Hey guys! Sorry I've editing this story so much, but it's my baby and I like to keep making it better and better. :P Plus my life has been insane. I got expelled from school because they found out I slept with my boyfriend, and a few months after that, my boyfriend broke up with me. But, I am well and I have an amazing job at a daycare and life is good. Hope y'all are well! - Em

Chapter One

Red and white striped sails cut through the early morning fog. The sun was just appearing over the horizon, the sky pink, orange, and blue. Below me I heard my fellow kinsman shrieking and screaming, probably running for shelter. As if a wooden hut could keep those hellions away. My heart clenched as I crouched in the ferns, peering out to see the carnage that was unfolding before me. My mother and sister knelt beside me, each of them holding onto one of my hands. My father laid flat on his belly in the grass. My thoughts turned to my brothers and my sister in law, my sweet little nephew, and my feisty niece.

The ships came closer still, the large men pulling the oars with vicious strength that sent fear through my entire being. My hair whipped around my face in the salty breeze, my legs trembling as I watched the men from my village ran to meet the Norse raiders, holding up swords and torches, ready to defend all that they held dear.

"We should be running," my sister Kalin murmured in my ear, shifting on her feet. "We will die if we stay."

"Hush, girl!" My father snapped and reached out to smack her arm. Kalin crouched lower, clenching her teeth as her golden eyes narrowed in anger.

I allowed my eyes to slide closed as the Norsemen launched themselves out of their ships and roared, the sound echoing through the glades. They were giant men, broad, tall, and strong, clad in furry cloaks and metal helmets, most of them swing axes through the air. The screams of terror and pain filled my ears, women and children crying as their husbands and fathers were brutally slaughtered. Tears pressed passed my closed lids and dripped down my face. I did not know what would become of me, whether I would be killed or taken captive. I would rather die than became their slave.

Though I was scared beyond what would seem possible, I couldn't make myself turn and run. It would be like running from a bear. It would only chase me down and kill me. I'd rather stand and face them with bravery. I was not a coward and I wouldn't act the part.

I watched as the men walked through my village, gathering all the silver and gold, food supplies and other things into a pile at the center of the village. The men came out of the houses with their arms full of their loot. Why did the Norsemen do this? Was it because they knew they were stronger than everyone else and exerted it for pleasure?

One particular man caught my attention. He seemed young, perhaps in his early twenties. Despite that, he was large and muscular. I watched as he grabbed young women, looked at them, and then tossed them aside.

A scream caught my attention and my gaze shifted away from the young man to another older man who had a woman pinned underneath him. I closed my eyes and trembled, trying to block out what I knew was going on in those streets.

When I opened my eyes again, the young man was gone.

"Maybe they are leaving," my sister murmured. I met her gaze, taking comfort in the familiar gold of her eyes and the way her soft brown hair curled around her face. Though she was older than me, I felt a strong urge to protect her. If I had to, I would die for her.

"I think they're gone," my mother said anxiously, starting to slowly rise from the ferns.

The screaming continued, and the roar of angry men. They were not leaving. I was just about to reach out to grab her wrist, but then I heard the crackle of footsteps in the ferns, loud voices shouting in a rough foreign language. They came closer and closer. An urge to run came over me, to scatter like frightened rabbits, but that would only get me and my family killed, so I repressed it.

My heart raced as I huddled against the rock, and my sister wrapped her arms around me. "I love you, little duck," she whispered in my ear, calling me by her special name for me. "Whatever happens now, I want you to remember that."

I nodded and cried into her shoulder, her words ripping at my heart. When I opened my eyes again, I saw the men in their metal helmets that covered everything except their eyes and jaws, their bodies wrapped in heavy cloaks. One of the men was the boy I'd watched down in the village. He spoke first.

"Stand. There is no need to hide now that we have found you. Do not try to run, it will cost you your life." His voice was clear, low. Though his Irish was muddled by a strange accent, I could easily understand him.

My family and I rose to our feet slowly. My whole body shook and I felt my sister's sweaty hand slip into mine. The ferns tickled my legs, and the absence of birdsong made shivers run up my spine.

The young man looked over me and my sister. He touched my sister's hair but his attention quickly turned to me. "You'll do nicely." His eyes met mine for the first time and I felt a heavy shiver of icy fear roll up my spine. They were blue as the ocean, but cold, unyielding.

My heart skipped at beat in fear and I stood still, unable to speak. Instead I stared past him, at the slope that led back down to the village. Should I try to run? I wanted to, but my feet felt like stones and I couldn't make them move.

