Read Online Desire's Fury (Viking's Fury Book 2) by Violetta Rand - Free Book Online
Authors: Violetta Rand
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bow.
“Enough,” Roald said, fisting his hands at his sides—tempted to beat some respect into his errant sibling. “Since the day you stepped foot on our soil, you’ve done nothing but accuse me of treachery. If you hate me so much, why did you bother returning to Norway? Why visit this steading?” He wished he knew what had made Konal so bitter.
“To reunite with my family.”
“And who am I, Konal? Your brother or enemy?”
“His brother,” Runa interjected as she entered the room. “This squabbling must end. The people are chattering about it—casting lots on which of you will survive the summer.”
“Who gave you permission to speak?” Roald asked.
“The same man who sired you, fathered me, Roald. That alone makes us equals. I will no longer sit idly by and wait for the two of you to make peace. If you cannot bear the sight of one another, then for Odin’s sake, for all our sakes, once this celebration is over, leave this place, Konal.”
Konal frowned. “You choose him over me? Haven’t I always been sympathetic to your causes?”
“Yes,” Runa said. “But Roald is Jarl now. I must obey him.”
“Or leave with me and Silvia.”
Unable to control his temper, Roald lunged at his brother, catching him by the throat. Runa’s worried gaze flew to Roald’s and he loosened his hold on Konal.
“I offer you a last chance at a truce. Accept your place in this house as my brother and adviser. When the right time comes, I will bless your departure to start a new steading. For now, I need my family behind me.”
“Including Silvia?” Haakon joined them.
Roald rolled his eyes. Were all of his siblings in collusion against him? “Yes,” he said hesitantly. “My sister-in-law is part of this family now.” He let go of Konal then. “But don’t expect any great revelations. I will treat her with dignity.”
“I have your word?” Konal asked, straightening his tunic.
“Aye.”
A moment of intense silence followed.
“Good,” Haakon said. “Now that it’s settled, I think all of you should come with me.”
He led them to Silvia’s chamber and opened the door.
Sitting up in bed with a trencher of food on her lap was Silvia, eating and chatting with her maid.
“By Odin!” Konal rushed to her side. “How?”
Silvia’s radiant smile even warmed Roald’s heart as she thrust the tray in her servant’s hands, then threw herself in Konal’s arms.
“Hours ago,” she answered. “That lovely Sami girl greeted me when I awoke. She looked so relieved to see me well.”
“We all are,” Konal assured her as he lifted her from the bed.
“Where is the girl?” Roald asked. He must thank her, kiss her, and convince her to stay longer.
“Gone,” Silvia said. “She mentioned a brother.”
Twas his fault for losing track of Silvia. He’d been so caught up in the celebration. “Haakon, Runa. Tell the guards not to let anyone leave the great hall. I must speak with Eva.”
Judging by the way his heart raced, he’d search anywhere to see her again—Allfather help him.
Chapter Thirteen
“S top babbling.” The older woman clapped her hands like she was trying to get the attention of children. “The six of you are fortunate to get this far. Tis an honor to be chosen to warm the master’s bed on the night of his inception as jarl.”
Her words did little to quiet Eva’s beautiful rivals.
All she could think about was what Silvia’s maid reported about the goings-on in the great hall. How Roald had been drinking in preparation for his special night with a virgin of his choice. A gift every jarl received. It stunned Eva that any father would willingly sacrifice his daughter’s virtue for such a selfish tradition.
But the servant had assured her that many chieftains’ wives had been chosen from such a pairing. Because of pregnancy… That’s what Eva decided would be the only reason a man of power would marry a girl he didn’t care for or know.
She couldn’t let Roald
“Enough,” Roald said, fisting his hands at his sides—tempted to beat some respect into his errant sibling. “Since the day you stepped foot on our soil, you’ve done nothing but accuse me of treachery. If you hate me so much, why did you bother returning to Norway? Why visit this steading?” He wished he knew what had made Konal so bitter.
“To reunite with my family.”
“And who am I, Konal? Your brother or enemy?”
“His brother,” Runa interjected as she entered the room. “This squabbling must end. The people are chattering about it—casting lots on which of you will survive the summer.”
“Who gave you permission to speak?” Roald asked.
“The same man who sired you, fathered me, Roald. That alone makes us equals. I will no longer sit idly by and wait for the two of you to make peace. If you cannot bear the sight of one another, then for Odin’s sake, for all our sakes, once this celebration is over, leave this place, Konal.”
Konal frowned. “You choose him over me? Haven’t I always been sympathetic to your causes?”
“Yes,” Runa said. “But Roald is Jarl now. I must obey him.”
“Or leave with me and Silvia.”
Unable to control his temper, Roald lunged at his brother, catching him by the throat. Runa’s worried gaze flew to Roald’s and he loosened his hold on Konal.
“I offer you a last chance at a truce. Accept your place in this house as my brother and adviser. When the right time comes, I will bless your departure to start a new steading. For now, I need my family behind me.”
“Including Silvia?” Haakon joined them.
Roald rolled his eyes. Were all of his siblings in collusion against him? “Yes,” he said hesitantly. “My sister-in-law is part of this family now.” He let go of Konal then. “But don’t expect any great revelations. I will treat her with dignity.”
“I have your word?” Konal asked, straightening his tunic.
“Aye.”
A moment of intense silence followed.
“Good,” Haakon said. “Now that it’s settled, I think all of you should come with me.”
He led them to Silvia’s chamber and opened the door.
Sitting up in bed with a trencher of food on her lap was Silvia, eating and chatting with her maid.
“By Odin!” Konal rushed to her side. “How?”
Silvia’s radiant smile even warmed Roald’s heart as she thrust the tray in her servant’s hands, then threw herself in Konal’s arms.
“Hours ago,” she answered. “That lovely Sami girl greeted me when I awoke. She looked so relieved to see me well.”
“We all are,” Konal assured her as he lifted her from the bed.
“Where is the girl?” Roald asked. He must thank her, kiss her, and convince her to stay longer.
“Gone,” Silvia said. “She mentioned a brother.”
Twas his fault for losing track of Silvia. He’d been so caught up in the celebration. “Haakon, Runa. Tell the guards not to let anyone leave the great hall. I must speak with Eva.”
Judging by the way his heart raced, he’d search anywhere to see her again—Allfather help him.
Chapter Thirteen
“S top babbling.” The older woman clapped her hands like she was trying to get the attention of children. “The six of you are fortunate to get this far. Tis an honor to be chosen to warm the master’s bed on the night of his inception as jarl.”
Her words did little to quiet Eva’s beautiful rivals.
All she could think about was what Silvia’s maid reported about the goings-on in the great hall. How Roald had been drinking in preparation for his special night with a virgin of his choice. A gift every jarl received. It stunned Eva that any father would willingly sacrifice his daughter’s virtue for such a selfish tradition.
But the servant had assured her that many chieftains’ wives had been chosen from such a pairing. Because of pregnancy… That’s what Eva decided would be the only reason a man of power would marry a girl he didn’t care for or know.
She couldn’t let Roald
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