Viking Flame: Prequel to Viking Fire (4 page)

Bram scratched his chin; it was smooth since he’d shaven off his beard. Elva said no one would recognize him. The keep bustled with the morning chores and the scents of ham, eggs, porridge and baking bread wafted through the stone walls.

As he past the dining chamber, he heard muffled crying. With his hand on his sword, Bram pushed open the door and stepped inside. Sitting on a wooden bench in the far corner, Rebecca wept into her hands. Her body shook with her sobs.

“Rebecca?”

She glanced up at him with tears streaming down her face. “Someone told you about my hair.”

Confusion filled him. Hair? It looked normal; brown, tied back at her neck and braided down her back. “What about your hair? It looks fine to me.”

“It’s a wig.” Her cries echoed.

The noise might bring the guards or Kaireen. Until the announcement was made publically, he couldn’t interact with Kaireen. The Laird and Lady must have told Rebecca and her father as a curtsey. “So? Lots of women wear them. Some men too I’ve been told.” Not Vikings. They kept themselves well-groomed and if any were bald, they reveled in it.

“When I was a child, I had the pox.” Her lip quivered.

He examined her face and frowned. “You have no scars.”

She pointed to the top of her head. “Here I do. None of the physicians could do anything, but my hair refused to grow and had to be chopped off. There are patches of baldness showing through among the pox marks.” When she went to remove her wig, he stilled her hand. “This wig is from peasant’s hair, darker and richer than mine ever was.”

“There’s no need to show me lass. But no,” he patted her hand. “No one told me of your condition.” Thor help him. Or Freya, she was better at matters concerning women.

“There has to be a reason you want to break our betrothal contract.”

He rocked back on his heels. Truly, he didn’t want to hurt Rebecca. He hadn’t planned on falling in love with Kaireen. And he’d planned on telling Rebecca himself, now she already knew. “Who told y—”

“My father.” She lifted her chin slightly. “It’s true, isn’t it?”

Swallowing the lump in his throat, he nodded. “Aye.”

“Then you at least owe me an explanation. Some reason if you didn’t know about my hair.”

The lump in his throat tightened. Swinging a sword was much easier than dealing with women. Though, he’d rather be doing anything than talking to a weeping woman. Since he couldn’t be the one to break the news to her, he’d at least be honest with her. “I’m drawn to someone else.”

“Which lady has drawn your favor instead of me?” She wiped at her eyes. “Tell me why you broke off the c-contract to m-marry me. You owe me at least that much.”

When he shook his head, she pleaded. “I won’t tell anyone. I swear it. I doubt I’ll ever be this close to ever being betrothed.”

Despite his resolve of wanting Kaireen, his gut knotted. He felt sorry for the woman. Her demeanor was pleasant enough, but she was too timid for his taste. Maybe Hjorr or Ivan would like her.

“You at least owe me to tell me why.”

For breaking the contract and her hopes, he owed her more than a name. But it was all he could give her and it might cost him everything if she gossiped before the Laird and Lady told their daughter of his intentions. “Kaireen.”

Her eyes widened. “A-and does she care for you?”

“She doesn’t even know I exist.”

Rebecca laughed. When he shushed her, she hiccupped as she wiped away tears. “Sorry. I-I just… I think it would be easier for me to find a husband than Kaireen agreeing to marry you. Not that you aren’t handsome, she’s just…” She shrugged. “Stubborn.”

“So I’ve been told.” And he’d glimpsed both sides of Kaireen’s nature: compassionate and fiery. He held out his hand to Rebecca. “Allow me to escort you to your chambers, you’re staying at the keep until your father and you leave for your lands?”

“Aye. We’ll stay until the end of the month.” She giggled, but clasped his hand and rose. “Though you can always use jealousy. I’m sure Kaireen would fume—”

“You mustn’t tell anyone we’ve spoken.” He placed his hands on her shoulders. “Not your mother or father, or even your most trusted handmaid.”

Her mouth opened in surprise.

“Please. My future is in your hands.” He kissed her knuckle. “But I believe you are a trustworthy friend?”

“Aye.” She swayed slightly. “A friend. But why is your attraction to Kaireen to remain a secret?”

“Laird and Lady Liannon will tell Kaireen later today of our betrothal and I will
officially
meet her tonight at the dining hall. The Laird has me at the grand table this time rather than the servants’ bench.” He led her past the stone archway and into the courtyard. “Kaireen cannot know of the arrangement until her family tells her.”

Rebecca kicked aside a pebble and it bounced along the stone trail. Her tone serious and thoughtful. “Of course. Listen to Kaireen’s body, not her words.” She turned to him and titled her head. “I think her heart will crave you long before her mind realizes it.”

