Page 140 of The Outlaw Viking

Now.

Suddenly hopeful, Selik brushed past Father Bernard, and his eyes scanned the hospitium, finally locking on the tall, tunic-clad figure bent over a patient.

Thank You, God.

Oh, ye of little faith. When will you learn?

Selik gave a small salute upward and smiled. Then, frozen in place, he gazed at Rain longingly, wanting to savor the wonderful gift God—or whoever—had just given him.

Rain finally stood. With her back to him, she put a hand to the small of her back, as if to stretch tired muscles. Her body went rigidly still then, as if sensing danger, and she turned abruptly. She inhaled sharply and her eyes widened.

“Selik?” she whispered.

For one brief moment, her golden eyes lit with happiness at seeing him, but they immediately hardened, turning both wounded and angry at the same time.

He stepped closer and reached out for her, but she backed away. “Don’t touch me,” she ordered.

He halted and tilted his head in question.

“So you finally came back,” she sneered.

“I came as soon as I could. Athelstan insisted I stay and—”

“For two months?” she asked incredulously.

Selik felt his face grow warm. “I sent a letter.”

“I never got it,” she retorted disbelievingly, glaring at him haughtily. “Aren’t you supposed to be in exile or something? Won’t King Athelstan set his men on you?”

“Athelstan has given me permission to live in Northumbria again.”

Her brow creased in confusion. “Why would he do that?”

“I pledged my loyalty to the Saxon king. And my services, if ever needed.”

“You gave your oath to the Saxon enemy?” she asked, clearly amazed.

“I have no real hatred for the Saxons themselves, just Steven. I know, I know, ’tis not what I always proclaimed. You taught me that, dearling.”

He saw the pulse in her neck jump at his endearment, and with a barely suppressed grin, he stored the information away for future use. “Leastways, Athelstan is not so very bad.”

“Why have you come back, Selik?”

“Because I love you, Rain. I forgive you for all you did with Steven. In time, I will forget. Just come back.”

Rain did not soften and jump into his arms, as he desperately wanted. Instead, she stiffened and her eyes flashed.

“And where is Steven?”

“He fled to Frankland.”

“And will you go after him?” she asked in a cold voice.

He stared at her levelly, unable to comprehend the anger in her voice. “Not yet.”

She launched herself at him then, pummeling his chest, scratching at his face. “You bastard! You stupid bastard!”

“What? What?” He could not understand her anger. Finally, he was able to hold her forearms immobile at her sides, his body a distance from hers to avoid her kicking feet.