By love enslaved

by Conn, Phoebe

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  plan she had just begun to devise. First she asked UUa to remain a little longer, for if they succeeded in bringing Berit home, she would need a maid. She then hurried to the stable, had one of the boys saddle her mare, and left immediately to tell Erik what she had learned. With any luck, they would rescue Berit and have the entire matter resolved before her father returned home. Then, if Haakon wanted to fiime and spit over the fact Erik had taken Berit as his wife, they would all have the courage to survive it.

  Urging her mare to a gallop, Dana followed what was becoming a well-worn trail through the woods, but as she neared the site of Erik's new home, she heard the unmistakable clang of steel clashing against steel. Fearing Grena had somehow gathered an armed force to attack her half brother, she dismounted and led Dawn's Kiss to the spot where she and Berit had observed the men working. When she finally had a clear view, she was relieved to find only a mock battle where the men watching the two participants were laughing and calling out good-natured jests.

  Botfi Erik and Brendan were stripped to the waist, displaying muscular arms and torsos that were deeply tanned and glowing with a light sheen of sweat. Circling each other warily, first one and then the other would explode into action, swinging his long, broad blade with a force that would have done terrible damage had it found its mark. Because this was not her idea of lighthearted sport, Dana's heart was soon firmly lodged in her throat. Breathless with excitement, she watched each of the men successfully block the other's blows with a fierce masculine grace that made their deadly sport fascinating as well as frightening to observe.

  It soon became apparent that despite Erik's vigor, Brendan was the far more skilled of the two, but rather than push that advantage, he was cleverly leading Erik through a series of maneuvers that allowed him to practice what prowess he had. For a thrall to give a lesson in the use of a sword to his master was a most unusual sight, but then Dana had always known Brendan was no ordinary slave. That he had a fine

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  appearance and a warrior's skill was obvious, but she longed to know so much more about him. Thoroughly enjoying the swordplay, despite the anxiety it caused her, she was sorry when by mutual agreement the young men brought it to an end.

  As Brendan slapped Erik on the back and offered a few tips for their next encounter, his back was turned toward the woods and he did not know Dana had joined them until she spoke. He wheeled around then, his expression changing from one of relaxed camaraderie to his old mask of aloof disdain.

  Dana watched Brendan's smile vanish, not understanding what she had done to deserve such a hate-filled stare. Was it because they had not discussed his freedom at their last meeting? she wondered. She blushed as she remembered each nuance of his loving and her shameless response to it, but she could recall little of his conversation. There had been no time to plan how to set him free, but that had been his fault, not hers! While she was sorry he was upset with her, she couldn't spare the time now to worry about his feelings when she feared Bent's life might be at stake.

  Not noticing die silent exchange passing between Brendan and Dana, Erik smiled widely, then grinned sheepishly as he saw his sister's glance sweep over his gleaming weapon. "Soren left home with two of Haakon's swords so I could learn how to use them. I hope they've not been missed."

  Soren walked up to join them, and Dana assured him they had all been far too upset to take an inventory of the weapons their father had not taken on his voyage. She waited for Erik to tell his workers to return to their tasks before she explained why she had come. When Brendan remained by Erik's side, as though he had every right to be there, she thought he might prove useful and refrained from telling him to join the others. She reported the dreadful news about Berit, then waited for Erik to respond.

  Instantly Erik's face took on the same look of fierce determination that Brendan's wore. Turning to the slave, he unmediately began to make his plans. "You advised me to

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  go and get her, and clearly that's what I should have done. I don't want to make things awkward for you, though. Grena doesn't have enough men to keep me out of her house if I want to walk in with this sword in my hand, so if you'd rather not come along I'll understand."

  With his glance still firmly fixed on Dana's face, Brendan sounded eager for the chance to join in another rescue. "No, I want to go. You don't need to pay me either. I'll do this just for the sport of it."

