Chapter Seven

“Lie back and let me look at you, love,” Rothgar whispered.

Odaria giggled and lay back on the striped blanket. The rough wool felt scratchy under her bare bottom. She gazed down the length of herself and smiled shyly. This was the first time she had ever been outside naked.

“You are so beautiful. I’m a lucky man,” Rothgar said, trailing his hand down her chest to her pale stomach. Her skin tingled, and a familiar rush of desire flared through her.

“Aye, and you are the best lover and husband a woman could ever hope to have.” She extended her arms and pulled Rothgar down to her. His beard tickled her tender breasts as he suckled her. She moaned and looked up at the white, puffy clouds dotting the blue sky. There was no need to hurry their lovemaking today. They had all the time in the world.

After a few moments of bliss, Rothgar moved away and knelt over her. A sheep bleated off in the distance and was soon answered by another. “I think they’re calling you,” she teased.

He laughed. “To hell with them. I’m busy right now,” he replied, stripping off his blue tunic.

A quiver of excitement zapped through her as she stared at his torso. His wide chest beckoned her lips. She kissed his chest, stroking and squeezing his back the way he liked. “My, you are strong. Your muscles are so hard.”

“They’re not all that’s hard,” he said, easing her hand down to the front of his bulging breeches.

She rubbed him for a second, admiring the length and feel of his solid cock. Rothgar was more than ready for her, but they would wait a little while. Holding back a bit always made their lovemaking more powerful and intense.

She draped her arms around Rothgar’s shoulders and kissed the side of his neck. He moaned and cupped her buttocks in his hands, drawing her closer.

“By the gods, Odaria, you make me stiff.”

He kissed her full on the mouth, his hot, thick tongue entwining with hers. She slid her hands down his chest and caressed his stomach as she returned the fiery kiss. Without a moment’s hesitation, she unfastened the drawstring on his breeches and reached inside.

“This is the prize I seek,” she murmured.

“Ahh, good girl. Now give it a feel,” he croaked out.

“As you wish.” She clasped his thick rod in one hand and squeezed. Rothgar’s hips rocked forward, and he groaned. “What shall we do with this?” she teased as she stroked him.

“I’ll show you. Lie back.”

She lay down on the blanket and watched Rothgar strip off his breeches. His penis jutted out in front of him like a sword. She licked her lips and parted her thighs, eagerly anticipating the pleasure that was about to come.

Rothgar slipped his hand between her legs and caressed her soft folds. Her body quivered and tingled as he rubbed her in small circles. After a moment, a warm, wet heat built inside her.

“My, you are wild for it today, dear wife. Even after last night’s lovemaking, you still have desires for me?” Rothgar knelt between her thighs.

“Aye. I kin take you thrice over every day,” she replied as he lowered himself onto her.

Rothgar chuckled. “And you need me this instant? In the middle of the pasture, in broad daylight? Where the sheep and anyone passing by can watch us?”

“Let the sheep watch. I care not what they think.” She clutched his shoulders and opened her legs wider, wanting … needing him to fill her.

“Good. Then make ready. We’ll give them quite a show.”

A screeching cry jolted Odaria awake. She opened her eyes and blinked a few times. A white seagull sat two feet away, perched on the ship’s rail. It stared at her for a moment, then called out to one of its cousins and flew away.

Blast that gull. She sat up slowly and looked around. Rothgar was asleep on the bench a few feet away from her, snoring. As she rose and stretched, she took off the green cloak he had loaned her.

The naughty vision had left her in quite a state. Her skin tingled at the memory of Rothgar’s wide hands touching her in places no man had ever explored. It was comforting to know that she enjoyed Rothgar’s advances. She grinned. Her vision was slow in fading. Although she was awake, she still felt a deep, throbbing ache between her legs. If that damn gull hadn’t woken her, she would have known what it felt like to have a man inside her.

All in all, that episode of lovemaking had seemed rather unusual. Why were they doing it outdoors during the day, surrounded by sheep? Had they no decent bedchamber to make love in? Did Rothgar tend to sheep at home? Did he ever have such erotic visions about her?

She took a deep breath and tried to calm her pounding heart. Thinking about the vision would only serve to stir her desires, and she had more important things to concern herself with.

