Page 44 of Merciful Salvation

His words were spoken softly, but the closest spectators snickered. Tyr must think it nothing more than a lover’s quarrel.

“Come, lass,” Aaron urged. “We’ll talk privately.”

If she agreed to go somewhere quiet, he’d smother her with kisses. Although she didn’t want to be away from Aaron, she needed time to sort out her feelings. Looking directly at him, she knew she must decide what she wanted to do. She missed her family and didn’t appreciate how Aaron had brought her here. With a sigh, she chose. If her father sent for her, she’d be forced to go unless... “Jarl Sigurdsson,” she said. “I request sanctuary.”

“Sanctuary?” Aaron repeated, clearly puzzled. “Do you know what you’re asking, lass?”

Butterflies filled her midsection.

Before she could explain, Tyr spoke. “I’ll grant your request.”

“Don’t interfere, cousin,” Aaron warned through gritted teeth. “This is a personal matter.”

“Then I pray you find quick resolution. Until that time.” Tyr gestured to a female thrall. “The lady will remain under my roof. Take this woman to my wife.”

Aaron wanted to punch the arrogant smile off his cousin’s face. He refused to look at him any longer, too afraid he’d say something he’d later regret. Peace between them was fragile. If he let his feelings for Kara cloud his judgment, the very thing his captain voiced concernabout, he’d lose everything he’d fought so hard to gain. Patience—acceptance—forgiveness—tolerance—he focused on the higher attributes that linked men to the gods.

“Put aside your anger,” Tyr suggested. “Come and sit beside me.”

Aaron climbed the steps, then plopped down on the chair next to his cousin. The delicate wood frame creaked under his weight. “Is this what a man of leisure does all day? Sit lazily and find ways to make men in desperate situations more miserable?”

“Desperate?” Tyr arched a brow. “Inconvenienced perhaps, but not desperate. The girl doesn’t realize she’s trapped herself.”

“I cannot be sure of what she does or doesn’t know. She’s too clever.”

“What—”

“I’m in love with her,” he professed. “But she’s impossible to reason with when she’s mad.”

Tyr placed his hand on his shoulder. “Why did you bring her here?”

Aaron explained.

“You’ve done the right thing. Erling Solheim is well known in the Trondelag—he’s an unscrupulous bastard. There’s more honor in a wild pig.”

“I’ve yet to discover why the misbegotten fool wants her.”

“Isn’t it obvious?” Tyr queried.

Aaron had deliberated the subject until near exhaustion and still couldn’t settle on a reason. Her father’s wealth and close proximity to Erling’s camp made Eric the Bald’s home a likely target. Yet, the steading hadn’t been attacked. Perhaps the lass witnessed something she refused to admit. Or was there a darker purpose?

“She’s beautiful. Does a man need more justification?” Tyr pointed out.

Disappointed by his own ineptness, Aaron’s whole body tensed. His rage was expressed with a growl. Jealousy washed over him. He’dbeen disgraced before, endured every sort of indignity in the past and survived, but imagining Kara with another man made him crazy. He shot up and started to pace. “If the mongrel survived, I’ll hunt him down and kill him.”

“Because you love her or your ego is bruised?”

“I can think of many reasons to kill the bastard.”

“What do you want with Erik the Bald’s daughter?”

Aaron swung around, then stared at his cousin. “You know her?”

Tyr nodded. “I consider her father a friend.”

The old jarl hadn’t lied. Why shouldn’t they be allies? “Erik voiced the same opinion about you when I visited his home weeks ago.”

“And from the way you’re acting, I’m guessing he didn’t like you.”