  Erik clapped the Celt on the back, **Did you get a chance to see how brutal Brendan can be, Dana? He told me he was traveling about Erin, gathering support to drive out the Norsemen, when the monastery where he had stopped for the night came under siege. The attackers admired his skill with a sword so greatly they took him prisoner rather than putting him to death, which was lucky for us both. I can certainly use his help."

  Dana found the tale every bit as intriguing as Erik obviously had, but her reaction was not the one he had predicted when she spoke to Brendan rather than him. "Why couldn't you have told me that story when I asked about your past? Would it have cost you so much in pride?"

  *'I had a good reason for telling Erik what happened," Brendan protested scornfully.

  "While I am merely a curious female with no right to know anything about you other than what is obvious to the eye?" To pay him back for his contemptuous gaze, Dana allowed her glance to travel slowly down the muscular planes of his partially clothed body until it came to rest on the inviting swell below his belt.

  Soren stared first at his sister and then at the Celt. He could have sworn there was something between them, but obviously it was nothing more than hearty dislike, for clearly they despised each other now. "I'll saddle the horses. If we're going to get Berit, we ought to be on our way."

  "You're right." Erik turned to wink at Soren as he walked by. Then he turned back to Dana. "You go on back home. I'll try and have Berit there before sunset."

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  '*No, Vm going with you."

  *'Are you good with a sword too?" Brendan asked sarcasticdly.

  *'No, I have other weapons," Dana responded instantly, silently daring him to ask what they were, but wisely he kept still.

  "I don't want you involved in this, Dana," Erik insisted.

  "I am already involved. Find a kirtle and let's go." Returning to the spot where she had tethered her mare, Dana quickly climbed into the saddle, and riding out into the clearing, she waited impatiently for the men to get ready so they could be on their way.

  Believing that hunger was her most powerful weapon, Grena had expected to win the battle of wills with her daughter in a day or two. When by the third day Berit continued to stubbornly refuse to drink the pale green potion, Grena was thoroughly incensed. By the end of that day the pallor of the girl's skin gave her hope she would soon triumph, but while Berit was too weak to leave her bed on the fourth day, she still refused to do her mother's bidding.

  Even as he continued to defy her mother, Berit was terrified that she now lacked the strength to fight should her mother summon several servants to hold her down while she forced the vile brew between her lips. With that fear foremost in her mind, the day seemed endless, but strangely, after the hunger pangs of the first day had subsided, she didn't feel hungry at all.

  She felt very alone, however. She hoped Erik was thinking of her and working out a way for them to marry, for she would never accept that desire as hopeless. She felt her beloved nanny Ulla's hand on her forehead, a fond and familiar touch, but she didn't understand the dear woman's whispered words of encouragement, or why she soon left her all alone.

  When Erik and Dana took up the lead, Brendan reined in his mount and rode along beside Soren. That the boy had dared to steal two of his father's swords had impressed

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  the Celt, for it showed a strong loyalty to his half brother. More importantly, the lad's considerable skill with the weapons demonstrated Haakon's ab
ility as a teacher, and Brendan hoped he would never have to cross swords with the man.

  A faint smile played across his lips as he recalled the day he had left Grena's. To be returning as part of the small raiding party amused him, but he had not ttie slightest doubt they could accomplish what they had set out to do. Rescuing attractive maidens was an enjoyable pastime, but he couldn't help but wish they were on their way to rescue Dana so she would be in his debt.

  As he had been on the first day he had ridden behind her, he was fascinated by the sunlight's bright sparkle on her glorious cascade of fiery red curls. The memory of falling asleep with her silken tresses spilled over his chest was ahnost unbearably sweet, and his smile grew wide until he recalled his dismay at awakening to find her gone. Clearly she was ashamed of what they had shared, although he had gloried in it. If Berit could love Erik, who had little but ambition and good looks, then why couldn't Dana love him? he wondered. He scolded himself silently then, knowing he should not long for love between them when what they shared always proved deeply satisfying to them both.

