Sandra Hill - [Vikings I 02] (30 page)

“Heed me well, wench. Me name is Oswald. I be stationed at the military quarters in Jorvik. If ye hear aught of The Outlaw, ye are to contact me at once. King Athelstan wants the bastard’s head on a plate, and I intend to deliver it.” With those words, he shoved her hard and she fell to the ground.

Rain stayed where she was. The children and Ubbi fro/e in place as well until the noise of the soldiers’ horses faded. Finally, Rain stood and looked around at the mess. But she understood how Gyda had felt at the destruction in her home. Everyone was safe, and that was the most important thing.

She looked down then at her bare arms in the short-sleeved tunic. Black-and-blue finger marks marred her white flesh from the elbows practically to the shoulders.

The utter silence began to shatter then as first one child, then another, began to whimper and cry. Rain heard another noise. Footsteps. She looked over to the ladder to see Selik emerging from the
loft with the little girl cradled in one arm, wisps of straw covering them from head to toe.

“Adela!” Adam shouted with relief and went over to take his sister from Selik, hugging her warmly and speaking softly to her.

Selik’s alert eyes scanned the room. “All sale?” he asked Ubbi, who nodded.

He turned angry eyes to Rain then, and, for the first time, Rain realized the implication of Selik’s presence here in the lower level of the barn. In releasing him to defend himself against the Saxons, she’d also released him to wreak his vengeance against her for the kidnapping. She’d thought she would have more time to pacify him, to convince him of her love, to make him realize that what she’d done was for his own good.

“Rain,” Selik said in a silky voice oozing with menace. “Come here.” He crooked a finger, motioning her toward him, but Rain’s gaze riveted on the steely gray contempt in his eyes.

She backed away one step.

Selik stepped forward one step.

“Selik, please understand…” Rain felt behind her for the door to the barn and eased her way through the opening.

“Oh, I understand, wench,” he sneered, stalking her with a feral intensity.

She wondered at that moment if her greater danger lay with the Saxon soldiers or the enraged Selik. She decided not to take any chances. “Oh, hell!” Rain exclaimed, and turned to run for the woods and safety.

Rain ran as fast as she could toward the woods, but she was hampered by the rising wind, which stung the bruises on her face and arms. And her hip hurt where she had landed when the Saxon commander threw her to the floor.

“This is ridiculous,” Rain muttered, thinking that she’d come full circle with her time-travel trip. The first day she’d “arrived” in medieval Britain, she’d run from Selik—the brutal barbarian. Now she was fleeing from Selik—the man she loved.

She stopped suddenly and turned. Selik came to a skidding halt in front of her.

“Make up your mind, wench. Do you run from me, or to me?”

Rain didn’t hesitate. “To you.”

Suddenly overwhelmed by their near escape from the Saxon soldiers and the anxiety of holding Selik captive for the past week, she reached up and put her arms around his neck, hugging him warmly. “Oh, Selik, thank God you’re safe.” Standing on tip-
toe, she kissed his neck and chin and firm lips.

Almost instantly, she realized that he stood with his hands at his sides, rigidly unresponsive.

“Do not think to sway me with your seductive tricks. I will never forgive you, Rain. Never.”

She pulled back slightly, with foreboding, to look at his face. Like shards of gray steel, Selik’s eyes stabbed her furiously, and his jaw jutted out with barely controlled rage.

“Selik, let me explain. I know you’re upset, but—”

“Upset! Lady, there is no name for the fury I feel toward you. But know this, upset is a sorry understatement.” His eyes widened slightly as they scanned her face. “You are bleeding.”

Rain raised a fingertip to her cheek and felt the finger welts on her face and the soreness near her nose. “The soldier hit me. It’s just a nosebleed, I think.”

Selik sucked in his breath slightly, the only indication that he cared one way or another that she had been hurt. His hard gray eyes still regarded her with utter contempt.

He will never forgive me now
, Rain concluded bleakly.

“Come,” he ordered in an icy voice. “I will deal with you and your traitorous acts inside.” He grabbed her arm and started to pull her toward the barn.

“No!” Rain screamed. Arrows of agonizing pain shot from his iron grip on her bruised skin through her arm, up to her neck and down to her fingers.

“What?” he asked, his forehead furrowing in confusion. He dropped his hand when he saw the purpling bruises on both upper arms.

“Oh, hell,” he said tonelessly as his shoulders slumped.

Rain couldn’t stop the tears from filling her eyes and overflowing at the intense pain she felt, both
from her arms and in her heart at Selik’s obvious hatred for her.

His long blond hair blew about his shoulders and straw floated up from his tunic and braies, but he just stared at her arms with an unreadable expression on his face. Lifting one arm, he traced the darkening finger marks with a forefinger, light as a feather, as if to erase the pain. Suddenly, the bland expression on his face changed to puzzlement.

“What is that?” he asked, pointing to the small scar near her inner elbow.

