Blind Redemption (21 page)

“We’ll make amends with my father.”

“How?”

“You can start by confessing to the world that you no longer worship the White Christ.”

He gave her a weary look. “I’ve waited a long time to hear you say something about it.”

“Why are you hiding behind the cross?”

“I hide from no one.” He squared his shoulders. “King Magnus advised me to hide my conversion from the world. On his deathbed, he made me swear many things. Olaf is a devout Christian. Few pagans frequent his court, much less serve in his personal guard. Magnus believed his brother needed protection. And he asked me to provide it.”

“Very few men are worthy of trust, Jarl McNally,” she expressed. “But I’m beginning to understand why King Magnus relied on you. He’s gone. Your future depends on many things now. And I believe you must align with the northern lords to achieve the peace you so often speak of. What better way than showing them you worship the same gods?”

He let go of her arms, then walked to the far side of the enclosure. “I never wanted my acceptance amongst my cousin’s allies to be based on our shared faith. My actions alone should garner their support.” He kicked the wall.

“It’s easier to run downhill.”

He grunted. “Warrior—stargazer—and now a philosopher. How shall I ever be deemed worthy of you?” He twisted around, his eyes clouded with emotion.

“Let me be the judge of that.” She slinked closer, intent on lightening his mood. “Though I wish to know how you managed to hide your tattoos for so long.”

“I don’t shed my clothes for men,” he answered in a tight voice.

She swallowed her laughter. “None of the women you slept with reported you?”

“I’m too skilled a lover for them to wag their tongues.” He winked.

“Arrogant.”

“Perhaps,” he teased. “But I make a fair point.”

Indeed, he did. She forced her jealousy aside. “I’m sure my father will arrive within a few days.” Although she didn’t want to ruin the moment, so much had been left unsaid. One thing Kara had learned about herself over the last few weeks—she disliked not knowing her future. “We must face him.”

The thought hung between them.

“With so many eyes upon us now,” Aaron said. “We must choose our next move carefully. I won’t tolerate any slander.”

“Milord.” She remembered her state of undress. “I’m afraid we’ve given people cause to gossip. Look at me. And Frieda is determined to have you. You heard her, she’ll petition the king, press her case until she’s proven wrong or you’re forced to acknowledge a child that isn’t yours.”

“Never.” His shoulders tensed. “I’m single-minded on this, lass. There’s only one woman I want to share my life with.” Aaron gently pulled her in front of him. “I choose you as the mother of my future children.” He dropped to his knee, then grasped her hand. “Marry me,
now
.”

Kara gasped. “Tonight?”

“
Now
,” he emphasized again. “My cousin can perform the ceremony.”

Her mouth fell open. “But—”

“My heart is only half a heart without you, Kara. I asked you before to accept the man I am, instead of condemning who I used to be. Will you?”

Tears gathered in the corners of her eyes.

“I will always protect you. By marrying me now, your father cannot contest the legitimacy of our union once he arrives. It will silence anyone who doubted us forever.”

A chill went through her. The echo of her mother’s voice filled her mind.
Love him, marry him.
“Yes.”

He rested his head against her stomach. “You’ve made me a happy man.”

She caressed his cheek with the back of her hand. “I forgive you, Aaron McNally. I hope our union brings you the redemption you’ve fought so hard to find.”

He pushed himself to his feet, his gaze still locked on hers. “The gods will bless us,” he declared.

He spoke so reverently, so confidently. All this time, she’d felt as if the gods had abandoned her. Odin never revealed her future whenever she prayed. He didn’t speak to her in dreams. Nights were filled with sad memories of her mother, nothing more.

“We have a household to wake.” He offered his hand.

Their fingers laced together. But she stopped abruptly at the door. “You want this?” She felt unsure of anything.

He turned, an expansive smile on his face. “See how dark it is outside?”

The stable doors were wide open. She focused all her attention on the blackness and nodded.

“If I cannot call you wife before the sun rises, I’ll be forced to swat your backside until you beg me to stop.”

Her gaze roved over him. He often veiled his deep feelings with humor. A habit she understood. Then he touched a finger to his heart.

“
Bundet av himmelen, Bundet av blod, Bundet av lidenskap, bundet av kjærlighet. Lady, vennligst ikke la meg stå alene på din gate, eller gudene vil fordømme meg til en heftig skjebne.”