  With that tantalizing thought in mind, Brendan hoped they could complete their mission swiftly so he would have an opportunity to convince Dana to meet him again that night. Three nights had passed since he had last held her, and he did not want their separation to continue indefinitely. As they neared Grena's home, Erik and Dana came to a halt, and Brendan swiftly moved to take a place at her side.

  *'Dana will go to the door and ask to speak with Grena," Erik explained. '*Then the three of us will circle to the rear of the house. While the women are talking, we'll go to Berit's bedchamber and bring her out. I doubt we'll get far before Grena discovers what's happened, but at least Berit will be safe from further harm."

  Brendan frowned slightly, seeing a complication Erik obviously did not. **We shouldn't leave Dana unprotected.

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  for we'll have gained nothing if we free Berit but leave Dana behind."

  After a moment's hesitation, Erik nodded. "You're right, of course. I'll not allow Dana to become a hostage. You stay with her, and Soren and I will enter the house."

  Although her first impulse was to argue, Dana saw the wisdom in Brendan's suggestion as quickly as Erik had. "I have an idea," she suggested helpfully. "Give Soren that sword, Brendan, as he's more likely to need it. I'll keep Grena talking as long as I can, but if I have trouble, force your nK)unt to misbehave. Create some sort of a disturbance that will kick up enough dust to keep Grena distracted until Erik, Berit, and Soren have made good their escape."

  Dana's expression was such a sincere one Brendan wasn't even tempted to display his earlier sarcasm. After handing his weapon to Soren, he assured her he would do his best. "I won't disappoint you," he promised, but his inviting smile conveyed a far more intimate meaning than his words.

  QKK>sing to ignore the suggestive comment, Dana turned her horse toward the path, while Erik and Soren split off in the opposite direction to approach Grena's house from the rear. With her usual confidence, I>ana rode right up to her aunt's door, and when a servant appeared, she asked for her mistress. She sent Brendan a worried glance, but he was enjoying himself too greatly to share her fears.

  >^^en the servant returned with the announcement Grena had no wish to see her, Dana was at a loss for a moment, for she had been certain Grena would come out, if only to scream at her again for aiding Erik. When she glanced toward Brendan, hoping for a sudden inspiration, she instantly received one. Knowing she simply had to draw her aunt out of the house, she quite shamelessly used him as an excuse.

  "I've come to buy this thraU frx>m her. Tell her I'll meet whatever price she sets."

  As the servant again disappeared into the house, the clever redhead dared not look at her compani(Hi, for she knew without having to see his expression just how angry he

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  would be. "I told you I wanted to discuss your freedom. I might as well arrange for it now," she whispered encouragingly.

  *'This is not the time!" Brendan hiss^, certain Dana had just made an extremely foolish mistake.

  When first informed of Dana's visit, Grena was outraged, but when she had been told the purpose of her niece's call was not to plead her half brother's cause but to do business, she became too intrigued by the prospect of making an attractive profit to send her away.

  "Brendan is not for sale," she said without bothering with a greeting, attempting to conceal her eagerness to strike a bargain.

  '*My father always says that everything can be bought if a person has the right price. You know that we do, so why must be haggle over him? He is strong but frequendy disobedient, and I doubt anyone else would have him."

  Brendan sat silently fuming as Dana and her aunt debated his worth. Even knowing Dana's purpose was a noble one, he couldn't help but be deeply insult^. He was not a piece of horseflesh, nor a fine bull that could be sold from one family to another. Holding his tongue was almost impossible, but he succeeded for a few moments at least.

  Opening the rear door with swords dlrawn, Erik and Soren slipped inside. They could hear the voices of the women woiidng in the main hall, but there were no sounds coming from the bedchambers. Soren pointed to the door of Berit's room, but Erik found it securely locked. Motioning for the boy to stand aside, he aimed a brutal kick at the lock, and with a loud crash the door went flying open. Erik rushed into the room, saw Berit lying pale and limp upon the bed, and hurriedly gathered her up into his arms. Returning to the passageway, he found Soren brandishing his sword to keep half a dozen startled servants at bay, and with a call for him to follow, he carried Berit outside to their horses.

