Viking's Desire: Sexy-Romance Novel: A Viking Love Story (12 page)

Chapter 29

Eriik’s men were traveling fast.  As they prepared camp, he
picked a few men to scout out what was ahead.  They had to be sure Montfort was the lord of the manor the priest described before they attacked the bastion.  Perhaps there was a village or a church nearby where they could get some information.  At first light some of the men would march out and hopefully return with good news.  Eriik taught all of them two sentences in English. 
Where is Lord Montfort’s fortress?  I’ll pay you in gold
.  He was upset about wasting so much time but didn’t want to get involved in an attack on the wrong stronghold.  He prayed over and over again to the gods to keep Lillian safe until he could get to her.  Perhaps she could feel him near. 
I’m coming for you sweet
.

His men returned and
they had the news he was waiting for.  They were indeed on the right path to Montfort’s.  They had to pay more gold than he wanted for the information but in the end it was worth it.  Eriik couldn’t think of a better way to spend his fortune.  The men started out again. At camp, they knew this would be the last night before battle, so every man tended to their weapons as they would a lover.  Their weapons were their lives or deaths.  Each man was ready.

Sol was starting his ride across the heavens when Eriik and his men were on the move again.  They should arrive at their destination before nightfall.  Eriik couldn’t travel fast enough.  With every step, he could feel Lillian’s heart beat stronger.  As he spotted the fortress in the distance, he could almost see L
illian with her beautiful face and emerald green orbs looking at him with desire and long dark locks spilling down her back like a sable waterfall.  He was painfully hard again.  Only Lillian could do this to his body without so much as a look or a touch.  She was his undoing and he loved every wonderful, agonizing moment of it.  Enough of this daydreaming.  He had to get his mind back on the battlefield and off of the bed chamber or Montfort might win and the thought of that was inconceivable.  This battle was different from all the rest.  He had no intention of dying in battle and going to Valhalla willingly.  That would leave his lovely Lillian in the hands of the depraved Montfort, so this battle would have to be won, at any cost.

As they marched on, the sentries of the castle spotted the invaders and called
out a warning to all inside the castle.  Simon had not expected this at all.  He ran to the wall to see for himself.  A voyage from afar from this heathen for Lillian?  He underestimated this Jarl’s feelings for her, but he would not be fighting this behemoth.  There would be no bloodshed, especially if it might be his own.  He rushed up the stairs to confront Lillian.  He would insist she diffuse this and do so immediately.  He practically crashed through her door looking completely terrified.  Seeing him in such a state gave her some satisfaction, although she had no idea what had put the fear of God into him.

“What in the world, my lord?  You look as if you’ve seen a ghost.”

“You’re whore hound is sniffing about.  I can’t believe it, but I went up to the wall and saw for myself.”

“Eriik?”  She ran to the window,
searching the landscape, trying to spy him.  Finally she saw what looked like many men marching toward the castle. 

“Oh my
God.”

“Yes, you’ll be calling for your
God when I get finished with your father.  If you think this pagan will save you, just remember what fate your father faces if anything happens to one hair on my head.”

Her heart sank as she realized that nothing had changed.  Well, except one thing, Eriik loved her.  Eriik
really loved her!

“This is what is going to happen and what you are going to do.  Listen carefully sweet pea,” he said with disdain.

“I will send an emissary out as soon as your lover arrives and invite him in.”

At the look of pure fear on her face he continued, “Don’t worry my little whore, he won’t be hurt
, because you are going to be quite convincing as you tell him you are very much in love with me and can’t wait to be blissfully married.  Do you understand?  I can’t afford to kill him and have his hoards attack.  I’m not stupid.”

She said nothing as her throat constricted with tears, but nodded her assent.

“There, there, that’s my good girl.”

She turned her back to him.  She simply couldn’t face him.

How could she let Eriik know what was really going on?

She had concluded that she was indeed with child, Eriik’s child.  She was so afraid that if Simon found out, he would beat her until she lost the child, if not her own life.  He seemed to always be on the verge of beating her anyway, she could only imagine how enraged he would be if he found out she was carrying Eriik’s child

Chapter 30

Eriik couldn’t sleep at all that night.  He wanted so badly to attack th
e devil’s fortress and take his Lillian back into his arms, but he couldn’t let his emotions get the best of him.  Everything had to go as planned, as every other battle or Lillian might get hurt.  At dawn, as expected, a rider appeared from the castle, riding out to the halfway position between the fortress and Eriik’s men.  He was in his chain mail and rode a magnificent charger with another fine steed trailing behind.  He stood there waiting for Eriik.  Bjorn advised Eriik against the meeting, “What if this is an ambush and it’s their way of getting rid of our leader right at the beginning?”

