Delivering Kadlin Read Online Free PDF Page A

suddenly, and she flailed in the water until her feet found the sandy bottom. The Viking stared at the shore, and she followed his gaze. Her pony stood with his head down, drinking from the stream.
    * * * *
    They sat naked on their blankets and ate their fill of succulent roasted rabbit while their hair dried in the afternoon sun. They rinsed the savory juices from their hands and mouths then dressed.
    The Viking motioned for her to sit between his knees with her back to him, and he smoothed her hair with a carved-bone comb. He took great care arranging it down her back and around her shoulders. He gathered up a hank from above her ear and twisted it into a thin braid. He pulled one of the beads from his own hair and strung it onto her plait.
    “You are mine,” he whispered then kissed the top of her head.
    “Where shall I go?” she asked. When he didn’t answer, she continued. “Where shall I go while I wait for you?”
    He remained silent so she turned and looked up at him. He opened his arms, and she climbed into his lap.
    “I don’t know,” he admitted.
    “Couldn’t I stay at your farm? I could work and—”
    He shook his head. “When you first see my land—our home—it will be with me by your side.”
    “Then perhaps, I could stay in the jarl’s house—as his servant, not his wife. I can clean and sew—”
    Bjorn caught her chin in one big hand and pinned her with his stare. “No! He must never lay eyes on you. He may be too old to take you to his bed, but he loves beautiful things. He finances dangerous voyages to search out gemstones. He thinks nothing of sending men to their deaths if it might win him a tiny pearl or amethyst or sapphire. You would be just another jewel to him. I won’t let him take you from me, Kadlin.”
    This was the first time he’d spoken her name, and it added weight to his warning.
    “Do you understand?” he asked. She jerked her chin from his grasp and nodded.
    “Then where will I go?” she muttered.
    “I might know of a place. We’ll ride in the morning.”

Chapter Three
     
    They followed the river until just before noon then stopped to eat, water the horses and fill the skins. Bjorn warned her that the next leg of the journey would be much more difficult. They would travel through a dense, ancient forest filled with narrow, horse-hobbling trails and predators at every turn.
    “You must stay close to me and be alert, Kadlin.”
    His warning prodded at her already raw nerves. It was clear that the Viking would do what he could to protect her, but he would be leaving her soon. She had no idea where they were going or what would await her when they arrived. Bjorn had only said it was the home of an old friend that might be willing to do a favor and keep Kadlin until Bjorn returned from his voyage. “You will have to earn your keep,” he’d added. Kadlin had said that that was understood.
    The air was hot, humid and still, and Kadlin’s clothes clung to her skin. Across the river, dark storm clouds had begun to gather over the tops of the trees. With the air as heavy as it is, any storm will be violent. As soon as the thought crossed her mind, a rumble of thunder rolled through the sky. Kadlin shrugged forward at the sound. The pony tossed his head, and Kadlin stroked his neck and shushed him.
    “The storm is not feeding his fear. You are,” said Bjorn.
    “What does that mean?” Kadlin snapped.
    “Your worry is traveling down the reins. Be strong and confident. Don’t react to the thunder. He is following your lead, so lead him, woman!”
    Kadlin bit back her response because she knew he was right. Anyone who’d been around animals knew that, but she was embarrassed to be caught in her deficiency. She didn’t want Bjorn to think she was some foolish girl.
    The terrain had turned swamp-like, and they had to ride out farther from the riverbank to find solid ground. Kadlin concentrated on an air of confidence even as the storm gathered. The Viking had shed