  "What was that?" Grena cried, certain she had heard a disturbance inside.

  "Fterii^ someone dropped a coddng pot," Dana suggested, "but what does it matter? My last offer was a good one. Will you take it or not?"

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  Before Grena could respond, a serving woman came to the door and tearfully exclaimed that Berit had been kidnapped. Hying into a rage, Grena reached out to grab Dana's mare's bridle. "You'll not leave here until Berit is returned! Brendan, you belong to my family, not Freya's. You must help me!"

  "Yes, mistress. Let Dana go. I'll see that she doesn't get away." Instantly the Celt positioned his mount to block Dana's escape.

  Dana's expression was one of strained disbelief, as with a mighty yank Brendan wrenched her mare's reins from her hands. She had known he was angry with her, but had he planned to betray her when he had insisted she ought not to confront Grena alone? That was so fiendishly clever a ploy she was stunned, for it made his hatred of her shockingly clear.

  Grateful that Brendan had moved so quickly to assist her, Grena followed the thrall's instructions, released her hold on Dana's mare's bridle, and stepped back out of his way. She laughed as, having lost control of her horse, Dana had no way to fight Brendan. "It is you who is caught in your own tr^ now!" she shouted gleefully.

  The terror in Dana's eyes iriamed his already boiling temper, but Brendan had had no intention of actually doing Grena's bidding. Instead, he pulled Dawn's Kiss alongside his mount and wheeled them both around in a tight circle. Then with a wild cry he urged his horse into a gallop that the dapple gray mare had no choice but to match. Leaving Grena choking in a cloud of dust, he and Dana rode out of the yard and continued at a furious pace until they were lost from sight.

  Knowing there would be no way to escape the fiiry of Grena's wrath, Brendan swore Dana was going to make the daring risk he'd just taken worthwhile.

  CHAPTER XVI

  Rather dian race all the way to Freya's, Brendan veered oflF down a path that ran beside a stone wall separating two grain fields. Once he was certain they would not be observed from the road, he drew both his mount and Dana's to an almipt halt. Leaping to the ground, he pulled the shaken redhead from her saddle and forced her back against the wall.

  "Is there no end to the ways you'll use to humiliate me?" he shou
ted rudely. "First you describe me as die most worthless of slaves, and then you actually believed I'd taken Grena's side against you!"

  Dana had to grip Brendan's shoulders to remain on her feet, for she hadn't had nearly enough time to recover from the fright he had given her before they had fled Grena's. Hoping he would continue to vent his rage with words rafter than his fists, she didn't interrupt him, but wisely waited until he paused to draw a breath to defend herself.

  "I have never tried to humiliate you. Never. That is a completely ridiculous accusation, and as for my remarics to Grena, you knew I had to keep her outside until Erik had made good his escape. I would have told any tale, no matter how outrageous, to hold her interest, and there was no reason for you to feel insulted. As for thinking you'd decided to return to Grena, I knew you were mad enough to do it. Indeed, you were already furious when I first saw you today, although I've no idea why."

  "No idea!" Brendan scoffed. While she was still too flustered to think of protecting herself, he grabbed her knife and tossed it aside. Separating her legs with his right knee,

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  he pressed her closer to the wall. His stare as menacing as his sneer, he slipped his hand beneath her flowing garments and ran his fingertips up the length of her thigh. His touch was hot, possessive, not the tender caress of a lover, but the demanding hold of a man seeking to sate his passions whether or not his woman was willing.

  Dana's eyes widened in alarm. She couldn't believe Brendan would be so abusive, and struggled to break free of his confining hold, but her efforts proved futile. She twisted in his embrace as he began to taunt her with a touch of insulting familiarity, silently daring her to deny him what he had already claimed for his own. Her breath came in short gasps as he began to tease her most sensitive flesh, but she continued to try to break fi-ee.

  "Stop it, Brendan," she demanded, not about to give in to him.