“Then they are quite the fool. 
Our men would charge the castle, rescue Lillian, and everyone’s life would be at stake inside and he knows it full well.  He may be a devil, but he’s no idiot, and neither am I.  This isn’t the first time I’ve done this.  I’ll be on my guard and you’re coming with me.  This is exactly what we expected after all, yes?”

“Yes.”

Every archer, among Eriik’s men, were on guard with arrows at the ready for any sign of trouble.  Bjorn, Eriik and the knight met in the middle of the field and stated their business.  Eriik minced no words, putting it very simply as soon as he was within earshot of Lord Montfort’s knight, “I want the Lady Lillian in my camp immediately…unharmed.”

The knight retorted, “That’s impossible sir, she and Lord Montfort are engaged to be married
.  She is indeed unharmed and Lord Montfort has empowered me to invite you to the castle to see for yourself that the lady is not only safe but happy and looking forward to the upcoming nuptials. You have his word on your safety, but he will not tolerate any raucous behavior.”

Eriik snorted and said under his breath, “His word,” but said aloud, “
I agree.”

“But brother…”

“Nay Bjorn, I must see for myself.”

Bjorn turned his attention to the knight, “Then come back with another horse for me.  The Jarl will not enter the enemy’s abode alone.”

The knight turned both steeds around and rode the way he had come, as Eriik and Bjorn returned to camp.

Bjorn looked at Eriik as if he was a lunatic, “I know you love her, but this is not a wise act
. Dammit! I can already tell you won’t be dissuaded.  I can see it in your eyes, so if you insist, I have your back, whatever the outcome.”

“Thank you brother.”

When the knight returned he had two horses trailing behind and once again Eriik and Bjorn met him on the field.  They mounted and rode toward the enemy willingly.  He was finally going to see Lillian.  She couldn’t be there of her own accord.  He would make sure they left together. 

As they entered the great room of the cold and soulless castle, Lord Montfort and Lillian were descending the stairway. 
Eriik could read the terror in Montfort’s eyes just by looking at him.  He had his hand held out for Lillian’s and her hand rested gently upon his cold, slight fingers.  Eriik noticed that his thin, feeble arms looked more like a scarecrow’s than a living, breathing man. 

Lillian tried not to but
found herself looking squarely into sea blue orbs, noticed the torment outlining his face, and could feel his agony.  He was so male, pure heat, with his huge, strong arms, bristling with hard, corded muscle encased by golden arm bands that matched his thick golden hair.  If only she could run her fingers through it once again and take the pain from his beautiful blue eyes.  He stood with his legs apart, his hard muscles tense, waiting to spring into action as a predator waiting for its prey. 

Instead she said as detached
and as coolly as she possibly could, “Good evening Eriik.”

Eriik laughed a vicious laugh, “Good evening Eriik?  Is that all you have to say to me?  You’re standing there with your hand touching that viper’s flesh and seemingly content.  What’s the matter with you Lillian?  Tell me!”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.  I’m about to become a Lady of the Realm, quite impressive, don’t you think?  Believe me, many women would love to trade places with me.”

“Then trade.”

Lord Montfort broke in, “I say sir, I believe I’ve been insulted quite enough in my own home and I’ll have no more of it.  I have been quite hospitable to you and you’re, uh friends.  I will have to ask you to at least try to act like a gentlemen, if nothing more.”

“Montfort, I’ll have a word with Lillian in private.”

“You will have nothing of the sort.  My betrothed alone with another man is completely improper.  You may say whatever you will here and now and then you may go back to wherever you came from.  Simon looked at Lillian with the strangest look Eriik had ever seen and Lillian looked back at him with an equally peculiar expression, as if they were sharing secrets. He couldn’t understand this at all!  She despised the vermin and now she was standing here as if he was her great love and she couldn’t wait to marry him.  The world was turning upside down and Eriik didn’t know how to stop it. She stood there regally and asked, “Is there anything else you’d care to know?”

“Lillian, what has happened to you?”

“Nothing.  I’m quite happy, really.  I’m at home, planning the wedding of the season with my father and as you know, it was the wish of my dearly departed mother.  What in the world do you mean, happened to me?”

“
You can tell me the truth.” 

“
Oh my lord, there are so many truths.”