“I will not force her.” What would he do if she refused him? He would honor her wishes, but surely she would give him a chance. “If at the end of the fortnight, she wants nothing to do with me, I vow I will annul the contract and she will be free of me.”

A smile tugged at the corners of Rebecca’s mouth. “I don’t see how any woman would be able to resist you.”

He winked and patted her hand.

A scream echoed from the keep. Bram unsheathed his sword and ran inside. Servants stood frozen as he dashed past them.

Outside Laird and Lady Liannon’s bedchamber Kaireen burst forth, the door slamming behind her with a bang as she tore past him. Her face as red as her hair and her mouth set in a grim line.

Elva appeared around the corner from the Laird and Lady’s chambers seconds after Kaireen, rushes tumbling around the edges of her grey skirt.

“What happened?” he asked Elva.

“It’s begun.” She paused before him and glanced up into his face. “I hope you are ready for this war… because it will be many battles you will need to win if you ever hope to have victory over Kaireen’s heart.”

“I will succeed.” He’d never lost a battle before. Surely Kaireen would see his love, even if he could not voice it until she did.

She sighed. “I hope so. For even in my wisdom and foresight, the way to Kaireen’s heart is dark and many paths lead not only to your destruction, but hers as well.”

Her words sent a shiver down his spine as if someone rammed an icicle through his spine. Win the heart of a stubborn, feisty lass? He’d better prepare for the challenge.

-End-

For the continuation, see
Viking Fire (
excerpt below
)

Thank you for reading my novella. If you enjoyed it, please take a moment to leave me a review at your favorite retailer.

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Andrea R. Cooper

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
 

Andrea has always created characters and stories. But it wasn’t until she was in her late twenties that she started writing novels. What happened that ignited the writing flame in her fingers? Divorced, and disillusioned by love songs and stories, they exaggerate, she thought. Love and Romance are not like that in the real world.

Then she met her husband and realized, yes, love and romance are exactly like the songs and stories say. She is now a happy wife, and a mom to three kids (two boys and a girl). Andrea writes fantasy, paranormal, historical, and romantic suspense.

When not writing or reading, one my find Andrea dancing in Zumba. She believes in the power of change and counting each moment as a blessing. But most importantly, she believes in love
.

“I renounce Father for this.” Kaireen threw the elderberry gown. Dressed only in her leine, she glared at the new gown on the stone floor.

“Shame on you and your children for speaking such.” Her handmaid, Elva, gathered the damask and then dusted off the rushes. “It’s a wonder one of the clim has not scolded you from your hearth for such talk.” She wore her white hair twisted in a chignon, underneath a linen head cloth. Strands of white hair poked out the sides of her covering.

“No, curse Father for a fool.” She plopped on her bed and a goose feather floated away. With a huff, she leaned against the oak headboard. Red curtains puffed like a robin’s chest around oak poles supporting her wooden canopy. Her bare feet brushed against the stone floor.

Why was she not born plain like her two older sisters? Already they had married and expected their second bairns by spring. Well, at least so far she had enjoyed twenty years of freedom. Three years longer than her sisters. Her parents had her sisters married by their seventeenth birthday. Marriage at such a late age was uncommon, but her father had wanted suitable matches. They had enjoyed freedom longer than others. Many women were given in marriage soon after their first woman’s cycle.

Neither of her sisters had had matrimonial dreams of love matches. Both were arranged marriages. Margaret was married to an O’Neill. They courted through the long winter and past the blooming of spring with an early summer wedding. Two months later he roamed other women’s skirts, finding too many others who were willing. Margaret’s irritation was lessened as she was ensured by the Laird O’Neill’s formal letter that no bastard would have claim to her husband’s land or rights if she were widowed.

Her other sister, Shay, and her husband did not set eyes upon each other until the wedding feast. Then they were never separated until tragedy ripped them apart. Four months ago, her husband was killed in an unexpected skirmish against another clan. Shay refused to admit his death—until his blood-soaked body arrived with his clansmen. For days she refused to eat or drink. Her salvation was she carried their second unborn child in her womb, and their two year old daughter needed a mother. The wee bairn was due this month. Kaireen feared that without the children, her sister would have wasted away without her love.

Often she wondered what her life would be like with a love like Shay’s. A love so strong it threatened her sister’s life… or would she prefer Margaret’s marriage, without love and faithfulness?

“You know your da arranged a marriage within a season.” Elva smirked.

Kaireen shook her head. “To another land holder,” and waved a hand in disgust, “not t-this heathen. Twice they raided our land in the last month alone.” She slapped away a strand of her auburn hair from her face. “Their forces choke the land like the town of Ath Cliath, the hurdled ford they call Dubhlinn.” This was in reference to the bank of wooden hurdles the Vikings built across the Liffey River.

