The Seducer (Viking Warriors)

by Jianne Carlo

  Elaina did not twitch an eyelid when he left the turret.

  He had arranged for Garek to remain behind to guard her and the girls, and he found his captain waiting at the entrance to the turret.

  “When my wife wakes, take her to our babes, and dog their every move.”

  “They are not to leave the keep? I stationed a man outside the women’s chamber earlier. He overheard plans to visit the troubadour again on the morrow.”

  Jarvik studied his captain’s twinkling eyes. “I sense there is much left out that your man heard.”

  “Naught of import. I sat above the salt this eve. ’Twould seem all the local noblewomen plan to order harem dress from their seamstresses. ’Twas a brilliant strategy.” Garek clapped him on the shoulder.

  Thought of by his brother’s wife, but Garek need not know. “When my brothers and I return we will go to the bath house afore coming to the keep.” ’Twould not do to have either king witness the stench and stains of battle.

  “Aye. Your brothers and the other warriors await you in the forest with Háski.”

  ’Twas a short distance to the clearing in the forest.

  “Greetings, brothers.” Jarvik mounted Háski and gathered the reins. “What is the plan?”

  “You and I head to meet Eógan and his warriors. Ruard and Njal will skirmish with the Moraemers. They take a cart to bring back bodies.” Torsten’s destrier sidestepped and he quieted it with a gentle nudge. “I sent a few men ahead afore the meal this eve to take the lay of the land. There is a peninsula close to Moray that borders your new keep Skjebne. We will engage them there.”

  Njal dragged a hand through his hair. “We should be back at Laufsblað Fjëllóttr by dawn at the latest. I will break the news to the monarchs while you and Elaina, the babes, Torsten, and Ainslin and their children are on your way to Skjebne.”

  “Why so many to escort us to Skjebne?” Jarvik had hoped to have Elaina and the babes to himself for the first few months.

  “Caution, naught else. We may not get all of Eógan’s men and ’twould be good for all to know The Bear of The North is at the keep.” Njal flicked his reins.

  “Ride with Thor, brothers.” Torsten dug his heels into his steed and the warriors separated.

  * * *

  Bright sunlight streamed through the turret’s open shutters, awakening Elaina from a deep slumber. She stretched, memories of the night bringing a smile, but rolled over to find Jarvik long gone. The linen where he’d lain was cool to touch.

  They were to move to Skjebne today. Already Elaina’s head filled with plans for improving the keep, tending a new garden, choosing a room for grinding, mixing, and drying the herbs she needed for healing, organizing a bower for the women, and so many more notions. A big smile curved her lips. Kateri and Kitti were going to love the beach and the waves, and their new chamber.

  She hopped out of bed, dressed, and headed to the girls.

  “Good morn, Elaina.” Catriona, surrounded by children of all ages and sexes, sat on the floor of the nursery. “Your Kateri fell asleep on Beauty’s belly, while Kitti claimed Beast.”

  Elaina surveyed the two wolves she and Deidra had nursed from pups, Beauty and Beast. The girls had learned to walk holding onto the wolves’ tails, and the two animals had adopted the babes as their own.

  “The girls recognized them, then?” Elaina sank to the floor.

  “Aye. I know not who were more excited, the wolves or the babes.”

  Situated on the third level of the keep, the nursery was an enormous square chamber with three large windows carved into one wall. The shutters stood wide open and streaming rays of morning light brought dust motes and leaves from the rushes into a shimmering dance. Playful breezes tempered the sun’s warmth, and the songs of birds celebrating the summer’s zenith wafted through the room.

  All the women lounged in different corners of the nursery. Ainslin played Fox and Geese with her twin sons. Elaina had met the boys, but could not tell Rob and Brom apart.

  Gæierla, with Inga on her lap, sat next to Ainslin and both girls watched the progress of the game.

  Bettina followed her babe, Saxski, as he crawled over to the wolves, stopping every so often to pick a speck of dust from the floor and pop it in his drooling mouth.

  “Saxski sits well, and he is very agile with his hands.” Elaina remembered well the girls’ curiosity at that age.

