“You would have ruled Solstad if you’d lured Hella into your bed. The Norse world mourns the loss of that happening.” Ealasaid rose. “I think I need some time in the sauna and then a cool bath to get the road dust off my skin and hair.”
“I’ll prepare fresh clothing for you. We can’t have the people of Freysteinn believing Hella’s wed a wild savage, no matter how true.” Ulrika put her hands on Birgir’s shoulders. “Come, child. You could use a little grooming. We’ll boil some water and harvest the crops growing behind your ears.”
Birgir giggled, grabbed an apple from the table, and followed Ulrika to the room they’d been given off the hall.
Ealasaid drained the wine from her cup while the thralls cleaned the tables and replaced the reeds on the floors. Travel didn’t suit her. She was more at home in Solstad Hall where she knew the servants and the people. Duty forced her to follow Hella here, but she didn’t believe she’d be comfortable without him. She would do the tasks required of her—spinning, felting wool, smoking meat, baking bread, sewing, and stitching—but she wouldn’t be sorry to see the road to Solstad again.
The outer door opened and Skuld entered. She dragged two dirty young boys behind her. “Hilda, fetch water and get these urchins clean.”
If these were Skuld’s sons, then Ealasaid would carry Hella back to Solstad in place of his horse. It seemed unlikely the boys were brothers, much less Njord and Skuld’s offspring. The smaller one’s curly brown hair stood up and his dirty face bore tear streaks. A sullen pout adorned the older one’s face as he glanced toward the door. His dark hair hung in uneven chunks as though cut by someone who’d used a dull knife.
“Frú Skuld, what is this?”
Skuld froze for a moment. “These are my sons, Orver and Vidor.” She jerked their arms. “Bow to Queen Ealasaid of Solstad.”
They managed clumsy attempts. Ealasaid’s heart ached for them. “We missed you at our arrival, but it’s a pleasure to meet you both. Do as your mother says and get cleaned up. My own boy is with our thrall doing the same.”
“She’s not our mother,” the smaller one said.
Skuld’s dark eyes burned. “Don’t lie. Go with Hilda and behave.” She released them, and both boys dragged their feet as they followed the thrall. “Forgive me, your grace. They are rambunctious boys who enjoy tricks and mischief. I’m afraid I was rough with them, but these are trying times.”
Skuld didn’t flinch as she lied. Ealasaid met her gaze. “They’re not your sons.”
“Of course they are. How dare you suggest I would pass off strange boys as a jarl’s offspring?” Skuld slapped her hand over her mouth.
“I’ll forgive your outburst, but you may as well tell the truth. Those two are not Orver and Vidor. What is going on?”
Skuld sniffed. “You’re mistaken, my queen. Those are my sons. You must forgive them for not being so well disciplined as yours. I must oversee Hilda attending them. Take some rest, there’s much work to be done on the morrow.”
She waddled away with a muttered curse that suggested she hoped all of Njord’s ancestors were in Náströnd, being eaten by serpents.
Troubling. Hella suspected something amiss in Freysteinn as well. Why else would Skuld go to the lengths of pretending two peasant boys were her own? Hella would learn something—perhaps the truth—from Njord. She would have it, no matter the price.
* * * *
Ealasaid combed her fingers through her damp hair, then twisted it up and pinned it in place with a golden comb. She arranged her hood over the top of it and left the sauna. The afternoon faded to darkness faster with winter’s approach. Night crept across the horizon as she relaxed in the steam room. The air had taken on a chill this evening. She hugged her cloak around her as she made her way to the hall.
“My queen.” Erik slid from the shadows cast by the hall.
His arrival startled her. She took a step back. “What do you want?”
“The king says I’ve fallen out of your favor over an issue with your son.” He remained in place. Dark hair streamed down his shoulders. It framed his stony face and hard eyes. He wore his armor as though he planned to fight instead of talk. “Hella believes I owe you an apology.”
“My thrall told me what you did. You struck Birgir the day we left Solstad. It’s not me who deserves the apology. It would better suit my son.” She clutched the neck of her cloak. “If you’ll excuse me.”