Recent whispers of a possible spy in their midst sent shivers down Kaireen’s back. What if this foreigner was the spy? What if he had fooled everyone in her clan? Well, she would not have the wool pulled over her head by likes of a Lochlann.

“Many a raid has come from them. Now father wants me as wife to one of them?” She clenched her fists. “No, I will not marry this Viking or as we call his kind from west Scandia-Lochlanns.” She snatched the green hazel twig from Elva’s outstretched hand. Then she scrubbed her teeth.

When the foreigners had first attacked Ireland, they had been called Gaill. Over time the distinction grew between Gaills, Lochlanns, and Normanni depending on what part of Scandia they swooped down from.

Elva smiled, reminding Kaireen of the rumors of her handmaid’s uncanny foresight. Whispers of Elva making strange things happen and often blamed as the cause of Kaireen’s stubborn refusal to behave as a laird’s daughter should. Kaireen tossed the twig in the fire burning in the hearth. After taking the woolen cloth Elva handed her, she wiped her teeth.

“You’ve not seen him yet.” Elva wiggled her brows.

“So?” Kaireen shrugged. “I would like to never see him.” She scrubbed her teeth again with the woolen fabric, and then set the cloth aside.

“Well then, would you not like to know if you have a handsome husband or not?” She waited for her response, but Kaireen scowled at her. Elva chuckled. “I would rather get a good look at him now than the morning after.”

Kaireen’s ears heated. “I am not marrying.” She shook her head for emphasis. “So there will be no morning, nor night, nor wedding.”

“If he is handsome, I may fight you for him.” Elva smiled, deepening the wrinkles around her eyes.

“Welcome to him either way.” Kaireen laughed.

“Careful.” Elva winked. “Love makes us fall hardest when we have no intention of doing so. “Especially if stubbornness or pride is involved.” She fluffed the damask gown. “Up with you now. We cannot have you going for supper in your leine.”

“With or without my leine, I do not go willingly.” Kaireen rose. She allowed Elva to yank the violet gown over her head. She pushed her arms through and her clenched hands emerged out of the long sleeves. She brushed her pale hands down the front of the pile-weaved material.

She squared her shoulders and then slipped on her leather shoes. Plopping on her wooden stool, she suffered though Elva fixing her hair. As Elva brushed her auburn mane, she fidgeted.

Despite refusing to marry this foreigner, her stomach did a flip at the thought.
After all the Lochlanns are good for nothing but raping and pillaging!
To be safe, she would bring her dagger with her. It was waiting for her on top of her cherry wood chest. She tucked the nervousness away as her being hungry.

Her handmaid twisted her locks and weaved ribbons within the waist length strands. Then she secured the end with a ribbon sewn with pearls.

Elva gestured for her to rise. Kaireen did so reluctantly. “Stand straight,” Elva snapped.

Kaireen frowned but obeyed. At least Elva was better than her mother’s handmaid, Rhiannon. Ever since Rhiannon came to the keep fifteen years ago, she had given Kaireen nightmares. Kaireen would have asked the fairies to put a changeling in her place if she had to have her care. Her mother tried to explain why they had accepted her into their clan being that she was an O’Neill, but Kaireen had tuned her out. She did not care where the woman was from or why.

“And stop scowling or I will throw you out the window with the chamber pot waste,” Elva snapped.

Her stomach tightened, but she bid Elva goodnight. She hiked up her gown to avoid tripping and then marched the corridor to the great hall.

Through her slippers, she felt the cold of the stone floor. A draft of wind coursed through her and she shuddered. She rounded the corner and forced her arms to her sides. She must appear strong and unnerved. Her arguments would hold no bearing if she could not stop shaking from fury.

*

Inside the banquet hall, the tables were covered with spiced apples, roasted carrots, asparagus, wild duck, quail, and foul smelling pig. Her father and mother sat next to each other at the middle of the high table.

Various lords, barons and their wives along with sons and daughters, laughed at an amusing story her father told. Three hunting dogs scampered around, devouring falling morsels. In a corner lay a fourth dog, shaggier than the rest gnawing on a bone.

Kaireen strolled to the low table, taking the empty seat on the bench across from her parents. Her favoured place on her father’s left was already taken by a stranger with golden hair, the Lochlann stared at her. Kaireen felt the urge to check the neckline of her gown, but stifled it. A servant girl refilled his goblet with ale.

Kaireen glanced back at him. Golden hair cascaded to his broad shoulders. His azure eyes unsettled her. Her breath caught in her throat and she jerked her head away from his gaze. Didn’t the priest say something like “Breton, the devil that dragon often disguises himself as an angel of light.” She had no desire to find out from which side of Sidhe, the fairy haven, this stranger sailed from. Silently she admonished herself to stop playing the role of a child. Thought Elva might find him handsome, well, most women would.

