Norse Valor by Constantine De Bohon Page A

seemed to think of something.
“What would your men do with them?”
    “Our men wouldn’t do anything with them. The women would go to a womens’ shelter.”
    “But that’s exactly where I’ve sent them, to safe shelters.
Where would your children go to?”
    “To homes where they can stay until adopted.”
    “I have given them to homes where they are wanted and will
be loved and have already been accepted. Are your women loved and cared for at
these shelters?”
    “Well sort of. They have people to talk to and food.”
    “They live in these places for life?”
    “Well no. The idea is to get back on your feet.”
    “I’ve skipped another one of your steps. They have a home
for life. Are you certain you are from the future?”
    “I don’t think I like your tone, Vakr.”
    Svana crossed her arms over her chest. He always made her
arguments sound so stupid. In her time, the women would have needed help, but
they would have the means at their disposal. But this wasn’t her time. There
were no shelters and Svana knew Vakr thought he had done what was best for
them. It didn’t make her feel any better. Feeling grouchy, she slapped his hand
when he reached for her. He chuckled and as the shelter darkened, she saw his
cheeky smile.
    “You are no longer afraid of me?” he said.
    “Maybe not as much, but I’m still mad.”
    “Mad I can live with. Seeing you hide from me in Ari’s arms
was hurtful.”
    “You have been a Viking all your life. I’ve only been here a
few months.”
    “Fair enough. Our ways are harsh, sometimes brutal, but so
is the land.”
    “When will you start making homes?” she asked.
    A wolf howled in the not-so-far distance. She felt her hair
stand on end. Another wolf answered its call. Svana scooted closer to Vakr.
When her shoulder bumped his, he wrapped his arms around her. She felt his warm
lips kiss her forehead.
    “Don’t be afraid. The wolves won’t come near the fires,”
Vakr soothed her as another answering wolf made her shiver.
    They seemed to be all around them.
    “Even in my time wolves, will brave a fire if starving,” she
whispered.
    “I’ve seen these wolves. It was one of the reasons I chose
this spot. They are plump and numerous. We will kill them and take their
hunting grounds. The village will have many furs for this coming winter.”
    “Winter?” Svana said with surprise. “It’s only now spring.
Why worry about winter?”
    “You have never seen real hunger, Svana. We collect and
store and harvest in the months we can so we are able to survive the winter
months. Winter is a time for stories and making babies.”
    Vakr rolled on top of her.
    “Winter is the time for making babies, it’s spring,” she
reminded him.
    Vakr’s lips pressed hers stilling any protest. His warm
tongue invaded her mouth.
    Svana could taste his breath, and it wasn’t unpleasant. Her
belly was full from dinner. She had never eaten whale before and decided she
liked it. She was tired of fighting and fearing him. He provided her with
everything she needed. She would see how the strange women were doing in the
morning, and if any were unhappy, she would plead their case to Vakr. The land
was primitive as was the man. The land could be harsh as could the man. But
Vakr wasn’t harsh with her, and right now she wouldn’t mind one bit if he
became primitive.
    The wind outside whipped against the logs of the lean-to.
The wool drape was secured with rocks but flapped occasionally. Vakr pulled her
shirt up. When he pulled her arms up, his mouth settled over her breast. When
he laid her down, Svana’s arms were pinned in the material. Vakr moved lower to
remove her pants. Her outfit had been given to Vakr by the natives. Svana
didn’t think it was meant for a woman, but there was no way it would have fit
any one of Vakr’s massive warriors and until Vakr could hunt and get a pelt,
she was stuck wearing whatever was on hand.
    Svana groaned as Vakr slowly made his way up her body.