He stepped aside and let her pass. “Ingvar’s runestone decreed I would have been king if not for you.”
How dare he throw it in her face? He had no respect for her as queen. “It’s Hella’s right.”
“It seems you’re always in the way.”
The cool edge in his voice stopped her. Ealasaid faced him. “What do you mean?”
“You knew how to anger Ingvar. He was but a chief who became king, whose power in Northumbria grew vast after Hella captured you.” Erik closed the distance between them. “Tell me why the Bloody Raven loathed you.”
“I’m more interested in why you hate me.” She pushed her shoulders back and lifted her chin. Erik’s nearness made her shake, but she balled her hands and met his gaze.
“My father earned a fatal wound there, not long after someone raised the alarm. We witnessed children playing under the moon. I believe you were one. You saw us, though you weren’t meant to, and ran to alert your father. Mine died slowly, in terrible pain. In the end, he begged for death.” Erik’s eyes were granite hard. “Two things have always bothered me about that night. Why would Ingvar rather watch you suffer than spill your blood and why couldn’t Hella kill you?”
Her pulse quickened. “What do you believe?”
“You’re a völva. Ingvar would value a witch. He lived far longer than I ever imagined. Many people hated, feared, and despised him. Men like him do not live long lives. Not without help from the gods or magic.” He shivered. “You snared Hella the same way. You spend hours tending herbs in the garden at Solstad. How can anyone be sure what you’re doing with them? How can I be certain you have no plans to harm him?”
She bristled at his question. “I’ve never wanted to harm Hella.”
“A knife scar on his arm says otherwise.”
“You would try to defend your loved ones as well. I have little in the way of persuasive powers. Hella asked for my allegiance and I gave it. There were no spells, charms, or potions involved. He is a good man, capable of providing a future for my son.” Glad he couldn’t see her shaking hands, she curled her fingers into the wool surrounding her. “I mean him no ill-will. Just as I mean you none. I’m sorry if our marriage displeases you, but I doubt you have any argument strong enough to sway him from the course he’s chosen.”
“We share a little blood, he and I. From our mothers. Enough to make us cousins and Ingvar’s decree made us brothers by law. I care for him and what becomes of him. Mark me, Ealasaid, if one hair is harmed on his body because of you, I’ll be the one who makes you pay for it. If I discover there are tricks and lies in your future, I will be there to make you regret them.” His hands hung at his sides, but his right one twitched toward his sword sheath.
Her mouth went dry, her heart pounded, but she believed his claims about loyalty to Hella. “What if I were to say I am worried for his safety? Would you do anything to protect him?”
Erik tilted his head. “Anything, but why do you worry?”
“Something is amiss here. Frú Skuld is acting strange.” The bubble of anxiety rekindled.
“She’s strange indeed. Since her brother’s death, she’s been bitter and mean. Though I doubt she would dare harm the king. It would mean a terrible death for her.” He seemed certain.
“But you will keep an open ear?” He didn’t have any reason to believe her and she didn’t trust him, but Bjorn wasn’t here, so Erik would have to do.
“Aye, I’ll listen for sounds of trouble. Let us hope it doesn’t come by way of your mouth.”
“You’re wrong and if the god
s are willing, he’ll live out a long, full life with me at his side.” She bit the inside of her lip. Winning Erik’s trust meant little to her, but his cooperation might be valuable.
“We’ll see.” He left her standing on the path as he trudged away from the hall.
Chapter Ten
Glad to be alone, Ealasaid returned to the hall and drew the curtain across the doorway. Hella hadn’t returned yet despite the darkness. She let her hair down again and sat near the fire to shake the evening chill and Erik’s threats. Hella would never allow his brother to hurt her.
Ealasaid slid a comb through her hair and parted it down the middle. It rested on both shoulders and fell over her breasts. Her skin glowed pink and, she hoped, with enough allure to loosen Hella’s tongue. She stretched on their bed to wait for his return.
