Ragnar the Murderer Read Online Free PDF Page B

but he wouldn’t with Ragnar there. Their eyes were level now and she gazed at him. His eyes were narrow and straight, unlike the rounder eyes and arched eyebrows of her kin, his face longer with a greater expanse of cheek, mostly taken up by beard. Not unattractive but different. His eyes appeared dark from a distance but were actually blue, more of a navy than sapphire.
    “ My parents have made arrangements for my marriage to Eadbald,” she blurted, looking away. “It is all agreed. We will wed next month, then I will live with him and his eight children.”
    “ So you are not happy with that?”
    “ Not- not really.” She looked into his eyes again, she couldn’t avoid them. “It’s just- I don’t know, it’s not my choice. I’d rather be independent and choose my husband, but I don’t have a long line of suitors like Saehild.”
    “ I don’t know why not,” he burst out.  “You’re far more-“ He stopped, surprised at himself.
    She stared at him, then wobbled on the branch and he put his arms round her again to steady her. She nestled against his neck, breathing a sigh of relief. His unruly hair tickled her face, it smelled fresh and clean so she took a deep breath of it.
    A robin sang close by and she noticed tiny buds were forming on the twigs. Spring was on its way.
    He relaxed while holding her. He wished he could just pick her up, carry her off and- what exactly did he wish? Taking a deep breath, he calmed himself.
    “ Aha, I thought she was your woman,” said a voice nearby, making them jump. Kjartan. “That’s why you stopped me fucking her: you wanted to do it yourself.”
    Ragnar and Aelfwyn let go of each other.
    “ Do you want me to smash your face in again?” he snarled, stepping towards the other Huskarl.
    “ Think you could? You fight like a girl!”
    They squared up to each other.
    “ Excuse me!” said Aelfwyn irritably. “Are you just leaving me here on this branch?”
    Ragnar hastily lifted her down and turned back to his tormentor, preparing to attack him.
    “ How old are you? Are you children of six?” she demanded, peering up at them. They muttered something, looking at their feet.
    “ Grow up and get on with your work. I have kindling to fetch and little time to do it.” She pushed past Kjartan, not afraid of him anymore, and went to retrieve her bundle.
    The men exchanged glances, a little ashamed.
    “ Your woman has spirit, Long Reach,” said Kjartan admiringly.
    “ She’s not my-“
    “ Admit it, brother. You want to poke her so badly its killing you, but she’s betrothed to another so you’re too honourable-“
    “ Fuck off!” He pushed him into the undergrowth. “Go and chop the firewood. I’m older so I’m in charge.”
     
    *  *  *
     
    Aelfwyn, unaware of all this, angrily threw twigs into her bundle. Angry with herself for agreeing to Eadbald’s proposition, angry with her parents for arranging it, angry with her lack of choice, angry with Ragnar for- What was she angry with him for? What had he done wrong? He’d only ever been nice to her. She’d felt so contented when he’d held her, she could breathe out at last. His body solid, hard, she’d felt- but it was no use thinking of him. Her wedding to a sensible husband loomed.
    She struggled to lift the huge bundle of kindling she had gathered. The twigs scratched her arms, hands and face as she carried it, but she didn’t care. It suited her mood.
    “ Need help with that?” Ragnar said and she blushed fiercely. She hadn’t even heard him approach. He took the bundle from her and indicated for her to walk with him.
    “ What about your own work?”
    “ I come back for that. I ordered Kjartan to chop firewood, to keep him busy.”
    They set off towards Byrnstanham in silence. Relieved not to carry the bundle, Aelfwyn’s heart fluttered anyway. What a weakling! Besotted by some Dane who probably didn’t even notice her.
    They walked along the well trodden path and the silence became