AllFreeNovel
Share Us
‘I’ve improved it,’ Kara said with real pride. ‘If you rub it in with small circular motions, it seems to work better.’
‘Thank you for this. I appreciate the gift. Hopefully it will make my leg ease enough that I don’t frighten Rurik.’ His blue gaze met hers. ‘It is why you gave it to me, isn’t it? Rather than being concerned about my leg? You hate that I shouted at him. I’ve apologised.’
Kara wrapped her arms about her waist. She wasn’t ready to explore all her reasons for giving it. ‘If you understand about Rurik’s birth, maybe you will understand why I am overprotective. We both nearly died. In fact, without Gudrun we both would have. She delivered him.’
Ash’s muscles tensed. He had never considered that the birth might have been anything but straightforward. Kara and Rurik appeared perfectly well now.
‘Your life was in danger? How?’ he asked as a massive wave of guilt swept over him. ‘Gudrun was never one for delivering babies.’
‘Rurik was early. Gudrun found me crumpled in the stables. I had gone to change a poultice on one of the horses’ legs and the pain came too sudden and fast. Gudrun supported me back to the house and stayed with me during the birth. She made sure that I had all the strengthening broth I needed afterwards.’
‘Rurik was early? How early?’ Ash forced his body to remain completely still and his hands at his sides. He wanted to gather her in his arms and check that she was safe. ‘Tell me everything.’
‘He was very little. My fault. Your father had forbidden me the stables and I was determined to help your favourite horse. I knew I could save his leg and his life.’ Kara tucked her head and concentrated on the tafl board, rather than meeting his eye.
‘Floki? You went into the stable because of him?’
‘He was always gentle about me and I wanted him to be here for you when you came home. He’d hurt his leg. I wanted to try the salve out on it.’ She held up her hand. ‘Arrogant and reckless, I know. Your father said as much to me many times over, but I knew how much you loved that horse.’
‘My unborn child would have meant more.’ Ash pressed his lips together. He’d failed her utterly and completely. He really didn’t deserve a son or a wife, but the gods were kind and had granted him a second chance. This time, he would do the right thing. ‘But I know you and injured animals. If anyone is to blame, it is me. Floki spooked easily.’
‘Everything was quiet to begin with. I was nearly done,’ Kara explained. ‘And then it happened. A small twinge in my back. I cried out, but it was enough. Floki kicked his leg out. I stumbled backwards to avoid the kick and I landed hard. Then the pain ripped through me and there was blood and nothing I could do but pray to the gods. The gods answered me in the form of Gudrun. How she managed to get me out of the stable I will never know.’
Ash listened to Kara’s tale with mounting horror. The debt he owed her grew with each sentence she uttered. When babies were born too soon, the vast majority of them died within weeks despite the best efforts anyone might make. The gods were cruel.
He ought to fall down and kiss her feet. She’d suffered greatly and all he’d done was escape from a dungeon.
‘But he has always been a fighter,’ she finished. ‘I knew I had to fight for his life. It was my fault that the accident happened. Your father nevertheless had the horse destroyed.’
‘And what did my father say about our son? Did he demand you expose Rurik?’
‘Your father was far from happy, but I told him that you should make the decision. You were the only one who could decide if our son lived or died in that fashion.’
‘And my father?’
‘He looked at me as if I had grown two heads, turned purple and said I would not get anything to eat unless I complied.’ Kara’s eyes blazed at the memory. ‘I told him I would never abandon my son. And I won’t.’
Ash’s admiration for her grew. It might not seem like much to defy his father, but Ash knew how frightened she had been of him. Kara hated strife of any kind and felt it deeply even if it wasn’t her fault. Her words might give the impression of ease, but it would have been far worse for her than she said.
‘He gave way? Immediately in the face of your immovability?’
‘Gudrun saved my life a second time. She sided with me and brought me food so that I wouldn’t starve. Luckily Rurik thrived and your father relented weeks later. I owe her a debt I cannot repay.’
