Paying the Viking's Price

by Michelle Styles

  ‘Alas, I would if I could,’ he said, shaking his head.

  ‘You and your stupid honour! There are things which are more important.’

  ‘Edith,’ Brand said, laying his hand on her shoulder. He had never expected her to defend him like that. She was completely different to any other woman he’d ever known. He had wronged her in thought, word and deed. He did not deserve her. ‘He is dying. He gave his life for yours. He did what you asked.’

  ‘For mine?’ Her eyes widened. ‘He saved you.’

  ‘You would have rushed Hrearek yourself and died. He knew this as I do. You are many things, Edith, but you are no warrior. You’ve never been trained. You would not have stood a chance.’

  She did not reply, but instead went over to her servant and raised his head up so that he rested on her lap

  ‘Lady Edith, I wanted to tell you before...’ the man croaked.

  ‘Hush, don’t try to speak.’ She put two fingers against his lips. ‘Save your strength. Save your breath. Your family needs you.’

  ‘I’m dying, my lady. I’ve known that for days. My other wound, the one in my shoulder, is putrid.’

  ‘Athelstan, these things are never certain.’

  He raised his hand and reached towards where Brand stood. ‘I made a mistake. Lord Bjornson was not who I thought he was. All Norsemen look alike to me. The other one, the one who attacked, was...he was the one with the axe. The one who broke the truce.’

  ‘Thank you for telling me.’ Edith bowed her head. ‘I already knew Lord Bjornson was innocent. I’m pleased you know it as well. All this was caused by one man—Hrearek. I know this in my heart.’

  ‘I owe you my life,’ Brand said, kneeling beside the pair. Without Edith’s quick thinking and Athelstan’s help, he would be the one on the ground dead. In his blindness and jealousy, he had blamed them for using him. He’d been afraid of what he felt for Edith and had used her actions as the wedge to drive them apart. ‘Are you sure of your intelligence?’

  ‘I watched...’ Athelstan gave a hard cough which prevented him from speaking.

  Brand knew the end was near and that there were things which were far more important than who did what on a distant battlefield. This man had returned because of his family. ‘I promise you to look after your son as if he was my own. He will want for nothing. I will make him a brave warrior.’

  The former rebel gave a ghost of a smile. ‘I could not ask for better payment of a life-debt. You do that and it will be paid.’

  His eyes rolled back and his body convulsed sharply before lying still. Brand leant over and closed Athelstan’s unseeing eyes.

  ‘Edith?’ Brand laid a gentle hand on her shoulder. ‘It is done and finished. You need to get cleaned up.’

  A single tear rolled down her face. ‘What happens next? Will we be able to bury him back on the estate? Athelstan should have a proper place with his ancestors.’

  Brand lifted the body off Edith’s lap and laid him out with arms folded. The warrior looked oddly at peace. Brand knew that in another time and place they could have been friends.

  ‘Shall we return to Breckon, Edith?’ he asked softly. ‘Forget this ever happened? We can take him back ourselves.’

  She stood up and walked away from him with hunched shoulders. He knew it had to be her choice, but silently he willed her to understand what he was offering.

  ‘No,’ she said, turning. With her shoulders back and her head erect, she looked beautiful despite the dirt smudges. ‘I can never forget this day. We must go to Jorvik. The king must know what happened, but Athelstan should be buried in the churchyard where his son can visit. Can this be done?’

  Brand’s heart sank. She had chosen a warrior’s path, the same one he would have done, but it did not mean it would be easy.

  ‘Very well. Enough of my men remain standing. I will send a detail with Athelstan’s body back to Breckon. The outlaws will not have a stomach for a fight now that their leader is dead. Are you sure you want to do this? You could return.’

  She shook her head. ‘Halfdan needs to hear the full story and see the proof with his eyes. I want to make sure the truth is known.’

  He gathered her in his arms. ‘I will tell Halfdan the truth.’

  ‘Will you tell him about me and my part?’ she asked, giving him a strange look.