“My birth control implant.”

“Your
what?
”

“Birth control implant. I had it put in two years ago when I thought I was going to be involved with a man, but then…I didn’t,” she said with a shrug, pulling her arm away from him.

“Exactly what does a birth control implant do?”

“Prevents conception.” Really, Selik talked about birth control when all she could think about was her world splintering apart like fine crystal under his shattering contempt.

“I beg your pardon?”

“It’s a birth control device. I know it sounds hard to believe…Can we talk about this some other time? I don’t—”

“And why did you not share this marvelous information with me afore?”

Surprised at the sarcasm that oozed from his voice, Rain answered truthfully, “You never asked.”

Selik made a low gurgling sound under his breath. “And how long do these—these implants work?”

“About five years.”

Selik smiled widely then.

And Rain shivered because his smile carried none of its usual warmth or affection. It was a dangerous smile—the deadly, sexual smile of a predator.

Confusion washed over Rain. “Selik, is that why
you refused to make love with me? You said it was because warriors needed to save their strength before a battle.”

He took her arm more gently now. “Come, Rain. We have long-overdue business to attend to, and it cannot wait another moment.”

When they entered the barn, Rain saw that Ubbi already had the children working industriously, sweeping up the mess made by the soldiers. The children looked from her to Selik with curiosity, some with fear for her safety in their eyes.

“Ubbi, gather these verminous street rats and take them to Gyda’s house in Jorvik.”

“Fer how long?” Ubbi asked, not bothering to ask why.

“Until I send word that they may return to
my
home.”

“But what if Gyda protests?”

“’Tis no concern to me. I assume Gyda had plenty to do with my lackbrained kidnapping. Let her find a way to deal with the results.”

Ubbi shrank back at the anger in Selik’s voice.

“Yea, best you back away from me, my traitorous friend. You betrayed me by aiding my enemy,” he said, waving a hand toward Rain, “and that we will discuss later.”

“Trait…traitorous? Oh, ne’er think that of me, master. I did only what God commanded me to do fer yer own good.”

Selik stepped closer, wagging a finger menacingly in Ubbi’s blanched face. “Well, here is another message for you, Ubbi. Get the hell away from my presence afore I wring your scrawny neck.”

Ubbi jumped back and began to shoo the children toward the door, urging them to gather their belongings for a long visit.

Selik’s alert eyes scanned the large room and noticed Adam slithering in a clandestine fashion
toward the exit. He lunged for him before he could escape, grabbing him by the belt and lifting his small body, kicking and squirming, into the air.

“Were you the witless gnat who taunted me with foul words when I was sorely restrained?”

“Nay,” Adam lied boldly, trying to punch Selik’s shoulders with his flailing arms. “Ye mistake me fer another. I be jist a helpless, motherless boy tryin’ to take care of me poor sister.”

“Helpless! Hah! Methinks you were ne’er helpless from the day you came squalling from your mother’s womb.” He sank down onto a bench then and laid Adam over his lap. Quick as a wink, he smacked his behind, then set him on the floor in front of him, holding him firmly by the shoulders.

Adam spat in his face.

Eyes widening with disbelief, Selik shook his head at the boy’s daring. “Your pride makes a fool of you, boy. Best you learn how to pick your battles more wisely.”

His lips thinned grimly, and he flipped Adam back onto his lap and whacked him another five times, this time somewhat harder. When the boy stood before him this time, tears filled his eyes and his stubborn lips quivered. Knowing Adam, his pride hurt more than his behind.

“Do you understand me now?” Selik demanded.

Adam appeared to consider rebelling once again, but finally nodded.

“Go with Ubbi now and take care of the other children,” he said, pushing Adam toward the lingering, wide-eyed group. “Ubbi needs someone brave to help him.”

At first, Adam just gawked at Selik. When the lopsided compliment had sunk in, he grinned impishly and strutted toward his fellow orphans, calling out orders.

Selik barred the door after them and turned to Rain. “Go up to the loft.”

Rain scanned Selik’s expressionless face, trying to understand his intentions, hoping for some softening toward her. There was none.

With dull resignation, she climbed the ladder to the loft. She heard Selik moving about below. Unsure what he wanted her to do, she decided to sweep away the hay that she and Ubbi had thrown on the bed to cover Selik and Adela. When she finished, she sat down on the bed furs and waited. What would he do to her? How would he wreak his vengeance for her kidnapping?

Too soon, she got her answer.

“Take off your garments,” Selik ordered when he came up the ladder to the loft.

“Why?”

“Do not dare to say me nay, wench. Do as I say.
Now
.”

Rain reluctantly took off her calf-length tunic and the slacks she wore underneath. She hesitated about removing her bra and underpants.

“Everything,” he snapped.

When she stood naked before him, her head bent in shame, she began to remove the amber necklace.

“Leave the beads,” he said gruffly.