"Don't run, maiden," he said in my tongue, recapturing my attention. He took a few steps toward me, slowly, like a cat hunting its prey. I shook my head and started to sob. "You will come with me, and I will make you my wife."

"Please, I can't go with you. Return to your homeland," I pleaded in a high voice, wanting nothing more than to stay with my family. A cold stone sat in my stomach.

"Easy now, lass. Come quietly and we will not hurt you," the other large man murmured, making no move to come closer to me. Instead he held his palms upward.

"You lie. If you take one more step toward me, I shall run," I snarled and glared at the hairy demon. They both laughed at me and my anger flared even more. A scream of anger rose out of my throat and I covered my head with my hands.

"Please do not take her," my mother pleaded with them, tears streaming down her face. "She's my little girl."

The two men glanced at each other. "She will not be harmed, milady."

My father stepped forward. There was a knife in his belt but he did not reach for it. "There are other women that would please you more than my daughter ever could. She is an innocent; you have no need for her."

The young man tilted his head and narrowed his eyes, a cocky smirk on his lips. "Yes well, that is not for you to decide. I want her." His eyes shifted to me and he looked me up and down. "Full lips, bright, feisty eyes. Round hips made for birthing sons."

His words made me sick in my stomach and I thought I would vomit.

The two men came toward me and I turned on my heel, running through the ferns into the thick woods. Their laughter followed me, and soon I heard them crashing after me.

Strange noises poured out of me, somewhere between words and screams, before tripping over a log and hurtling to the ground. Two huge rough hands reached down and lifted me to my feet while another wrapped rope around my wrists and ankles. I thrashed and twisted, "Let me go! You mindless brutes! You bastards!"

The older man threw me to the ground and I grunted as the air rushed out of my lungs. My head pounded, and I gulped to replace the air. The young man pinned me down as the older one bound me.

"What is your name, lass?" The younger one asked, his blue eyes visible through his helmet. A beard peeked out below the helmet as well.

"Eachna," I said, meeting his eyes. The ropes cut into my skin, and I breathed a sigh of relief when he got off me and pulled me to my feet, though he held the ends of the ropes which kept me from running again.

"I am Asvald," he stated before throwing me over his shoulder and climbing down the slope at top speed.

"Let me go! Unhand me, you beast!" I screamed and kicked at him and pounded my fists on his back. He only laughed at my attempts of gaining freedom, and said something to his companion in Norse that made him laugh as well. My face heated because I knew they were speaking of me but knew not what exactly.

My family rushed forward. Kalin, my sister, rushed forward toward the larger man, grabbing the front of his shirt. "Release my sister, you son of a bitch!"

The man drew his sword and pressed the tip to the side of my sister's neck. Asvald, the younger one who held me, set me on my feet and drew his sword, pressing it to my mother's neck. His eyes focused on me. "Come with me or they are both dead."

I looked to my father for help but he just stared at me with tears in his eyes.

Kalin cried as she looked at me pleadingly. My mother's face crumbled with terror.

Fury boiled inside me, giving me a newfound courage. "If you kill them, you will still take me. Spare their lives. I will go." My heart broke as the words left my mouth, but it was the truth. I did not have a choice.

The men smiled and lowered their swords, my mother and sister relaxing as they touched their throats. Their eyes landed on me and I lowered my head to fight the tears, knowing my fate. I would never see them again. I would become a wife to this Norseman, and that would be my life. My breath came in gasps as that realization hit me.

Asvald grabbed my arm and started to pull me away. I screamed and held out my arms to my mother. She rushed forward and clung to me, trying to pull me out of the young man's grasp.

"Let her go!" Asvald roared and pushed my mother away from me. "She is no longer yours!"

I sobbed and sunk to the ground, all the strength leaving my body. How could I leave them? How could I bid them farewell without knowing any of our futures?

"Let me say goodbye," I panted and lifted my eyes to Asvald's blue ones. "Please."

His gaze softened and he motioned me to go to my family. First I embraced my cowardly father. He held me tightly and wept in my hair. After a few moments, I moved out of his arms and into the arms of my sister.

Her familiar scent sent tears streaming from my eyes as she rocked me gently. "Be brave, little duck. We will always be together, you and I. No matter how far you are."

I couldn't take any more. I embraced my mother and kissed her wet cheek. "You are my strong girl. A survivor," she whispered in my ear. "I know you will overcome this."

