CHAPTER TWELVE
When Katrin followed Hradi into the longhouse, the voices filling the hall fell silent, as everyone gathered turned to face them. She hesitated, but Hradi turned and grabbed her wrist, ensuring she continued a half-pace behind him.
"What are you all staring at?" Hradi barked into the hushed room. Laughter and the resumption of chatter followed his words.
Finally, they were beside the jarl, and next to him was Gunilla. Katrin smiled at her mistress and moved to take a seat beside her, but Hradi merely tightened his grip. Katrin jerked free.
"I wish to sit with her. We have plans to make for upcoming ceremonies and sacrifices for Winter Night."
"You will sit beside me. After we eat, you may join your mistress."
"I am not some slave to be ordered about!" She folded her arms and lifting her chin in defiance.
"You will pay for this later."
Her bottom tingled, his words a reminder of how he'd responded to her slap. Part of her anticipated him repeating the punishment, but she refused to let him know that.
"You will not beat me again, and you will not deny me Gunilla's company." She stepped around him, darting out of reach of his outstretched hand.
"Having trouble taming your woman, Hradi?" Kori asked, laughing. He held out a flagon of ale.
Katrin slid onto the bench beside Gunilla and dared a glance at the seven other girls seated together at a nearby table. Again hostile glares focused on her, but Katrin paid them no mind.
"Did he try to seduce you?" Gunilla asked.
"Yes, he did," Katrin admitted, reaching for a piece of flatbread from the platter. She looked in Hradi's direction, not surprised to find him staring at her, a mixture of annoyance and desire glowing in his eyes. Hiding a satisfied smile, she bit into the flatbread.
"Well? Did you give in?"
Katrin kept her gaze focused on the table, wordlessly accepting a flagon of mead while she pondered exactly what to say. Rinsing away the bread with the mead, she faced Gunilla.
"Not exactly." Flashes of the night before, of Hradi's hands and mouth on her body, her exploration of his hard muscles, came at her with dizzying speed.
"What do you mean, not exactly?" Gunilla's harsh whisper held notes of panic.
What was she so afraid of? Again, suspicion about what the older witch had planned for Grindafell rose in her thoughts.
She must try to have another vision with Gunilla and perhaps learn more about the secrets Katrin no longer doubted her mistress held.
"Katrin, answer me? Did you lay with him?"
Katrin nodded. At Gunilla's horrified gasp, she quickly added, "But not in the way you think."
"Tell me what you've done."
"He… that is, we…" She heaved a deep breath, having not expected this to be so difficult. "He taught me there are ways to enjoy such pleasures without giving up my innocence."
Gunilla stared, her mouth agape, brow furrowed in anger.
"He has sullied you, tainted your gift!"
Katrin shook her head. "No, I don't think he has. And I will prove it after the meal, as promised. I will speak with you before, but be aware that I may choose to make a different decision."
The anger in the older woman's eyes brought a momentary alarm. Had she gone too far, pushed too hard? A moment later, her growing confidence chased the doubt. Still, the need to soothe her mistress was just as powerful. She laid a hand on Gunilla's shoulder.
"What are you so worried about?"
"You cannot risk your gift in any way. How will I… how can we be certain of our fates, if you cannot see what the gods have in store for us?"
What had Gunilla been about to say?
"We will discuss this later," Katrin said, once more infusing force into her voice. Gunilla's lips pressed together in annoyance.
"You have grown quite rebellious in the last days. I do not like it."
Katrin found herself containing a laugh at her mistress' petulant expression.
"You know as well as I that our time together is nearing its end. I must prepare myself for that day. You must accept that I need to make my own decisions in certain matters."
Gunilla stared for several moments, but said nothing before resuming her meal. Katrin did the same, pleased with herself for how she had again stood up to her mistress.
The sensation of being watched once more edged into her thoughts.
She didn't have to look to know who it was.
Still, she lifted her head and met his gaze, a small smile tugging at his lips.
Despite her intentions to remain aloof, she found herself smiling in return.
Suddenly, she wished they were back at his small home, away from the prying eyes of the villagers and Gunilla.
Shouts and shrieks of laughter erupted from the table where the rest of Gunilla's attendants sat.
Some of the village's warriors had joined them.
She glanced at Gunilla, but as always, the older woman did not say anything to stop the two girls who rose and walked toward the longhouse doors with men, obviously seeking a place to indulge in carnal delights.
Katrin nudged Gunilla. "Why have the others always been permitted to seek their pleasure and fun and I was denied the same?
You say it is because of my powers, but we both know that Ranka also has the true gift of sight.
Right now, she is leaving with a warrior, though I suspect she lost her innocence long ago. "
Gunilla ignored her, continuing to eat, staring straight at her trencher. Katrin's anger sparked to life. She grabbed Gunilla's arm and forced her to turn and face her.
"I have done everything you have ever asked of me, I have never defied you. But you are keeping secrets. And keeping me from truly living my life."
"I have always protected you. Your gift is so much more than any of the others have. You are blessed by the gods themselves, don't you see that?"
Katrin shook her head. "I do not. I see no proof that I am more gifted or revered than the others."
Gunilla slammed her hand onto the table, drawing the attention of not only those nearby, but Hradi and his father and brother as well. "I see it! I know you have been chosen and your path must be to abide the gods' plans for you."
Katrin stood. She desperately longed to look at Hradi, somehow wanting his reassurance. But she didn't need it. She kept her focus on the older woman.
"So says you. Until recently, I have never questioned you.
And I thank you for all you have done for me for my entire life.
I… thank you for saving me as my real mother asked.
And while I know I still owe you the remainder of this season of servitude, I will find a way to be free in a way that you will not be left unprepared. "
"I will pay for Katrin's release from her dependence on you!"
Hradi's words rang through the hall. A moment later, outbursts of protests and agreement erupted. Katrin turned. Hradi stood tall, his hands curled into fists at his sides. His brother and father flanked him, showing their support.
Her heart felt as if it might explode. She met his gaze. The affection and trust she found there assured her she was safe and free from any retaliation Gunilla might make.
"You would dare interfere in our partnership?" Gunilla asked, her eyes wide and angry.
Katrin held up a hand to stop the woman from protesting further. She addressed Hradi.
"That is not necessary, though I thank you for your willingness to help me. I must remain with Gunilla, for at least the rest of the season. I will fulfill the oath made when I came into her care."
Hradi grinned and nodded. "Very well. But if you –"
"I will honor our agreement as well and I expect you to do the same."
"He will," Thorfinn assured her. "Gunilla remains as my guest."
"Thank you." Katrin's heart raced with excitement.
With each time she challenged Gunilla and Hradi, she felt more powerful, more mature.
The sense she grew stronger than her mentor accompanied the surety her gift would grow stronger as well.
"Gunilla and I must meet now. I will return here when we are finished. "
She caught the smug smile Gunilla sent in Hradi's direction.