Page 35 of Return of the Viking Warrior

‘Your ability to swim saved your life?’

‘We had to swim ashore when the ship went down.’ His eyes looked straight through her. ‘Lightning struck the mast and the entire ship blazed within a matter of heartbeats. Those who could not swim, died. I used to wonder if they were the lucky ones.’

‘Why?’

‘They didn’t have to endure a fiery furnace and then the ice-cold hell of a Frankish dungeon.’

Kara clasped her hands together so she wouldn’t gather him into her arms. He looked so much like Rurik when he said that. She had never realised how much they were alike. ‘You must never consider that. You are alive and breathing.’

‘I would still change places with them in a heartbeat. They deserved better.’

‘You can’t decide any man’s fate but your own,’ she said and hoped it helped.

‘Rurik will start his lessons in survival as soon as we arrive in Jaarlshiem.’

‘But...but...’

‘I insist. It is my right as his father.’

Kara bowed her head. She knew Ash was right—Rurik should learn, but not yet. His last cold had been fierce and had lasted for months. ‘There is plenty of time for it. Winter is coming on. The lake will be far too cold at this time of year. Ice will completely cover the lake in a few weeks’ time.’

‘I will teach him, Kara.’ Ash gave a sudden heart-melting smile. ‘And to ice skate...unless he already knows. Skating on the lake at Jul-tide is magical.’

‘He will like that.’ Kara knew she spoke the truth. Rurik loved anything that smacked of danger. He had asked last winter several times about skating on the bone skates. She had put him off, promising some time this winter. ‘The ice must be thick enough. I won’t have him skating on thin ice. Even walking on the ice is forbidden. I know how easy it is to fall through.’

‘Of course you do. Very wise.’

‘Thank you.’

‘And my son obeys you?’

‘I’m his mother. Of course he does as I ask.’ Kara wrinkled her nose, considering. Rurik might be naughty on occasion, but he hadn’t ever done anything truly dangerous, not in the way Ash had. And she had Gudrun to thank for keeping an eye on him and informing her if he misbehaved. She hated that Rurik accused Gudrun of being a spy or worse, but it was necessary, particularly after Hring died.

‘What does he know how to do?’

‘He knows lots of things,’ Kara answered quickly. She had put a number of things off, telling herself that Valdar would teach Rurik and then he’d know how to do things properly, but it didn’t mean she kept him tied to her skirts. ‘Last winter was particularly troubling for me. Your father was ill... I wanted to be there when he learnt to skate. I scarcely had time to breathe. Rurik understood. He kept away from the lake.’

She winced. Except for that one incident, but luckily the dogs had found her before he had gone towards the thin ice.

Ash hung his head. ‘I would say sorry, but words won’t ease anything.’

‘No, they won’t. Ever.’

‘He can learn this winter. There will be no need for excuses.’ He titled his head to one side. ‘Do you still skate? You used to take terrible chances when you were little. I had to rescue you once. Your mother wrapped us both in blankets after you fell through the ice.’

Kara’s cheeks flamed. Trust Ash to mention something she had done to try to get her father’s attention. She had gone out farther than she should have. And her father had been too busy with his latest mistress to notice. Ash’s jumping in and rescuing her had sealed her adoration of him.

‘Far too much to do. Estates need careful management. If I took time off to skate, vital things would be left undone. But I know enough about the dangers of thin ice.’

He put his hand on her shoulder. ‘Everyone deserves time to play. I am back now. You will be able to skate again and I will make sure no one gets into trouble.’

For how long? How long until the quiet comforts of home paled beside the possible glories of war? She choked the words back with difficulty. ‘How kind, but will you even be here?’

‘Winter is coming. I’m not about to leave an unsettled estate. When the spring comes, then we will see. You can’t ask for more than that.’

Kara concentrated on breathing. In and out. What had she expected—Ash to declare that his travelling days were over because he had kissed her? Those delusions belonged in the past. He would go again. Late spring, if he could be bothered to stay for the planting. Early spring, if treasure and adventure still interested him. She had to make sure he didn’t take Rurik’s heart with him. Or hers, whispered a little voice. She silenced it.

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