Fire and Ice by J. E. Christer Read Free Book Online

wishing now that he had not come.  She turned, suddenly aware of his presence and stared back at him with anger in her eyes.
    “If you’ve come to accuse me of something else, Ulfric, then go away.  I’ve had enough of you and your moods today.  Leave me alone.”
    “Juliana,” he began.  “I have come to beg forgiveness for my hurtful words.  I wish I could call them back but I know I cannot.  I didn’t mean the things I said, I’m just so ... I don’t know.”
    “Well if you don’t know, sire, I don’t know that I can help you,” she snapped, unwilling to forgive him so easily.
    “Will you allow me to sit by you, Juliana?”
    She looked again into his grey-blue eyes and mimicked his earlier words, “This land is all yours, you can do as you like with it - and the people who live here.”
    He recognised his own words being thrown back at him and was not encouraged but he went to sit by her anyway hoping he could redeem himself in some way. Taking her hand he lifted it to his lips and pressed a gentle kiss on her fingers.  She was shocked at the spark which ignited her insides at his touch and felt her body start to shake.
    “Don’t be afraid, Juliana.  I mean you no harm, but I would like to sit with you awhile instead of you hurrying away from my sight.”

Chapter 6
     
    Juliana’s nerves were so on edge when she was close to this man that she felt like running away.  She had never felt like this with Erik or with any other man she had known, but knew that there was a dangerous attraction between Ulfric and herself.  It was almost tangible and that frightened her.  But how could she explain why she kept her distance without encouraging his attentions further? 
    She was so aware of his presence that her ears were ringing and her mind could not concentrate on his words.  She was surprised he could not hear her heart beating against her ribcage.  He still held her hand and lifted it once more to his lips but she pulled it away, causing his eyes to change to that cold steel grey she had seen so many times in his anger.
    “Why do you hate me so much, Juliana?  What have I done to you that you should reject me so?”
    “I... I do not hate you sire, but I will never forgive the Normans for their callous and cruel treatment of my father.  I loved him and my brother so much, and my father in particular was taken from us in such a cowardly and dishonourable way.” 
    Ulfric watched as tears began to fall onto her pale cheeks and it took him all his effort not to pull her into his embrace and whisper words of love in her ear.  He wanted so much to comfort her and tell her that he would look after her forever, but old habits die hard and he still did not trust women, especially soft, beautiful women who cried out their heartbreak.  Instead he said, “Juliana, I am not a Norman and I certainly did not kill your father.  As for your brother, he died an honourable death in battle and you should be proud of him.”
    “Proud!  You think I should be proud of Aldred?  Who are you to tell me who to be proud of?  I loved my brother but where does pride get you when you’re lying dead on a battlefield and your loved ones are grieving?  Nowhere, absolutely nowhere!  Don’t tell me how to mourn my family – I’ll do as I please.  As for your attempts at seduction – well, I’ve never given you any encouragement in that direction or sought your attentions.  My mother and father taught me to expect marriage from a man, not whoredom!”
    With those words ringing in his ears she rose to her feet and gave Ulfric a look of pure contempt before turning her back on him and blindly running further into the woods.  Ulfric sat still and wondered what had happened in those short moments to turn Juliana into an angry ball of fire.  He shook his head once again at his utter lack of tact and leaned back against the recently vacated tree.  He could have sworn she was softening to him when he kissed her