The heavy woolen curtain across the doorway moved, and Hella strode in. A smudge of dirt darkened his cheek, but otherwise he appeared less weary. A smile lit his face as he studied her. “My unblemished lamb, laid out and prepared for me. How thoughtful.”
“Hardly unblemished, m’lord.”
“Near enough to perfect. Scars make you interesting. They show you’re battle-proven.” He stripped off his sword belt and hung it on a peg. “Forgive my tardiness. There’s much work to be done in the coming weeks. Njord wanted to give me a look at every field, orchard, and individual grain or leaf. It’s exhausting.”
“As a man with many interests in farming, you must have been delighted.” She leaned against the headboard and parted her legs. Enough to draw his interest, not enough to give him a full view of everything she had to offer.
“I worked the fields, tended the orchards as a boy with the hope I might someday become a wise leader who understood how to better our people. They’re much the same as they were then. I have other interests now.” He loosened the strings on his breeches, and they slid down his powerful thighs.
“Oh? What kinds of things fascinate my king?” She licked her fingertips and pinched her nipple. “I hope you didn’t find a maiden fair out there among the people of Freysteinn. One who could tempt you from the arms of your devoted queen.”
His gaze settled on her chest. “Devoted queen? Where is this woman? I must meet her. All I know is the queen with a blade in place of her tongue.” He tossed his jerkin on the floor then dropped beside her, his head at her hip. He cupped her inner thigh. “Though she is sweet in bed.”
“So you admit you cast your eye for giggling maidens who would bow to please you both inside and outside your warm blankets?” She pushed her fingers through his hair. “You’ll break your queen’s heart, your grace.”
“I would never.” He pressed his face to her outer thigh. “None of my actions are intended to hurt her.”
She almost believed him. “That’s good to know, m’lord. She’s relieved to hear it.”
“Have you been waiting long? Here on this bed, lonely for the kind of companionship women can’t provide?” He trailed his hand up her thigh to her crevice and brushed his knuckles across it.
“For so long,” she whispered, bowing her head to press a kiss to his crown. “I can entertain myself, but it’s not the same.”
“Have you?” An impish grin lit his face.
“No, m’lord, I haven’t touched myself there.” She paused. “Not today. I couldn’t run the risk of satisfying myself when I knew you’d return to do it for me.” She slipped her hand between her thighs and parted her folds. “The idea has its merits.”
He swallowed, eyes trained on her womanhood. “How tempting?”
She slid a single finger down her slickness. “I almost couldn’t deny myself. It was a close thing, you see.”
“It’s fortunate I returned, then. But what would you have done if I’d been longer?”
She fluttered her eyelashes. “It’s hard to say. I might have been asleep by the time you returned, exhausted from efforts to please myself.” She continued to stroke her center, amused by how he seemed transfixed at her boldness. “I have the most dreadful ache. One nothing but a certain touch can soothe.”
His cock pressed against her calf muscles, hard and hot. “I can see how your fingers might prove inferior to your king’s sword, although as with yesterday evening, you don’t appear dissatisfied by such ministrations.”
She rolled her hips against the bed. “I’m capable of taking care of myself. Even enjoying a little solitude.”
He groaned. “Enough. You’ll kill me with this teasing.”
She stopped. “What would you have me do then, m’lord?”
“On your back, woman.” He sat up and scooted over a fraction.
Ealasaid obeyed and kept her gaze on his. Beautiful sky blue eyes darkened as he settled between her thighs. “What will you do?”
He grinned. “Remind you why Norsemen are the conquerors of the known world, little lamb.” He lowered his face and took her nub between his teeth with a gentle tug.
Swollen, damp, and aching for him, she gasped as he teased her with his tongue. The prickle of his beard against her skin sent shivers through her when he suckled her. Pleasure and pain went hand in hand, carrying her close to the edge of release.
Hella cupped her buttocks, lifting her closer to his mouth. His tongue snaked inside her.
