Saga choked on her mouthful of oatcake, washing it down with a gulp of róa.
“And when a woman appreciates a man her”—Signe’s gaze fell back to the table, settling on the jar of honey—“herhoneypotbecomes coated in…”
“Honey?” suggested Saga. Her entire face tingled as she tried to maintain a neutral expression.
“Yes, darling,” said Signe, a smile curving her lips. “And a man will take a woman into his arms and”—the queen dipped the spoon into the honey—“stir her honeypot with his spoon.”
Saga closed her eyes, a strangled sound escaping her throat.
“Now, Saga,” said Signe. “It is important to know this is not the only way to please a man. You can also…” Signe pulled the spoon out of the honey and began lifting it up.
She wouldn’t. Saga’s eyes began to water. She couldn’t.
But the queen placed the spoon into her mouth, pulling the honey from it with her lips. Her eyes met Saga’s as she withdrew the spoon, setting it back down. “Do you understand, darling?”
Saga’s lips were pressed together so tightly they were probably white. And at last, she could not help the laughter that burst free, echoing through the solarium and frightening a knot of birds from a tree.
“I know, darling,” said Signe, a rare smile on her lips. “It is rather strange. But it is a thing men enjoy.”
…and a rare source of a woman’s power, thought Signe, selecting an oatcake.
“It shall hurt the first time you lay with your husband,” continued the queen. “But then, it is not so bad. You must simply…lie there and let him have his way.”
Saga felt her brows draw together. Not so bad? What about the pleasure, the romance, the undying need? Though when Saga considered it, she could never imagine such things with Bjorn, anyway.
“Have you questions for me, Saga?” asked the queen, smearing strawberry preserves on her oatcake.
So very many.Saga desperately tried to wrangle her thoughts. “You were frightened?” she heard herself ask.
“Oh yes,” replied the queen, in a surprising display of vulnerability. “I was terrified when I first lay with Ivar. My entire family had just been slaughtered, and I was handed over to a man I did not know. It was very frightening indeed.” The queen leaned forward, her ice-blue eyes suddenly burning. Signe’s voice lowered. “But I let no one see my fear, Saga.”
“Which brings me to the next thing we must speak of. I see you trying, darling. You’ve joined my ladies and me for many social engagements and have resumed taking your meals in the great hall. But I fear you’ve a long way to go before you’re fit to be queen.”
Klaernar,Saga reminded herself, searching for an opportunity to steer the conversation in that direction.
“In this world,” continued the queen, “perception is everything. To have power, you must always project it. Which is why, Saga, you must learn to harden your heart, to put on a mask.” The queen paused, looking her dead in the eye. “If you’re perceived to be a mouse, the snakes will slither in.”
Saga’s lungs seemed to stop working at that.
…the girl needs to grow teeth and armor if she wants to survive, thought Signe, biting into her oatcake. She chewed slowly, then swallowed.
“When you marry Bjorn, you’ll represent him. You’ll represent this family, and youmustdisplay strength. Your husband must feel your support as he sets to raid and conquer his kingdom. And if you do your job well, you’ll be rewarded with the crown. It’s important, Saga, that your husband feels the full support of his wife.”
…she’ll find out soon enough the truths of being a woman in this world, came Signe’s thoughts, and unease slithered in Saga’s belly.
“As queen, you shall sacrifice your own wishes for the greater good of your kingdom. Be a good wife, provide heirs, and show the kingdom a unified front, whether or not your heart agrees.”
Saga found her gaze drifting to the queen’s bruised cheek, pondering her words. It was clear the queen had no love for her husband, that she’d sacrificed much to wear the crown. But Saga reminded herself of the queen’s insincerity—behind her words, Signe plotted at things she should not.
“Ours is not a life bound by love, but by duty, Saga,” said the queen. “I know Bjorn will be pleased with your womanly efforts. He is a good man. Perhaps you will not have love, but you will have friendship at the least.”
…and an enemy in your bed at the worst, thought Signe, biting into her oatcake.
“But surely there would be a way to have both. Love and duty, together?” The words sprang from Saga’s tongue before she could swallow them back.
Signe’s gaze snapped to her, and Saga forced herself not to recoil.
…is the girl dim-witted?came Signe’s thoughts as she chewed.After all I’ve said, does she still not understand? I’ve always thought her malleable,but if she cannot grasp the games at play…
