One
Kendra glanced out the window and sighed. A huge dust cloud was heading toward the sleepy fishing village. It could mean only one thing.
Vikings.
She started rapidly gathering her herbs and placing them methodically into her shoulder basket. Jayson, the husband of the woman she'd just tended attempted to press hard earned coin on her. She shook her head, but accepted the flask of wine and loaf of fresh bread he offered her next.
"Jayson, you best tend to your wife and bairn. There are raiders on the road."
It hadn't been an easy birth, but with time and rest, both mother and bairn would heal. Unfortunately, they would have neither. She shook her head and prepared to go. She could do no more for them and would be no good to anyone during an attack. Afterwards, mayhap. But often the wounded were put out of their misery if they were too far gone to be of use.
She pulled her red cloak and hood on, concealing her face. The red signaled her protected status as healer. The hood protected her from him.
Grayson Hendrick.
The hulking Viking warrior from across the sea. He was known far and wide for his prowess on the battlefield.
Known, and feared.
In fact, he was reputed to be next in line for the throne of his people. Not that she listened to idle gossip. Besides, what did Grayson Hendrick have to do with her?
She sighed deeply.
Too much.
Kendra had a terrible feeling that she was the one who had brought the marauders down on this peaceful fishing village. Grayson had a habit of raiding the towns where she sought refuge, the tiny villages along her route where she plied her trade. She'd been afraid to admit it to herself but today's events made it as clear as the sea on a windless day.
There was no use denying it any longer.
He was stalking her, like a hunter after a stag.
Healers were rarely in one place for long, going where they were needed. She in particular preferred to stay on the move. Mostly because of Grayson and his damnable fixation on her.
He wanted her. To bed yes, but worse yet, she suspected that he wanted her to wife.
That was something she would not submit to. Everyone knew a healer lost the full strength of their powers when they lost their virginity to a man. Children would rob her of the time she needed to ply her trade. Marriage would put an end to her life as a healer. A life she valued.
Her skills were known far and wide. She saved lives and brought solace wherever she went. There was a touch of the mystical in her abilities she knew. So keeping herself pure was of vital importance. To her and to the people she tended.
Never mind that the man was irritating as a nettle in your boot! He was so smug and sure of his good looks and manly appeal. The sensual promise in his dark green eyes made her feel out of sorts when he gazed at her. His long dark hair looked too silky for a man by half! Never mind that his lips were as lush and pretty as a girl’s. It looked absurd on a man as big and strong as he was! She always found herself growing warm and flustered around him. This restless feeling coming over her must mean he was near, damn him.
She gathered up her herbs and unguents, leaving behind the soiled cloths. There was no time to wash them now. If she stayed any longer she would get caught up in the raid and unable to leave. Unable to escape Grayson's notice.
She reached for the door and
Kendra glanced out the window and sighed. A huge dust cloud was heading toward the sleepy fishing village. It could mean only one thing.
Vikings.
She started rapidly gathering her herbs and placing them methodically into her shoulder basket. Jayson, the husband of the woman she'd just tended attempted to press hard earned coin on her. She shook her head, but accepted the flask of wine and loaf of fresh bread he offered her next.
"Jayson, you best tend to your wife and bairn. There are raiders on the road."
It hadn't been an easy birth, but with time and rest, both mother and bairn would heal. Unfortunately, they would have neither. She shook her head and prepared to go. She could do no more for them and would be no good to anyone during an attack. Afterwards, mayhap. But often the wounded were put out of their misery if they were too far gone to be of use.
She pulled her red cloak and hood on, concealing her face. The red signaled her protected status as healer. The hood protected her from him.
Grayson Hendrick.
The hulking Viking warrior from across the sea. He was known far and wide for his prowess on the battlefield.
Known, and feared.
In fact, he was reputed to be next in line for the throne of his people. Not that she listened to idle gossip. Besides, what did Grayson Hendrick have to do with her?
She sighed deeply.
Too much.
Kendra had a terrible feeling that she was the one who had brought the marauders down on this peaceful fishing village. Grayson had a habit of raiding the towns where she sought refuge, the tiny villages along her route where she plied her trade. She'd been afraid to admit it to herself but today's events made it as clear as the sea on a windless day.
There was no use denying it any longer.
He was stalking her, like a hunter after a stag.
Healers were rarely in one place for long, going where they were needed. She in particular preferred to stay on the move. Mostly because of Grayson and his damnable fixation on her.
He wanted her. To bed yes, but worse yet, she suspected that he wanted her to wife.
That was something she would not submit to. Everyone knew a healer lost the full strength of their powers when they lost their virginity to a man. Children would rob her of the time she needed to ply her trade. Marriage would put an end to her life as a healer. A life she valued.
Her skills were known far and wide. She saved lives and brought solace wherever she went. There was a touch of the mystical in her abilities she knew. So keeping herself pure was of vital importance. To her and to the people she tended.
Never mind that the man was irritating as a nettle in your boot! He was so smug and sure of his good looks and manly appeal. The sensual promise in his dark green eyes made her feel out of sorts when he gazed at her. His long dark hair looked too silky for a man by half! Never mind that his lips were as lush and pretty as a girl’s. It looked absurd on a man as big and strong as he was! She always found herself growing warm and flustered around him. This restless feeling coming over her must mean he was near, damn him.
She gathered up her herbs and unguents, leaving behind the soiled cloths. There was no time to wash them now. If she stayed any longer she would get caught up in the raid and unable to leave. Unable to escape Grayson's notice.
She reached for the door and
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