invited here with such indignity. There is more to you than meets the eye, Jarl Roald. Oh, you roar like any wild beast, but I sense the goodness in you. You are worthy of my family’s respect. And I plan on telling them as soon as I get home.”
Roald took another deep drink, then turned in his chair so he was facing her. Her insides boiled as his lingering gaze swept over her. “Such strength…” he said softly.
“Only fools are fearless, sir.”
“Is that a confession, then? You fear me?”
“In a way I cannot describe with words.”
“Can it be shared with a second kiss?” He leaned closer.
Her throat went suddenly dry. She must do everything to protect herself against this magnificent man. Another kiss would only make it harder to part ways with him. “I haven’t been completely honest with you…”
“I forgive you.” He captured her shaking hand. “We met under less than favorable conditions, with little time to discuss our histories.”
She tried to pull away, but he held on tight.
“I-I…” she faltered. “I am betrothed.”
His brows shot up, but his eyes still held a dark passion. “To who?”
“A man I am sure you’ve never heard of. A wealthy herder. Though I am unhappy with the match, my eldest brother insists I marry him.” She hated lying to the only man she’d ever felt such an absolute attraction for. “Before you found me in the foothills, my brother, Markkos, was there. He’d tracked me down to remind me of my responsibility to marry well for the benefit of my family. I’ve resisted for months. But it appears I have no choice now.”
Roald massaged her fingers vigorously. “There is always a choice, Eva. Your own words.”
“Not after violating the laws of my people by coming here alone. My virtue will be questioned. And my mother…”
“I will account for your virtue,” he said angrily. “And will personally escort you home.”
“No.” She stood up, anxious to get back to Silvia, and desperate to get away from him.
“Listen to me.” He tugged her back down. “You are a grown woman. Capable of making your own choices.”
“Am I?” She doubted he really felt that way. “Do you offer your sister the same freedom? Is she allowed to choose who she spends time with? Who she beds?”
“Did I say anything about bedding you, Eva?”
She sucked in a breath as their gazes locked. “I-I…” Curse how he always made her stumble over words. “What else would I think?”
“It’s just a kiss.” He reached for her hair covering, but she escaped his wandering hand.
“A kiss with you will never be just a kiss .” Her whole body heated with embarrassment. “And now that you know my deepest shame, Jarl Roald, please let me go.”
He didn’t protest when she rose to her feet again and walked away from the table. Sarakka help her—the goddess of love and fertility might be playing tricks on her. Opening her heart to a Norseman would only end in strife. And though Eva had spent her life caring for and healing people, she didn’t possess the magic to mend a broken heart.
*
Hours later, after Roald had accepted his crown, he still couldn’t get the lovely Eva out of his mind. Something about the girl moved him, and it was much more than the respect he felt as he watched her weave her healing spells around Silvia. Her perfect smile and dancing eyes were partly to blame. And that indomitable spirit could drive any man mad.
Once he finished his fourth measure of wine, he knew it was time to assemble in Silvia’s bedchamber. He’d already put it off long enough.
Troel followed him to his chamber.
“Bring my sister and brothers here.”
“Aye, milord.”
Konal arrived first, a drinking horn in hand. “You’ve cut the celebration short.”
Tired of his brother’s continued insolence, he snatched the vessel from his hands and threw it against the far wall. “The time for tolerance is over.”
“My lord.” Konal saluted him with a mock
Roald took another deep drink, then turned in his chair so he was facing her. Her insides boiled as his lingering gaze swept over her. “Such strength…” he said softly.
“Only fools are fearless, sir.”
“Is that a confession, then? You fear me?”
“In a way I cannot describe with words.”
“Can it be shared with a second kiss?” He leaned closer.
Her throat went suddenly dry. She must do everything to protect herself against this magnificent man. Another kiss would only make it harder to part ways with him. “I haven’t been completely honest with you…”
“I forgive you.” He captured her shaking hand. “We met under less than favorable conditions, with little time to discuss our histories.”
She tried to pull away, but he held on tight.
“I-I…” she faltered. “I am betrothed.”
His brows shot up, but his eyes still held a dark passion. “To who?”
“A man I am sure you’ve never heard of. A wealthy herder. Though I am unhappy with the match, my eldest brother insists I marry him.” She hated lying to the only man she’d ever felt such an absolute attraction for. “Before you found me in the foothills, my brother, Markkos, was there. He’d tracked me down to remind me of my responsibility to marry well for the benefit of my family. I’ve resisted for months. But it appears I have no choice now.”
Roald massaged her fingers vigorously. “There is always a choice, Eva. Your own words.”
“Not after violating the laws of my people by coming here alone. My virtue will be questioned. And my mother…”
“I will account for your virtue,” he said angrily. “And will personally escort you home.”
“No.” She stood up, anxious to get back to Silvia, and desperate to get away from him.
“Listen to me.” He tugged her back down. “You are a grown woman. Capable of making your own choices.”
“Am I?” She doubted he really felt that way. “Do you offer your sister the same freedom? Is she allowed to choose who she spends time with? Who she beds?”
“Did I say anything about bedding you, Eva?”
She sucked in a breath as their gazes locked. “I-I…” Curse how he always made her stumble over words. “What else would I think?”
“It’s just a kiss.” He reached for her hair covering, but she escaped his wandering hand.
“A kiss with you will never be just a kiss .” Her whole body heated with embarrassment. “And now that you know my deepest shame, Jarl Roald, please let me go.”
He didn’t protest when she rose to her feet again and walked away from the table. Sarakka help her—the goddess of love and fertility might be playing tricks on her. Opening her heart to a Norseman would only end in strife. And though Eva had spent her life caring for and healing people, she didn’t possess the magic to mend a broken heart.
*
Hours later, after Roald had accepted his crown, he still couldn’t get the lovely Eva out of his mind. Something about the girl moved him, and it was much more than the respect he felt as he watched her weave her healing spells around Silvia. Her perfect smile and dancing eyes were partly to blame. And that indomitable spirit could drive any man mad.
Once he finished his fourth measure of wine, he knew it was time to assemble in Silvia’s bedchamber. He’d already put it off long enough.
Troel followed him to his chamber.
“Bring my sister and brothers here.”
“Aye, milord.”
Konal arrived first, a drinking horn in hand. “You’ve cut the celebration short.”
Tired of his brother’s continued insolence, he snatched the vessel from his hands and threw it against the far wall. “The time for tolerance is over.”
“My lord.” Konal saluted him with a mock
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