Read Online Malice Striker by Jianne Carlo - Free Book Online Page A

Skatha. Mayhap ’tis not true. Forsooth, for these last two seasons I have been unable to tell who plays me false and who not.”
    Had she the wherewithal, Skatha would’ve dashed from the lodge to find Lady Gráinne and confront her. Her voice shook as she responded. “How train us? To what purpose?”
    “None is stated in the missive. ’Twas an order from your king to take Hjørdis by means foul or fair to Sumbarten at first opportunity to be instructed by Lady Gráinne in your company.”
    She gritted her teeth. “Nay. I do not believe Lady Gráinne knows of this dastardly command. I have lived nine summers with her, slept in the same chamber, and been her boon companion. She has trusted me with the running of the abbey these last three summers. On occasion, she has relied on my opinion.”
    “I had thought you would have knowledge of this in some magikal way. Have you no goddess powers at all, Skatha?” He thumbed the tears rolling down her cheeks.
    Rage at the womanly frailty filled her veins. She swatted his hand away, scrubbed the moisture, and lifted her chin. “Naught. Nary a single one. And I have hidden a grievous flaw which negates all you have said. I am blind, sir. I was sent to Sumbarten when the blindness descended in my tenth and first summer.”
    He held her away from him, and she jutted her jaw, giving him full view of her face. “Nay.”
    “Aye.” A deep weariness weighted her shoulders.
    “You were born sighted?”
    “Aye.”
    “The loss of your vision—’twas the result of a fall? A blow to the head?”
    She snorted. “Nay. I fell asleep one eve with sight and awoke on the morn with none.”
    “I have ne’er heard of such. You see naught? Can you discern light and shadows?”
    “’Tis an absolute blackness. I have naught of value. You can cast me aside. Send us all back to the abbey. I am sorry for your sister, but none will trade me for her.” All at once she realized the depths of her position. “Why? Why take me to wife if all you wanted was a hostage? ’Tis revenge for Hjørdis?”
    “When an emperor and your liege lord orders a wedding, ’tis not a command a warrior can disobey without facing cert death and destruction.”
    “I do not follow.” Her head swam, too many thoughts whirling all at once to contain a sudden wave of dizziness. She twisted her fingers together and fought to remain calm.
    “Afore I journeyed to Sumbarten, I sent word of my plan to King Harald. Harald Bluetooth seeks an alliance with King Kenneth. He has of a mind to control the sea trading routes between the lands. All know Kenneth of Scots has a special interest in you, and I dared not make my move without informing King Harald. ”
    He sighed. Hot air from his exhale tickled her damp cheeks.
    “When did he command our vow-saying?” Naught made sense. From hostage to wife on the whim of a monarch?
    “I received the order last morn. ’Twas delivered by Olaf Longface, and in it both Harald Bluetooth and Emperor Tzimiskes bid me take you to wife.”
    Skatha remembered him speaking of King Harald’s law reader the day before. A stream of questions peppered her mind, but she pressed her lips together afore they burst forth. To what end did the king and the emperor order their marriage?
    “What happens now?”
    “I needs rescue Hjørdis.”
    His concern for his sister dimmed the despair soaring in her veins. “Is she full grown?”
    “Nay. She is a sprite of seven summers, but wise beyond her years, and she too, is born of a union between a mortal and a god. My mother was taken captive the summer my father was killed. She was returned to us by Ali, the Eastern trader, full with child, and died giving birth to Hjørdis. Afore she drew her last breath, she told us that she had been held in Asgard at ThMrr’s hall, Bilskirnir , and that Hjørdis was his get.”
    “You believe your Norse God, ThMrr, sired Hjørdis?”
    “Aye. I am cert of it. Hjørdis can see death writ on a warrior’s face.