Page 141 of The Outlaw Viking

To his dismay, quite an audience of intrigued clerics had gathered nearby, listening to their every word.

“Why are you so angry, my love?” he asked softly, trying to ignore his audience.

“Because you’re as blind as a bat and can’t see the facts in front of your face. Because you’re still continuing this bloody vendetta against Steven. I hate the evil man. I wish he were dead, but I’m not going to ruin my life going after him. Nothing’s changed at all, has it, you jerk? And I’m not your love. I’m not your anything. Not anymore. By the way, where’s Blanche?”

“I do not know where Blanche is. Perchance in Winchester. I think I saw her with one of Athelstan’s guards.”

“Did you just pass her off to another man, like a possession?” she asked venomously.

He was beginning to understand. “Rain, I was never with Blanche—not in that way. I just pretended for your benefit. I saw you with Steven, and I wanted to hurt you back.”

Rain stared at him, disbelieving, for a moment before she swung an arm wildly and punched him in the stomach.

“Oomph!” He bent over from the waist, then wheezed out, “Why did you do that?”

“To hurt you, you bastard. Just like you hurt me.”

Selik stared at her as he rubbed his stomach, wanting more than anything in the world to touch her face, to kiss her lips, to show her how much she meant to him. How sorry he was for all the pain he had inflicted on her. “I love you, Rain.”

“That’s not what you said before I left you in Winchester.”

“I am truly, truly sorry. For all the hurts I caused.”

Tears streamed, unheeded, down her face, and he placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. “Ah, sweetling, do not weep. Please. I am here now.”

She shrugged his hand away angrily. “Too late. Too damn late.” Her head bowed in dejection before she whispered brokenly, “I waited and waited for you. And the only way I could survive was to stop loving you. It’s too late.”

“Nay! ’Tis never too late,” he cried. “I love you.” He grabbed her arms and shook her gently. “Do you hear me? I love you. I love you.”

When she did not respond, he finally stopped and said wearily, “Come back to the farmstead with me. In time, we will be able to settle our differences.”

“No. Now that you’re back, I’m staying here in Jorvik with Gyda. I won’t live in the same house as you again.”

His heart skipped a beat, sensing some message she did not speak aloud. He narrowed his eyes. “Do you fear weakening in my presence?”

“Hah! Still the supreme egotist!”

“You love me. I know you do. You have just buried it for a time, as I did my feelings afore you came into my life.”

She refused to respond, but he saw her lips tremble and knew he was making some headway. He just needed time. “If you prefer, stay with Gyda for now. We will start over again from the beginning. I will woo you like no other woman has been courted in the world.”

She almost smiled, but then she shook her head as if to clear it. “I’m going back, Selik,” she told him gently.

“Nay, I will not allow it.”

“You can’t stop me,” she snapped with exasperation. “I’ll continue to go back to the Coppergate site every day until it finally works. And eventually it will send me back. I know it will.” Her voice was not quite as certain as her strong words.

Well, God, what do we do now?

What’s this “we” business? It’s up to you now.

Selik poked a finger in her chest and grinned, having a sudden inspiration. “Nay, you will not leave. Wouldst like to place a wager on it, my love?”

With that, he pulled her into his arms and kissed her ravenously, slanting his lips over hers, savoring the sweet taste of her breath, the heat of her skin. At first she struggled; then she too succumbed to the all-consuming passion they both shared. With a soft moan, she opened her mouth to his.

When he finally pulled away, staring hungrily at her parted lips and misty eyes, he urged rawly, “Come home with me, Rain.”

She seemed to waver, then pushed at his chest. “No. It’s too late.”