The sun had barely risen over the sea, but the early-morning rays gave her the light she needed to see the ship clearly. She wandered around the deck, admiring the curved swirls and colorful carvings of strange, ferocious-looking beasts. Did these creatures roam free where Rothgar lived?

Odaria strolled to the bow of the ship and stared at the head of a gold and green dragon. Its red tongue curled around its black lips and white fangs. Rothgar was right. These menacing ships would certainly frighten off anyone who saw them approaching.

She moved away from the rail and noticed a small opening that led below the deck. What was down there? She approached the hatchway cautiously and peered into the darkness. Dare she explore it? What if she fell out into the sea and was swept away forever?

“That is where we store our supplies.”

She jumped back and looked over her shoulder. Rothgar was sitting up and rubbing the back of his neck. How long had he been awake and watching her?

“I didna touch anything. I was merely lookin’.”

He smiled. “Are you certain you have no Norse blood in you? I saw you admiring my ship.”

“Nay, I think not. Me mother was from the village.”

“And what of your father? What do you know of the one who sired you?”

She shrugged. “Nothing. I never knew him. Me mother wouldna speak of him, other than to say I was not the product of a joyful union. I think that means he had his way with her …”

Rothgar’s ice-blue eyes widened.

“… but I dinna think he was Norse. I woulda heard tales of Norsemen invading here years ago.”

Rothgar cleared his throat and nodded. “I see. Did you sleep well?”

“Aye. Well enough.” She wasn’t sure if she should mention knowing that Karnik had come aboard the ship. She hadn’t understood their argument and had pretended to be asleep. It had seemed the safest move.

“Gut. I wish I could say the same. I haven’t had a decent night’s sleep since I arrived on this foul isle. Nothing but bad dreams and troubles.”

Odaria sat next to Rothgar and touched his shoulder, recalling her passionate vision. As much as she ached to have Rothgar touch her and kiss her, she didn’t dare ask him to. Giving in to her lustful thoughts would serve her no purpose now. Besides, there would be time enough for that once they left the isle.

“What is wrong? What troubles you so early in the morn, Rothgar?”

He scratched his chin and watched the gulls flying overhead. “Karnik came here last night. We exchanged words. Things are not good between us.”

“Fret not, I have faith in you.” Acting on impulse, she kissed his cheek, then rubbed her lips briskly. His thick beard always prickled her tender skin.

He wrapped his arms around her, drawing her close. “I’m glad, witch. Because Karnik gave me three more days to find Orvind. After that, he’s leaving—with or without me.”

“He would do that? Why?”

“If he hurries me away from here before I’ve found Orvind, then he can tell everyone I failed in my duty. He would like nothing better than to make me look like a fool.”

She frowned. Three days was not much time to find Orvind and ready for a journey across the sea. She snuggled closer to Rothgar and thought for a moment. What if Rothgar found Orvind and left without her? What would become of her then?

Although Rothgar had promised to sail away with her, why would he want to bring her along? She hadn’t shown him much kindness, and at times, she seemed to be nothing more than a burden to him. Once he reached home, he would likely forget all about her.

Did Rothgar know she was falling in love with him? Probably not. Up until now, she’d been too afraid to show him that she enjoyed the way he kissed her. Denying her true feelings had kept her strong and made it easier to resist his advances, but now she longed for his warm embrace. He was a good man, and he would make a good husband.

She bit her bottom lip and stared out across the sea. What should she do? She’d never been in love with anyone before and found herself torn between emotion and reason. If she gave in to Rothgar’s tender touches and kisses, then he might deflower her and cast her aside. That would break her heart. Yet, if she did not show Rothgar how much she wished to be with him, he might grow weary of her rejections and decide that she was too troublesome to bring home.

Her erotic vision had done more than stir her lust in her sleep. The effects had carried over into her waking hours as well. When she gave herself over to Rothgar it would be on her terms and ultimately her decision. And she had decided today was the day. No longer would she be burdened with her virginity. Rothgar was the man she had chosen as her lover, and there was no need to hold off any longer.

She placed her hand in the center of Rothgar’s chest and stroked him with her fingertips. Lustful images from her vision swirled through her mind, and her lower body throbbed with a powerful need. “Rothgar, could we go to my cottage today?”

“Cottage? You do not live in the village with the others?”

“Nay, they would never let me live amongst them. My cottage is not far, and I havena been home in more than a fortnight. My animals need me.” She pressed her lips against the side of Rothgar’s neck as she had in the dream. His warm skin tasted salty, and the manly scent of him flared her desires. He let out a low groan as she kissed him again.