“These words are meant for me?” she asked.

“Only you.”

She repeated the oath inside her head.
Bound by heaven, bound by blood, bound by passion, bound by love. Lady, please do not leave me standing alone at your gate, or the gods will condemn me to a fiery fate . . .
She took what comfort she could in his poetry, then gently pulled him outside.

Surrounded by nine torches, representing the realms of the gods, and a dozen witnesses in the clearing next to Tyr’s house, Aaron removed Thor’s hammer from around his neck and placed it on Kara’s. “In absence of a ring or sword, this necklace represents my pledge of fidelity and love.”

Kara thumbed the amulet. “In absence of a ring or sword, I, too, gift you with a token of my fidelity and love.” She opened her left hand.

Aaron eyed the heavy silver chain.

“Show me your right wrist,” she said.

He held up his hand. Smiling, she connected the clasp. He couldn’t stop staring at her. Dressed in a borrowed linen gown, with a snug fitting bodice and her blond hair combed to silky perfection, he couldn’t help thinking about the first night he’d seen her at the feast table in Lagenheim. When she smiled at him and sucked on that blasted grape—he knew his fate had been sealed. He shifted, his breeches growing tighter. Then he touched the white blossoms pinned in her hair. “I love you, lass,” he whispered.

The warmth of her smile sent hot chills down his spine.

“Aye.” She blinked, then gripped his hand. “I love you, milord.”

“
I Odins navn jeg nå uttaler dere mann og kone. La ingen utfordre gudene med mindre de søker døden,”
Tyr pronounced. “Don’t gape at your bride, cousin, kiss her.”

Aaron’s lips had barely grazed Kara’s when the small crowd applauded.

“Odin’s blessings,” a guest offered.

“May Frigg open your bride’s womb and give you a son on your wedding night,” a woman said.

Sighing at the lack of privacy, Aaron scooped his bride up, then walked to the white altar stone. “Now we must offer blood to Allfather.”

Tyr signaled to a thrall standing beyond the ring of fire. The slave walked slowly, leading a ewe chosen for the bridal sacrifice.

“This sacred place has witnessed the love of many generations of Sigurdssons, including my father, Jarl Randvior, and my beloved mother, Lady Noelle. It is fitting that my kinsman and his new bride chose this location to exchange vows and honor the gods.”

The ewe’s feet were bound, then Tyr carefully laid it across the altar. Kara slid to her feet and accepted a dagger from Aaron. They faced the altar. With both their hands gripping the handle of the knife, they slit the animal’s throat.

“A life for a life,” Aaron called. “Allfather, I beg your favor. This woman is my future.”

Kara let go of the dagger and gazed heavenward. “Odin, I am your humble servant. Give us many sons and daughters who will be raised to glorify Valhalla.”

After pledges were made, Tyr and Rachelle sounded the ceremonial ram’s horn.

“A call for celebration—come to the wedding feast,” Rachelle said. “This is a day of great joy, I’ve gained a sister.”

Chapter 19

Missed

“Three days and not a moment more.” Aaron kissed the tip of Kara’s nose. They’d spent the whole day and night in bed. If Aaron didn’t get back home, the longhouse would never be properly prepared for his wife. “Not all of us can afford to lounge around in bed all day, milady.”

His bride stuck her tongue out. “You think me lazy and spoiled?”

“I believe you are well on your way.” He rolled out of bed naked, then strode to the table on the far side of the room. Grabbing a linen, he washed himself, stealing a look at his curious wife. “You like what you see, lass?”

She giggled. “Of course I do.”

“Imagine how ardent we’ll be after we’re apart a few days.”

“I’d rather not.”

The coverlet fell aside as she sat, revealing her perfect breasts. He licked his lips, tempted to make love again. Her tiny nipples hardened. “Cover yourself wife or I’ll impregnate you before I go.”

She crossed her arms over her chest. “Is that why you married me, to have children?”

He slipped into his braies. “One of many reasons. Now stop pouting, you’ll get wrinkles.”

“Hah.” Her hands flailed. “Several lines are etched across
your
forehead already.”

He walked to the bed and showered her with feather light kisses from her eyelids to her earlobes. “Promise to be a good girl while I’m gone.”

“As you wish, milord.”