Nodding, I squeezed her one last time and turned to Asvald, glaring at him through my tears.

His hand wrapped surprisingly gently around my arm as he led me down the slope and through the village.

Bodies of dead men lay in the streets, their blood flowing over the cobblestones. I felt like I would lose the contents of my stomach but I willed myself not to.

Soon we reached the long boats and I was set on a bench and quickly tied to the mast.

"May you all rot in hell," I growled under my breath and looked toward my home for what would most likely be the last time.

The men shoved the boat into the cold water and my chin rested on my chest as tears flowed down my face. I would never give up on trying to get back here.

When Ireland was far behind us, my tears ceased and I looked around the ship to see who else from my home was taken. A young woman named Mary, and a few other girls I knew, along with several young children. Such a shame. Some of the children I recognized and it was heartbreaking to know that their mothers were left behind.

{}

The night was painful, as my back ached from not being able to move or stretch, the ropes were soaked with salt water and were rubbing against my wrists and ankles. I cried through the night, and even when I did fall asleep, I cried in my sleep.

The next morning I woke up warmed by the sun, and my heart felt like a rock in my chest. My stomach turned from the tossing ocean, and cramped from being empty.

The large man came and sat on the bench beside me. I turned my face from him, too angry to look into his face.

"I brought you food," he said in my language and held up a piece of bread to my lips. I shook my head.

"I do not wish to eat. I am sick," I murmured, resting my head on the mast which I was tied to.

"You need strength," he said and grabbed my jaw, forcing my mouth open. I allowed him to place the food in my mouth, but I hadn't had water so my mouth was too dry to chew the thick bread and I gagged on it before spitting it out. My stomach clenched and I heaved though nothing came out. The man lifted a horn of water to my lips and I took a few slow sips, and again he offered me bread. This time I was able to swallow it down, easing the pain in my gut.

"You are blessed. The sickness of the sea has no hold on you," he said and I met his gaze, for his eyes were kind and he was gentle with his words. Without his helmet, I could see that he was an older man, with a grey beard and a wrinkled tan face from being exposed to the weather after many years. By the way the other men seemed to obey and respect him, I guessed him to be their leader and the father of the young man who claimed me for his wife.

"What is to become of me?" I asked; fear making my heart race as I thought of some things I might be forced to do.

The man smiled and I remembered his name was Bork. "I am the chieftain. You will have the great honor of being wife for my son."

My heart sunk and I forced back tears. "No, please. I must go home to my family. I love them and they need me. Please," I begged, hot tears running down my face. His reached up and with rough fingers, he wiped away my sorrow

"My son is kind. He will treat you well," he said confidently but his words did nothing to soothe the pain in my heart. I did not wish to marry a Norsemen. Too tired to speak anymore, I closed my eyes and slumped forward.

I slept through the rest of the day, not having the will nor the energy to do much else. There was nothing else I could do.

{}

More days passed, but I could not keep track of how many.

Every time I closed my eyes, I saw the faces of my loved ones. My nephew laughing and holding out his chubby arms to me, my sister blowing me a kiss. The images tortured me and taunted me.

The waves sloshed over the side of the ship and soaked me in chilly salt water. I gasped and shifted, searching for even the smallest measure of comfort.

Asvald came toward me and I watched him through blurry eyes. He had long blond hair and a short, well-kept beard, and piercingly blue eyes.

He stood before me and lifted my chin with his finger. I was too weak to resist. "Do you know what your duties will be?"

I scoffed and turned aside my head. "I am not your wife, you worm." My voice cracked.

He ignored my response. "You will warm my bed, which will be your most important duty. Second, you will help my mother run the household. Third, you will bear my children."

Tears of rage arose. "I will not! Kill me, please. Be merciful and just kill me," I muttered and lowered my head. Death would be better than what I was about to face.

"No," he simply said and touched the ropes that bound my hands. Blood caked them from where they bit into my tender skin. "I suggest that you submit to me."

With that, he turned and returned to the bow of the ship. I lowered my head and cried softly.

{}

The next morning we approached what must have been the Norsemen's home, for they all became excited and looked eagerly toward the land, smiles lighting up their faces.

"Glad you all are so joyful while we captives mourn the loss of our families," I hissed under my breath. Only Bork heard me and gave me a reproving look before heading toward me. I glared at him, caring not what he would do to me.

"You must learn to tame your tongue or my son shall tame it for you," he told me sternly.
I snorted but said nothing. No man would tame my tongue.