“And if we are to sail soon, I need ta bring clothes and shoes with me.” An image of Rothgar sucking her breasts flashed into her mind, and she kissed him on the lips. “Pray, let us go for a little while.”

To her dismay, Rothgar shook his head. “I have work to tend to. Could it not wait?”

She leaned closer to him, pressing her breasts against his chest. Her nipples hardened, and she realized that the more she teased Rothgar, the more aroused she became. “But I’m most eager to go with you today. The sooner the better,” she whispered in his ear.

He grinned. “I see that one night aboard my ship has done wonders for you. You are in a playful mood this morn. You seem changed, little witch. What sparked your sudden interest in me?”

“I like you. You are strong and noble,” she said, stroking his arm. “You have been good to me, and you should be rewarded with a special treasure.”

“A reward, eh? What are you offering me in return should I go with you to your cottage?”

“Anything you wish of me.” She kissed his neck again.

Without uttering a word, Rothgar pulled her onto his lap and kissed her. His tongue probed hers, but instead of resisting, she twirled her tongue around his. Rothgar’s kiss sparked a fire deep inside her. This was wonderful.

Rothgar unlaced her tunic and slipped his hand inside. She groaned as he cupped her left breast and gently teased her nipple with his thumb. “Do you like this?”

A familiar warm heat spread between her legs, and she relaxed in Rothgar’s arms, content to let him do as he pleased. “Aye, touch me more.”

Her head swam with delight as he parted the fabric and slid the tunic off her shoulders, exposing her naked torso to the early-morning sunlight. As in her vision, she didn’t care that they were outside where anyone could see them. All she wanted was to have her Norseman touch her.

Rothgar bent his head and drew her right breast into his mouth. He suckled her while toying with her other breast. His beard tickled her skin, sending waves of pleasure up her spine. She closed her eyes and let the sensations wash over her. This was wicked, and yet it felt so good.

Rothgar shifted his attention to her other breast and pressed her down harder onto his lap. She squirmed against the bulge jutting from the front of his breeches. Part of her longed to feel that thick rod easing into her. Nothing but a thin layer of clothing separated them. If she raised up her tunic and yanked down his breeches …

She pushed the wanton image from her mind. Nay, she wouldn’t give in to her desires and let him deflower her in such a crude way. She wanted it to be loving and tender—but soon. There was no question about it. She wanted Rothgar, now, today. Her lust-filled vision and these carnal cravings could not be ignored.

Odaria opened her eyes and forced herself to pull Rothgar’s head away from her breast.

He shot her a puzzled look. “Why do you make me stop? You were enjoying—”

“Aye, and I shall enjoy it more fully at me cottage.” She smiled. “And so will you, if you take me there today.”

“Ja, little witch, we will go … after I tend to my duties for the day. But I will not be stopped again, will I?” He pinched her nipple. “For when I unleash my lust on you, you will be helpless to resist me.”

She writhed on his lap and kissed him again. “I already am, Rothgar. I already am.”

Odaria came downstairs and glanced around the main room of the gathering hall. It was empty. Was Rothgar still out? What was taking him so long?

After they had returned from the ship, Rothgar had insisted that she go upstairs and rest for a while. He told her that he had important matters to attend to and instructed her to stay inside until he came back. She supposed that he had gone off looking for Orvind again.

She tossed a log onto the fire and went into the cookroom for the straw broom. As soon as she’d tidied up, she’d start cooking Rothgar a hearty midday meal. She wanted him to be content and well fed for later today. After he had eaten his fill, she would hold him to his promise of taking her to her cottage. From there, they would continue what they had started on the ship and …

The sound of a man clearing his throat made her spin around. She clutched the broom in her left hand and let out a little gasp. A huge Norseman stood less than two feet away. Who was he? Why had he snuck up behind her?

She looked him up and down. Compared to Rothgar, he looked unkempt and filthy. His long, blond hair was shaggy and wild, and a matted beard hung partway down his chest. He wore a knee-length, furry brown shirt with no trousers. Had Rothgar left this man to watch over her? For some reason, she didn’t think so.

“What do you want here?”

The man walked closer to her, and his pungent body odor made her eyes water. Hadn’t he ever bathed?

