Ravager: A Dark Viking Romance Novella by Karina Halle

Author:Karina Halle [Halle, Karina]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-12-29T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 13

Cherine

The noise in the dining hall was deafening that evening. From the clinking of my wine glass and ale mug to the slobbering eating habits of the unmannered Vikings and their riotous conversations, I could barely think. Not that I wanted to think all too much; after all, I kept dwelling on what Rolf had ordered, and that prospect scared me. Still, I wanted to be prepared for it, though I knew it wouldn’t do much good.

How could I ever be prepared for a night with a Viking leader, especially one built like a small house? Erik, I could manage. In fact, Erik, I enjoyed more than I wanted to admit. But Rolf? He was a whole other animal.

He is an animal, I thought as I took another gulp of honeyed mead. The man himself was sitting across the table from me. Every so often, his eyes would meet mine and crinkle at the corners, something that made my heart flutter in an unwanted way, but for most of the meal, he was either watching Erik beside me or egging on conversation with the newcomer, Arvid.

Arvid was a rather handsome older man, with shining red hair and a crooked smile, and, as I soon found out, he spoke fluent French from having lived in a Viking-won settlement further down the coast. He was as charming—and civilized—as anything, almost fooling me into thinking he was a Frenchman and not a Northerner.

“So, as you see, dear Rolf,” Arvid said as he dabbed the corner of his sleeve against his mouth, finishing his plate of pheasant, “this could mean the French king is open to negotiations with us chieftans.”

“But you say it’s just a rumor,” Rolf pointed out.

“Yes, it is just a rumor. However, if it happens to be true, then you might be able to take the land and become a duke.”

Rolf looked down at his glass of ale and took a hearty sip. He chuckled to himself. “I can take the land anyway, and I wouldn’t have to swear off my gods. Do you think Odin would look proudly upon me for turning my back on him? Do you think Valhalla would wait for a traitor? I think not. I’d rather die than turn to Jesus and be admitted a scrap of land and a village of sniveling Frenchmen. Wouldn’t you?”

“This is not what I’d do, Rolf, but it is apparently what Helge has done. He signed the treaty with the king and now controls several towns around the Seine, towns you had lost the last time you were in the country.”

Rolf scoffed and exchanged a pointed look with Erik.

Arvid went on, “And the further inland you journey, the more resistance you will face. Is it better to die with nothing than to live with something? I think not.”

Rolf gave him a dismissive wave. “Ah, these politics bore me, Arvid. Why do you think the king of Norway had me exiled?”

Arvid and Erik exchanged a look while I leaned forward, my curiosity piqued.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.