“She did?” The expression of surprise on his mother’s face was unlike any he’d ever seen before.
“Aye. And she idolizes you. That’s why she left so quickly. She saw you coming and wasn’t prepared to meet you yet.Coming to the castle with all the people, seeing the archery field, it’s been much for her to absorb.”
“Mama!” Hagen said. “And she was up late last night with us on Tiree.”
His mother arched a brow at him, but then he caught the twinkle in her eye and that small grin of hers.
Simone touched his arm. “Nay, let your mother go. It’s a great way for her to get to know Brynja, and being Norse, I think she’ll be good for both girls. I’d also guess we’re all going to see much more of Brynja and Hildi.”
“‘Struth,” Dyna said with a nod of emphasis and a glance at Grant. “Especially Brynja. I mean Bwia.”
Hagen stared at the door, still doubtful. “Brynja is tough to talk with. She has all these walls built up to protect herself from everyone.”
Dyna reached over and clasped her brother’s shoulder. “Think about our mother’s background and how it compares to Brynja’s.”
Hellfire, his sister was correct.
Chapter Twenty
Brynja
Brynja sat down on a stool next to the bed Hildi lay on and looked up at Brenna. “Is she fixed yet, my lady?”
“You must be Brynja. She is not fixed yet, but I think she’ll get better. And please call me Brenna.”
“How do you know, Lady Brenna?” She rubbed her hands together so tightly that she had to stop after a few moments.
“I’ll show you. Then you’ll know what to do if it happens again.” She lifted one of Hildi’s eyelids and held it open. “Do you see the middle part of her eye that is black?”
“Aye.”
“If she were truly bad, that part would be huge. It’s not. That is a good sign. Here’s another one. Watch when I pinch her arm.” Brenna pinched and Hildi jerked her arm away. “Did you see that? People whose brains are really sick don’t feel pain. She does.”
“That’s good?”
“Aye. That’s verra good. She has a sizeable bump on her forehead still, but it looks to be getting smaller. Once it shrinks, I think she’ll wake up. And she will be quite hungry. In fact, I may go get her some broth. Do you know where the kitchens are?”
She shook her head. “But I can find it.”
The door opened and the Ice Queen entered.
Brenna set her hand on her forearm, stopping her from going to the door. “Nay, I’ll go. Sela will stay with you. Sela, have you met Brynja yet?”
Brenna introduced the two and Brynja stood up, backing away.
Sela said, “I’ll stay with the two, Brenna. You go. I’ve wanted to meet Brynja.”
Brenna left. Brynja stood, backing away until she hit the wall, her hands pressing against the stone. She didn’t know what to do. Would Sela be nice like Hagen and Dyna? Or cold, like her title suggested?
Sela sat down and patted the stool. “I won’t bite. Please sit down, Brynja.”
She did what the woman asked, her gaze never leaving the beautiful woman’s face as she crept over to take the seat next to Sela.
Sela said, “Simone said you’ve heard of the Ice Queen. True?”
Brynja nodded, swallowing hard. “My mama talked about you often.”
“You know I’m not overly fond of that title, but I’d love to tell you a story. Do you mind?”
