Blind Redemption by Violetta Rand Read Free Book Online Page A

everything I say.” If that was the kind of relationship the two of them were destined to have, he might as well ask for more support. “Pledge more men.” He didn’t feel guilty for asking now.
    The jarl nodded. “I’ll consider it.”
    The next night, the full moon cast silvery light across the courtyard as Kara walked. No one was patrolling the west side of the keep, so she decided to go to her favorite spot, an island in the middle of the small lake that edged the southwest corner of the stronghold. At least she felt safe and comfortable there. When she desired to be left alone, she’d spend the night on the island, then slip into her bedchamber at dawn before anyone had the opportunity to discover her absence.
    Kara dragged her feet in the silty sand as she approached the water. In reality, she simply didn’t have the courage to openly question her sire. His harsh words left her insides in knots. Instead of thinking about it longer, she desperately searched for something more pleasant to focus on. Aaron’s handsome features. She moaned in frustration. Jarl McNally’s face brought more grief than her father’s words. No man had ever impressed her.
    Instead of staying in her room the night before, she’d gone downstairs to rejoin her father, but stopped when she overheard Aaron arguing with him. When Marteinn challenged the Scot, she was sure he’d fall. Aaron won. Then proceeded to rebuke her father. As if whipped into submission, her father apologized for his bad behavior.
    What good were beautiful eyes if they belonged to someone her sire would never approve of?
    She found a small boat tethered to a post, climbed in, then slowly rowed across the lake. She often visited the sacred place in secret. Inexplicably, she believed her mother’s spirit followed her. Someone had erected an altar on the island years ago, which she now used to make sacrifices to the gods. Allfather spoke to her heart whenever she prayed to him. Once on land again, she trudged to the altar, then knelt beside it.
    Evidence of her past sacrifices stained the ground. The gods preferred larger beasts, but birds were acceptable sacrifices from a virgin. A fortnight ago, she’d offered up a dove. If she had another, she’d repeat her effort tonight. Begging Odin to reveal her future had proven unfruitful. Allfather never answered inquiries about her fate. Did his silence signify early death? Or indifference? She’d convinced herself her future remained undecided. Maybe she should run away and find her destiny.
    Kara sat cross-legged on the grass and gazed sadly across the water. Dozens of torches illuminated the west wall of the keep. Patrols passed by often and she could see their shadowy forms now. What most captured her attention was the cloudless sky. The stars captivated her more than a skald’s tale. She gazed at Thor’s fiery chariot and Thjazi’s eyes in the heavens, mapping the constellations in her mind. Sighing, she heard something splashing in the water. A large bird or fish? She leaned forward and squinted—watching. It moved closer.
    A person?
    After dealing with Jarl Erik yesterday, Aaron needed some time alone. Upon his arrival at the steading, he’d noticed a lake along the back side of the house. It was a perfect night for a swim. He disrobed, leaving his boots, shirt, and weapon belt in the sand. No one would seek him at this time of night. He wanted to explore the islet. Reaching shore, he spotted a boat and prayed no one else was here. Very much in the mood for a fight still, he feared if he met one of Erik’s foul mouthed guards, he’d kill him out of sheer pleasure.
    Something or someone ducked behind the trees. Did wildlings inhabit this place? Curiosity gripped him as he chased the shadow. A well-used footpath took him deep into the woods. The moon provided the light he needed to pick his way along the narrow trail. A few minutes later, feminine laughter stopped him dead in his tracks. A chill spiraled down