Vengeance Hammer (Viking Vengeance) by Jianne Carlo Read Free Book Online Page B

the warriors taken leave of their senses?
    “’Tis more of a reprieve than I had hoped for. Await me.” The door thudded shut.
    Xára must have looked as bewildered as she felt for he said, “Yester eve, we spied two ships on the horizon. They were becalmed. The wind has returned.”
    Néill and Godfraid? So soon? Stunned, she leaned on one hand and followed him as he gathered weapons, boots, and garments swiftly and efficiently.
    “Know you the state of the castle’s food stores?” He shrugged on his tunic. “Yay or nay, Xára. Quickly, we have little time.”
    Food? He feared a siege?
    She waved her hands in an I-do-not-know gesture.
    “Find out. Also the state of the wells, fresh springs, all sources of water. Do you understand?” He strapped on his sword belt.
    Her stare was glued to his mouth and she kept nodding repeatedly.
    “Are there secret passages in the cliffs? Does Néill know of them?” He laced his boots and strapped a dagger to each calf.
    While he had been engrossed in dressing and arming himself, Xára had recovered enough to begin donning her own garments. Garbed in the torn chemise, she collected her garters, stockings, and cyrtel.
    “Xára, come to me. Write.” His sharp tone focused her scattered wits.
    She hurried to him and traced, Aye . Many . Néill knows. Liam knows.
    He gave her a brusque nod. “Aside from Liam, who has knowledge of the castle’s defenses?”
    She did. Jennie. Her throat worked and she clenched her fists. So did Magnhildur. But it mattered not this morn. Magnhildur was long gone from Caithness.
    Dráddør opened the door, nodded to Tighe, and glanced over his shoulder at Xára who shook her head.
    “The ships will be in the bay soon.” Tighe handed Dráddør a crossbow. “I have fires lit on the battlements and oil cauldrons are a-boiling. I sent out spies before the vow saying. A large force approaches from the East.”
    Alarm coursed through her. Two forces, one from the sea, and one from land?
    “We have no time to loiter.” He turned back to her. “Xára, Egron is charged with your safety, that of the women and children, and the rest of the keep. Obey his commands. I take my leave of you now, wife.”
    With those last words, Dráddør banged the door shut.
    It took a few moments before her muddled thoughts cleared. There was much to be done. She knew naught of sieges or battles. Who could aid her? Jennie could, but she was on her deathbed.
    Jennie. Had she survived the night?
    Guilt assailed her. While she had been finding carnal pleasure Jennie lay dying in the room down the hallway. The image of Dráddør’s head 2tween her thighs and the memory of his tongue had her nipples tingling. Nay. She would set him out of her mind. ’Twas no time for fickle, wicked thoughts.
    Xára finished dressing and ran to check on Jennie.
    The healer, Lara, signaled Xára to be quiet and pointed to the sleeping form in the bed.
    Jennie lived.
    Xára locked out her wobbly knees.
    “She slept fitfully, my lady. When she wakes, I will see if she will sip some honeyed herb tea. If she can keep that down, we have a chance. I have ne’er seen anyone survive this long after such a powerful belladonna dose. Have no fear, I will send for you immediately the moment her eyes open.”
    Arnfinn had banned Lara from the castle after Evie’s birth, but her skills had been much in demand in this remote land, and mercifully for Jennie, the village on Myrtle Harbor had given her shelter.
    “My thanks,” Xára mouthed and then hurried down to the kitchens.
    She could not get over how gentle he had been with her. The tender consideration evident in the way he sought to reassure her about the consummation. Having lived most of her life in an abbey surrounded by women, Xára’s knowledge of men was limited to those she’d met since she’d returned home. Neither Néill, nor Arnfinn, had ever exhibited any sign of compassionate or moderate behavior. Dared she hope Dráddør’s kindness