LITMIR.BIZ

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silken purr, one that flowed over her and ensnared her in its coils. ‘You wanted me there, by your side. You hungered for me and my touch.’

      Yes. The word resounded in her brain. For a heartbeat, Sela wondered if she had uttered the single syllable out loud. She blinked, but Vikar continue to look at her with the same smug expression. She drew a breath and regained control of her tongue, her body.

      ‘No, you meant nothing to me.’ She forced her voice to be a honeyed sweet lie. ‘It was a political alliance and it outlived its usefulness. I had no desire for you. I have no desire.’

      ‘I think there was more to it than that.’

      Vikar pulled her against his body, moulding her curves to his hard planes. And she was not prepared for the white heat that coursed through her body. Was he going to kiss her again? Her mouth ached as if he had. His hand skimmed her arm and then pulled the dagger from her waistband. He balanced it on the palm of his hand before placing it in his waistband. She fancied his breath came a little faster.

      ‘A dangerous plaything for a woman,’ he said at last. ‘I think I shall put it under my protection.’

      Sela fought her instincts and forced her head to remain high. ‘I refuse to go back to the hall, Vikar, to become an unknown man’s concubine. I am not some thrall to be sold to the highest bidder.’

      ‘I never intended selling you. What an intriguing suggestion.’ His smile widened and his eyes danced. ‘We will discuss your proposition in greater detail after you take me to your father.’

      To her father. Her father, who was even now concealing Kjartan.

      Sela caught her lip between her teeth, tried to think clearly and not to simply react. Her life was nothing if she could not hold Kjartan once more in her arms, tell him once more that she loved him and listen to his sweet voice asking a thousand different questions. This time, this time, she would answer without wondering if the corn had been ground or the fire properly lit. But without a weapon, she could not make it through the woods. She would never see him again.

      Vikar was her only hope of reaching Kjartan alive.

      She had no choice. She would have to take the risk and pray for a miracle.

      ‘And what will I achieve with that?’ She forced her head high, and placed one hand on her hip. ‘There must be something for me. I refuse to betray him simply because you ask me to.’

      Sela held her breath and waited for his response. He had to accept her father deserved her loyalty. He had to be willing to bargain. He could not guess her decision had already been made.

      ‘That is admirable of you.’ Vikar tilted his head to one side, and his eyes travelled slowly down her form. ‘What has Bose the Dark done to deserve such loyalty? Left you with a few unworthy warriors while he scuttled out the back entrance to freedom? Left you to a certain doom? To rot? To be sold? What did you do to deserve that?’

      ‘He is my father.’ Sela planted both feet firmly and stared back at him. She knew why her father had acted that way and she did not have to explain it to anyone, least of all Vikar. Her father had protected Kjartan, and kept her secret. She knew the effort he must have made. ‘That is the only reason I need. What are yours?’

      ‘Peace for your people. A chance to end bloodshed before it was begun.’ Vikar put his hands on either side of her neck and his face close to hers. ‘I have conquered the hall and it will remain mine—with or without further bloodshed.’

      ‘You raided. You will get what you deserve.’ Sela took a step backwards away from him, away from his lips.

      ‘You will be saving your people. You need to think of more than just your own needs, Sela.’

      ‘My needs? You only think of your own.’ Sela wet her fear-dried lips. A small beacon of hope grew within her. It was possible that he did not know about Kjartan and that, somehow, she would find a way to keep Kjartan’s true parentage a secret. ‘And after that? Will you follow through with your threat? Will you force me to be your concubine?’

      ‘I have never had to force a woman.’ His eyes became a deep green, lit with a fire from within. ‘I never forced you.’

      ‘That is no answer. I want a bargain, Vikar.’

      Vikar gave a weary shake of his head. ‘What is your price, Sela?’

      ‘My mother left me some land—to the north. After I have delivered you to my father and you have spoken with him, I want to take my family there, to live in peace. After my father has placed his hand on your sword and recognised you as the jaarl, allow us to end our days in peace.’

      Sela risked a glance into Vikar’s face, but found it was devoid of emotion.

      ‘You ask a high price, Sela.’

      ‘I ask nothing more than my due,’ she said and waited as the silence grew.

      ‘After everything that needs to be done is done, we will speak of it,’ Vikar said when her nerves began to scream. ‘And I will not force you to return to the hall, if you take me to your father. I swear that on my sword.’

      Sela rubbed her hand over her mouth. Not the exact answer she wanted, but it was better than nothing. Vikar had a reputation for being honest in his business dealings. She would have to be content with that.

      ‘We have a bargain.’

      ‘And how shall we seal this bargain?’ His eyes were on her mouth. A warm pulse coursed through her. ‘I have no wish to use force.’

      Sela held out a hand. ‘As equals.’

      His warm fingers curled around hers as she looked up into his eyes, deep-green pools that instantly became hooded.

      ‘As equals…if that is your true desire.’

      He let go of her hand and stepped away. A small stab of disappointment shot through her middle. Why had she wanted more? How could she desire more? Why did all the memory of her humiliation flee at the thought of kissing him again?

      ‘My dagger, if you please.’ Sela held out her hand again, forced it to remain steady. ‘We are friends once again. There is no need for you to keep it.’

      ‘Are we friends, Sela? I need more than pretty words from your lips.’ Vikar made a mocking bow. ‘I shall keep the dagger…for right now.’

      ‘But I—’

      ‘I know what alliances mean to Bose the Dark’s daughter. My previous experience was not—shall we say, without complication. Forgive me if I remain cautious as to your true intent.’

      ‘As you wish.’ Sela lowered her eyes and examined the forest floor with its carpet of dead leaves, branches and pine needles. The portents were only death and destruction except for a single green seedling pushing its way through. ‘The truce will hold until I reach my father—whoever has possession of my dagger. I remain true to my promises.’

      ‘Do you?’ His lip curled. ‘How is it that the past holds such different memories for us?’

      Sela shivered and wished she had made a better bargain ‘We need to go. And, Vikar, only force will ever induce me to return to that hall.’

      ‘But we go on my terms, not yours, Sela, Bose the Dark’s daughter. Remember who holds the weapons.’ Vikar blocked her way. ‘My patience wears thin and I am well versed in your tricks.’

      An ice-cold shiver ran down Sela’s spine. Her gaze travelled from his firmly planted feet to his broad chest and finally met his unyielding eyes.

      ‘What a pity you made that remark, Vikar.’ Sela jammed her thumbs into the waistband of her trousers and struck what she hoped was an unconcerned pose. ‘Because I remember how you behaved as well.’

      

      ‘Do you know where you are going?’ Vikar called as Sela lead him around the same grove of birch for the second

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