Page 36 of Ravager
“I was hoping you’d accompany me on a ride today,” he continued, still not moving.
“Where?” I asked guardedly.
“Oh, nowhere in particular. Some men brought in some peasant women from a nearby farm. We’ve decided to keep them as cooks. They’re currently in the kitchen making us a feast to take with us on our journey.”
The thought of other Frenchwomen brought a wave of shame. Here I was, trying to like the men I was with while they still remained detached and unmerciful barbarians. At least Erik wasn’t like that.
But I didn’t think I’d get to see Erik ever again, not in the way I really wanted.
“I’d like some alone time with you, Cherine,” he added. I couldn't miss the sincerity in his voice. “I want us to get to know each other…outside of the bedroom.”
I let out the breath I’d been holding. Though it didn’t quite get along with the Rolf I’d seen and heard about, he had been admirably gentle with me—when he wasn’t ramming me dry, that was.
“All right,” I said. “Can you please leave the torch with me? I’ll get ready now.”
“I’ll wait outside the door,” he conceded. “I don’t trust the men with my women, and I already sent Knut off to have lunch.”
I nodded and didn’t get out of bed until the door was shut behind him. I got dressed quickly, not wanting to press Rolf’s good mood by making him impatient. Soon, I was easing the door open and peering up at him with big eyes.
“You look beautiful,” he whispered, his eyes taking in my chest pushed up by the front of my embroidered dress.
As do you, I thought to myself. He reminded me of a majestic bear, beautiful and unpredictable, an animal that ruled theforest with his brutality and impressive bulk. If I wasn’t careful, I was going to turn myself on all over again.
He took my hand, making me feel small yet warm and safe, and together, we walked out of the manor to our rides. With him on his black steed and me on a calm chestnut mare, we set out toward the road, a basket of food hanging from the ends of my saddle.
It was a gruesome sight. The Vikings had only just cleared the dead bodies from in front of our village’s walls and had piled them into two: one for our fallen dead, the other for the Frenchmen.
I put my sleeve to my nose and mouth, my eyes watering, trying to look anywhere else but the bloodied ground.
“I’m sorry,” he apologized as we rode side-by-side. “They were meant to clear the bodies away much sooner.”
“What will happen to them?” I asked when we were further down the road and the stench of death couldn’t reach.
“We’ll burn them,” he said matter-of-factly. “Usually, we just leave them there.”
“For the crows to feed on,” I remarked caustically.
“Of course,” Rolf said without a hint of shame in his voice. “That’s the price of doing battle. Normally, we don’t stay around after we’ve seized the land…”
“So why are you now?”
He twisted in his saddle to look at me. “Why, aren’t you an inquisitive little creature?”
I met his eyes. “If I am to be a part of you now, I think I have the right to know.”
He chuckled good-naturedly, and I exhaled in relief. Though I had no problem being bold when the situation called for it, it was like walking on eggshells whenever Rolf was involved.
“You’re very right, my beauty.”
And so, Rolf went on to tell me of his plans for the future, plans that included holding out in the manor until the King of France requested a meeting with him.
“That way, they come to me,” he said. “I am no fool—I know I would lose more men, men I can’t afford to lose, if I went on to the next village. I know their armies are growing. If I stay here, they’ll grow weary and suspicious, and eventually, they’ll step foot in my new territory.”
“And then what happens?”
He waved his hand in the air. “And then, the king offers me a position, preferably the Duke of Normandy.”
I let out a small laugh. I couldn’t help it. “After everything Arvid told us, you think they’d let you hold on to your pagan beliefs?”