Chapter Eight
Risk
“Goddamnit, pick up the sword.” Erling was a soulless, raving lunatic.
Kara shot him a scornful look. Her arms were simply too weak to lift the heavy weapon after hours of ceaseless exercises. Sweat rolled down her face, half blinding her. “Water,” she croaked.
“Fight!” The man could not be dissuaded.
Struggling to lift the weapon above her head, her arms trembled uncontrollably.
She finally managed to raise it a few inches, but her legs gave out.
She sank to her knees, dropping the sword.
Someone tapped her on the shoulder from behind.
Weak as a newborn lamb, she turned to see who it was.
The youngest member of Erling’s band of thieves offered her a cup.
“Take it.” He shoved it into her hands.
She rewarded the boy with a smile, took a tiny sip, then doubled over and vomited.
“Pathetic and weak.” Erling strutted over, then grabbed a handful of her hair. He snapped her head back.
At first, she saw his features clearly, but the harder she tried to focus, the more blurry her vision became.
“Over before it began,” he said coldly, loosening his grip. “Yield, girl. Admit a woman cannot outmaneuver or overpower a man.”
She groaned. His face was so bloody tense—twisted and cruel. It would be a cold day in Hel before she surrendered to this pig. “Curse your existence.” With what little strength she had left, Kara wrenched free, then staggered to her feet. “What is the purpose of all this?”
“I’ve told you, to break you.”
Of what? Nothing this man said or did made any sense. His claims were baseless—his motivation unclear. She’d never met him before. “My father will pay whatever ransom you ask,” she panted, her ribs so sore she couldn’t move. “What possible use could you have for me?”
“You surprise me.” He stepped closer. “The woman I watched sparring in the woods excited me. Gave me hope that I might find a worthy partner. But after hearing your mindless questions, I wonder if you’re worth keeping. Think, Kara. What would any man want with you?”
She sucked in a sharp breath. “Marriage?”
He laughed.
Odin help me. She managed to sit on her knees and gaze up at him. “You want me for your bed, but not as your wife?” She flung her head back. “And you expect me to go along with this? Not to fight for my honor?”
“I want you to fight me until you don’t have an ounce of strength left inside that tiny body.”
Tired and hungry, she decided to refrain from further argument. No matter what he said or did right now, she wouldn’t understand his motive. In the end, her fear and confusion no longer mattered, she collapsed at his feet.
Kara woke up on a dirt floor, inside a crumbling cabin.
She studied her shabby surroundings; there were holes as big as fists in the walls and the thatched roof sagged in the middle.
Furniture was sparse and the only source of light came through two small windows near the door.
She sat up. Her arms and legs felt as heavy as boulders—and her arse ached.
She called for Amelia, but the maid didn’t come.
Who dared to remove her braies, leather shirt, then dress her in a clean gown?
Her skin burned when she voiced her own answer.
Erling Solheim? The only bastard in camp brazen enough to touch her.
He’d made it a point to let her know he intended her for his mistress.
Cooperating with this jackal was out of the question.
She stood, walked to the door, then opened it.
She’d get more information, even if she had to resort to violence herself.
A dozen cabins and trees surrounded her.
Kara heard the echo of merrymaking. Somewhere beyond the shelters, men were eating and drinking.
She followed the smell of smoke, walking silently.
They were seated at the fire eating. And waiting for me.
Before she made her presence known, she scolded herself for ever leaving home—for endangering Amelia.
All the training in the world hadn’t prepared her for the man who’d kidnapped and humiliated her.
Erling outweighed her by eight stones or more.
He pushed her so hard her body finally gave out.
However, he hadn’t broken her spirit. She’d resist until she drew her last breath. Something emerged from the shadows.
“Enjoying the fresh air?”
His voice made her cringe. “I’ve enjoyed nothing since you brought me here.”
“Then I’ve succeeded.”
“At what?”
“Don’t be in such a hurry to learn all my secrets, Kara. In time you’ll understand.” He stared at her, then caressed her cheek with the back of his hand. “Your color has improved since you fainted. You slept a long time.”
She hadn’t fainted, she’d collapsed from near starvation and exhaustion. “How long?”
“Nearly two days.”
The thought of being at his complete mercy for that long nearly undid her. Had he violated her while she slept? “I don’t believe you.”
“I will never lie to you.”
She looked around frantically, searching for an escape. Where would she go? There were no distinguishing landmarks, only an endless sea of trees.