She fanned the air under her nose. “I said, what do you want?”

As the man reached out for her, she instinctively moved back. None of the other Norsemen dared to touch her. They knew better. She waved the broom between them. “Go away.”

He reached for her again, and she swung the broom, striking him in the shoulder. “Leave me alone.” She was shocked to hear a tremble in her voice. Where was Rothgar when she needed his protection?

In the hope of scaring him off, she hit the man again, harder this time. With a growl, he yanked the broom from her hands and snapped it in two like a twig. Before she had time to run, he grabbed her arm and pulled her up against him. He muttered something in Norse, then grinned. His breath stank like rot, and she noticed that three of his bottom teeth were missing.

“I’m Rothgar’s.” She pointed at the brooch pinned to her tunic. Would he recognize it? Perhaps the threat of Rothgar’s wrath would make him leave her alone. “If I tell Rothgar you—”

He put a filthy finger to her lips to silence her. She closed her eyes and listened to her heart hammering in her chest. What was he going to do to her?

The man dragged her across the cookroom and to the side door. A wave of panic seized her, and she started kicking and screaming. Why didn’t anyone come to rescue her? Where was everyone, out searching for Orvind? Or were they ignoring her cries for help?

***

“Rothgar, we’ve been searching for two hours,” Svein said. “How much longer must we waste our time?”

Rothgar studied the group of Norsemen. Svein stood near the bottom of the hill. The six other men he had brought with him to search for Orvind had also stopped walking and were looking at Svein. He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. Karnik was right. The men had grown weary of futile searches. Even finding Orvind’s shield hadn’t convinced them to continue the quest.

“If you were missing and wounded, would you not wish to be found?”

“Ja,” Svein replied, “but we’ve searched this area three times. He’s not invisible. If Orvind were here, we would see him. If he was alive to hear us calling, he’d answer. Perhaps you should accept the fact that he’s not among the land of the living and—”

“He’s alive, dammit. I can feel it in my blood.”

“Then let us search elsewhere,” Haraldur spoke up. “But we waste our time combing the same area again and again.”

“I say we return to the village and eat,” Sig said. “We can form a new plan and look again later.”

Rothgar rolled his eyes skyward. The next three days would be the longest of his life. Why must everything be so difficult? Were the gods punishing him again or merely testing his resolve? He knew his favorite cousin was alive and being held prisoner somewhere on this damned isle, but the trick was to find him fast. He had to rescue Orvind soon or give up the search and be labeled a failure for the rest of his life. But was he truly up to the challenge?

Deep down, he feared that Karnik might be right about him. He had softened over the years. The day that Gretta and Rurik died, a part of him died, too. He clutched his Mjollnir pendant and prayed for guidance.

He glanced at Svein. “Fine. We will return to the village—for now. But I expect to search again in an hour’s time.” He brushed past Svein and headed back to the village. He wasn’t hungry, but he could use a drink to renew his strength. And what of his promise to take Odaria to her cottage? As much as he ached to be alone with her again, it seemed their lovemaking would have to wait a little longer.

Odaria screamed for help as the Norseman carried her away from the gathering hall. Where was he taking her? They were headed for a small clearing on the far edge of the village. What did he want with her?

She smelled smoke and spotted several green tents set up around a campfire. A few Norsemen sat near the fire, roasting a chunk of meat on a stick. As soon as her abductor plopped her down on her feet, the men stood and surrounded her.

“Do you not know who I am? When Rothgar learns you have—” She yelped as the man in the brown hair shirt shoved her toward a red tent.

He pointed to the opening and pushed her again. He wanted her to go inside? Was he going to ravage her? She didn’t think so. If he had wanted to hurt her, he wouldn’t have troubled himself to bring her here—she hoped.

No matter what he said or did, she wasn’t going to show him how afraid she felt. If he sensed the slightest trace of fear, she would lose all hope of having any advantage over him. She folded her arms across her chest.

“Nay, I’ll not do as you say. Bring me to Rothgar. Now.” She hoped that by invoking Rothgar’s name, it would make the man realize who she belonged to.

He shook his head and parted the opening to the tent. “Nordskog.”

She frowned. Nordskog? The five other Norsemen closed in around her. She bit her bottom lip and glanced at them. They were nearly as tall as Rothgar but looked unruly and wild. Her eyes watered from the smell of them.