A short time later we reached the shore and were greeted by the Norsemen's families. I was untied from the mast and was able to stand for the first time in several days and nights. My muscles ached and the skin of my wrists were raw and bleeding, the saltwater stinking the wounds.

"May hellfire swallow you beasts as soon as you are laid in your graves," I cursed under my breath as I was lifted from the boat and onto the stony shore.

Asvald jumped out of the ship and slung me over his shoulder and carried me toward his village.

"I will not go willingly!" I screamed and kicked at him. "You son of a bitch! You took me from my home, my family! I hate you!" I started to sob and ceased fighting him. I felt him chuckle and I cried harder.

He ducked into a sod covered house and placed me on the floor before turning and leaving. I sat in shock for a moment, my bottom hurting from where he threw me down. A middle aged woman approached me, a sad smile on her face.

"Asvald is not cruel, my child. You will be treated well," she said, sitting beside me.

"Are you his mother?" I asked, grateful that we could communicate. She nodded and smiled.

"We are not a harsh as you believe us to be," she said softly, meeting my eyes.

Tears filled my eyes. "I care not. You took me from my family and that alone proves you to be cruel."

She reached out and took my hand. "I am sorry that my husband wanted to give our son a woman from distant shores. But you have a much kinder fate than the other women who were captured with you. They will be thralls or slaves as you would call them. They will be used by men. My son will treat you as his queen."

My whole body trembled as I thought of being in Asvald's arms tonight. "I cannot marry him. I cannot."

"Hush now," his mother scolded gently before moving to the hearth in the middle of the room and scooped out some stew for me to eat. She stroked my hair while I chocked down the food, knowing I would need the strength it gave me.
When I was finished, she helped me to my feet and said that we were going to a river where I could wash myself. She brought with her a thick dress and what looked like a fur coat. I walked beside her in silence, my heart heavy and filled with sadness and pain.

"You will learn to love him," she broke the silence. "Once you see what a kind man he is."

I kept silent, not wanting to say anything that might hurt her feelings. She had only been kind to me. She was not the one who stole me from my home.

Birdsong filled the air along with the sound of wind in the trees, sounds that would usually bring joy to my heart. Now they only brought more tears.

"Stop this weeping. It is making your eyes red and puffy. You must be beautiful for my son tonight," she scolded again and I sniffed back my sorrows. Crying would do nothing to change my circumstances.

"My name is Groa," she said and smiled at me.

"I am Eachna," I said and smiled back.

We came to a clearing covered with lush grass and ferns, and a clear stream ran through it. Once we reached its edge, Asvald's mother said,

"Remove your dress."

I frowned but stripped down and stepped into the cold water with a gasp. Sinking into the water, I smiled for the first time in two days, enjoying the feeling of the dirt, sweat, tears, and blood washing from my body. Asvald's mother tossed me a bar of soap and a rag before laying out my new dress on a stone and went to a nearby tree, which she sat under and closed her eyes.

I soaped up my hair and scrubbed out the dirt and salt, and ducked under the water to rinse it away. I came up giggling and even splashed some. I needed this. My heart needed to find joy in even the smallest thing.

Once I was completely clean, I rose from the chilly water and slipped into the dress and pulled the fur over my shoulders. Asvald's mother rose from her place under the tree and returned to my side.

"You look much prettier now, my daughter. Come, I must prepare for the feast."

Groa wouldn't allow me to help her and made me go sleep in Asvald's bed in his section of the sod house. Though I tried to resist the sleepiness that made my eyelids heavy, I finally did drop into blissful darkness.

I awoke to someone banging open the wooden door and sat up to see who entered. It was Asvald.

"Oh it's you," I said in a small voice, though I was trying to sound brave. My heart pounded and my stomach twisted. "You're one ugly beast, and I'll bet you are a coward. If you weren't, you would have come to capture me yourself. Didn't have the gall, did you?"

His eyes narrowed. "That is not how you will speak to me. I would prefer not to beat you, as you are a young woman with easily stirred passions. But you must learn to respect me."

"Respect cannot be learned, it must be earned," I hissed and glared at him. As he came closer, I saw that his hair was wet and his skin was clean and smooth. He had bathed for me. I shook my head, and insulted him again. "You smell like a skunk. Or better yet, a dead skunk that's been in the sun for days."

His eyes twinkled and he sat on the bed. "Is that the best you can do, feisty one?"

I scooted away from him, still glaring. "Keep your hands off me, you Norseman swine."

