Blind Redemption – Excerpts

Kara Dalgaard spit blood on the ground. Her latest mistake, dropping her shield too soon. Marteinn clipped her in the chin with his fist, causing her to bite her tongue. She growled fiercely and attacked, slamming her sword into his wooden shield, then pushed with all her strength. Marteinn laughed as he stumbled backward.

“Follow through, Kara,” her brother urged from the side. “One push isn’t enough, use the edge of your shield. Clap him over the head and kick him in the balls, now.”

“Leave my future children alone,” Marteinn countered as he covered his ballocks with his left hand.

She took advantage of her opponent’s fear, kicking him savagely in the shin.

The six and a half foot warrior dropped his weapon and hopped on one foot. “You little cretin. That hurt.”

“It’s supposed to.” She raised the visor on her helmet, then stared at her target. “Do you yield?”

Before Marteinn replied, Geilir inserted himself between them. “I think you’ve practiced enough today. For the love of Odin, sister, I’ve never seen a woman love swordplay so much.”

“Perhaps the proper parts would heat in my bed.” Marteinn grinned ear to ear.

“Your fantasies are unattainable,” Kara said, thumping the back of his head. She rejected him nearly every day, but her adopted brother only heard what he wanted to hear. She would know the right man when she saw him. She’d believed that all her life. Whether she’d accept him depended on what her heart told her. Although she dreamed of love, giving up her freedom scared her more than anything.

She steered her thoughts back to Marteinn. Raised in her father’s household, he enjoyed the same privileges as her own brothers and teased her as ruthlessly as they did. He baited her constantly, a favorite pastime of all the men in her family. Only now, she was no longer a weak, grubby child. Father wanted her to learn how to fight to protect herself and had appointed Marteinn and Geilir to teach her.

Kara removed her helmet and leather gloves, then dropped them on the ground. A basket of food waited under a nearby tree where the horses were tethered. All three headed in that direction. She arrived first and reached inside the basket—fruit, cheese, bread, and several skins of mead. Her stomach growled as she shoved a hunk of bread in her mouth.

“Give me the bread.” Her brother grabbed the loaf.

“Animal,” she called.

“Ill-mannered wench.”

Laughing, she sat cross legged on the mossy ground and emptied a skin of mead in minutes.

“Where does it all go?” Marteinn gazed at her in wonderment. “Do you have a hollow leg?”

“No.” She smiled. “But you have a hollow head.”

Truly, it wasn’t. Her father had appointed Marteinn as captain of the guard three years ago because he was a talented strategist. Since then, their home survived four attacks. Christian rebels often targeted the pagan lords in Lagenheim. But with fearless men like Marteinn to defend them, none had succeeded.

She admired her foster brother’s face. Chestnut curls framed his magnificent features. High cheekbones and slightly slanted eyes revealed his birthplace. His mother came from an Icelandic province.

Marteinn loved her. She struggled with it, cringed at the idea of regarding him as more than a kinsman. How could she? The boy who used to hold her arms down and force feed her dirt and bugs. It seemed unnatural. The way he stared at her while she ate, reminded her of the way he gazed at her backside whenever she walked by. She’d grown shapelier over the last two years. Breasts too big for her small frame and a curvy arse drew unwanted attention from men in her household every day, further justifying her father’s desire to train her to fight.

Men, including ones as honorable as Marteinn, are soulless creatures in the presence of beauty.

Her sire’s philosophy, not hers. She wholly disagreed. Whenever Kara looked in the mirror, she didn’t see comely features, only someone who refused to embrace womanhood. At nineteen, all her personal interests revolved around charting the stars, riding horses, and learning the healing arts. She hated her body, especially once she realized why her father’s men treated her differently. Some avoided her altogether now. Why? She couldn’t stop the hand of the goddess Frigg, who eventually beckoned all women to the marriage altar.

Over time, Marteinn had grown more aggressive about spending time alone. He asked to go on long walks and expressed the joy he felt sitting with her in the moonlight while she star-gazed. Mapping the heavens meant everything to her. Although she wasn’t opposed to Marteinn’s company, whenever his hand slipped over hers or he scooted too close, she always found an excuse to leave. She refused to give the household slaves reason to gossip about her. What her favorite childhood companion needed was a wife. Perhaps she’d help find him one.

Truly, he wanted to kiss her pouty lips. His body reacted violently to her. He tried to convince himself with a sire as shrewd and dominating as Erik, she’d never really resort to trickery on her own. She only did as she was commanded. How could anything so sweet willingly deceive the king’s loyal servant? Rage and lust collided inside him. Why deprive himself of the opportunity? 

 “Will you stand there gawking all night or are you going to say something intelligent?” she asked.