Her head jerked up, but he’d already turned away from her. Over his shoulder, he instructed her, “Lie on the bed.”

With dread, Rain did as he instructed. He walked toward the pallet slowly, his eyes taking in every inch of her body from her toes to her long hair, which had come loose from its braid and lay over her shoulders. When he reached for the ropes, still tied to the bedposts, Rain knew what he was going to do.

“No, Selik, please don’t do this. I had good rea
sons for my actions. I only wanted to keep you safe.”

He ignored her pleas and spread-eagled her on the bed, tying her securely to the four corners. Sitting on the edge of the bed, he regarded her with contempt, asking with mock consideration, “Would you like to use the bed pan?”

Rain’s face flamed and she blinked back the hurtful tears that smarted her eyes. “This is degrading.”

“Yea, ’tis,” he agreed coldly. “On that, at least, we agree.”

He started to walk away from her then, and Rain called after him, realizing that he intended to leave her alone, “Selik, I’m cold.” The wind had risen and thunder clapped in the distance, portending a coming storm.

“You won’t be for long,” he informed her sardonically, but then threw a cloak over her, fur side against her skin. With care, he made sure that it covered her from toes to shoulders. “Rest, angel. You will need it.”

Selik stayed away so long that Rain eventually dozed. When she awakened, feeling chilly, the storm was raging loudly outside, rain pelting against the weathered timbers of the barn. Although it was only late afternoon, the interior of the loft was dark and gloomy. Or it would have been except for one thing—dozens of candles burned brightly surrounding her bed.

And she lay naked, her blanket thrown aside.

Her eyes darted wildly, seeking Selik. He sat on a stool near the edge of the circle of candles, his long legs outstretched casually, crossed at the ankles, and his arms folded across his chest. He watched her like a vulture, but the flickering shadows hid his facial expressions.

“Tell me,” he said in a flat voice when he realized
that she was awake, “what prompted you to betray my trust?”

Rain flinched at the pain of his condemnation but regarded him honestly. “I never betrayed you, Selik. I was trying to protect you.” She went on to explain all that Gyda and Ella had told her and why she felt compelled to take such drastic actions. “Will you go after Steven now? Will you leave for the Gravely lands in Wessex?”

He shook his head slowly from side to side. “Nay. Whilst you slept, I got word to my men in Jorvik—those who are still loyal to me. Steven was seen boarding a ship in London.”

She exhaled with relief.

“Do not think you have stopped me with your traitorous acts. You only delayed me. I will go after Steven yet.”

“Selik, please try to understand. I love you. I was afraid—”

“Nay,” he interrupted, “love does not unman the lover. Dost thou really consider me such a poor warrior that I cannot defend myself against such a devilish weakling as Steven of Gravely?”

“That’s not the point. Gyda told me—”

“Desist with thy blame throwing. You, and you alone, made a decision to drug and restrain me. You decided to play the man and determine my fate. How dare you? How dare you?”

“I’m sorry,” she said weakly.

“And do not think to soften me with tears. I assure you, I will not be moved.”

But Rain cried anyway, the tears pooling and overflowing in silent streams down her face, burning when they touched the welts and her bruised nose. She knew she must look a mess. One side of her face was probably red, and her nose swollen. Oh, Lord, that was the least of her problems.

Selik moved quietly toward the bed and sat down. He leaned to the floor and picked up a small pottery container. Dipping his fingers inside, he began to massage the foul-smelling ointment into the bruises on her arms. Almost instantly, Rain felt the pain numbing and then disappearing.

“What is that?”

“Horse liniment.”

Rain choked as she inhaled the ungodly odor, rather like that of limburger cheese.

“’Tis a special concoction of Ubbi’s,” he said with a grim smile, recognizing her discomfort and, no doubt, taking pleasure in it. “The odor disappears almost instantly.”

He used a wet linen cloth to wipe the blood and tears from her face, then applied the same liniment to the welts on her cheek. She thought she might pass out from the obnoxious stench so close to her nostrils.

“Do you know the name of the Saxon soldier who did this to you?” he asked in a tight voice.

“He said his name was Oswald—the leader of a Saxon garrison newly assigned to Jorvik, I think.”

“He will not live to celebrate another Christmas,” Selik proclaimed with deadly purpose as he put the pottery jar back to the floor and wiped the liniment off his fingers with the linen cloth.

Then he surprised her by untying the ropes that bound her, ordering, “Go wash thyself,” he said, pointing to the corner where a pitcher of water lay on a bale of hay. “And relieve thyself, as well,” he added with dry humor. “I find the act of holding a bed pan even more degrading than pissing into it.”

Rain cringed at the icy loathing in his voice but hurried quickly past the candles into the dark, chilly corner. When she was done, she returned to the bedside. Selik still sat on the bed, his somber expression highlighted by the flickering candles.

“Sit,” he said, pointing to his lap.

Rain’s heart flip-flopped, but she did not question his command.