Page 99 of The Outlaw Viking

“Until I send word that they may return to my home.”

“But what if Gyda protests?”

“’Tis no concern to me. I assume Gyda had plenty to do with my lackbrained kidnapping. Let her find a way to deal with the results.”

Ubbi shrank back at the anger in Selik’s voice.

“Yea, best you back away from me, my traitorous friend. You betrayed me by aiding my enemy,” he said, waving a hand toward Rain, “and that we will discuss later.”

“Trait…traitorous? Oh, ne’er think that of me, master. I did only what God commanded me to do fer yer own good.”

Selik stepped closer, wagging a finger menacingly in Ubbi’s blanched face. “Well, here is another message for you, Ubbi. Get the hell away from my presence afore I wring your scrawny neck.”

Ubbi jumped back and began to shoo the children toward the door, urging them to gather their belongings for a long visit.

Selik’s alert eyes scanned the large room and noticed Adam slithering in a clandestine fashion toward the exit. He lunged for him before he could escape, grabbing him by the belt and lifting his small body, kicking and squirming, into the air.

“Were you the witless gnat who taunted me with foul words when I was sorely restrained?”

“Nay,” Adam lied boldly, trying to punch Selik’s shoulders with his flailing arms. “Ye mistake me fer another. I be jist a helpless, motherless boy tryin’ to take care of me poor sister.”

“Helpless! Hah! Methinks you were ne’er helpless from the day you came squalling from your mother’s womb.” He sank down onto a bench then and laid Adam over his lap. Quick as a wink, he smacked his behind, then set him on the floor in front of him, holding him firmly by the shoulders.

Adam spat in his face.

Eyes widening with disbelief, Selik shook his head at the boy’s daring. “Your pride makes a fool of you, boy. Best you learn how to pick your battles more wisely.”

His lips thinned grimly, and he flipped Adam back onto his lap and whacked him another five times, this time somewhat harder. When the boy stood before him this time, tears filled his eyes and his stubborn lips quivered. Knowing Adam, his pride hurt more than his behind.

“Do you understand me now?” Selik demanded.

Adam appeared to consider rebelling once again, but finally nodded.

“Go with Ubbi now and take care of the other children,” he said, pushing Adam toward the lingering, wide-eyed group. “Ubbi needs someone brave to help him.”

At first, Adam just gawked at Selik. When the lopsided compliment had sunk in, he grinned impishly and strutted toward his fellow orphans, calling out orders.

Selik barred the door after them and turned to Rain. “Go up to the loft.”

Rain scanned Selik’s expressionless face, trying to understand his intentions, hoping for some softening toward her. There was none.

With dull resignation, she climbed the ladder to the loft. She heard Selik moving about below. Unsure what he wanted her to do, she decided to sweep away the hay that she and Ubbi had thrown on the bed to cover Selik and Adela. When she finished, she sat down on the bed furs and waited. What would he do to her? How would he wreak his vengeance for her kidnapping?

Too soon, she got her answer.

“Take off your garments,” Selik ordered when he came up the ladder to the loft.

“Why?”

“Do not dare to say me nay, wench. Do as I say. Now.”

Rain reluctantly took off her calf-length tunic and the slacks she wore underneath. She hesitated about removing her bra and underpants.

“Everything,” he snapped.

When she stood naked before him, her head bent in shame, she began to remove the amber necklace.

“Leave the beads,” he said gruffly.