  Bettina pried a struggling moth from the toddler’s hands. “He will be as strong as his father.”

  “And as stubborn as his mother.” Njal’s deep voice startled Elaina, who jumped.

  Shoulder jammed into the doorframe, his gaze met Bettina’s. Some unspoken communication prompted Bettina to transfer Saxski into Elaina’s lap.

  “Is aught amiss?” Bettina went to her husband, who whispered in her ear.

  A sense of foreboding crept up Elaina’s back. Jarvik. “Where is my husband?”

  Njal cleared his throat. “He went ahead to Skjebne. We are all to escort you and the girls there, once King Cnut and King Máel Coluim depart.”

  Elaina fought the urge to find a steed and fly across the miles. She stood, holding the boy. “And when do the monarchs leave?”

  “They are preparing to do so as we speak. Can you ready your girls quickly?” Njal twined his fingers with Bettina’s.

  Elaina’s stomach coiled. What had gone amiss? “Aye. We have not much to pack.” She hugged Saxski and kissed his forehead before handing him to Bettina.

  “You and I will ride ahead. My brothers and their wives will follow with the carts. Make haste, Elaina.”

  She stared at Njal, searching his face for clues. “Carts?”

  “Aye. The little ones come with us.”

  That could only mean that the brothers planned on staying at Skjebne for some time.

  It took all the control Elaina had learned in hiding not to demand to know what had happened. She obeyed Njal’s dictates, and before the sun rode mid-sky, they were on the journey to her new home, Skjebne.

  Elaina waited until they had cantered at least a quarter the distance twixt the keep and Skjebne. She whirled her steed around and halted, blocking Nyal. “What is amiss?” she demanded.

  “Jarvik is wounded. We need to get to Skjebne quickly. He has need of your healing skills.” He looked grim.

  His words scored terror and dread straight to her stomach. “How bad?”

  “A sword to his belly. A graze on his shoulder. Other nicks. ’Twere it not for Háski standing guard o’er him when he fell…” Njal shook his head. “Ride hard, Elaina. He has lost a lot of blood.”

  Nay. Nay. She had not just found happiness only to lose it. She dug her heels into the steed’s sides and urged the horse into a full gallop. The miles flew by, and all she could see was Jarvik’s face, that wicked smile, those amazing blue eyes, and the golden halo of his hair. He had vowed to protect her and the babes to his death. Pray the lord, let it not be so.

  By the time she’d dismounted and flew up the stairs to the master’s chamber, Elaina was frantic with worry. Njal on her heels, she held her breath and approached the bed. The curtains were drawn.

  The healer in Elaina, the years of caring for others, steeled her rioting emotions. She inspected the room and shook her head. ’Twould not do.

  “Njal, we need a smaller chamber. Assign men to scrub it from top to bottom with hot water and soap. I want linens on the bed that have been boiled and dried.” She grabbed the bed curtain, pulled it open, and gathered her courage. “Go. I must needs look at him now.”

  God had mercy, for Jarvik was unconscious.

  She stripped him gently, mentally thanking whoever had had the sense to cut off his hauberk. The belly wound was shallow but already showed signs of pus. Dirt and leaves formed a crust in the center. The graze on his shoulder would heal within days. The paleness of his skin and the yellow tinge to the whites of his eyes when she checked beneath his lids worried her, but all in all… Relief surged through her vei
ns. She had to take a good few deep breaths to steady her nerves.

  “How is he?” Torsten stood in the doorway. “The room is ready and I will carry him for you.”

  “’Tis not as bad as I feared, but there is infection, and he is already feverish. There is a Scottish firewater, whiskey, brewed in the Highlands. I would have as much of it as you can find. It cleanses wounds and scours infection. Send some to gather sea moss and weed.” Elaina paused when Torsten gently gathered Jarvik into his arms. She kept a hand on Jarvik’s arm as they walked.

  Torsten laid Jarvik down on a straw mattress in a well-aired room with a fireplace and corner windows. It smelled of soap and the brine of the sea. “The maids are drying the sheets and blankets afore the kitchen’s fires. They will bring them soon. The wound is badly infected?”

