time for using that weapon has gone.’
‘Then stop tempting me.’ She forced her fingers to relax. At the slight movement, he halted. ‘If you keep your distance, I won’t use it. But I do know how to.’
‘Temptation. Let’s speak of temptation to do harm and see who has the greater right.’ A grim smile crossed his features. ‘You owe me. You left Kaupang without an explanation and you attempted to leave the hall without my permission.’
‘I was not aware I needed your permission.’
‘Twice is two times too many.’
The breath rushed out of her. This was all about his hurt pride. She had damaged his overwhelming sense of self-importance.
‘You know why I left—or you would have if you had spared me some time from the oh-so-lovely Asa’s side.’ Anger filled her. Her fingers itched to draw the dagger from its sheath. ‘You did not care whether I lived or died…until I was gone.’
‘Maybe you should have fought for me. Maybe you used it as an excuse to get away from something you feared.’ Vikar’s eyes were ice-cold green as they regarded her hand, but he made no further movement towards her.
‘How does one fight a queen?’ Sela kicked a pebble, remembering those dreadful days in Kaupang when she had waited for him to come to her at her father’s house. He had never responded to her ultimatum except to order her back. She had finished taking orders from him and had left. ‘I refused to compete, and feed your vanity.’
‘Was it about my vanity or yours?’ Vikar’s eyes became inscrutable as he took a step closer. The warmth of his breath fanned her cheek. She could see the lines in the corners of his eyes and the hollow of his throat where she used to press her lips.
‘My vanity?’ The words came out as a squeak.
‘Yes, yours.’
Vikar came closer, so close, that if she breathed deeply their bodies would touch. Her fingers trembled. To her horror, she realised that she wanted to touch him, to feel his skin slide under her palms, to once again experience that swirl of emotion. Her body remembered the times they had spent together. Remembered it and wanted it again even as her mind willed the memory to subside back into that locked place in her mind.
‘And my refusal to dance to your tune bothered you.’ His voice had become a 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