“You’re angry?”

She shook her head. “Sad to see you go.”

“I’ll join you for the eventide meal on
Frjádagr.
” He collected his weapon belt from a chair and left the bedchamber.

Half way down the stairs, Tyr called for him. “I’ve heard from Jarl Erik.”

They walked together. “Is he coming?”

“Aye,” his cousin confirmed. “He’s already on his way.”

“The man will slit my throat.”

Tyr grasped his shoulder. “You’ve broken no laws.”

“No,” he agreed. “Only tradition.”

“I will tell Erik the Bald the same thing I told you. By uniting our families, the south gains protection and the north gains people to trade with. Whatever gold you’ve saved, consider offering a generous bride price to ease the old man’s spite.”

Aaron rubbed his chin. “I will.”

“Ale?”

“No” Aaron said. “Now that my father-in-law is on his way, I have greater need to finish work on my home. His daughter won’t reside in a sparsely decorated hall or sleep without furs. Watch over my bride, I’ll return in three days to collect her.”

Kara stared at the empty space beside her in bed. Her insides felt swollen from their bedsport. Aaron had made love to her four times, never letting her sleep more than a couple hours at a time. He claimed an exhausted bride wouldn’t complain as much. And he promised to ride her until she couldn’t walk straight when he returned. She draped a leg over the edge of the mattress, then ran her fingers through her tussled hair. The silence bothered her. She’d spent enough time alone. Three days? Why did he care so much about the condition of their home?
Pride.
She’d live in a hovel with him if that’s all he owned.

She hiked the sheet up when someone knocked on the door.

“Enter,” she called.

The door opened and Rachelle peeked in. “Good morning. You survived the bridal bed?”

Kara felt heat rise in her cheeks. She recalled the first time she’d made love with her husband under the moon and stars. Waking up cold and happy. If she could convince Aaron to take a short trip after affairs were settled with her father, she’d like to return to that lake. A week in the wilderness would please her greatly. Moreover, he promised to let her run naked through the forest. “I did.” She eyed the tray of food her kinswoman held.

“Hungry?” Rachelle stepped inside and closed the door.

“Starved.” Rachelle’s soft laughter made her feel better. “And feeling abandoned.”

“There’s berries and honey cakes.”

Kara stood, then wrapped the thin sheet around her torso. She padded to the table where Rachelle waited and eyeballed the food. Without a care for proper manners, she shoveled a handful of blueberries in her mouth. “So good.”

“Fresh picked.” Rachelle did the same. “I’m not sure which works up a bigger appetite, being with child or coupling.” She flashed a mischievous grin.

“Congratulations.” Kara gave her kinswoman a hug. “I’ll pray for a daughter this time.”

“Whatever God gifts us with will please me.”

Kara sat and took a cake off the platter. Sometimes she forgot her new cousin was a Christian. Somehow it didn’t bother her. After listening to her father and brothers curse the new religion for years, meeting a woman of that faith, who contradicted everything they said, had taught her a valuable lesson. So did her conflict with Aaron. Rushing to judgment was disastrous. She’d never do it again.

Kara ate three honey cakes and drank a large measure of wine before her stomach quit growling. With a sigh, she straightened her legs and stretched her arms over her head. “I could sleep all day.”

“Aye,” Rachelle said. “But then you’d miss the meeting with my seamstress.”

Kara cast a sideways glance her way. “Seamstress?”

“Tyr and I have decided to present you with a new wardrobe as your wedding gift. We can’t have you running around here in rags.”

Although Kara owned several lovely gowns, she hadn’t been provided new garments in quite some time. “Thank you,” she said. “Aaron will be forever grateful you’ve kept me in proper attire for a woman.”

“As for your husband,” Rachelle added. “A stallion and ten sheep to build his herd. Once word of your nuptials reaches our allies, expect more. Jarl McNally’s presence in the Trondelag will put the northern lords closer to the king.”

Two hours later, Kara emerged from the bathhouse. She basked in the sunshine. A long soak in the hot spring had melted away her aches and pains and left her feeling refreshed. She rushed to the great hall, disappointed how late she was for her appointment with the seamstress. With a heart set on pleasing her new husband, she planned on designing a couple of gowns in blue silk, with plunging necklines. Of course that would only encourage him to strip them off her.