"Hush," he said sharply. My eyes fell to the furs that covered the wooden bed, my cheeks hot as I waited for him to strike me. Instead he took my chin in his hand and made me look at him.

"I will demand respect from my wife. I suggest you practice this now so you will not suffer punishment after we are wed," he said firmly.

"How could I respect you?" I asked, angry tears filling my eyes and I blinked them rapidly away. "You stole me from my home and my loved ones. I cannot respect a man who would willingly do that to me."

Compassion softened his features and he released my chin so he could stroke my cheek, wiping away my tears. "I am sorry your heart is sore. It will heal, I promise."

I forced my gaze away from his and his hand left my cheek.

"Our wedding ceremony will begin soon. Come," he said and held out his hand to me.
I lay back on the bed, determined not to move from this spot.

"Get off the bed, woman," he said in a warning tone of voice. I remained still, though I could hear my heart pounding in my ears. "Now!"

I flinched but still didn't budge.

"Obey me," he growled and grabbed my arms, lifting me from the bed. Since I was given no choice, I stood up and glared at him.

"I will never obey you," I snarled, my chest heaving with anger.

He smirked before grabbing my wrist and pulling me back into the main area of the house. The house was now filled with Asvald's family, who all cheered when they saw us. Asvald greeted them all and spoke to them in Norse.

He gently pulled me to his side and continued to speak in Norse. I squirmed uncomfortably and looked into each of the unfamiliar faces of the room.

After Asvald finished speaking, a beautiful sword was placed in his hands. He locked eyes with me and for a moment I feared what he was going to do with that sword.

"This is my family sword," he spoke quietly but firmly in my language. "You will keep this and we shall pass it down to our sons. Next I give you a ring." His gaze hardened and his voice rose. "You will put that ring on your finger and it will stay there. Do you understand me?"

My body trembled as I stared back at him, my eyes stinging with unshed tears of hate. I had never felt so aggrieved in my life.

Asvald drew a golden ring made of thin stands wrapped in two circles. In between the two stands was what looked like a hammer. He grabbed my hand and forced the ring onto my finger. All the while I glared at him.

Then he opened my palm and placed a plan steel ring in my palm. He held out his hand and cocked an eyebrow.

"I hate you," I whispered with spite as I pushed the ring roughly onto his finger.

He just smirked and took his family sword in his hand. Taking my hand, he placed it on the hilt of the sword on top of his. "Now it is time for our vows."

Clearing his throat, he began to speak in Norse, though his eyes stayed locked on mine.

My heart continued to pound, but hearing those words spoken in a different language in such a deep tone seemed to set me in a trance. I stared at Asvald's face. He was not unattractive. In fact, I'd never dreamed of having such a handsome man for a husband. His chest was broad and thick, muscular. I could tell under his shirt that his stomach would be toned, his legs strong and powerful. I imagined his mighty back. While all those traits could attract me to him, his large build and muscular body could hurt me, and hurt me badly.

He finished his vows and nodded to me.

I opened my mouth. "I am not your wife and I never will be." I narrowed my eyes. He would never make me submit. I was a force a sheer will.

He growled, his blue eyes piercing, making me feel small. "Promise to be faithful and obedient, or I will make our wedding night hell for you."

His threat and raised voice made my heart thump wildly against my breast but I would not cry in front of all those people. "I...promise to remain faithful and...obedient to you." I spit out the last words as if they tasted bad. My world was crumbling and I was starting to feel like I didn't want to live anymore.

Asvald smiled and caressed my cheek. "I do not want to cause you pain, wife. We can have a good life together."

I smacked his hand away and scowled. "I do not want a life with you. You took my life away from me the moment we left Ireland's shores."

His hand slid to the back of my neck and curled around it. My father used to hold me like that and would squeeze until red lined my vision. Screaming, I jerked out of his grasp and covered the back of my neck with my hands.

Asvald looked at me with concern. "Did I hurt you? That was not my intention, I simply wanted to kiss you."

Panting, I tried to calm myself down and lowered my hands. "Why do you care? And no, you shall not have a kiss from me."

He shrugged. "There will be time for that later." He turned back to the people that filled the longhouse and shouted something in Norse. Everyone cheered, the noise deafening.

Asvald pulled me to a table and sat down, bringing me down into his lap. "Now the feasting begins!"

I squealed and tried to wriggle away, but he grasped my hips and made me stay. My jaw clenched and I resisted the urge to strike him for his rude, uncouth behavior.

