CHAPTER EIGHTEEN #2
Part of him understood why. If he'd had a sister and spent years searching for her, he would want her to return home with him.
But Katrin was not his sister, and he would do whatever it took to keep her forever.
The idea that had arisen several times over the last day and night grew stronger than ever, but he must speak to his father and Kori first. That meant leaving Katrin alone with her brothers and their influence.
Flagons of ale were served and soon the feast turned raucous, much of the talk surrounding Gunilla's execution. Hradi filled a trencher with venison and rabbit then scooped up beets and carrots and placed it before Katrin.
"You must eat. You haven't all day."
She met his stare, a warm smile curving her lips. He resisted the urge to taste her, knowing what could happen if he indulged. Yet, he still wanted to be alone with her, tell her of his intentions. Learn if she felt the same way.
He looked deep into her sky-blue eyes, not surprised to find knowledge of the turmoil roiling his gut in her gaze.
"Thank you." She spared her eldest brother a glance before leaning in close. "I want to be alone with you."
His heart raced, his cock already stirring in anticipation of just that. Even more thrilling was that she offered the idea first.
"And I with you."
She chuckled, the sound light-hearted. He noted that, while she had always been unafraid and strong of virtue, especially with him, she had never sounded quite so free. There were so many layers to this woman and he wanted to spend his years uncovering and learning them all.
"I meant that we must talk," she said. "We must be clear on what is to be in the coming days."
Alarm chilled his blood. What did she intend? "You said you plan to stay here. Have you changed your mind?"
Her smile widened, even as she shook her head. "I worry about their … my brothers', intentions." She paused to look their way before once more returning her gaze to Hradi's and leaning close to his ear. "I fear they may try to interfere in any agreement you and I may come to."
Hradi feared the same, giving her a curt nod while he fixed his stare on her brothers.
Though they appeared calm and easy-going, they all watched him closely, studying his every move.
He did not like the feeling of being examined so intently.
Another worry arose. If he were forced to fight them, no matter who provoked it, such an occurrence could destroy the bond between himself and Katrin.
"Come, we will speak now." He stood, taking her hand and pulling her from the bench.
"Where are you going?" Henrik asked, throwing the bones of a rabbit leg onto the table.
"We will return," Katrin said, before Hradi had a chance to respond. "Remain here and enjoy the feast."
She gave a nod toward a nearby table where several of the girls in her party sat, close together and with worried expressions lining their brows.
"Perhaps you might make some of my fellow Volur welcome. They do not seem to be enjoying themselves."
Hradi held back a grin at the order in her voice. Something about her had changed in Sól's last two cycles. He had always admired her confidence and courage; now it seemed that had intensified. Her protective actions towards the other witches showed her capable of leading her own retinue.
The idea of her doing so, taking her far from Grindafell, soured his mood. He tugged on her hand and led her to the bunks, away from the raucous celebration, to the cool quiet of the back room.
"What did you wish to discuss?" He knew his attempt to appear unconcerned failed when a knowing smile curled her lush lips. He ran a hand through his hair and began to pace. Never had he been so unsure of himself, of his future and fate, than he was in this moment.
"I must admit, I prefer you like this, rather than the oafish mule you've been over the last days." Her words were soft, yet filled with a steely exasperation.
He spun about to face her. "You mock me!"
She nodded. "I do." Folding her arms, she arched an eyebrow.
"You tread on dangerous ground, woman." He stepped closer, so close he almost touched her, forcing her to tilt her head back to hold his stare. She never cowered. His lust for her grew, tempting him to throw her upon the nearest furs and take her then and there.
"You behaved like a fifl!"
He recoiled. "You call me a fool?"
Truthfully, he was more surprised than he was insulted. Somehow, though, shame crept into his veins. Had that been her intention? He narrowed his eyes.
"I listened to your mistress declare you promised to another while in the next breath plotting an attack on our village. What was I to think?"
She took a step back, though judging from the way her shoulders rose, her jaw setting when she lifted her chin, he understood she felt no fear, only annoyance.
"Instead of accusing me, you first could have asked me. And then you should have listened to me when I explained I knew nothing."
"You had never spoken ill of Gunilla before."
She tilted her head, a curious expression lining her face. After several moments, she answered, "You are right. I had my doubts, but I did not share them. Perhaps if I had, I might have learned the truth sooner."
Now she turned away, her arms wrapped around herself. "Perhaps I should have trusted you, after all, in my dreams, there were no doubts."
"Don't you think the gods intended you to trust me as you did in your dreams?" Hradi forced his hands to his sides, though he longed to draw her close and soothe the tightness in her shoulders. She gave a stiff shrug. He found himself wishing she would turn so he could see her face.
"Maybe. But the visions I receive can have more than one possible reason or outcome. Nothing can be proven until they came to pass."
"But your dreams did come to pass," he reminded her, keeping his voice soft and gentle.
"My dreams terrified me."
He held back the string of curses he wanted to direct at Gunilla. By filling Katrin's head with lies and outlandish tales, she had caused the young Seeress to feel blame, as well as doubt and shame. No longer. The old witch was dead and could hurt Katrin no more.
But Hradi worried he was not enough to reassure her she no longer had anything to fear. Her newfound family would be the key to that, but could also mean his losing her forever. Still, he must try.
"You have nothing to fear from me."
"Don't I?" She turned to face him.
"What do you mean?"
"I just… I don't… " She heaved a deep breath. "With only a few words, you were ready to condemn me to the same fate as Gunilla. How can I be sure you will not do the same thing in the future?"
He looked away, guilt and embarrassment making it impossible to meet her gaze. "You are right. And I was indeed a fifl. But you know why I would feel that way. You know more about me than any other person, including my brother."
"You cannot treat others the way you treated me, not without proof. Surely you can see why I have doubts."
He nodded, still avoiding her stare. "All I can ask is for the chance to prove you can trust me. I… I was… I was…"
"Wrong?"
He nodded, finally returning his gaze to her. A hint of a smile tugged the corners of her lips. He scowled. She ridiculed him, no doubt remained. He had half a mind to turn her over his knee right now for taunting him this way.
"You toy with me."
Finally, a full smile brightened her face., making him want to take a deep and leisurely taste. Somehow, he refrained.
"Perhaps." The smile faltered. "But I do have some doubts Hradi. Can you not blame me?"
He shook his head. "I cannot. All I can do is admit my error, and hope you will give me the chance to prove myself."
With her head tilted to one side, she contemplated him. He felt like a small child under her critical scrutiny.
"You know I will stay here in Grindafell, along with the other girls, at least until the weather warms again."
"And after?"
"I must have a strong enough reason to stay."
What did she mean? Narrowing his eyes, he stepped closer, pleased to see the slight tremor moving over her. His nearness still affected her. Triumph rushed through his veins. He would show her just how strong a reason he could give her to stay.
"As you asked me, I will ask you," he said. "Trust me. And beginning tonight, I will prove to you that we are meant to be together. That the gods sent you here. For me, and for you."
Several tension-thick moments passed before she finally nodded. Hradi released the breath he hadn't even known he'd held.
"I will give you this chance." She jabbed a finger into his chest. "But know this, the first time you hurt me, or any of my girls, I will make you pay."
"Your girls?'
She gave an odd flinch, a shadow of curiosity skimming across her face before she gave a nod of acknowledgement. "I suppose I do think of them as mine. They were unaware of Gunilla's intentions and should not be made to pay. To leave them without a protector would be improper and heartless."
She lifted her chin. "Still, you must keep your word, or we will leave for Hedeby at planting time."
He nodded. He would abide her wishes, and by the time spring arrived, she would never want to leave his side.