Read Online To Tempt A Viking by Michelle Willingham - Free Book Online Page B

predicted. ‘Tell me.’ He motioned for her to sit and he found a large rock to lean against. Though his tone was sympathetic, she was aware of how difficult this day had been for him. Behind his eyes, she sensed he was hiding the physical pain.
    ‘It’s been a hard day for both of us,’ she admitted.
    ‘But we’re alive.’ He motioned for her to come closer and when she stood before him, she felt as if he shared her burdens. His hand closed over hers and he squeezed it gently.
    The comfort he gave nearly dissolved the tight control upon her emotions. She wanted to drop to her knees and sob out her frustration. But if she did, he would draw his arms around her, offering the comfort of his embrace.
    She couldn’t deny that the past week had altered their friendship. Ragnar had always been there, but being alone with him only forced her to compare him to her husband. Both were handsome and strong...but the touch of his hands upon her evoked a restless yearning she didn’t want to face.
    ‘We need to find Styr,’ she insisted. ‘We’ve been gone too long and I’m afraid for him.’
    The mention of her husband drew a grim finality in Ragnar’s eyes. He released her hand and she found herself turning away. ‘They could be torturing him.’ Or worse, he might be dead. She tried to imagine life without him and a cold dread sank into her.
    ‘Do you want to travel with this tribe?’ Ragnar asked. ‘I don’t think they would mind it.’
    It was a reasonable suggestion, but something held her back. The people did not speak their language and, if they continued southeast, there was another threat.
    ‘What if we encounter the Norse raiders again?’ she asked Ragnar, shuddering at the thought. ‘We might not defeat them a second time.’ Although finding the snake had been a stroke of good fortune, her skin still crawled at the thought of its scaly warmth upon her throat. The Norsemen had believed her promise of a curse, for the gods often took the form of a serpent when they returned to earth. But it didn’t mean she felt safe. They would as soon slaughter them in their sleep.
    ‘My leg has almost healed,’ Ragnar said. ‘I won’t let any harm come to you.’
    She knew he meant it, but it didn’t allay her fears. ‘I need to think,’ she told him. ‘I don’t know whether to stay here and let Styr find us...or whether we should go back.’ They had no ship and it would take too long to travel on foot back to the settlement.
    ‘If he’s alive, Styr won’t ever stop searching for you,’ Ragnar said. Though his words were meant to reassure her, she sensed something more. Turning to face him, she caught a flash of longing on his face. Almost as if he never wanted Styr to find her. As if he wanted to take her husband’s place.
    An unbidden vision caught her, of Ragnar claiming her as his conquest. She sensed his unspoken words: I would never stop searching for you.
    A moment later, he’d shielded all emotions, making her wonder if she’d imagined it.
    ‘What if he can’t look for me? We don’t know what’s happened.’
    ‘No. We don’t.’ He ate his own food, staring off into the darkness. She was waiting for him to offer guidance, to tell her what they should do. But he was leaving the decision in her hands.
    The healer beckoned to Elena to come with her, leaving Ragnar to rest. Though she didn’t know what the woman wanted, she followed. ‘I’ll return soon,’ she promised. Ragnar’s expression was enigmatic, but he waved his hand as if he didn’t care.
    The Irish maiden who spoke a few words of her language came to bring her to their leader. She smiled, as if to put her at ease, and then nodded to the older man. ‘Our chief ask...you...magic?’
    Elena shook her head. ‘I only let the raiders believe what they wanted to. I threatened to curse the men.’
    The girl spoke rapidly to the chief, who inclined his head in approval. ‘He say...give thanks. Gift to you.’
    ‘What kind of a