A cry escaped her throat as she arched off the bed. She reached for him, grasping his head as he continued to nibble and lick. The orange glow of the fireplace and the raven's wing black of his head penetrated her vision. She gasped again and clutched the blankets beneath her as she came. She moaned his name, and he covered her in a fell swoop. He pushed deep inside her, filling her to the brink. Instead of the pleasure dying a slow death, it built again, wave upon wave.
He rocked with her, his lips brushed hers, her forehead, her cheekbones. “Beautiful Ealasaid.”
No one had ever called her beautiful. She pulled him closer and locked her legs around him, her arms tight around his midsection, her face pressed to his shoulder.
With one roll, he shifted them onto their sides without leaving her. He stared at her, eyes half closed, a smile curving his lips. “The gods never made such a perfect woman with a blade for a tongue and a pot of honey for dipping.”
“Thank you, m’lord.”
He laughed softly, his voice deep and full of happiness. “Don’t be offended. I’m pleased with my choice.”
A new warmth melted over her. “You’re certain?”
“I’ll say it a thousand times if I must.” He stroked her face. “You please me far more than I dared hope, wife.”
“You please me as well.” His expression frightened her a little because it reminded her of the undying devotion Kirsteen wore when she gazed at the Kentigern. Neither of their stories had ended well.
She’d allowed him to distract her from the real matter at hand. He’d come in late before he discovered her naked and ready. She’d delayed her quest to learn what worried him long enough.
“I saw the jarl’s boys when they came back from their explorations.”
Hella’s tender smiled faded. “Oh?”
“They don’t favor either parent. I wasn’t aware they were adopted.”
“Perhaps they take after their grandparents.” He shifted and rolled away from her. “Sometimes I think I see a little of my grandfather in Birgir.”
A pang struck her heart. “It’s possible, m’lord. However, there’s nothing to indicate Skuld and Njord are telling the truth. Those boys seem frightened of her.”
“Don’t fret about it, wife. I’m sure our host and hostess have their affairs in order.” He closed his eyes and sank into the blankets.
She brushed her fingers over his beard. “Jarl Njord would have no reason to pass off two peasant boys as his own sons, would he? I can’t bear the thought he might betray you somehow.”
His body stiffened. “He wouldn’t dare.”
“They are an unhappy pair. No one seems to like Skuld much. Not her husband, her boys, or her thralls. I
f you’re certain Njord wouldn’t cross you, what of her?” She laid her hand on his arm. “I’m concerned. For you, for the people and thralls we brought, for my son. I don’t think I like Freysteinn much, Hella. I’d rather go. Skuld has made treasonous remarks against us, and Njord does nothing to silence her. You said yourself she doesn’t care for your presence. I spoke with Erik, who said the same thing.”
“It’s an old wound, nothing to be concerned with. Ingvar murdered her brother in a dispute over the ownership of cattle. I sided with him on the issue. Of course she hates me.” He smoothed her hair back. “There are no plans to dispatch us, you have my word.”
Frustrating. He meant to keep her in the dark with words that didn’t offer any comfort. “Where did you go this afternoon?”
“To see the fields with Njord,” he insisted.
“Do you think I’m too delicate or ignorant to hear the truth? Skuld lied to me, and you are hiding something.” She pulled her knees to her chest. “Tell me.”
He made a low noise in his throat. “There’s nothing to tell.”
“I don’t believe you.”
“Then don’t. You worry for nothing.”
“I worry because my head isn’t empty. I worry because nothing will move you when you decide I don’t need to know. I won’t stay here if you’re going to keep secrets.”
He sat up, all traces of his contentment gone. “This matter is not your concern, Ealasaid. Don’t argue with me.”
“I’m unhappy and I wish to return to Solstad.” She folded her arms to cover her breasts. “Oddmund will escort me in the morning.”
“No. He’s needed here, and this is where he’s staying. You are too. We’ll leave when I say we go and not a moment sooner.”
“You don’t own me, Hella Ingvasson. No man owns me, no man tells me where to go. I am the Kentigern’s daughter, a Saxon princess, a Norse queen. I come and go as I please. You declared my freedom when you offered marriage.” She rose from the bed and grabbed her gown, struggled into it then slipped on her leather shoes.
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