The Viking's Witch (31 page)

Odaria rubbed her sore wrists as she watched the waves lap against the side of the ship. When would they set sail? She would not feel safe until they were far away at sea. Karnik’s ships had already sailed with most of his men on board.

From what little information Rothgar had shared with her earlier in the day, she knew Karnik had tried to steal Rothgar’s
knarr
and strand him here. Two
berserkrs
had defended the ship, leaving six of Karnik’s men dead on the beach. It was just the beginning of the price Karnik would pay for disobeying Rothgar’s command.

She paced. Knowing they would soon leave did little to settle her nerves. Where were Nordskog and his men? What could be taking them so long to return from the abandoned village?

Rothgar had brought her back to his ship nearly an hour ago. The first thing he did when they got on board was to drag her belowdecks and ask her to bathe Orvind and tend to his wounds. His condition had worsened, and now he had a fever. Rothgar expected her to heal him instantly. They had exchanged cross words over this, and she’d left in a huff.

She bowed her head and sighed. Now she knew why Rothgar had changed his mind and decided to rescue her at the last minute. Orvind was hurt and required expert healing if he was to survive the voyage home. She stiffened as she heard Rothgar’s footsteps behind her.

“Odaria, talk to me.”

She ignored him. A second later, he clasped her arm and spun her around to face him.

“Is Orvind going to recover?”

She yanked from his grip. “Keep your hands off me.” Tears of frustration welled in her eyes as she glared at Rothgar. “Is your precious Orvind all you care about in the whole world? I was nearly killed. And for what? So you could rescue your cousin? You care nothing for me.” She punched him hard in the chest.

“You didn’t care about me one bit until you thought he was dying, and then you came for me,” she cried out, her voice cracking. She struck Rothgar again as hot tears dripped down her cheeks. “You left me. How could you? You promised.”

Rothgar pulled her to his chest. He wrapped his arms around her, pinning her close to him. “Shh, shh, I know you were scared. Let it out, Odaria. Let it out.” He rubbed her back and rocked her.

“You left me … He was gonna kill me.”

Rothgar kissed the top of her head. “I never left you, love. Not truly. I wanted Brennan to think he’d fooled me into taking Orvind and leaving.”

She sniffled. “Is that true? You were coming back for me all along?”

He wiped the tears off her cheeks with his thumbs. “
Ja
, it was my plan. Sig and Haraldur were supposed to help me rescue you. When I saw we were outnumbered, I ran back to the village and enlisted Nordskog’s help. I had to see that Orvind was taken away safely before I could return for you.”

She nodded. “I understand, but I’m not sure if I can do anything for Orvind. I have no healing herbs or linimints, and—”

“
Ja
, you do.” Rothgar tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “Last night, after I locked you in the bedchamber, I returned to your
cairn
—”

“—and stole the love potion.”

He laughed. “I could not resist trying it for myself. But I took more than the one bottle. I filled an entire sea chest with all your potions, candles, oils, and herbs. I packed everything away and had it brought aboard the ship with my things. Your magic is waiting for you down below.”

“You brought it all?”

“
Ja
, I knew not what any of it was for, so I took everything you will need to set up shop at home. I could not separate my witch from her spells, now could I?”

“Nay,” she answered and let out a deep sigh of relief. It soothed her to know that Rothgar had intended to rescue her all along, but a question still plagued her mind.

“Rothgar, if you planned to trick Brennan and rescue me, why did you not tell me? Why did you put me through all that worry and fear for nothing?”

“I’m sorry, love, but I had to. I needed to convince Brennan that I was ready to trade you for Orvind. If you weren’t angry with me and cursing me at every turn, he would have seen through my deception. It broke my heart to lie to you and act so cruel, then leave you behind in the clutches of that madman. But I had no choice. It was the only way to get Orvind and keep you as well. Now tell me, will he live?”

“Aye. We saved him in time. His arm may be crooked, but he shan’t die.” She paused. “Is he that precious to you?”

“
Ja
, despite our difference in age, we are like brothers. My uncle holds him most dear and will greatly reward those who helped rescue him. How do you think I gained Nordskog’s allegiance and the loyalty of the
berserkrs
?”

She rolled her eyes. “And what will this great reward be? A herd of milk goats? Who is your uncle, some other Norse farmer?”

He chuckled. “Hardly. He is the king.”

Her mouth dropped open. “Orvind’s a Norse prince?”

Rothgar nodded. “That is part of the reason I had such trouble with Karnik. My uncle ordered Karnik and his men to sail with me to find Orvind. They were headed to raid elsewhere and weren’t happy about being sent on a foolish errand at the last minute. When they arrive home ahead of us, my uncle won’t be pleased to learn that they left me behind. And when I tell him what they did to me, he’ll—”

“Rothgar!”

Odaria looked toward shore and the voice. Nordskog and his
berserkrs
were approaching the ship. They were bloodied yet grinning from ear to ear. From the amount of blood on their clothes, she knew she didn’t have to ask about Brennan’s fate. She noticed that Nordskog was carrying a wicker basket in his hands.

Nordskog spoke to Rothgar, then laughed.

Rothgar took the basket from Nordskog as he climbed aboard.

“Now that Nordskog has returned, we can set sail. But first, come see what he has brought you,” Rothgar said as he set the basket down in front of her. “I think you will like it.”

She glanced at Nordskog. He was covered in blood and dirt. Bits of gristle were stuck in his matted beard and hair. What kind of present would
he
bring her? Brennan’s head? She smiled at him out of gratitude for saving her, then stepped to Rothgar’s side.

“I’m not certain I dare open it. What if it’s … ?”

“Do not be afraid. Trust me.”

She knelt and opened the basket. Three orange and black kittens lay curled on top of each other, sound asleep on a wool blanket. Her eyes filled with tears at the sight of them. “Oh, Rothgar, they’re so cute. Thank you.”

“Do not thank me. Thank Nordskog. He found them. I told him what happened to Chester and how sad you were. He found the kittens and asked me if you would like to have them.”

She scooped a black kitten into her arms. It opened its yellow eyes and mewed at her. She laughed and nuzzled it against her cheek.

Nordskog looked at her. “
Gut
?”

“
Ja
, thank you.” She put the kitten back in the basket and stood up. Rothgar draped his arm around her shoulders.

“Are you ready to sail home and become my wife, little witch?”

“
Ja
. I would sail anywhere with you, Rothgar.”

She rested her left hand on her lower belly and recalled the vision of her and Rothgar frolicking in the field of yellow flowers. If her feelings were right, the kittens wouldn’t be the only new additions to their home.

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