The man pointed to the tent again. “Nordskog.”

She looked at the other men and noted their serious expressions. It would be useless to try to argue with them since they didn’t understand her, and it might enrage them if she fought back.

“Fine, Nordskog,” she growled and entered the shadowy tent.

“Ugh, what’s died in here?” She pinched her nose. The air was thick with the smell of rot and stale urine. As her eyes adjusted to the darkness, she saw that the tent was filled with blankets and weapons. The man followed her into the tent and held the flap open, allowing more light inside. After a few seconds, she spotted a figure lying on a blanket at the back of the tent.

Cautiously, she approached him. Who was this? Why was he being kept in the dark?

Her Norse abductor shoved her to the ground. She landed on her knees in front of the other man. He sat up and grabbed her. She screamed and tried to get away, but he was strong and held her fast.

Rothgar entered the gathering hall and called out for Odaria again. Where was she? He had expected to find her waiting for him downstairs, perhaps cooking him a midday meal. Yet the table was bare, and there was nothing simmering over the fire.

A banging sound caught his attention, and he entered the cookroom. The side door was swinging in the breeze. Had Odaria gone out and not latched the door? As he walked across the room, he kicked something with his boot. His breath caught in his throat as he spotted the broken broom. Odaria must have been cleaning and then—

By the gods. She’d been taken.

He raced out the side door and ran down the path leading to the center of the village. “Odaria!”

Who would have dared to take her? To abduct Odaria would be sheer madness. Everyone in the village knew she belonged to him. Word had gotten out about what she’d done to Brennan and how she had read the objects recovered from the sea. Most of Karnik’s men were afraid of her and knew better than to bother her. No sensible Nordmann would dare to challenge him, except—

“Dear Odin, not them,” he muttered, and took off running through the village. He ignored the puzzled looks and strange glances he got from the other Nordmenn as he knocked down tents and kicked over buckets of water in his haste. Time was of the essence. How long had Odaria been missing? Was there still time to save her? Why in the name of the gods would the berserkrs take her?

Within a minute, he reached the small camp set far away from the main settlement. Karnik’s men did not dare venture near the inhabitants of these tents. Even the bravest of the brave balked at facing a berserkr.

He sprinted to the red tent in front of him. Berserkrs or not, if they had harmed Odaria, the ground would be puddled with their blood.

A group of men were standing in a circle, talking and pointing at something on the ground. Fearing he knew what they were looking at, he drew his sword. “Get the hell away from her.”

He leapt at the group, wielding his broadsword high. Before the men had time to react, he plowed two of them down and knocked a third to the side. He broke through the crowd and saw Odaria kneeling on the ground.

She looked up at him, then leapt to her feet. “Rothgar, stop.” She stayed his right hand before he brought his sword down on a man wearing a dirty yellow tunic.

“What in the hell are you doing here?”

“I’m fine. I’m not hurt.” Odaria glanced over her shoulder at the other men standing nearby. “They havena touched me.”

The men closed in on him, their hands resting on the hilts of their swords. He glared at the nearest man, prepared to open his guts if necessary. He was not about to allow the berserkrs to take Odaria from him. “I told you to stay inside.”

“I did. This one”—she gestured at a blond man wearing a hair shirt—“brought me here. I told him I was yours, but he didna understand.”

“He knew, but he didn’t care.” He clutched Odaria to his chest. By the grace of the gods, she was unharmed. He whispered a prayer of thanks, then looked at the man for a moment. Gunnar was his name, and he was known for his bloodthirsty rages. Only one man could order Gunnar to take Odaria from the gathering hall.

“Nordskog,” he muttered.

Odaria scowled at him. “What does that mean? They have been sayin’ it over and over.”

“It’s a man’s name. He’s a big brute and—”

“Has an injured leg. I’ve been tending to him.”

“Hvat? You have been doing what?” It couldn’t be true. Nordskog the Notorious was the most depraved and brutal berserkr in the land. Odaria was treating his leg?

“They kept saying Nordskog, but I didna know what it meant. That one there,” she said, pointing at Gunnar, “brought me here to fix him. He was lying in a filthy tent. I made them carry him out here where I could see better in the light.”

He breathed a sigh of relief. He knew all too well what Gunnar could have done to Odaria if he’d wished, but Gunnar had obeyed Nordskog’s orders and hadn’t harmed her. He sheathed his sword and approached Gunnar. Two men stood in front of Gunnar, blocking his path.