  “I have seen much worse. I will need you here for the cleaning in case he awakes. I will have to cut away some of the skin. I need a bowl, and I want a cauldron with water boiling in the fire at all times.”

  “I will arrange all that.”

  Elaina flinched at the thought of taking a knife to Jarvik’s skin. Though it had to be done, and she had had to do far worse in the past, ’twas the first time since her mother that she nursed someone she loved. A faint shuffling noise drew her attention to the open doorway, and her shoulders slumped in relief. “Deidra. Thank the lord.”

  “I have all the herbs and supplies we will need, and the firewater. You bathe him and clean his wounds. I will see to all else.” Deidra strode into the room and handed Elaina a sack. “Scissors, knives, needles, thread, dried pig guts, all you will need. I have the spices for the poultices in the kitchen and will begin making them.”

  She nigh on burst into tears so glad was she to have Deidra’s support. “I thank you with all my heart. I have not just realized that I love the knave to lose him to such a small wound.”

  Deidra hugged Elaina, and said, “Worry only about your husband. We will all take care of everything else. Torsten, do not dare argue with her. She will heal him.”

  For two days and two nights, Elaina worked tirelessly to rid Jarvik of the infection that had set in. She dared not sew his wound closed until all the pus was gone and the cut bled pure, red blood. One the third day, had she not been tired beyond her bones, she would have jumped for joy for the infection had been beaten.

  Jarvik had only regained consciousness fitfully during the two days, and she prayed he would remain asleep until she finished stitching him. Elaina felt rather than heard Deidra’s entrance, but she could not afford to lose her concentration and tied off the last stitch before looking up.

  Deidra made the sign of the cross. “Thank the Lord. The wound is clean?”

  “Aye. And the whites of his eyes are no longer yellow. The fever should break soon.”

  “Then, ’tis time you had a bath and a rest.” Deidra squeezed Elaina’s shoulder. “Kateri and Kitti need to see you too. Though they are too busy to miss you right now.”

  “Too busy?” Elaina dampened a cloth and cleaned a drop of blood pearling at the edge of the last stitch on Jarvik’s belly.

  “Aye. Catriona had the notion to assign Ainslin’s twins, Rob and Brom, to organize the nursery. Mother Mary, that woman should have been a warrior. We have not heard a peep from the children. Not a single quarrel. And you should hear your girls. Talk, talk, talk. They repeat all they hear. Up now. I have had the maids prepare a bath for you in the master’s chamber. They will bring you food and then the girls. Then you are to sleep.’

  Too weary to argue, Elaina did as she was told. Kateri and Kitti visited while she ate. The babes seemed to have become little girls overnight. They scrambled food from her trenchers, then walked around the room naming objects, looking to her for approval. Her last thought before she fell asleep was that they were growing too quickly.

  “Elaina.”

  She opened her eyes to find Deidra hovering. Worry had Elaina shooting to a sitting position. “What is it? Has the infection returned?”

  “Nay. Jarvik is awake and roaring at everyone because he cannot see you.”

  Elaina braced against the wall for support. “Thank the Lord. Pass me my cyrtel, I must make haste.”

  “Nay. Take your time. ’Twill not harm him to wait a few more moments.” Deidra picked up a comb. “You slept for a day and a half.”

  Elaina flew to her feet. “Nay. How could you let me sleep for so long?” She scrambled for her chemise, tugged the garment over her head, then stepped into her cyrtel.

  “’Twas naught else you could do. And you will need the rest, for I fear your husband will not be easy to care for.” Deidra waved a hand. “You are not to be angry with me.”

  “I am nay angry. Worried.” She sat on the bed and donned her slippers. The mattress dipped when Deidra joined her. “You said he is roaring?”

  “Aye. All warriors are dense when injured. I am convinced of it. Magnus is so as well. Jarvik believes himself healed.” Deidra drew the comb through Elaina’s hair. “Now, pinch your cheeks, and let me tighten your laces to plump your breasts. For if Jarvik is like Magnus, naught will speed his recovery more than the thought of tupping you again.”

  “Deidra. Never have I heard you speak of such. And you don’t even blush.” Elaina couldn’t repress a grin.

