wore and she marveled at the endearment he used to refer to his sister, Bright Star. “’Tis the custom for Vikings to value their females?”
    For ’twas cert not the ways of the courts or the monks.
    “’Tis the custom for Konáll, Dráddør, and I, and our forefathers. Honor drives us. How can honor not apply to both men and women?”
    Skatha frowned. Dare she believe his words? Dare she not? For had she not given him her trust by spilling all her secrets and revealing her weaknesses? Had she not given this warrior, this stranger, this Viking she’d been taught to fear and abhor, her passion?
    “Dráddør?”
    “Our youngest brother.”
    “He lives not at Bita Veðr?” She had not heard any refer to a warrior so named.
    “He is in hiding in Scotland, watching o’er Hjørdis.” He pressed his mouth to hers. “’Tis pleased I am we have come to terms on these matters. Shall we seek the comfort of the bed? Or do you care for more food or wine?”
    “I am replete, my lord.” Skatha hid a smile. He had fed her but one apple slice and he had eaten naught. She pulled the furs closer.
    “Nay, you have no need of the pelts. I will keep you warm for I find I am wont to have you find your pleasure again this eve.” He stood, shifting her to lie high against his chest.
    He valued her and needed her to rescue his sister. ’Twas not in the manner a true husband should treasure a wife, but ’twas a start. And he must enjoy their bedsport to