Odin's Shadow (Sons Of Odin Book 1) (9th Century Viking Romance) Read Online Free Page B

do that again. Do you understand?"
    She tried to shake him off, but he refused to let go. "You're lucky you didn't get killed,” he chastised. “Or worse."
    She snorted. "Worse than killed?"
    "It's nothing to joke about. You know as well as I do what those men are capable of. Promise me you won't go back there."
    She glared up at him. "Fine . . . yes, I promise. Now let go, you stupid boy."
    He did, and lay on his back, staring at the rafters, uncharacteristically quiet. Selia rubbed her arm and refused to look at him. Who did he think he was, talking to her like that? He was letting the silly wisps of hair above his lip fool him into believing he was already a man.
    Finally Ainnileas spoke. "Father met with Old Buadhach today."
    His voice was serious—he didn’t sound as though he was teasing about Buadhach this time. She sat up. "That doesn’t amuse me, Ainnileas."
    His eyes looked sad. "Buadhach made a fine offer. Father even told him . . . about you . . . and Buadhach said he wasn't concerned about it."
    The bile rose in Selia's throat. Why hadn't her brother stood up for her? How could he let this happen? With the strength of fury, she shoved Ainnileas off the bench. He landed hard on the dirt floor.
    "Stay away from me," she managed to choke out. He reached for her in a rare expression of tenderness but she slapped his hand away.
    Ainnileas slinked back to his bench, then lay in silence. She didn't attempt to muffle her tears, hoping her brother found satisfaction in being right.
    Selia opened her eyes, blinking at the unfamiliar, pale light of morning. On a typical day the family would be up and at their chores before dawn. Why had Eithne allowed her to sleep so late? Unless she was feeling guilty. The woman must be in on her father's plan to marry her off to Buadhach.
    Selia's suspicion was confirmed as she rose from her bed and reached for her gown hanging from a hook on the wall. Her old one was missing, and in its place was the new lavender gown Eithne had been sewing for her. The woman was wonderfully skilled at needlework, and had embroidered tiny purple and white flowers on the bodice and sleeves. Selia fingered the delicate embroidery, torn between a desire to wear the beautiful gown as well as shred it to pieces.
    The door shut and Selia turned to find Eithne watching her. "You've been crying." The maid tisked at the sight of Selia's puffy eyes.
    Eithne looked more contrite than Selia had ever seen her, but she refused to be pacified. Did Eithne actually think a new gown could distract her from knowing her father schemed to marry her off to a feeble old man?
    She glared until Eithne dropped her gaze.
    "How could you let him do this to me?" Selia’s voice sounded raw. She had cried for most of the night and would have thought she had no tears left, but she could feel them building up again, thick in the back of her throat.
    Eithne sighed and opened her arms. "Oh, my girl . . ."
    Selia's strength of will broke and she ran to the woman, throwing her arms around her ample body. Eithne was nearly as wide as she was tall, and her embrace enveloped Selia. The maid stroked Selia's hair until her sobs turned into hiccups.
    "Why, Eithne?" she whimpered. "Why would he marry me to Buadhach? I can't do it. I won't do it . "
    Eithne didn't answer immediately, but instead drew Selia to the table and sat her down. She brought a bowl and a pitcher of water to the table, then soaked a cloth in the cool water, which she used to press against Selia's eyes.
    "You know about your father's wife?" Eithne asked quietly.
    "Sile? Of course."
    "I was there when she died, mind you. It was the most horrible thing I have ever seen, the suffering of that poor woman. Enough to make your blood run cold. Your father loved her very much. As he loves you."
    "What does that have to do with—"
    "It has everything to do with it," Eithne cut her off. "He's protecting you."
    Selia snorted. "Protecting me? Giving me to a disgusting old man is