  “Ah, but I have discovered that all that you spoke of is more than true. ’Tis the greatest pleasure indeed to learn a warrior through touch, smell, mouth, tongue, and teeth. I am indeed fortunate to be wed to such a lusty man. And such a handsome one. I swear, ’tis over a year we are wed, and I never cease to sigh when I look at him.”

  Elaina suffered Deidra’s primping for only a few more moments before leaping off the bed and racing to Jarvik’s sick room. Deliberately slowing her steps, she took a deep breath, folded her hands at her waist, and entered the chamber. The unoccupied chamber. “Where is he?”

  “I have needs other than you, woman.” Jarvik’s voice came from behind.

  She whirled around and ran to him. “Why are you standing?”

  “How else am I to visit the garderobe?”

  Elaina locked one arm around his waist, set his hand on her shoulder, and ordered, “Lean on me. Who let you walk unassisted? I will tear them apart. Slowly, my lord.”

  “Jarvik, wife. You owe me at least six score kisses and I will have them all as soon as I lay my head on that bed.” He was panting, and Elaina knew the trip to the privy had tired him out.

  After getting him situated on the mattress, she turned to gather her cleaning cloths, but he snatched her hand. “Lay with me, Elaina. I need to hold you for a while.”

  Carefully, she eased onto the bed, and he pulled her down beside. He kissed her forehead and draped his uninjured arm over her shoulder urging her head to his chest. She breathed in his unique scent. Even though he had been in a sick bed for days, he stilled smelled of the outdoors.

  “Sweetling.” He kissed the tip of her nose. “You and the girls are safe now.”

  She stroked his jaw and smiled at the feel of the soft hairs lining his chin. “’Tis the strangest thing. From the very start I have always felt safe with you. Even as a girl begging for kisses, I never thought you would do me harm. And in the pond. I should have been screaming. Me, naked in a warrior’s arms. Lusty arms, I might add. And though I urged my body to flee, my mind said nay, you have found haven.”

  “You unman me with your words, wife. But I will treasure them always as I will you.” He thumbed the seam of her lip. “My eager cock is only too willing to show you how much, but I fear the rest of me is not yet up to a thorough swiving.”

  She smiled.

  Jarvik hissed.

  “Why do you that?”

  “I well know that siren smile. So does my lusty fellow and my stones.”

  “’Twould seem a torn belly does not hinder the workings of your sex.” She touched her chin to his chest. “I will have them move you to our chamber today. And this eve, I will alleviate the suffer
ing of your both your eager cock and his twin globes.”

  Chapter Seven

  Three sennights later, Jarvik was nigh ready to order everyone gone. He wanted his wife and girls to himself.

  “What ails you?” Magnus swung a blunted blade at Jarvik’s side.

  Jarvik parried the blow. “’Tis time you all depart.”

  “Nay.” Magnus came in fast.

  Jarvik hopped backwards and barely avoided Magnus’s sword smashing his knee.

  “Aye. Eógan and his men are dead.” He swiped the sweat dripping down his face with one hand. “Máel Coluim has claimed Strathclyde’s crown. Cnut and Coluim have agreed to sign a treaty. I am well enough to train with you. ’Tis time you depart.”

  “You have regained your strength quicker than I expected. I fear when your wife hears we have been training, she will pummel me.” Magnus holstered his sword. “I like this cove.”

  So did Jarvik. He had fond memories of taking Elaina here. He scanned the secluded bay bounded by high black cliffs on each end. Waves crashed onto the sandy beach, leaving dappled foam that fizzled under the sun’s rays.

  “Are you not anxious to return to your own keep?” Jarvik set his scabbarded sword on a large rock and shucked his boots and breeches.

  Magnus had already shed his shoes and clothes. “Aye. But Deidra will not leave until her new pet is healed.”

  Jarvik grinned before diving into a cresting wave. Deidra had befriended a wounded seal much to Magnus’s dismay. It had not been easy building a sheltered pool fed by the sea so the injured creature could be nursed.

  He broke the surface of the water and rolled onto his back. Though the sun shone brightly and the days were still long, the sea held the chill of portending winter.