Page 27 of Heart of Fire
“You’re distracted,” her father said one afternoon, as they sat over the small chessboard he’d dusted off and brought out. The little fox that lived with them sat on the side of the armchair, his dark amber eyes unblinking. Loki knew what he was, and when he realized Rurik watched him, he bared his teeth in a faintgrowl.
Fair enough. The little beast was only trying to protect his household. At least he didn’t run and bleat like Freyja’s sheep did whenever they sawhim.
Rurik eyed the spread of ivory pieces. He enjoyed this game, and the old man had clever wits, despite his blindness. “I was thinking of the dragon hunters in the village. They seem to be making littleprogress.”
“Is that why you watch the window sooften?”
Caught. “No. I’m watching for your daughter. She is doing her best to avoid me.” He didn’t ask how the man had known. Einar seemed attuned to each rustle of cloth, and all of his other senses were exceptionallygood.
“Ah.” Einar coughed faintly into the stained handkerchief in his fist, then reached for his knight. His hand quivered. “You have an interest inFreyja.”
The stale scent of encroaching death emanated from the old man. Rurik stilled. “She is intriguing,” he admitted. “She is beautiful, and clever, and stubborn, and utterlyrelentless.”
“I need not remind you your intentions had best be pure? I might be old and blind, but I can still be a force to be reckoned with when it comes to the daughter Ilove.”
Rurik respected the old man’s position, though he could swat him like a fly if he wished. “You can remind me, but Freyja has already lain down her rules. You might be a force to be reckoned with, but she is a force ofnature.”
The old man chuckled, a sound that slowed, then died with a faint hush. “Aye, she’s proud and wary.” He scratched at his jaw, clearly upset by some thought. “It bothers me to see her so long unmarried. My health fades with each winter. I... Iworry....”
Rurik surveyed the board, then moved his bishop and told the man what he’d done. “Freyja can survive without you, I assure you of that. She is independent and strong enough to rule her ownlife.”
“I know,” Einar replied. “But she has always been so isolated. You’ve seen hereyes?”
“They are beautifuleyes.”
“Some claim they are sure sign of awitch.”
“It’s a small village,” Rurik replied, lacing his hands across his middle. “I expect the people here to besheltered.”
“Unfortunately, others don’t share your lack of qualms.” Einar looked troubled. “I always sought to spare her from their censure, and so Helga and I kept her close, and rarely invited strangers to the house. Or even guests. Maybe that was a m-mistake—” He broke into another hacking fit ofcoughs.
Rurik fetched the old man a glass of water. “Here,” he offered, sending a thin tendril of his power through his fingertips to energize the oldman.
“My thanks.” Einar slurped the water down, and settled back in his chair, but at least his skin bore some faint signs of colornow.
“Has she never had a suitor before?” he asked, as he waited for the old man torecover.
“I keep pushing her toward that Benedikt boy,” Einar admitted, “but she will have none ofhim.”
Every hint of the predator within him arose at the name.Benedikt. He was the man who threatened Freyja. Rurik’s voice turned silky. “He islocal?”
“His father owns half the village.” Einar coughed again. “He’s not the sort of lad I’d normally choose for Freyja,but....”
He was the only man who showed interest in her. If only Einar understood what sort of interest Benediktshowed....
Not for him to mention. No. Rurik had other ways of confronting his rival. Still, he couldn’t say nothing, “Sometimes it is better to live alone, than to wed someoneunsuitable.”
“Unless someone else who is suitable comes along?” Einar suggested unsubtly, his hand hovering over his rook. He moved it. “I believe that ischeck.”
So it was. Rurik frowned. It was the first time the other man had beathim.
“Your attention has been elsewhere,” Einar mused, even as the door to the kitchen creakedfaintly.
Rurik was suddenly all senses. There was a light footstep in the kitchen. Thenanother.
“And now you are distracted again.” Einar chuckled, clearly hearing Freyja’s entrance too. “Go,” he said, waving toward the kitchen. “You have my best wishes. I can tell she likesyou.”
“I am not so certain of that. But we’ll continue our game later,” Rurik replied, pushing to his feet and moving after his fascinatingadversary.
