The Enchantment Read Online Free PDF Page B

man came to the hall and brought a woman warrior. I think he wants you to fight her.”
    Jorund rubbed his face and laughed in husky, sated tones. “Fight a woman? Why would I do that?”
    â€œShe’s not just a woman, Brother,” Garth said tauntingly. “She’s a battle-maiden, daughter of a Valkyr . . . under an enchantment.” He crossed his arms and smirked at the way Jorund sat straighter and shrugged the sleep-shroud from his senses. The promise of a blood-stirring battle held no allure for Jorund, but he could never resist the promise of a tantalizing woman. “She’s taller than Father—damned near tall as you—and sleek as a Frankish mare. She’s got a face like a wood nymph”—he lowered his voice—“and eyes like a Persian tiger.” Garth wheeled and was halfway down the ladder before Jorund made it to his knees and called after him.
    â€œWait—Garth! Near as tall as
me
?”

    â€œA AREN? ” CAME A whisper in the darkness.
    â€œYea, Miri?” Aaren turned on her straw pallet on the floor of the women’s house and made out the glow of her sisters’ flaxen hair and pale faces in the dimness. They were sitting up, huddled close together, and she pushed up to face them.
    â€œDid you see them? Did you feel their eyes?” Miri whispered, her face luminous with unnamed fears.
    â€œI never imagined there would be so many men,” Marta murmured, reaching for Aaren’s hand and clasping it tightly. Her eyes widened. “Will you have to fight them all?”
    â€œThat depends on Old Red Beard,” Aaren answered. Then, seeing their fears, she slid over on her knees and gave them a hug of reassurance. “And on whether I can stand their smell long enough to let them get within skewering range.”
    When they looked up, alarmed, she was smiling and they sagged with relief. “They do smell strange,” Miri said, wrinkling her nose. “Are you sure we have to take one as a husband . . . sleep with him in his furs and . . . all the rest?”
    â€œYou know what Serrick said,” Aaren said, her smile fading. “Marriage is a protection for a woman and her children. Either choose to mate with one, or suffer having to mate with them all. You saw their strength, felt the heat of their stares. They will all want you.”
    â€œUghhh.” Miri shuddered and wrapped her arms about her waist. Marta stiffened and ran a hand over her waist and down her belly, where it splayed protectively at the top of her legs.
    â€œUntil I have won a place in Borger’s hall and wrested some respect from Borger and his warriors, the threat of my blade is your only protection. You must promise me you will not be caught alone in the company of men . . . that you will be prudent and watchful,” Aaren insisted, drawing solemn nods from them.
    â€œDo you think you would really
skewer
a man, Aaren?” Marta whispered hoarsely.
    â€œI would if he were about to skewer me.” Aaren expelled a controlled breath. For the first time in her years of training and fighting, she truly faced the possibility of killing or being killed. Always before when she fought, she knew that Serrick would not deal her a deathblow. But these men of Old Red Beard’s had killed in battle and would think nothing of sending their blades biting into her bones. “I am a warrior, Marta.”
    They were silent again as the full significance of that fact settled on each of them in a new way. The honor and respect a warrior owned was bought with a blood-price and, despite so dear a cost, was as fleeting as breath-mist. Miri’s hands sought Aaren’s again, and Marta spoke in a constricted whisper.
    â€œWhat if . . . something happens to you?”
    â€œNothing will happen to me.” She shook off their anxiety. “I have the victory-luck from Odin himself.” She freed one hand and stroked first Miri’s