“Let me see Nordskog.”

“Allow him to pass,” commanded a deep voice.

The men moved aside, and he stepped past Gunnar. Nordskog lay a few feet away on a striped blanket. He knelt and saw that Nordskog was pale and covered with a layer of sweat. His weakened appearance shocked him. Nordskog was gruff and burly, like a bear, but now he looked like a helpless boy. It was obvious that he was unwell. “What is wrong?”

“Leg rot,” Nordskog answered. “The witch will heal me.” He grinned, showing gaps where two of his teeth used to be. “She is unharmed.”

He nodded. If Nordskog had wanted to, he could have set his berserkrs on Odaria, the villagers, and even Karnik’s men. Nordskog’s berserkrs could slaughter everyone in the entire village in a matter of minutes if they were so inclined. But by Thor’s mercy, they were content—for the time being.

Odaria tapped his shoulder, and he turned.

“Rothgar, his leg is bad off. I’ve started draining the wound, but I’m not sure if it’ll heal proper.”

He looked down at Nordskog’s right leg and felt hot bile rise in the back of his throat. Nordskog’s calf was red and swollen twice its normal size. A slit had been made in the skin, and thick green pus welled to the surface.

Odaria sat next to Nordskog and pressed on the skin surrounding the wound. The air was immediately filled with a stench worse than ten dead goats.

“By Odin, Odaria, what are you doing?” he asked, trying to hold his breath.

“I need ta squeeze it clean, then dig out what’s rotten in there.” She pointed to a large splinter of wood on the blanket next to Nordskog. “He’s got bits of wood stuck in his leg. They’ve gone to rot and are poisoning him.”

“Do you know who this man is?” he asked, turning his head as she pressed on the leg again. The foul, rotted smell sickened his stomach. How could Odaria do this and not become ill?

“One of Karnik’s men, I presume.”

“Neinn. Nordskog is the most vicious berserkr in the Northland.”

“And he’s got the most sour leg I’ve ever seen.” She looked at him. “What’s a berserkr?”

“The source of most of the tales about us. They are ruthless warriors. Coldhearted, savage, and brutal to any living thing. They’d cleave off your head and drink your blood for fun. In battle, they go into a frenzy, a state of foaming madness, and ravish anything they find.”

He recalled the destruction left behind after the berserkrs had rampaged through villages. Even in his prime, he wouldn’t have stood a chance against them. They were ferocious and entirely remorseless for what they did.

“They show no mercy to anyone. No man or woman is safe from them if they have it in their heads to strike. And they are on our side. Think of what would happen if they were not.” He wanted Odaria to understand how dangerous it was to go near the berserkrs. “Lucky for you, I know Nordskog. I came to his aid once when he needed it most.”

Odaria’s mouth hung open a little as she stared up at him. “No wonder you burst in here ready to kill. That other one there …”

“Gunnar.”

“Aye, him. He’s one of them as well?”

“Ja. Everyone in this smaller camp is. Karnik’s men stay far away from here. Even they fear the berserkrs.” He paused. “Why do you ask about Gunnar?”

She bit her bottom lip and glanced away. “Well, if he’s as bad as all the others, then I probably shouldna hit him with me broom.”

He rolled his eyes. “Odaria, by the mercy of the gods, how do you survive?” He glanced at Gunnar out of the corner of his eye and noticed that he was watching Odaria intently. These warriors took what they wanted and killed anyone who challenged them. Yet, they had decided to let Odaria cure Nordskog. They clearly thought his wound was bad if they sought help from an outsider.

He watched as Odaria bent over Nordskog’s pus-filled leg again. “Do you know how to heal him?”

“Of course. I’ve mended broken bones, soothed burns, delivered babies … I’m good at healing. I don’t know how he’s been walking around with all this wood in his leg,” she commented as she pulled a four-inch spear of wood from the wound.

“They feel no pain. Especially in battle. I’ve heard tales of them still fighting while missing arms and legs. That splinter must have broken off from a wooden sword or dagger.”

He glanced at the berserkrs standing nearby. Experience had taught him never to let his guard down around one, and he felt uneasy being in a group of them. He stood over Odaria and tried not to breathe as she squeezed yellow liquid from Nordskog’s calf.