He must have sensed her fear. “Submit yourself to me without question and you’ll remain unharmed. I reward obedience. And if you think anyone will take liberties with you, rest assured, my men are forbidden to touch you. Understand?”
She found little consolation in those words.
“There’s a stream beyond the last cabin where you can bathe.” He pointed. “Food and water. Clean clothes and a fire to keep you warm at night. You may walk freely amongst us, but if you try to escape, I’ll find you. What happens afterward won’t be pleasant.”
She’d already been a victim of his abuse—he didn’t need to keep reminding her what he was capable of. “For a brief moment, I thought you were going to act civilized.”
Erling leaned in and whispered, “There’s no justice in the forest—no kindness—no real law.”
“Where’s Amelia?”
“Safe and working with the women.”
He wouldn’t hesitate to kill her. Amelia’s safe-keeping depended on her willingness to cooperate.
Suddenly, the thought of being married to Marteinn seemed palatable.
He’d never hurt her. She missed her father and brothers and home.
She’d been free for less than a week and look where she’d ended up.
All her father’s blustering had proven to be correct. Men were truly beasts at heart.
“Join me. You need food to keep up your strength. We’ve a long day ahead of us.” He gripped her elbow and steered her toward the bonfire.
Kara stared heavenward. Where was the man she truly wanted?
Please, Odin. Send Aaron McNally to rescue me.
Kara gazed above. How long had it been since she studied the stars?
Weeks? Seated between Erling and another man, this had become a daily ritual.
Her place at the fire never changed. She often imagined ways to escape.
Only, there was nowhere to go in this endless maze of trees.
Erling had the perfect hideout. Wild animals lurked nearby.
She heard wolves howling every night. And Erling’s guards followed her everywhere, although at a distance.
She shared a small cabin with Amelia now—the only comfort she had.
After going to bed each night, she dreamed of her family.
She missed her sire’s weatherworn face, Gunter’s ceaseless laughter, and Geilir and Marteinn’s teasing.
By now, she hoped her father was out searching for her, but with each passing day, her faith wavered.
She couldn’t imagine how furious her sire must have been when he’d returned home and found her gone.
What she’d give to find out—to feel the sting of a switch on her backside for disobeying him.
Erik the Bald wouldn’t disown his only daughter.
He’d exhaust every resource to recover her, maybe even petition the king.
Offer a reward. Her captor hadn’t revealed his plans.
What he did share terrified her. He intended to keep her and repeatedly described what he’d do if she left.
She’d witnessed Erling’s barbarism first-hand.
Just yesterday, he slit a man’s throat for taking an extra cup of wine without permission.
Trying to clear that gruesome memory from her head, she turned to Erling. “I wish to speak with my father.”
He answered without hesitation. “As you wish, we’ll ride to Lagenheim tomorrow.”
Sarcastic bastard. Within a few weeks, this man had successfully groomed her into a submissive fool. She gaped at him, disgusted.
“Did you hear her?” he addressed his men. They laughed. “In good conscience, I cannot deny a lady’s request. Tomorrow, if Kara can defeat me in battle, I’ll grant her every desire.”
She rolled her eyes. “Why tease me? I’ve done everything you’ve asked.”
“I expect nothing less from you,” he said overly polite. “And out of courtesy, I offer you a fair way home.”
“Fair? The only thing you intend to do is provide entertainment for your pack of rabid dogs.” Emotions collided inside her; she wanted to shatter into a thousand pieces.
“I cannot deny it.”
What a manipulative, cunning beast. If she needed something, wanted anything, he made her earn it with sweat and blood. The only legitimate authority in this forest was Erling Solheim. “I despise you.”
“Then I’ve won. Imagine how exciting it will be once I bed you.” He gestured rudely with his hands, shoving his finger through the O he made with his other.
Kara knew what he was mimicking. She gripped her cup so tightly her knuckles turned white. She didn’t have the stomach to stay here and discuss it any further. “I’m overly tired.”
“If you get up, I’ll take you here.”
“You wouldn’t dare.”
“Is that a challenge?” He licked his bottom lip.
Offended, Kara leapt to her feet. The bastard was drunk on more than just wine tonight.
“On second thought . . .” He wiped the back of his hand across his mouth. “You should retire before I follow through on my threat.” He grabbed her arm and laughed. “Bolt your door.”
The thin scrap of wood that served as a barrier on her cabin provided no protection. A silk-slippered foot could kick it down.