“What in
hell does that…” He stopped short as he noticed a bruise under her left eye covered by powder.  He tried his best to leash in the uncontrollable rage that was enveloping him.

“He hit you?”

“Of course not, I’m just clumsy and fell.”

Montfort
interjected, “I would never…”

“Why in the name of yo
ur god are you covering for him?  Tell me what happened.”

Before she could stop herself, she sighed, “Oh if
only I could.”

“What?  What!”

“I was just prattling on.  You know nerves about the wedding.  All of a sudden, she felt faint and reached for the stair rail to steady herself, and at the same time reached protectively for her belly.  The feeling passed in a moment and she apologized, but Eriik couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling that small gesture produced. He couldn’t put his finger on it, but it unsettled him.  Lillian had such an odd expression on her face, it took Eriik completely aback.  He didn’t know exactly why, but he was determined to find out.

Lillian smiled almost shyly,
“My Lord Thorennson, I appreciate your concern for my well-being, but I really must be attending to other pressing engagements.  I have so many plans and decisions to make, for the wedding of course.  You understand, don’t you?”

“No
t really.  But I will, you can count on it.  By the way, I haven’t seen your father, where is he?  I would have thought he would be here for the happy occasion.” Eriik couldn’t control the bite in his words.

The shocked look on Lillian’s face told a tale,
he wasn’t sure what it was but he had a strong suspicion it wasn’t a fairytale.  He had the distinct feeling that something was hiding behind those emerald eyes.  Everything was definitely not right in this household and he was not leaving until he knew what it was.

“Well, i
t appears I, we, came a long way for nothing, however since it was such a long journey, I must insist you do me the honor of inviting me to the pre-wedding feast.”

As Montfort opened his mouth to speak,
Lillian interrupted immediately, “Of course, that’s the least we can do.”

After much stuttering and
stammering, Montfort added, “I suppose that could be arranged.”  He certainly didn’t appear pleased with the proposition of having these giants of men playing guests at his table.  “You must not scare any of our genteel guests however, and you must give me your word this will be the end of it.  You will leave, never to bother us again.”

“I’ll try not to behead anyone before dessert,
if that’s what you mean.”  Eriik almost snarled as he tried to speak politely to the man he could hardly stand to be in the same room with.

“Very funny, Jarl.
  You know exactly what I mean.  Afterwards, you’ll be gone and back to wherever you come from.

“
Aye.  Just a dinner to see Lillian off to married bliss, yes?”

“Fine.  Now we both have much to do.  Is that all?”

For some reason Eriik needed to know about Lillian’s father, “I assume I’ll see Lord Devorn at the festivities?” 

“Yes I’m sure you will.
”  Montfort interjected before Lillian had a chance to speak.  “You know he’s not one of your biggest fans.”

“No, I’m sure he’s not.”
  Eriik added as he veered away and started to leave.

“Until then,
” Montfort snorted derisively, turned his back, and led Lillian upstairs.

****

As Eriik and Bjorn rode back to camp, most of what she had said rang in his ears.  All he could think about was her small dainty hand resting gracefully on that vermin’s.  Everything looked fine, but he still couldn’t shake the strong feeling that it wasn’t.  Could it feasibly have been a little too right, perhaps as if it was staged?  And the way she looked at him, so strangely after she faltered.  Was he trying to find an explanation for something too bizarre for his mind to accept? What could she possibly gain by pretending?  If he was threatening her, she could have run to him then and there.  Thinking about their meeting and the strange things she said was making him more confused, not less.  Dammit!  What was hiding just beyond his grasp? 

Bjorn was very vocal
about Eriik being crazy to put himself in danger to attend the wedding feast.  

“Why would
you even want to go to the sodding feast, that’s what I don’t understand?  Obviously Lillian has decided to marry that despicable man for money, land, and politics.  Apparently you didn’t know her as well as you thought you did.  Eriik, I know you think this is the end of the world, and I admit you will be upset for a bit, but as soon as we get home, there are so many temptations waiting for you there that will eventually help you forget.  One very beautiful young lady I know of is absolutely determined to make you erase Lillian from your memory entirely.  I’m sure she has some very amorous ideas of how to go about it. By the gods, it sends my blood racing. Just let her have her way and you’ll see it will happen.”

“You’re probably right, my friend.” 

Perhaps Bjorn was right but all Eriik could think of was dark hair, fair skin, emerald green eyes, soft breasts, and welcoming legs opening to beckon him into her soft warmth.