Page 8 of The Barbarian's Claim
Biting my lip, I frowned at the ground. I did volunteer, but I didn’t dare to think there would be any choice involved. It was only after Finn had explained during one of his lessons that tributes were revered by the clan, and it was our choice to spend time with whom we wished, that I realized I could choose. No clan member could claim a tribute without the tribute’s permission. The rumors about rape and imprisonment were unfounded, at least with this clan.
Einar straightened, studying Uttin closely. “None truly volunteer. You are not so naïve as to believe otherwise.”
Uttin shrugged. “The mayor said Matthew approached him. His town is not one of the few that hold lotteries. He was not selected by their government. He volunteered of his own volition.” Turning back to me, he raised his eyebrows. “You’ve been here long enough to be introduced. Should you wish to find a match, join us for the celebration tonight. I will introduce you myself, should Einar be unwilling to come.”
He walked away without waiting for me to answer, leaving me to contemplate his words. I had volunteered, and a small part of me hoped something good would come out of it, but this place was nothing like I’d expected. I still floundered a little, trying to come to terms with it all. That I was not only safe here, but important to the clan. Even male tributes were important, because we brought comfort and companionship to clan members who wished for it. To think I could have more than that, to find love myself, was too overwhelming to even consider. What if there was someone out there who would accept me as I was and also want me in more ways than just what I’d grown to accept? What if I could find someone to love me, too?
“You truly volunteered? He does not exaggerate?” Einar asked, drawing me from my thoughts. I looked at him, tryingto understand his expression. He didn’t give away a lot, though, and sometimes I couldn’t tell what he was thinking.
I nodded slowly in agreement, and his expression turned stony.
“You should go. Find someone who suits you.”
That was what I was supposed to do. So why was I so reluctant to go?
In the end,I went to the celebration. Einar refused to go, so Uttin took over my protection and left me on some cushions with other tributes and bondmates as we watched the couple exchange vows. Then there was a chant the clan did that was breathtaking. I wasn’t sure what the purpose was—I couldn’t understand most of what was being said around me—but I felt privileged to have witnessed it.
While the happy couple was moved to a platform to be greeted by the clan, Uttin came over to where I sat and helped me to my feet.
“Come. I will introduce you to the clan.”
I wanted to tell him I couldn’t understand them, but the words wouldn’t come. In large groups like this, it was even harder to get them out. I would embarrass myself if I even tried.
I felt a little overwhelmed as Uttin brought me around the clan, introducing me to people. I got a few curious looks, but aside from a few polite nods, I didn’t speak to anyone. I couldn’t understand them anyway. And after a while, all the sounds started to blend together. I couldn’t concentrate. How did I tell Uttin I wanted to leave?
Looking around helplessly while he was distracted by a conversation, I searched for any kind of escape. It was crowdedin the village center, and I didn’t even know what direction the trench was to pretend to need to go there. Tears burned the backs of my eyes, and I felt a familiar tightness in my throat. I hated this. I wished I’d stayed with Einar.
Someone grabbed my arm, jerking me around, and I whimpered from the grip of it as a barbarian glared down at me. He spoke roughly, like he was angry with me, but he also slurred a little as he spoke. The flagon of ale in his hand confirmed my suspicions. He was drunk and angry, and I was the focus of his ire. His grip was tight on my arm, tight enough to hurt, and I flinched as he dragged me closer, practically yelling in my ear.
Just as quickly as when he’d grabbed me, he was gone. I forced my eyes open and found the barbarian on the ground, bleeding from his nose, Einar standing over him with a furious snarl on his face. While he growled at the barbarian who’d grabbed me, his other hand swept out, moving me behind him and close to his back. I grabbed his tunic, resisting the urge to bury my face against him.
The man on the ground wasn’t the only one unhappy that I was there, apparently, because a few more came to back him up. They yelled at Einar, then at Uttin when he joined in. It was only when Simon joined us, armed with two daggers and a look that promised pain in his eyes, that they took their man and left.
Spinning around, Simon studied me from where I was peeking around Einar to watch what was happening. He ignored Einar’s growl as he stepped around him, eyeing me up and down.
“Are you hurt?”
I shook my head quickly. It was a lie, but I was a little afraid of what Einar would do if I told him my arm hurt. He’d already attacked two people defending me. I didn’t want him to get into trouble because of me.
From the look on Simon’s face, he didn’t believe me, but he wasn’t interested in arguing. He jerked his chin toward the cushions where I’d been sitting before. “Go relax. This is my party, and I decide who gets to be here. If they have a problem with it, they can discuss it with me.”
Before I could even think about how much I didn’t want to do that, Einar spoke, his words a low growl. “No. He has had enough. He will come with me now.”
“Brother—” Uttin protested, but Einar cut him off with a dirty look.
“Uttin, stop,” Simon said before they could start fighting. “He’s right. It looks like he’s had enough. Let him go.”
I hadn’t realized Simon was still watching me. I clung to Einar’s tunic like a child, eyes darting around to the others who’d turned to watch the commotion. I felt exposed and vulnerable, and I just wanted to leave. Simon must’ve picked up on that.
When Uttin turned to look at me, I dropped my gaze, taking another step closer to Einar.Please let me go.
Einar didn’t wait around for permission. He pulled my hand off his tunic and dragged me away by my wrist. He only slowed when we were out of the firelight, easing his pace enough that I didn’t have to run to follow him.
I felt better with him. He took better care of me than Orn had, and he kept me safe. From now on, unless they made me, I wasn’t going to leave his side.
Six
EINAR