  ‘I could hardly lie about it.’ Silently he vowed to keep her out of things.

  She gazed up at him. Her eyes shimmered. ‘He needs to know, Brand. I can’t have you lie on my part.’

  ‘Halfdan is not without feeling,’ Brand sought to explain. The order about wanting to punish all the rebels might have come from Hrearek, but Brand knew Halfdan had expressed such wishes in the past. ‘I have never heard it said that he harms women. His heart may yet soften.’

  ‘And that is supposed to comfort me? I made my choice long ago.’

  He willed her to relax, but she stood stiffly away from him. It was as if he were hugging a statue. He took his arm away. He’d been wrong to hope that her feelings went deeper than saving Athelstan. He knew now that he loved her and had wronged her. He had to hope that she would find it in her heart to love him, properly and without reservation. He knew he had to give her a reason to love him. But just as she had tried to tell him that she had feelings for him and he could not believe, he knew she would not believe him. He had to show her. Maybe over time, she would see that he needed her.

  ‘I promise not to allow anything to happen to you. I owe you a life-debt. Is that better?’

  ‘It will have to be.’ She moved away from him, her arms hugging her waist. ‘I would like to return to my cart. I want time alone to grieve. I want to learn my fate as soon as possible. If it is to be death, I want it done quickly. Know, Brand, I could not do anything differently.’

  ‘I will do all in my power to protect you. You must know that. Search your heart.’

  Edith shook her head. ‘You would never go against your king. You were right in what you said before, Brand. There is nothing between us but desire and even that is gone now. Please leave me alone to grieve.’

  Brand forced his hands to stay at his side. He had deeply wronged her and now he had to pay the price. He and he alone had destroyed the fragile flowering of their relationship. Silently he thanked his lucky stars that Edith had agreed to remain his concubine for a year. He had time to mend the relationship. He would bind her irrevocably to him.

  ‘We have not finished, Edith,’ he muttered. ‘I will find a way to show you that I am worthy of you.’

  Chapter Fifteen

  Jorvik teemed with life. Edith peered out of the narrow slit in the jolting cart. The next time she went to Jorvik, she would ride. Next time? She gave a wry smile. She doubted that she would get out of Jorvik alive.

  The best she could hope for was that Halfdan would allow her to retire to some windswept convent. Her entire body seemed to be numb, encased in ice ever since Athelstan’s death. She was grateful that Brand had not tried to touch or hold her, but had left her strictly alone. The last thing she wanted was to feel alive.

  The wooden buildings were larger and more numerous than she had remembered. There were far more people than she thought possible, thronging the streets and going about their business. Everywhere there was an air of peaceful prosperity. Edith shivered slightly, remembering the last time she’d seen this city with its burnt-out buildings. She’d never have considered in a few short years all that misery would be swept away. The market appeared to hold all manner of objects. Edith wished she had time to properly explore and find red ribbons for Hilda. She needed to remember to ask Brand to look after Hilda.

  ‘We’ve arrived.’ Brand appeared at the door of the cart.

  They had barely spoken since the aftermath of the attack. Edith hated that her body leapt every time
she saw him. She wanted to sink into his arms and ask him to take away this terrible fear about what was going to happen to her.

  ‘Will Halfdan see us today?’ she asked in a small voice.

  ‘I’ll arrange an audience. There is an order to such things. Hrearek’s body will have to be laid out in the palace’s yard for him to inspect.’

  Edith nodded. Her entire body felt numb. This was probably the last time she’d be able to speak to Brand in private. ‘Once you have returned home to Breckon, I trust you to make sure the appropriate number of masses are said for Athelstan. Father Wilfrid might be tempted to skimp, but don’t allow him to. He must say them all.’ She paused, hating how her voice broke on the word home. She swallowed hard. ‘When you see Godwin and his mother again, I know you will tell them in the appropriate way of Athelstan’s heroism. You gave your word.’

  Half of her waited for him to give some easy answer about her going back there as well.

  ‘I will be sure to do that.’

  She peered out of the cart. ‘Where are we?’

