Page 60 of Merciful Salvation

By the time Kara returned the mare to the stable and wanderedinside the great hall, thralls were already serving the eventide meal. Jarl Sigurdsson eyed her the moment she crossed the threshold.

“Did you enjoy your ride?” he asked.

She froze, embarrassed to be called out in the small crowd. “I apologize for being late,” she said, slinking to her seat at the high table. “It seems I don’t know my way around as well as I thought I did.” She hated lying to her host.

“Welcome back,” Rachelle said softly, pouring her a measure of wine. She offered Kara the cup.

“The Trondelag is a magical place, milady. Most favored by the gods.”

“I’m inclined to agree,” Tyr said with a slight slur. “Some of our women reported seeing you on the north road,alone.”

Kara swallowed. More falsehoods would only make it harder to tell the truth later. “Yes, I didn’t want to disturb Wolinda.”

“Do you think it wise to ride alone?” Tyr asked.

She swallowed a healthy dose of wine before answering. “No.” This situation sadly reminded her of similar conversations with her father. She prepared for what usually followed, a terse reprimand. “I’m prone to doing whatever I want, when I want, and usually end up suffering for it, milord.”

Tyr threw his head back and laughed. “You remind me of my wife, Lady Kara.”

Rachelle rolled her eyes and patted Kara’s hand. “My husband has enjoyed a fair portion of mead and wine this evening. Ignore his banter.”

Kara relaxed then, dipping a piece of bread in dark gravy. If only she could live so happily. “Thank you for understanding, Jarl Sigurdsson.”

“I never said I understood, but I appreciate your independence. What man wouldn’t? Too often, men are shackled to women who can’t think or do for themselves.” He leaned sideways, toward her. “I’ve extended an invitation to your father.”

Kara’s jaw clenched in the middle of chewing another mouthful of bread. Erik the Bald,here? “Why?” she asked, her voice wavering.

Tyr gaped at her. “You need me to explain?”

“You’re being unconscionably brutal,” Rachelle chastised her husband.

“The girl needs to know,” he pointed out. “But we’ll wait to finish this conversation until after I receive word from Jarl Erik. Agreed?”

Kara didn’t want to appear ungrateful—or stupid. She paused and stared down at her trencher. If she said yes, what was she really agreeing to? “Yes, milord.”

“Good. Now eat,” he commanded. “Things always become clearer on a full stomach.”

Hours later, Kara settled in her bedchamber. Whatever Tyr Sigurdsson wanted with her father, it must be related to her relationship with Aaron. It scared her. Just thinking about seeing her sire again, after everything that had transpired, frightened her. Undressing, she carefully laid her gown over the back of a chair, then walked to the table where a pitcher of water waited. She washed her face, hands, and underarms.

A single candle illuminated the spacious room. Since spring evenings were warmer, she didn’t need a fire. She preferred sleeping in a cool chamber. With thoughts of Aaron lingering in her sleepy mind, she blew out the candle, then crawled into bed. She hugged herself. He’d taken her from behind like a stallion, a thought she’d never entertained. Little separated men from beasts, but mimicking their sexual behavior—well—it excited her. Too much to fall asleep.

She tried resting on her side, then flipped onto her back. Restless as a child, she punched the mattress with both hands, then flipped onto her right side. Her door creaked open. Kara didn’t know what to do. The knife Amelia gave her was on the table. Who dared enter her room without her consent? She sat, barely able to make out the shapeof the person standing beyond the doorway.

“Who is it?”

No answer.

“Tell me or I’ll scream.”

Before she could, a large hand slid over her mouth. “Quietvakker kriger,or you’ll get us into trouble.”

Aaron?

He removed his hand and she blew out a breath—relieved. “I’ve been thinking about you.”

“Aye,” he said, sitting on the edge of the bed. “I, too, couldn’t concentrate on anything but you.”

“Are you staying the night with me?” She’d risk discovery to keep him in her bed all night.