The Viking's Witch by Kelli Wilkins Read Free Book Online Page B

answering his question. “Tell me, what were they doing on the hill?”
    “They were readying for a sacrifice.”
    “A sacrifice? But I heard Christians had banned them. Do they not consider such things barbaric and pagan?”
    Odaria let out a little laugh. “Aye. But when it suits their purpose, they do not seem to mind it. Brennan has taken over the minds of the villagers. He claims to speak to their God directly, and they obey his commands. They were making ready to—” A sob escaped her throat, choking off her words.
    A sick feeling of dread washed over him. Odaria was a virgin. When he’d found her, her hands were bound and she smelled smoky. “You?”
    “Aye. I was about to be hurled into the fire,” she answered, her voice barely above a whisper.
    “By Thor! Why in the name of Valhalla would they burn you? You are merely a girl.”
    She glanced into his eyes. “Because I’m a witch.”
    He held his breath, letting her words sink in. A volva ? Her? He almost laughed. That was absurd. Everyone knew that witches were dried-up old crones who lived in secluded huts and brewed terrible-tasting potions.
    Odaria was no witch. But if she wished to play games with him, he’d follow along and pretend to believe her. Over the last few years, he had visited several of these healers in an attempt to regain use of his manhood, and he knew a bit about their methods.
    “But witchery goes against the Christian—”
    “I never said I was a Christian. I havena abandoned the gods and goddesses. I’m loyal. But Brennan is a raving madman. He’s got it in his rotted head to kill anyone who still follows the Old Ways … or questions his rules.”
He nodded. Back home, some villages had moved away from worshipping Thor and Odin. He remained true and still believed in the power of the Ancient Ones.
    “You could have denied the charge—”
    “Why? ’Tis true.” Odaria sat up and looked at him. “It was no question of if I’m a witch. Everyone in the village knows what I am—the same as me mother before me. When they needed healing for their ailments and wounds or their animals took sick, they came ta me for help. But when Brennan put it in their sotted heads that they needed to cleanse the village, they were ready to set me ablaze.”
    Rothgar gazed into Odaria’s eyes and felt a chill settle over him. From where she sat, a beam of moonlight struck her eyes, giving them an eerie glow. They sparkled as brightly as the brooch he’d given her.
    “They thought they would be rid of me, but they were wrong. Look at them now. Your men have—”
    “They are not my men. They are Karnik’s men.”
    Odaria waved him off. “It matters not who they take orders from. I called down a curse upon everyone in this filthy village, and no sooner had the wind carried me words into the black night than your Norsemen rose out of the shadows and fell upon them.”
    He smirked. Odaria was not serious, was she? Did she honestly believe she had conjured them up? Part of him was tempted to tell her that he had learned of his journey several days ago, but he thought better of it. He’d let her think she had magical powers. Perhaps she was trying to frighten him with her tale.
    “I see. Then you do not deny being a witch?”
    “Nay. ’Tis what I am. Do you deny being a Norseman?” She glanced into his eyes. “I was raised one and I shall die one, as me murdered mother before me, when the gods see fit. They heard my prayers and spared me tonight. I …” She pursed her lips. “You do not believe me.”
    He shrugged. “I’ve seen no proof of magic.”
    “Think of this. The villagers prepared a celebration feast, and Brennan uses this gathering hall to conduct his business.” Odaria flopped back onto the bed. “And now the witch he tried to roast alive has escaped the pyre, eaten up his dinner, and is safely lying in a soft bed next to the Norseman who raided the village and captured everyone. Is that not proof enough of my