  He lifted an eyebrow. ‘At my house.’

  ‘You have a house here?’

  ‘Where else would I live?’ He tilted his head. ‘There have been times when I haven’t been out campaigning. I wanted somewhere to lay my head which isn’t infected with palace intrigue. Halfdan understands.’

  ‘I hadn’t thought about it,’ Edith confessed. Her senses spun. They were going to his house, rather than having her endure proper captivity. He was true to his word. But that added to the danger. She couldn’t bear it if he took the punishment for her wrongdoing.

  ‘I see no point in sending a message when I can tell him the full story, refreshed and the dust from the road washed off. Sometimes stories need to be told face to face. Once he knows, you have nothing to fear.’

  It was easy for him to say, but she knew the stories. Her limbs trembled.

  ‘Do you think he will believe it?’

  ‘He will. Hrearek’s challenge to me was also a challenge to Halfdan’s kingship. Halfdan is now more secure than ever on the throne. I will put it in the right way. They will be cheering you from the streets when I am done.’

  ‘You are going to lie.’

  He gave a small smile. ‘I prefer to call it—telling the story in the correct light.’

  ‘I will take your word for that.’

  ‘It is a start.’

  ‘What?’

  ‘You believing me on this.’ He lifted her chin and looked her in the eyes. The ice that had been around her heart melted and all the desire she thought she’d never feel again came flooding back. ‘After tomorrow, I hope you will believe me that I intend to protect you for as long as I can.’

  Edith knew that she wanted to walk into his arms and lay her head against his chest. And that would be the worst thing in the world to do. He only felt an obligation towards her because she had saved his life, rather than this overwhelming need to be with her. He had been quite clear on that. ‘I have done a fair job thus far.’

  ‘And I haven’t appreciated you enough.’ He reached out and pulled her into his arms.

  He put his mouth on hers and Edith allowed herself to sink into his embrace. She knew it was wrong, but she needed to use the passion to forget about her future.

  ‘I won’t regret this,’ she whispered against his chest. ‘Ever. You taught me there was more to life than duty.’

  He recaptured her lips. ‘No more talking, Edith. Kiss me.’

  * * *

  Norseman in their resplendent furs, along with a few exotic women, crowded the palace yard. It seemed the rumours had already circulated around Jorvik and everyone wanted a glimpse of the woman who had defied the king.

  Edith looked neither to the right or left, but kept her gaze focused on the grey-haired man who sat on the throne. Even his pointed beard bristled with importance. This was the man who would decide her fate.

  Edith found she was more than calm. The peace had descended some time in the middle of the night. She’d lain in Brand’s arms and she knew that whatever happened, she discovered there was more to living than simply existing to serve others.

  ‘Who do you bring, Brand Bjornson?’ the king boomed out.

  ‘Lady Edith of Breckon. I believe you knew her father. Her husband was one of the leaders of the recent rebellion.’

  ‘I understood Lady Edith died in childbirth two years ago. I sent money in condolences. I understood her husband was far too grief-stricken to remarry.’

  Edith stared at him. Egbert had lied. It made sense now why he had refused to allow her to go to Jorvik with him. She had been a fool not to question the order. It seemed far easier to stay on the estate and oversee everything. ‘I am Lady Edith of Breckon. We met many years ago when you first gained the throne. You told me that I had a very stubborn chin.’

  ‘Ah, I remember the encounter,’ the king said and tugged at his pointed beard. ‘I can see your father in you. You have his chin and nose and your chin remains stubborn.’

  Edith inclined her head. ‘I take that as a compliment as my father was regarded as a handsome man in his youth.’

  ‘What brings you to Jorvik after all this time?’ His face grew stern. ‘I will not countenance giving you back your lands. They belong to Brand Bjornson.’

  Edith glanced at Brand. ‘I know that.’

  ‘Lady Edith is here to support my claim that Hrearek wronged me and was killed in lawful combat when he challenged for the leadership of the felag. No tribute is owed to his relatives and he died a traitor and a coward.’