Nordskog spoke to him, then gestured at Odaria.

“He wishes to know if he’ll lose the leg. He’d sooner die than be legless.”

“Nay. I’ve picked out all the wood. The green stuff is gone.” She touched Nordskog’s hairy leg behind his scarred knee. “If there were red lines running along here, or if he’d waited longer for treatment, then aye. But I kin clean it up. I need hot water, a bucket of cold seawater, a few rags, and a clean cloth for a bandage.” She looked at him. “Could you send them to fetch those for me?”

He translated Odaria’s request to Nordskog. It was crucial that he follow their hierarchy. He could not ask Gunnar or the others to do anything. They took commands from Nordskog alone.

Nordskog gave orders to his men, and they went off in different directions. A few moments later, they returned with the supplies Odaria needed and set them on the ground.

Odaria dipped a rag in the boiling water and wrung it out over the wound. Nordskog acted as if nothing had happened. She pressed on his calf to drain it again, then followed with a similar treatment of seawater. Nordskog closed his eyes but did not utter a sound.

Rothgar watched Nordskog as Odaria tended to him. A normal man would be feeling excruciating pain, but Nordskog showed no sign of discomfort. “It appears you have made friends with the fiercest berserkr living today. That is something no other woman has ever done.”

Odaria wiped Nordskog’s leg and bandaged it with a piece of linen. “Why is that?”

He sighed and decided to tell Odaria the truth. “Because he’s killed them all.”

“That’s a terrible thing to say. He canna be that bad. I know they smell and need to wash, but—”

Odaria yelped as Nordskog grabbed her by the hair and yanked her down to his chest. Rothgar’s heart skipped a beat as he saw a dagger glisten in the sunlight. Before he had time to blink, Nordskog had sliced off a chunk of Odaria’s black hair and set her free.

In a flash, she scrambled to her feet and threw herself into his arms. She looked up at him, her green eyes wide. “Did you see that? He could have—”

“I saw.” He wrapped his arm around Odaria and glared at Nordskog. “Be nice to her. She spared your leg.”

He cursed himself for letting his guard down for a second. Nordskog could have held that dagger to Odaria’s throat and ordered his men to seize him. Then … He didn’t want to think about what could have happened next.

Nordskog sniffed the lock of Odaria’s hair, then placed it in a leather pouch around his neck.

Odaria clutched his arm. “Why did he do that, Rothgar?”

“He wanted a remembrance. It is a custom,” he lied.

He stared down at Nordskog. “If any harm comes to her …”

“You may take the witch away,” Nordskog said, flexing his bandaged leg. “She did well and will be spared.”

Rothgar clasped Odaria’s hand and dragged her away from the camp as fast as he could.

“Where are we going?”

“You wished to go to your cottage,” he said, glancing over his shoulder. “Now is a good time for that.”

Odaria squeezed his hand and looked at him. “I dinna let them see how scared I was,” she whispered.

He kissed her forehead. “Good girl. That’s my clever little witch.”

“But I was right to be afraid, wasn’t I?” she asked, her voice quivering.

“Ja. Stay far away from them. The gods themselves could not save anyone from a berserkr’s wrath. It is a fate worse than death.”

Rothgar strolled hand in hand with Odaria across the grassy field. Although they had been walking for fifteen minutes, his nerves had only just started to settle. The thought of Odaria falling into the clutches of the berserkrs plagued him still. He cursed himself for leaving her unattended.

A lesser woman would have lost her senses and ended up dead, or worse, but Odaria had come through unharmed. She brushed a lock of black hair behind her ear, and he smiled. She was pretty, brave, and clever. What more could he hope for in a woman?

As they passed a small stream, he stopped and picked a piece of heather. Odaria blushed when he handed her the light purple flower. “For you, dearest.”

“Thank you. No one’s ever given me flowers before.”

“Never?”

She sniffed the heather. “None but you. I used to lie in bed at night wondering if a man would ever fancy me or kiss me or …” She giggled.

“Or do what else?” he teased, clasping her hand.

“Or if I’d be married. Sometimes I used to pretend that a handsome man would come along asking the way to the village and fall in love with me. Then he’d take me away from here.” She rolled her eyes. “’Tis foolishness, I know. My mother used to tell me that I was better off not wanting a man. They cause too much trouble.”

“You lived in the cottage with your mother?”

