Page 28 of The Caged Viking

She waved a hand dismissively. “There are some things you should know about the near future. What’s going to happen right here in your time period. Like, I know that Sweyn is waiting for Duke Richard’s forces to join up with him before attacking the Saxon castle. But news flash! The duke is playing both sides of the field. He’s probably already sent men in to rescue his daughter, her husband Aethelred, and others in the royal household, scooting them off to Normandy for safe exile.”

“What? Are you certain?” He paused and stared at her to see if she was serious. She was. “I should go tell Sweyn immediately. But, Frigg’s Foot! Sweyn will want to know how I gained this information, and how will I explain that my witchy wife from the future told me so?”

She arched her brows at him, for doubting her words, no doubt, or perchance because he’d referred to her as witchy. “You could tell him and let the facts prove their truth.

“You are so sure of the facts?”

She nodded. “I am. And here’s another fact. A few years from now, the Normans will invade Britain and conquer the entire realm. For a period of time, starting with William the Conqueror in 1066, Vikings will actually rule the English world.”

His eyes about bugged out at her amazing prediction…and that is all it could be, of course…a prediction. “And do we Vikings still rule these parts in your time?”

“Oh, no! The Vikings die off as a separate culture soon after that.”

“Die off?” he sputtered.

“Well, not die off precisely. More like they meld into other cultures. Marriage, settlement, and so on. In fact, modern-day Iceland is the closest we have to Vikings.”

He laughed. “You should be a skald. Your sagas are as absurd as any I have ever heard the poets and storytellers relate during the long winter nights afore the hearth fires.”

“Believe it or not, it’s the truth. You’ll find out. At least some of these things will be proven true soon enough.”

He tried to decide what to do. Tell Sweyn about Richard’s possible defection and risk ridicule. Or tell him nothing, and have them all waste precious time awaiting the duke’s arrival. “Come,” he said, taking her by the elbow, “Let us go brave the lion, and inform Sweyn of your news. But, please, enough of this nonsense about time travel! Instead, just say that you know by way of Queen Emma, or other family members.”

She appeared unsure of his plan, but allowed him to lead her out of the tent, making their way through the various camp sites.

“So, you are not a witch. That is a relief,” he said as they walked along. “I have no liking for mating with a witch. Afeared I would be that the least misstep and my witchy wife could turn my favorite body part into a black cat.” He was teasing, but she did not smile.

“There’s going to be no ‘mating,’ let’s understand that right away.”

“Oh, really?” He’d only been teasing with the “mating” remark. Holy Thor! He’d had no time in the past twelve hours to even think of sex.

But now...

He eyed his new wife up and down in deliberate scrutiny. As he continued to stare at her, he felt a clutching sensation in his chest, which moved lower. Probably hunger. Of one kind or another.

Until now, he’d had mixed feelings about her. Yea, she was passably pretty. And, yea, he would have no trouble swiving her when the occasion arose. But then, considering the length of his prison celibacy, most any woman would do.

Or not.

Was she insinuating that she did not want him? Hauk knew his worth and she dared to rebuff him? The nerve of the wench! “Are you saying that I am not comely…that you do not find me attractive?”

“Hardly!” she said with a note of disgust. “You’re so hot you would make any girl’s bones melt.”

He assumed that “hot” was a compliment, and a slow smile grew on his lips.

“Not that you don’t know that already.”

Of course he did, or leastways he used to. “And your bones…are they melting?”

“That’s not the point,” she said huffily. “What’s with this sudden interest in me…that way?”

“Which way?”

“You know…sexually.”

Truly, this woman was more blunt and outspoken than he was accustomed to, especially a woman of the upper class. Not that he was objecting. He rather liked the honesty of her words. “’Tis well that you ask that question about my interest! Look around. Dost notice men staring at you with lust?”

She waved a hand airily. “That’s just because I look different from the camp followers.”