  ‘I saw Hrearek’s body.’ The king’s blue eyes seemed to peer deep into her soul. ‘I would ask Lady Edith to tell her story. I wish to verify everything and then I will pronounce my judgement, Brand Bjornson.’

  Brand frowned, but fell silent.

  Edith rapidly explained about what had happened, leaving out nothing including how she had sought to help Athelstan and how Brand decided to take them both to Jorvik. Brand started to splutter when she mentioned this, but Halfdan silenced him with a look. Brand was right when he said that Halfdan deserved to know the full truth. Finally she finished with Athelstan’s death and Brand’s promise to him to look after Godwin.

  Halfdan was silent for a long while, but Edith kept her head up. She had nothing to fear. Brand laid his hand on her shoulder and squeezed.

  ‘Leave us, Brand Bjornson.’ Halfdan clapped his hands. ‘Leave us, everyone. I would speak to Lady Edith alone before I give my judgement.’

  Brand glanced at her. ‘I will go if Lady Edith wishes me to go.’

  ‘I will not have you defy your king,’ Edith said in an undertone.

  ‘You should have allowed me to speak. You did not have to say half the things you said. But I am proud of you, Edith.’

  ‘No, you were right.’ Edith put two fingers over his mouth to keep him from saying anything more. ‘Halfdan needed to know the full truth. Now obey your king and go.’

  Brand looked annoyed, but he obeyed her request.

  ‘What am I to do with you, Lady Edith?’ the king asked when all had departed.

  ‘Do, your Majesty?’ she said.

  ‘There were those who might say I should punish you as you aided one of the rebels.’

  ‘He was my man. I kept him hidden from everyone, but I had no intention of allowing him to stay in this realm.’

  ‘I understand why you helped him. I did not say that as king I approved, but as a man who has a heart, I know why you did this.’

  Edith frowned. ‘Then I appeal to the man, rather than the king. Please make my punishment lenient. I promise to be a faithful subject as much as I can.’

  ‘Well said.’ The king smiled. ‘Your father kept the peace well. If I had known you were alive, I would have ord
ered Brand to marry you.’

  Edith gulped. He would have ordered Brand to marry her. It would have been as she thought it might be when he first arrived. ‘Please don’t order him now.’

  ‘I understand you are his concubine. Do you wish to remain as such?’ The king’s eyes narrowed. ‘Or did he force you to take the position and you wish to retire to a convent? Your heart is as strong as any Norsewoman’s. You should have the privilege of choosing your lover.’

  ‘I wish Brand to be able to marry the woman he chooses, rather than having it forced on him.’

  His eyes assessed her. ‘Even if that woman isn’t you?’

  ‘I doubt he wants to marry me.’

  ‘Then the man is a fool.’

  ‘You will tell him.’ Edith kept her head up. Inside her heart broke into a thousand shards. Last night, Brand had made tender love to her, but no words of love were spoken. She knew she needed more than that. She had no wish to spin dreams again. It was better to have the pain now, rather than see him grow to hate her. ‘I know the lands are in good hands with Brand Bjornson.’

  ‘Where will you go?’

  She shrugged. ‘I had not thought about that. Perhaps I should retire to a convent.’

  ‘You may stay at court until I say you can go.’ The king nodded. ‘It is the best place for you. Now let me speak to Brand Bjornson. Alone.’

  Edith’s throat closed and she could only nod.

  * * *

  ‘You are going to stay where?’ Brand burst into the room. His eyes were wild and his hair askew. Little remained of the polished courtier who had escorted her to the palace and, in his place, Brand had become the warrior again.

  ‘The king has informed you?’ Edith closed the book she had been pretending to read while she waited in the antechamber and folded her hands in her lap. The waiting time was over. All she wanted was for this interview to be finished. It was best to break quickly and cleanly.

  ‘You are to remain at court under the king’s protection. Why is this necessary?’ His eyes blazed. ‘How do you think you will advance your people by being here rather than back at home? You belong at Breckon, Edith.’