Naked by Eliza Redgold Page B

what Leofric’s glance toward me had cost him.
    Thurkill had reached for his axe and his dagger, too. He’d dropped the torch near me as a distraction. On purpose.
    Against the gag in my mouth I tried to cry out, strangled by the foul rag. My neck jerked, my lids wide. Leofric must have read my warning. Instantly he regained his focus. He jumped aside, and with a soul-curdling yell Thurkill raised his axe and slashed it across Leofric’s shoulder.
    Leofric made no sound, but as the blood gushed from his sword arm he stumbled, his face white with pain. His blade sank, point resting in the hovel dirt.
    Thurkill had control now and he knew it. Choking on my fear, my bound limbs stiffened as Thurkill circled and crouched, weapons in both hands, his whole, huge body a taunt.
    “This axe killed your brother.” Thurkill spoke almost conversationally, sending a hell chill down my spine. “I watched him die. Northman .”
    Leofric’s sword stayed down. His head lowered.
    Time stilled.
    My heart. A stutter beat.
    Thurkill lifted his axe. As if in slow motion I watched it come down in a gruesome sickle sweep.
    Leofric’s sword flew as he leapt across the room and plunged it straight into Thurkill’s chest.
    “I warned you.” Leofric thrust the blade deeper. “Don’t speak my brother’s name.”
    Thurkill crashed to his knees, his weapons clattering to the ground. Shock rounded his mouth as a death grunt came from it, a squeal like a wild boar killed in the woods.
    Cowering with terror I slammed my eyelids shut until the hideous sound stopped.
    When I opened them again, Leofric was leaning on his sword, breathing heavily. He’d finished Thurkill off to make that revolting noise end.
    The sword clanged as he threw it down and knelt beside me. Pulling his cloak from his shoulders he covered my body, hiding my bared breasts. He tore the rag from my mouth.
    “Godiva. Did he—hurt you?”
    “No,” My tongue, numb and sore, didn’t seem to work properly in my dry mouth. I could still taste the rag. “You came in time.”
    “Here.” Swiftly Leofric knelt to loosen the ropes that bound me. I rubbed the chafing red marks around my wrists and ankles.
    Hauling myself upright I pulled the cloak close, the rough wool scratching my bared skin. It smelled of lye, blood, and sweat. I couldn’t stop shaking.
    “You’re Dane-axe cut,” I said hoarsely.
    Still kneeling, he shrugged my concern away.
    Hard-mouthed he leaned over and ran his finger over my bruise. “He did this to you.”
    The touch of his fingertips made me quiver. I could only nod. Fury flared in his eyes before he drew away.
    “How did you find me?” My voice was still rough.
    “I told you. I prefer to sleep in the open air. I suspected there was more to come from Thurkill the Tall. I found your nurse tied up, but she’s come to no harm,” he added rapidly, at my start of panic.
    He’d guarded my bower.
    “On my horse I followed hard, but I nearly lost you in the darkness. Then I saw Thurkill’s horse.” Firelight glinted on his hair as he leant back on his haunches and surveyed the hut with a frown. The hare was charred to black bones. “This doesn’t make sense. It’s curious that Thurkill was alone.”
    “But he wasn’t alone. I heard another man outside the hut just before you got here. They were arguing.”
    His shoulders stiffened. “Did you recognize who it was?”
    “No.” I winced. My neck was sore. I rubbed it. “The other voice was muffled.”
    “Could you hear what they said?”
    “Not really. They spoke in Danish. I only recognized a word or two.” I rubbed my muscles. “They kept saying something that sounded like huscarl .”
    “ Huscarl? ” he demanded. “You heard the word huscarl ? Are you sure?”
    “I think so.” Another nod. Another wince.
    “Did they mention Canute?”
    “King Canute? No, I don’t think so.”
    In a stride he was at the door, threw it open. Stared out, as if daring someone to come. The cold air