“Aye. We were not welcome in the village, but everyone who needed help and healing came to see us. Once a week, we’d trade milk, cheese, and cakes for fish and other meat with the women who ran the gathering hall.”

“You had no friends?”

“Nay.” Odaria led him through a small patch of shrubs, and they exited onto a lightly worn pathway. “But if a person needed healing, he or she pretended to be my dearest friend to make sure I’d heal them proper. Much like your friend Nordskog.”

“Trust me, Nordskog is nobody’s friend.” He chuckled. “But he is grateful to you for saving his leg.”

“Aye. They all were grateful, for a time,” she said, the bitterness obvious in her voice. “Once they were healed, they developed short memories and forgot all I had done for them.”

“Did you get lonely living apart from the villagers?”

“A bit. But my mother and I kept each other company, and I had my animal friends. I spent most of my days working on magic, thinking about life, and hoping I’d be happy one day.”
“Are you happy now?”

“Aye.” Odaria glanced at him out of the corner of her eye. “I know I do not show it much, but you make me quite happy, Rothgar. You’ve captured my heart.”

He stopped walking and sat on a large rock along the pathway. “I’m glad to hear that. I’ve been entranced by the prettiest little witch in all the land.” He smiled and pulled Odaria onto his lap.

Even though he hadn’t slept much last night and he’d had a troubling morning, he felt good. The sun seemed to be shining brighter than he remembered, birds sang in the distance, and thick white clouds dotted the blue sky. “Tell me of your cottage.”

Odaria settled against his chest and draped her arms around his neck. “’Tis small but cozy. I like it.”

“Does it have a bed?”

She gave him a puzzled look. “Aye. Do you think I sleep standing up?”

“Is it a big bed?” he asked, wriggling an eyebrow.

Odaria flushed, and she sniffed the heather she carried. “Big enough for me. Why do you ask?”

He grinned and wrapped his arm around Odaria’s waist. He liked playing this teasing game with her. “I may wish to take a nap and might need to try it out. Would you mind?” he asked, stroking her cheek with his fingertips.

Odaria licked her lips. “Nay, I wouldna mind a bit. I’ll let you. But I’m a bit worried. I’ve never had a man in my … bed, and you are awfully big.” She cleared her throat. “What if you do not fit?”

“Do not worry. I will, and I will be as gentle as any man can when I make my way in,” he whispered, then kissed her.

His rod stiffened as Odaria’s tongue sought his. Her lust-filled kiss gave him the answer he sought. Now there was no doubt in his mind why Odaria had wanted him to come to the cottage with her. This little trip was her way of telling him that she was ready to become his lover.

He kissed her again and ran his hand across her bosom. To his delight, she moaned and leaned against him. His head swam with desire. Odaria was a passionate yet delicate flower. He’d have to be gentle and teach her what a woman needed to know about lovemaking. Although it had been years since he had been able to lie with a woman, Odaria’s kisses had hardened his penis to stone in an instant.

He broke the kiss and gazed into her green eyes. “It will be my honor to be the first man in your bed.”

“An honor for you, Rothgar, but shall it be a pleasure for me?”

“I promise to make you happier than you have ever thought possible.” He smiled. Would Odaria take to lovemaking from the start? He hoped so. He had a lot he wished to teach her.

“Good.” She grinned and shifted her weight on his lap. His cock throbbed, and he let out a low moan.

Odaria gasped and covered her mouth with her hand. “Did I hurt your … thing?”

“Neinn. It has been a while since I’ve been invited to a lady’s … cottage. A very stiff part of me is most eager to get inside.”

Odaria giggled. “Then let’s hurry along. The cottage is not far from here. ’Tis around the bend and past some bushes. I’ll race you,” she said as she bolted off his lap and ran ahead of him.

“Odaria, wait,” he called out as he rose to his feet slowly. He peered down at himself and chuckled. The front of his breeches jutted out like a tree branch, a most welcome sight after three years of lying limp and useless.

“Odaria, come back.”

Had she no idea how inflamed he was? A man in his condition could barely walk, let alone engage in a game of chase. He headed in the direction that Odaria had gone, his penis surging and pulsing with every step. Odaria was happy and ready to make love to him. This would be a perfect day, and here, isolated from the others, they were guaranteed no interruptions.

A shrill scream from up ahead shattered his pleasant thoughts, and he took off running.