She heard women’s gowns rustle as they leaned forward to catch a glimpse of the man from across the seas. The way these women gasped at his sailing story, any moment one of them would faint. Did they forget so soon that he was a Viking? One of many who ravaged their land, sacked their monasteries at best, and took women and children as slaves. Some of the women were fortunate enough not to be raped, others were not so lucky.

Her ears burned when the Lochlann’s resonant voice told of the fiery red dragon he tamed sailing their coast. Did her father tell him that he had always teased her that it would be easier for him to raise a red dragon then a red-haired daughter?

Her insides twisted as the Lochlann finished spinning his tale. She would not look at him again tonight. What did she care what his appearance was anyway. She took a sip of wine, glancing at the stranger over the rim. He winked at her and she choked. As the baroness on her left turned, the bench creaked. She pounded Kaireen on the back with her palm. Her back bruised from the woman’s smacks, she assured the woman she no longer needed assistance.

“What do you think of our country, Bram son of Ragnar?” her mother asked the Lochlann.

“Never seen anything so green. Until I looked into your daughter’s eyes which make the trees bow in shame.”

“Blasphemous.” A blush flooded to the roots of Kaireen’s hair.

“No, ’tis truth.”

Her father held his cup in a toast. “To Bram, the first man ever to bring a blush to my daughter’s cheeks.”

Kaireen glowered, her anger filling her. The hall rang with laughter. She wished for honey to stick their mouths shut.

After the laughter subsided, her father cleared his throat. “Now, now. We must control ourselves. Not every day a man gets his last child married.”

“I am not marrying,” Kaireen interrupted. “And I am not a child.”

“Gracious Bram has agreed to stay on with us for a fortnight. Then he will marry our Kaireen.”

The applause was deafening.

She jumped off the bench, glaring at the Lochlann’s smiling face. “A fortnight?” she screeched. “Not enough time for me to…he is a foreigner and a Lochlann at that.” Why did they believe it was suitable for her to marry this Viking? She had to have time to figure out how to get rid of him.

“How much time do you need?” her mother asked in a warning tone.

“Never would be too soon,” Kaireen shot back.

“Enough.” Her father slammed his fist on the table. Before the ale spilled, her mother snatched her goblet. Their argument brought whispers through the tables. Her father waved his drink and the ale sloshed on the linen tablecloth. “A fortnight was his idea. I wanted you wed tonight.”

Kaireen opened her mouth to protest, but his glare caused her to clamp it shut.

“Further, you will wed Bram son of Ragnar and be happy about it. Or I will have you whipped until your ungrateful hide is stripped from you.”

Kaireen fell on the bench with a groan. She did not need to look to know the Lochlann was beaming. Curse them all for fools. With her knife she pushed her piece of duck around on the trencher. She would not submit, no matter how much her father yelled.

After they finished the other five courses, her father ordered the musicians brought in. Servants scrambled to remove the tables and benches, making room for the dancers.

The high table remained. At Kaireen’s orders, the servants placed her bench near the back of the high table so she faced away from the dancers. The baroness continued to eat beside her; it was the subject of many jokes she would not finish her supper until the kitchens were empty. Three lute players, and a harpist played the round dance song. Soon, Kaireen tapped her foot to the rhythm. She watched her father and mother, along with many of the other guests, whirl through the hall changing partners within the lines. The foreigner danced among them.

The oldest woman grinned, as though he were her suitor when he took her arm. Rebecca, a year younger than Kaireen, circled around twice in a row with him.

“It matters not to me who he dances with. Maybe he will change his mind and marry her,” she muttered. She smirked, envisioning his astonishment at learning that Rebecca’s dark mane was a wig. Rebecca’s hair, a stringy brown, had been chopped off three years ago.

No one knew exactly why, but ever since her bout of sickness, patches of baldness showed through her hair, which refused to grow again. But Kaireen’s eyes followed him across the floor. He released Rebecca into the women’s line.

After he turned, he waved for Kaireen to join him. She whipped her head back to face the table. Her skin prickled. She bit her lip, suppressing the notion that she had been caught staring. She snatched a piece of duck and ate. The baroness stood and Kaireen held onto the bench to keep from falling to the floor. The music changed twice while Kaireen was brooding, but she determined she would not turn around again. She would wait until the next song, and then retire. Therefore, he would know she was neither afraid nor interested in him.

Across the room, she heard Rebecca’s laughter. She wanted to scream and rip the girl’s wig off, exposing her. However, she remained in her seat, her back rigid.