“Shall I tell you what you are?” He didn’t wait for her to answer, but gripped her by both shoulders and then slanted his mouth over hers. The kiss awakened a powerful desire for more of her. Aaron didn’t hesitate before clamping both hands onto her hips. In turn, she palmed his chest, perhaps regretting her words. He laughed at her feeble attempt to hold him back. Inside, he roared as wildly as a beast. Mine. It translated into a fierce kiss. He forced her lips apart with his tongue, wetting her bottom lip. Sweet Virgin Mary … his groin throbbed cruelly. She tasted so goddamned delicious. A prudent man wouldn’t tempt his enemy’s daughter. Consequences were certain.

She drew back and slapped his face. “I didn’t give you permission to kiss me.”

“Did I misinterpret your smiles in the great hall?” he asked innocently. “I’ve never been given a more clear invitation.”

She opened, then closed her mouth. “You’re a fool.” She fisted her hands. “Stay away from me.”

He laughed and edged closer. “You speak boldly for a girl only half my age.” For a moment, Aaron thought he saw a flash of amusement in her beautiful eyes.

“How old are you?” She frowned.

“Twenty-six.”

“Thirteen? You think me a foolish girl of thirteen?” Her chin jutted forward.

He chuckled. Why were women obsessed with appearing older when they were younger, and younger when they were older? Pleased to have found a point of contention, he continued teasing. “Maybe fourteen, but not a day older.”

 “My father told me what an insolent, blind bastard you are.”

He reacted without thought, grasping her arm. “Didn’t he teach you to respect your elders?”

She thrust her hand on her hip. “My father says respect isn’t given freely.”

Damn him to the lower realms of Hel if her eyes didn’t glow as brightly as the stars. He let her go. “Your sire is wise.”

“I’m glad you’re honorable enough to acknowledge it,” she said turning to go. “And don’t ever kiss me again.” She left him standing alone.

When Kara entered the water, her toes curled. It was freezing. There was a flash of amusement on her companion’s face as her teeth chattered uncontrollably. She swam several yards, then submerged herself, snorting and choking as she resurfaced. Water dribbled down her chin. Amelia wasn’t as adventurous and stayed close to the shoreline. Kara treaded water as she admired the dark woods across the lake. Nothing pleased her more than being outside. Free to explore, free to do as she wanted without her brothers harassing her. She thought she saw movement, but realized it was nothing more than flickering sunlight and shadows. The pleasure of the moment dominated her senses. Nothing could ruin it.

As she floated on her back half dozing, the thundering sound of approaching horses shattered her daydream. She twisted around and searched wildly for Amelia who disappeared into the woods. Kara rushed to reach the shore.

Please …

But before her feet hit land, six riders surrounded Amelia who was now standing at the edge of the forest. Kara froze. She’d stupidly left her weapons by the horses. Now they had no chance of defending themselves or escaping. Two riders dismounted, striding toward her.

“Come out of the water,” the largest demanded.

Unwilling to shame herself by allowing these strangers to see her naked, she crouched in the shallow water. “Turn around first.”

“If you don’t comply, I’ll pluck you out like a wet rat.” There was nothing friendly about this man. His companions chuckled.

Silence ensued as everyone seemed to contemplate Kara’s next move. She’d not risk Amelia’s safety by disobeying. But, what if she could swim to the other side of the lake and find help? Without clothing or money? Never. Swallowing her pride, she looked up. The dark features of the man who demanded she come out scared her.

“Now,” he reminded. “If I wanted to rape you, you’d be on your back by now.”

She was trying not to overthink things, but failing miserably.

“Drit,” he yelled, then rushed her.

The moment his boots hit the lake, Kara filled her mouth with water, then shot up, spitting in his face. “Merciless beast.”

He wiped his cheek, his hot gaze sweeping over her body. She refused to tremble. Animals like him thrived on fear. Without warning, Amelia intervened. She ran to beach, offering her cloak.

“Put it on and I’ll rip it off you. Do as I bid, now, and get out of the water.” He glared at Amelia. “You, move.”

“I have a duty to my mistress.” Amelia jutted her chin.

“Stay out of my way. Challenge me again and I’ll punish you.” He shoved her to the ground and then grabbed a fistful of Kara’s hair. She struggled to free herself, only to be dragged to land, then into the forest next to her horses. The blanket and food Amelia had laid out was untouched. He pointed at the coverlet. “Sit.”

Kara obeyed. Fear filled her mind and heart. “Who are you?”

His dark eyes sparkled like a wildfire. “Erling Solheim, an avenging god, I assure you.”

“Devils aren’t gods.”

He slapped her face. “You’ll learn quickly enough that I have no patience for a sharp tongue. Do as I tell you or you’ll be bruised from head to toe before sunset. Understand?”

Kara nodded in comprehension.

“Where are your clothes?”

She pointed; her sword and shield were on the ground nearby. By Odin, she wished she had her weapon in her hands.

 “Lying to me about your clothing? You need discipline already. Your gown, where is it?”

“I dressed as a boy for my protection.” She sucked her cheeks in.

He gave her a smug smile. “I believe you. You’re Erik the Bald’s daughter.”

Kara gasped. “How-”

“The trees have eyes and ears.”

“And atrocious manners …”