Page 24 of Merciful Salvation

Risk

“Goddamnit, pick upthe sword.” Erling was a soulless, raving lunatic.

Kara shot him a scornful look. Her arms were simply too weak to lift the heavy weapon after hours of ceaseless exercises. Sweat rolled down her face, half blinding her. “Water,” she croaked.

“Fight!” The man could not be dissuaded.

Struggling to lift the weapon above her head, her arms trembled uncontrollably. She finally managed to raise it a few inches, but her legs gave out. She sank to her knees, dropping the sword. Someone tapped her on the shoulder from behind. Weak as a newborn lamb, she turned to see who it was. The youngest member of Erling’s band of thieves offered her a cup.

“Take it.” He shoved it into her hands.

She rewarded the boy with a smile, took a tiny sip, then doubled over and vomited.

“Pathetic and weak.” Erling strutted over, then grabbed a handful of her hair. He snapped her head back.

At first, she saw his features clearly, but the harder she tried to focus, the more blurry her vision became.

“Over before it began,” he said coldly, loosening his grip. “Yield, girl. Admit a woman cannot outmaneuver or overpower a man.”

She groaned. His face was so bloody tense—twisted and cruel. It would be a cold day in Hel before she surrendered to this pig. “Curse your existence.” With what little strength she had left, Kara wrenched free, then staggered to her feet. “What is the purpose of all this?”

“I’ve told you,to break you.”

Of what?Nothing this man said or did made any sense. His claims were baseless—his motivation unclear. She’d never met him before. “My father will pay whatever ransom you ask,” she panted, her ribs so sore she couldn’t move. “What possible use could you have for me?”

“You surprise me.” He stepped closer. “The woman I watched sparring in the woods excited me. Gave me hope that I might find a worthy partner. But after hearing your mindless questions, I wonder if you’re worth keeping. Think, Kara. What would any man want with you?”

She sucked in a sharp breath. “Marriage?”

He laughed.

Odin help me.She managed to sit on her knees and gaze up at him. “You want me for your bed, but not as your wife?” She flung her head back. “And you expect me to go along with this? Not to fight for my honor?”

“I want you to fight me until you don’t have an ounce of strength left inside that tiny body.”

Tired and hungry, she decided to refrain from further argument. No matter what he said or did right now, she wouldn’t understand his motive. In the end, her fear and confusion no longer mattered, she collapsed at his feet.

Kara woke up on a dirt floor, inside a crumbling cabin. She studied her shabby surroundings; there were holes as big as fists in the walls and the thatched roof sagged in the middle. Furniture was sparse and the only source of light came through two small windows near the door. She sat up. Her arms and legs felt as heavy as boulders—and her arse ached. She called for Amelia, but the maid didn’t come. Who dared to remove her braies, leather shirt, then dress her in a cleangown?

Her skin burned when she voiced her own answer.Erling Solheim?The only bastard in camp brazen enough to touch her. He’d made it a point to let her know he intended her for his mistress. Cooperating with this jackal was out of the question. She stood, walked to the door, then opened it. She’d get more information, even if she had to resort to violence herself.

A dozen cabins and trees surrounded her. Kara heard the echo of merrymaking. Somewhere beyond the shelters, men were eating and drinking. She followed the smell of smoke, walking silently. They were seated at the fire eating.And waiting for me. Before she made her presence known, she scolded herself for ever leaving home—for endangering Amelia. All the training in the world hadn’t prepared her for the man who’d kidnapped and humiliated her. Erling outweighed her by eight stones or more. He pushed her so hard her body finally gave out. However, he hadn’t broken her spirit. She’d resist until she drew her last breath. Something emerged from the shadows.

“Enjoying the fresh air?”

His voice made her cringe. “I’ve enjoyed nothing since you brought me here.”

“Then I’ve succeeded.”

“At what?”

“Don’t be in such a hurry to learn all my secrets, Kara. In time you’ll understand.” He stared at her, then caressed her cheek with the back of his hand. “Your color has improved since you fainted. You slept a long time.”

She hadn’t fainted, she’d collapsed from near starvation and exhaustion. “How long?”

“Nearly two days.”

The thought of being at his complete mercy for that long nearly undid her. Had he violated her while she slept? “I don’t believe you.”