The Light Keepers by Mande Matthews

Author:Mande Matthews [Matthews, Mande]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Guardian Tree Press
Published: 2013-12-11T23:00:00+00:00

Bonded Chapter 2

The godhi’s son scrambled through the brush toward the stifled groan. As he passed, the forest floor opened up, allowing sure footing. It was as if the land itself welcomed him as he raced along, heart pumping. He broke through the thicket and stopped thunderstruck in a wide open clearing. Hallad dropped the bow from his hand; his will to move slid out of his body.

A long-limbed beauty straightened up from the edge of the still waters of Prophetess Cove, turning to face Hallad. The woman’s white hair silvered in the cast of the moonlight, shimmering off her naked limbs. Beads of water sparkled on her skin like hundreds of white jewels. The woman fixed her cool gaze on Hallad. Her hardened eyes defied the fact she bared all to a strange man. Hallad could not turn away. No matter how hard he tried, his eyes stayed prisoner to her own iron black.

The empty space inside Hallad rushed with emotions he couldn’t identify. As their eyes connected, awareness surged through every muscle, the bones and the blood of his body—a sense that on this night, the Norns drew forth his destiny from the rune stones. A shine in her dark irises, a flicker of her eyelids, told him she felt the same.

A shift in her carriage broke Hallad’s stare. He realized the woman gripped a battle sword in her right hand. Women did not carry swords! In his village and throughout the lands of sudr Scandi they carried keys, needles, small knives and broaches, proudly displayed on a chain strung around their dresses, but never swords. Even the men in his father’s longhouse wouldn’t possess such a fine instrument.

"Hallad!" Emma rushed into the opening, maneuvering to get close to her elder brother. "Hallad! I beg you to mind your conduct!"

Erik and Rolf had arrived moments before, each carrying torches. The cove illuminated as flames rose in licks toward the sky, emitting billows of pungent smoke. The smell of burnt pine wafted in the air. Both Erik and Rolf had stopped upon seeing the naked woman—or girl. By the firelight the stranger appeared to have lived around as many summers as Hallad—her body was not fully developed, her hips still narrow and her white breasts high and firm.

Erik immediately turned his back toward the young woman. Rolf gaped, his jaw hanging, eyes protruding at the unclothed stranger. Emma attempted a disagreeable frown in his direction. Rolf shrugged his shoulders and swiveled around, tangling his feet in the dead grass as he twisted. Erik worked the end of his long torch into the ground, while Rolf followed suit, trying to regain composure.

Emma crossed the distance, catching her brother by the waist; his height wouldn’t allow her to grip his broad shoulders. As she tried to rotate Hallad, Emma addressed the stranger.

"Please excuse my brother. His manners have escaped him." Unable to turn Hallad in the opposite direction, Emma exhaled in frustration. "Upon the honor of my house, I ask your pardon and welcome you to the bounty of our table.

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