Read Online Love's Fury (Viking's Fury #1) by Violetta Rand - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Violetta Rand
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from her sewing table on top.
On the far wall, sitting on a shelf, she found her jewelry box which contained what little treasures her mother had left her. She opened it, finding an amber and silver bracelet, a matching necklace, and a gold ring she slid onto her right index finger. A gift from her sire and the monks upon reaching her eighteenth year. The plain band glowed against her pale skin. She stared at it, remembering the joyous celebration, only a few months past.
How her father fawned over her, reminding her she could read and write better than most men, cook and sew, but how no man in York showed any interest in her. Her father teased her often about it. Too intelligent and beautiful for them , he said, only a prince is worthy of my daughter .
She’d wear the ring with pride.
Draping the heavy bag over her shoulder, her gaze swept the tiny room a last time. Something deep inside told her she’d never see this place again. All the better, for even her father’s spirit had fled their home, the happy memories made here forever destroyed.
She admired the tapestry of the Holy Mother tacked on the wall above the table, the place she’d spent much of her time reading, praying, and dreaming of her future. Now, she felt as if her soul was being suffocated. New tears threatened to spill, but she swallowed the pain, remembering what Konal had told her. Valkyries don’t weep, they fight.
Because of that, she’d put aside the idea of killing herself and would willingly leave behind her old life. She shut the door and headed belowstairs, welcomed by a set table. She dropped her bag where she stood and then walked slowly to the kitchen. Konal held a trencher of smoked fish and bread.
“Tis easier to travel on a full stomach,” he said, easing by her. “I’ve packed the rest of the food and some linens. I found herbs and ointments we may have need of. And…” He placed the platter on the table. “A pair of silver candlesticks.”
“You cannot take them.” She followed him to the table. “They belong in the sanctuary.”
“Aye,” he agreed. “Did you steal them?”
“I’m no thief.”
“Then I will keep them safe for you.” He tore a large chunk of bread off the loaf and sat down. “Where is the coin purse you offered me before?”
Had she given him too much credit? Would the man take everything? “Tucked away in a place no one will find it.”
“You’ve no need for money.”
“Then let me donate it to the church.”
He nearly choked on his wine. “You humor me, woman.”
She claimed the chair opposite his, careful not to look at him as she helped herself to the much needed repast. Why did he want her money? Surely a man of his rank and success already possessed great wealth.
“The coin,” he reminded.
“You’d take everything I have left in the world?”
A smile twitched at his lips. “Only for safekeeping,” he said. “From what I remember, you have enough silver to buy passage on any ship. I prefer you to stay where I can protect you.”
Or to take advantage of her. “Since you leave me no choice, I will fetch the money for you, milord.” She obediently hurried to her bag, hoping he wouldn’t look inside it and discover the scrolls.
Surrendering her money meant sacrificing her last chance of freedom, but she remembered why she’d chosen to cooperate. The Lord had protected her for a reason and delivered her into the care of a man with a conscience. Though her father’s death justified her doubt in God’s mercy, she’d wait to see what her future held.
“Here.”
Konal’s fingers lingered on her hand too long. “I’m pleased you’ve decided to obey me instead of fighting.”
“If I remain submissive, will you promise never to force me into your bed?” The one thing she’d always resist.
He smiled arrogantly. “Did you forget how I held you in my arms?”
“Providing comfort to a grieving daughter cannot be misconstrued as attraction.”
“In time,
On the far wall, sitting on a shelf, she found her jewelry box which contained what little treasures her mother had left her. She opened it, finding an amber and silver bracelet, a matching necklace, and a gold ring she slid onto her right index finger. A gift from her sire and the monks upon reaching her eighteenth year. The plain band glowed against her pale skin. She stared at it, remembering the joyous celebration, only a few months past.
How her father fawned over her, reminding her she could read and write better than most men, cook and sew, but how no man in York showed any interest in her. Her father teased her often about it. Too intelligent and beautiful for them , he said, only a prince is worthy of my daughter .
She’d wear the ring with pride.
Draping the heavy bag over her shoulder, her gaze swept the tiny room a last time. Something deep inside told her she’d never see this place again. All the better, for even her father’s spirit had fled their home, the happy memories made here forever destroyed.
She admired the tapestry of the Holy Mother tacked on the wall above the table, the place she’d spent much of her time reading, praying, and dreaming of her future. Now, she felt as if her soul was being suffocated. New tears threatened to spill, but she swallowed the pain, remembering what Konal had told her. Valkyries don’t weep, they fight.
Because of that, she’d put aside the idea of killing herself and would willingly leave behind her old life. She shut the door and headed belowstairs, welcomed by a set table. She dropped her bag where she stood and then walked slowly to the kitchen. Konal held a trencher of smoked fish and bread.
“Tis easier to travel on a full stomach,” he said, easing by her. “I’ve packed the rest of the food and some linens. I found herbs and ointments we may have need of. And…” He placed the platter on the table. “A pair of silver candlesticks.”
“You cannot take them.” She followed him to the table. “They belong in the sanctuary.”
“Aye,” he agreed. “Did you steal them?”
“I’m no thief.”
“Then I will keep them safe for you.” He tore a large chunk of bread off the loaf and sat down. “Where is the coin purse you offered me before?”
Had she given him too much credit? Would the man take everything? “Tucked away in a place no one will find it.”
“You’ve no need for money.”
“Then let me donate it to the church.”
He nearly choked on his wine. “You humor me, woman.”
She claimed the chair opposite his, careful not to look at him as she helped herself to the much needed repast. Why did he want her money? Surely a man of his rank and success already possessed great wealth.
“The coin,” he reminded.
“You’d take everything I have left in the world?”
A smile twitched at his lips. “Only for safekeeping,” he said. “From what I remember, you have enough silver to buy passage on any ship. I prefer you to stay where I can protect you.”
Or to take advantage of her. “Since you leave me no choice, I will fetch the money for you, milord.” She obediently hurried to her bag, hoping he wouldn’t look inside it and discover the scrolls.
Surrendering her money meant sacrificing her last chance of freedom, but she remembered why she’d chosen to cooperate. The Lord had protected her for a reason and delivered her into the care of a man with a conscience. Though her father’s death justified her doubt in God’s mercy, she’d wait to see what her future held.
“Here.”
Konal’s fingers lingered on her hand too long. “I’m pleased you’ve decided to obey me instead of fighting.”
“If I remain submissive, will you promise never to force me into your bed?” The one thing she’d always resist.
He smiled arrogantly. “Did you forget how I held you in my arms?”
“Providing comfort to a grieving daughter cannot be misconstrued as attraction.”
“In time,
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