"You are completely piggish and disgusting," I whispered in his ear but he only laughed at me. Since being mean to my husband would not fix anything, I decided to think about the things that I cared for or would soon care for about him. I was grateful that he seemed to be only a few years older than me and was rather good looking as well. I was grateful that he had not yet struck me and seemed gentle enough.

"You are a beauty, Eachna," he murmured, his hand sliding up the outside of my thigh. I groaned in disgust and pushed his wrist away from me.

"Please, if you wish to touch me, do it when we are not in front of your family," I whispered, praying that he would listen to me. His blue eyes met mine and he seemed to study me.

"If that pleases you, wife," he said with a nod and a smile. "Though you will shall have to get accustomed to doing such things in front of others." He chuckled darkly but I ignored him because I didn't know what he was talking about. Instead, I tensely reached out to touch his golden hair, letting the strands slip through my fingers.

"Thank you," I whispered, tears choking me because I didn't want to be nice to this barbarian, but I also wanted to do what was best for my future.

"Drink," he commanded and lifted a cup to my lips. I took a sip of the sweet liquid and enjoyed how it seemed to warm me to the bone. "Tell me about your family. The ones that were on the cliff with you." he said.

I played with a tassel on my dress as I told him the names of my family members.

"I am sorry you lost them," he said like he wasn't the one who had taken them from me. My anger rekindled and I fought to keep it back.

The night passed quicker than I wanted it to, with Asvald feeding me honeyed pears and more of that sweet drink. The guests became drunk and started fornicating with one another while I tried to shield myself from it as much as possible.

As the night wore on, my head became dizzy from the drink Asvald kept giving me and I started to refuse it. It would not be wise to become drunk at a time like this.

Finally Asvald stood and again spoke in his own language. The people cheered and Asvald's mother, Groa, came forward and took my hand.

"What is happening now?" I asked nervously as she led me into Asvald's room, finally away from the crowd.

"It's your wedding night," Groa murmured and started undoing the laces of my dress.

"No!" I jumped away from her and held up my hands. "No, no, no, no," I said and shook my head. My stomach twisted heavily and I rushed to a pot in the corner of the room, which I heaved into, losing all I ate at the feast.

"Calm down, Eachna," Groa said softly and rubbed my back. "Everything will be fine. If you don't resist him in bed, he will be ever so gently with you. Trust me."

I trembled and sobbed, but nodded, seeing no way out of my situation. Tears coated my cheeks, neck, and chest as she stripped me down and pulled a thin nightdress over my head. She settled me into the bed, where I laid shaking, propped up by pillows. My hair was loose around my shoulders.

Groa placed a golden crown with gems on top of my head. "Asvald will remove this and then will get into bed with you."

I lowered my eyes and sighed, willing myself to go numb and just accept what was coming.

Groa sat on the bed beside me and covered my hand with hers. I lifted my eyes.

She smiled gently, her round face soft and motherly. Her voice soothed me. "I know we've only just met, but I will help you in any way I can. I was in your same place once, a long time ago. I was captured from England and brought here to marry Asvald's father. Since Asvald is eager to get in here with you, I will tell you more of the story another time." She paused and squeezed my hand. "Are there any questions you would like to ask me about lovemaking?"

I closed my eyes and groaned deep in my throat. Of course, there were many unknown things about lovemaking to me, but I would not ask Groa about it. I'd never seen a naked man. I knew that his groin must fit into mine, but that was the extent of my knowledge.

Opening my eyes, I looked a Groa with a tear-filled gaze.

Her face filled with compassion and she leaned forward and kissed my cheek. "It will not hurt if you relax. I suggest that you greet him with a kiss, lie back, close your eyes, and open your legs."

I blushed and a few tears spilled down my face. Taking a shuddering breath, I twisted the blanket in my fist.

"Someday you will learn to enjoy it," Groa said and went to the door. "I will fetch Asvald and the witnesses."

My eyes widened. "What witnesses?"

"There will be a small group of people in the room with you while Asvald takes your maidenhead. It is to insure that he did indeed take your virginity."

I felt sick again and my head ached. But I didn't have the energy to care any longer. "This is why the Irish and the English call you and your people savages," I growled at Groa, glaring at her.

She just smiled sadly and shook her head. "I am sorry, Eachna. May God be with you."

She slipped out of the room and I was alone for the first time all night. The first thing I did was search the room for an escape. There was a chest with a pitcher and bowl atop it, a bench before a small hearth, and the bed. Nothing else, no windows. And the door only led to the rest of the longhouse. There was no escape.