Page 18 of Ulf's Destiny
“I’ve never slept outside.”
Ulf gave an amused snort. “I’ve slept outside more times than I can remember. I’m sure you will like it, seeing as it is summer and the night is quite warm.”
She sat on the pallet, which was just as comfortable as it looked. Yes, she suspected she would like it. On one condition.
“Stay with me. Please. Lie down next to me.”
He could not want to go back to Mildred and her foul offers. But perhaps he would rather not sleep next to the woman who had tried to kill him. To her delight, though, he did not hesitate and settled by her side.
“Yes. I will stay.”
6
As soon as she woke up, Ylva felt a tightening in her chest. Today would be a trying day, there was no ignoring it.
As much as she wanted Mildred to pay for all she had made her, Judith, and so many others endure, and as vital as it was to know that they were finally free of her, she knew that she would hate to see her sold as a slave and wonder how her new owner would treat her. But it had to be done. Killing her was out of the question. Her conscience would not allow it. The other alternative, allowing her to get away with what she’d done, was unthinkable.
So, the slave trader it would have to be.
She turned to her other side, wishing she had time to revel in the snugness of the improvised pallet. Ulf was no longer next to her, but sitting on the bench, watching her. He smiled when he saw that she was awake.
“Good morning.”
Her heart did an odd flip and she thought that she would not mind waking up to that smile every morning for the rest of her life. “Good morning.”
“How did you like sleeping outside, then?”
“Very much.”
She had loved everything about it. The gentle breeze caressing her face, the quiet hooting of the owls softening the darkness, the rustle of the leaves dancing in the trees—and the feel of Ulf’s big body right next to her. It had been wonderful, probably the most restful night of her life. She had been safe, there had been nothing to worry about.
“I’m glad.” He gestured to the wooden plate on the ground by her side. On it were two slices of cheese, a chunk of bread and a boiled egg. “To break your fast, if you’re hungry.”
Ylva nodded. “Yes, thank you.” Though she was nervous, she thought she had better eat something. But everything was so delicious it was not hard to force herself.
Just as she was finishing the egg, Wolf and Steinar arrived.
“Are you ready?” they asked in unison.
“Yes.”
The sooner they got underway, the better.
They used the cart taken from Mildred the day before to go into town. No one wanted to put her on a horse. She would never outrun them and actually escape, but the Norsemen didn’t want her to injure one of their animals, or to fall and break her neck. She needed to be punished, not killed. That was the point.
Ylva had sat next to Ulf, who was driving. Steinar and Wolf had volunteered to sit in the back with their captive this time, for which she was grateful because she didn’t want to have to look at Mildred and, after what she had told him the previous night, she guessed that Ulf didn’t want to have anything to do with the woman either.
They soon reached the harbor, and dismounted next to a ship that looked ready to depart. Men were throwing casks on board and shouting various orders in Norse. Hammering could be heard. Ylva felt out of place in this very masculine, very rough environment.
As if sensing her unease, Ulf inched closer to her. “You’re safe. Just stay with me while my grandfather speaks to the trader.”
He made a grimace. Ylva understood that, having fought slave trading and injustice all his life, the Icelander would be loath to actually bring a human being to be sold.
Guilt sliced through her at what she was making him do, which would go against all his principles. “I can?—”
“No. It’s fine. Just know that we chose this trader because he never sells children, only adults.”
Of course. They could never have resigned themselves to work with such despicable individuals.
