The Viking's Witch Read Online Free PDF

challenged any man who thought he was up to the task of taking her from him to step forward. None of them dared.
    He broke from his thoughts as the main door swung open. Karnik entered the room and scowled as he spotted Odaria.
    “Who is this wench, and why is she sitting at the head of the table?”
    Ivor sipped beer from his drinking horn and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. “She is Rothgar’s pet, even though I found her first. It’s not fair that he gets to keep a girl for his pleasures while we suffer alone. He even gave her his brooch to—”
    Rothgar stood up, and Ivor fell silent.
    Karnik crossed the room and stood next to him. “Is this true, Rothgar? You found her and kept her for yourself even though you ordered all the villagers netted? You made me promise to keep my men away from the women while you—”
    “Be quiet.” He glared at Karnik. “If you will close your mouth and listen, I will explain.” He looked at Ivor. “He’s just bitter because I prevented him from assaulting her.”
    Odaria glanced at him, and he caught a worried look in her green eyes. How much, if any, of their Norse language did she understand? It wouldn’t surprise him if she reasoned out what Karnik was saying.
    “Fret not, Odaria.” He handed her a small silver dagger designed for cutting meat. “If anyone tries to touch you, use this,” he said in her Pict tongue.
    She nodded.
    Rothgar motioned for Karnik to follow him to the far side of the room. He wanted to speak with him privately but didn’t dare leave Odaria’s sight.
    “What’s come over you, Rothgar? You gave her a place at the table. Why would—?”
    “Because I need to.”
    “Need to?” Karnik arched an eyebrow. “This is no time for you to sate your lust with—”
    “Don’t be stupid.” He rolled his eyes. “Odaria may know what happened to Orvind’s ship. She might be able to tell me where he is.”
    “More than likely he’s deep in a watery grave,” Karnik muttered.
    “That’s possible. But I did not volunteer to search for him. My uncle summoned me.” He paused and scratched his beard. “Are you going to act against the king’s orders?”
    Karnik shook his head. “But keeping her for your use and denying the others women of their own—”
    “Are they going to question the villagers? Do they understand the Pict tongue? Should I use Ivor’s method of fact gathering and ravish the women until they are hysterical, then expect reasonable answers to my questions?”
    Rothgar glanced at Odaria over Karnik’s shoulder. She held the dagger in her right hand as she spooned soup into her mouth with her left. The poor girl was starving. She’d already eaten two bowls of soup and a plate of fish. How long had she gone without a proper meal?
    “Tear your eyes away from her breasts for a second and listen to me.” Karnik moved in front of him, blocking his view of Odaria. “Feed her, then net her with the others. It’s only fair.”
    “Never. She stays with me.”
    “You’re sweet on her, aren’t you?”
    His mouth dropped open, and he closed it quickly. The last thing he wanted was for Karnik to become suspicious. If Karnik knew he had a weakness for Odaria, he wouldn’t hesitate to use it against him to get what he wanted.
    “Why do you say that? Because I kept Ivor from defiling her?” He shrugged. “You know me. I’ve never tolerated that behavior from anyone, anywhere.”
    Karnik chuckled. “You have gone soft. Three years on land tending to fields and gardens have made you weak. You used to be courageous and bold, fighting everyone and everything. You’ve fought in more battles than anyone I know, and now look at you.” Karnik smirked. “Rothgar the Ruthless has been brought to his knees by a simple peasant girl.”
    His pulse surged, and he fought the urge to slam his fist into Karnik’s face. Although it would make him feel better, it would not be a wise move. If he struck Karnik, the horde of men would