Thrudheim’s winters were still brutal, but the prosperous trade, bountiful harvests and regular celebrations made life easy even on the darkest of days.
Astra was swaying to the music while bouncing Vali and Brenna’s baby boy, Andor, on her hip. Her silver crown was slightly askew on her head, her braids unravelling at the ends, and her grandmother’s arm ring wrapped around the sleeve of her fur-trimmed white-and-silver gown.
Andor was Vali and Brenna’s second child. Their eldest daughter was running around the tables, chasing a hoop with a stick, her red hair flowing wildly behind her, as she darted between the throng of people with incredible speed. The other children screamed with excitement as they followed close behind her, causing more than one or two people to stumble or spill their mead and mutter bad-tempered curses.
Agnar chuckled and reached for Skadi’s hand, which immediately slipped into his as familiar as a glove. ‘How are these thrones still so uncomfortable?’ he grumbled, shifting awkwardly in his seat.
Skadi laughed.‘No crown is comfortable to bear…’
Agnar rolled his eyes. ‘I know…Especially on the bottom!Your father was very wise.’ He sighed at the bustling crowd. ‘We haven’t broken bread yet and it’s already chaos.’
Skadi laughed. ‘What did you expect?’
Agnar smiled, then raised her hand to his lips, kissing the palm softly. ‘King Erik has asked to betroth one of his sons to Astra again.’
‘Hmmm,’ said Skadi, glancing over at her daughter, who was now laughing with her friends.
‘She is eighteen and still not betrothed… Eventually it will cause worry and bickering among the Kings when she remains unwed.’
‘I know,’ said Skadi with a sigh. ‘But she is still so young…’
Agnar nodded thoughtfully. ‘Whatever your wish, I will support it.’
Skadi turned to face him; their hands still entwined. ‘I would like to meet with them… King Erik and his sons. But I still want Astra to have a choice. I don’t want her to feel compelled to accept someone just because it’s convenient.’
‘Perhaps we should have a celebration? Bring together all the petty Kings, and their families?’ said Agnar thoughtfully.
‘But they still may expect a betrothal and I do not want to see that pressure put upon Astra. I want her to be happy in her match, as we are.’
Agnar nodded in agreement. ‘But if we are celebrating another occasion, there will be no expectation to arrange a match for her. Then, if we happen to agree on a man, it will be a natural choice that no one can argue against. Hmmm…we should pick an auspicious time for our family? Next summer, perhaps? We will have been married nine years by then… Nine is such a lucky number.’
Skadi laughed. ‘You say you do not mind whatever decision I make and then you always delay it a little longer anyway. You are as bad as I am!’
‘This time we shall both consider her choices carefully and help guide Astra into a match of her choosing—if she wishes it—which she may not,’ Agnar said with a sombre expression that had her laughing all over again.
A platter was brought over to them by Inga. A silver tray, with a pot of honey, a dish of salt and a broken petal of bread. A hush descended over the crowd as they waited for the official start of the feast.
There was no formal serving of their meal in front of the thrones. Agnar had been glad when Skadi admitted she preferred to sit among her people at most feasts. But the Yule feast was an important occasion and some traditions still had to be maintained for the sake of the ancestors.
Agnar took the petal of bread, drizzled it with honey and a pinch of salt, then held it out to Skadi. ‘My Queen,’ he said formally and with a smile she leaned across the arm of the throne and bit into the bread.
‘Mmm,’ she said, with a knowingly wicked smile, brushing an errant drop of honey into her mouth with one elegant finger. Agnar’s body stiffened in response and his pupils widened with obvious interest.
Skadi’s own body filled with desire, anticipating the pleasure that was bound to come later that night. Despite their years together, she still felt as heated by his stares as she had that first night they’d spent together. The only difference was that she was now confident in their love.
As was their habit he popped the rest of the petal in his mouth and leaned forward to steal a honeyed kiss from his wife. ‘Mmm…’ he moaned, echoing the sound she’d made moments before.
Skadi blushed, and slapped his arm playfully, but had to compose herself when she saw Astra hurrying over to their thrones. Her daughter passed baby Andor back to Brenna along the way as he’d started grizzling and kept reaching for his mother.
‘Pappa, did you ask Moma about the big midsummer festival next year? A big one with all the petty Kings and their families in attendance?’ Astra asked excitedly, adding thoughtfully, ‘We could invite Uncle Olaf, too. He loved our last midsummer feast!’
Agnar winced and Skadi raised a snowy brow at him in question. ‘I wasjust discussingthat with your Pappa. I didn’t realise you were already aware of it as a possibility.’
It was Astra’s turn to wince and she gave Agnar an apologetic smile. ‘We thought you might allow it, if it was part of a bigger celebration… No expectation to choose a groom either way.’
Agnar grumbled quietly, ‘Try to be subtle, Astra.’
Astra blushed, then clasped her hands tightly in front of her. ‘Please, Moma! I have heard King Erik has many sons and they are all strong and honourable warriors.’ Astra’s eyes took on a dreamy expression and Skadi gave a beleaguered sigh.
