“Then you don’t trust our own clan’s members, people we have known our entire lives.”
“That’s right. I don’t trust them because if I could, we would not be riding home. I would be seeing you to your aunt and uncle. If Magnus is telling the truth, and of all people why wouldn’t he, then our very clan members are clamoring for your blood just like Thor’s are. It means they have already decided that siding with Inga is more entertaining.”
“Or they understand that not angering the woman who will one day be the frú is a healthier choice if they wish to have a long life.”
“She won’t be frú.”
“Ivar, you can’t still think your father will put her aside after all this, do you? You can’t possibly end the marriage now that Inga has cried foul. She will make it seem as though you are trying to kill her, too. It’s one thing for her to blame me, the jilted mistress, but if you try to end this, then she will claim you are plotting against her and her tribe. She has neatly backed you into a corner from which you can’t run.”
“Then I will make her want to leave.” Ivar’s gruff voice had a finality to it that Lena learned as a child was not worth fighting. They finished their ride in silence until it was time for Ivar to move to his own horse.
The riders cantered into the homestead and reined in where Soren, Disa, Thor, and Ulfhild waited. Ivar spotted Inga standing with Signy and Torbin, but his attention was refocused when five of his father’s guards dragged Lena from her horse and threw her to the ground. She remained there for only a moment before easing to her feet, a knife in each hand in case one of the men thought to push her down again.
“I will go willingly.” Lena looked at Soren and dipped her head before looking at the guards. “But push me again when I can walk on my own, and you will draw back a hand short.”
“How dare she?” screeched Inga. “Who is she but a whore? How dare she issue orders when she should be thrashed for attempting to have a jarl’s daughter killed?”
Inga rushed forward and tried to push past the guards, but the tone shifted with her intrusion, and the men now became Lena’s protectors. They formed a circle around Lena and kept Inga from striking.
“Who tried to kill you?” Ivar boomed. “It could not have been Lena. She was too busy trying to keepyourfive warriors from killing her. Are you saying there are others here who don’t want you?”
The collective gasp was deafening. Soren marched over to Ivar and grabbed Ivar’s arm, steering him toward their longhouse and refusing to look anywhere but straight ahead. Ivar seethed with his own anger but allowed his father to maneuver him. He looked over his shoulder and cast a knowing look at Eindride. His best friend was already standing beside Lena with Lorna and Rangvald now protecting her too. The crowd followed father and son to the gathering hall, leaving Lena behind.
Ivar breathed easier knowing there was not a mass of people waiting to harm her. He had spoken out hoping he might draw the attention away, and it had worked. Now he needed to figure out how to keep Lena from being shackled to theníðstöng. If they tied her to the shame-pole, she would be subject to the elements and the scorn of both tribes. The weather was pleasant during the day, but the nights had turned, and winter was rapidly approaching. Snow flurries had already hung in the air more than once in the past weeks.
“You are committed to ruining this alliance, aren’t you?” Soren hissed in Ivar’s ear.
“No. I already told you that Harold, Rangvald, and I are on good terms. We can make this alliance last for generations without this marriage.”
“But it’s too late. While you were off riding about the countryside, Harold has forsworn your agreement since you shamed his sister. He is refusing to honor any type of truce once he is jarl unless you remain married to Inga. Thor is ready to murder you in the name of his daughter’s honor, and it wouldn’t surprise me if Inga and Ulfhild don’t poison you. And while you might deserve all of that for being such a fool, you will get Lena killed. My hands will be tied if our people decide she’s guilty. You have made it obvious that you believe she is above the law and that you will shelter her from any accusation of wrongdoing.”
“Those accusations didn’t come until after she fled to save her life.”
“That isn’t the timeline your bride is claiming, and her parents support her.”
“And you’re allowing Inga to gain control. She will soon think she can control this entire tribe if her caterwauling gets the attention she wants. She is a young woman about to bring this tribe to its knees.”
“And if her husband had been around to control her, she wouldn’t be out of your bed long enough to say more than your name.” Soren’s grip tightened on Ivar’s arm as he thrust him into Ivar’s usual seat at the head table. “You abandoned your bride to run off with your mistress. How could you have imagined this wouldn’t be a disaster? Oh, wait. I would venture to say you didn’t think. You want me to believe that Lena would make a better frú for this tribe than Inga, but you won’t be able to keep Lena alive long enough to prove it.”
Ivar opened his mouth, but Thor stole his chance to answer when he swept in with his family on his heels. Inga’s smile was smug as she took her seat next to Ivar and entwined her arms around his.
“You might have been able to warm your cock between her thighs if you’d done right by me, but now you will never have her again,” Inga purred into Ivar’s ear. “You picked the wrong woman, and now you will make it up to me. Embarrass me again, and I will ensure her death is brutal rather than done quietly and cleanly.”
Ivar yanked his arm free and stood to his full height. He picked Inga up from her chair and hefted her over his shoulder before turning toward his chamber. He stormed towards the door that would lead to the family chambers, not looking back.
“My bride and I have lost time to make up.” Ivar’s hand rained down a heavy spanking before mercilessly pinching Inga’s backside. Inga squirmed and tried to wriggle free, but Ivar’s hold was far too tight. “You wanted my attention, wife. Now you have it.”
Ivar marched to his chamber and kicked the door open. He heard Ulfhild and Thor following him, but he slammed the door shut before anyone followed them inside. He dumped Inga on the ground and barred the door. Ivar placed his hands on his hips and towered over Inga, but she showed no signs of fear or submissiveness. Instead, she scrambled backwards until she stood beyond Ivar’s reach. He did not follow her but curled his lip in disgust when she sneered at him.
“You may not want me, Ivar, but you have me. My father won’t allow you to end this marriage. I won’t allow you to end this marriage. I deserve to be a jarl’s wife, and I intend to become one. You would do well to remember which tribe is stronger.”
“Someone has filled your head with pretty little lies if you believe it is yours. If you believed that, why would you be in such a hurry to remain here, to become the frú of a weak people? You know it’s your tribe that is benefitting by having us accept you. Don’t forget that with any bride comes a dowry. Do you think it is you or the dowry that is wanted? You couldn’t get my prick up, but you are still here. I know which one I want.”
“Perhaps your prick doesn’t work at all, and that’s why you ran. You’d rather hide your lack of manliness by claiming you want your little slut than admit that you can’t perform.”
Ivar’s laughter bounced off the overhead beams and the walls. The sound filled the room, mocking and antagonizing Inga as his look of pity grated on her nerves.
“Every person in my tribe has seen my body’s reaction to Lena. It’s no secret. More than enough people have heard if not seen us coupling. Everyone knows my cocks works. When it wants what’s offered.” Ivar stepped toward Inga, but the young woman dodged away. His laughter once more rung out and filled the chamber. “What? Not interested in seeing if you can change my mind? Not interested in seeing if you can seduce me?”
