No.
That is not the ending I chose.
Abbot Maxwell stands beside me. He and the brothers have offered us sanctuary, but we cannot stay here.
I do not care how long it takes.
Or what I must do.
Aethelbald is going to die and die by my hand.
He will be put on display for all to see what a true weakling he is when he begs for his life. I will dishonor him in ways unimaginable and torture him in the most creative fashions.
But regardless, it doesn’t bring Emeline back.
It doesn’t even make me feel a sliver better, for I am dead inside.
“Emeline wouldn’t have wanted you to mourn her.”
“Well, she doesn’t have a say…just as I didn’t in her death.”
The abbot sighs, understanding this is an argument he will never win. “Today is her funeral procession.”
I curl my hands into fists. “I am well aware.”
Ulf and I discussed this in detail today. We would never get past the castle walls without being detected, as the soldiers are on alert for any gate-crashers. But I cannot sit here whilst Aethelbald desecrates Emeline’s memory.
The thought of her being laid to rest without me there is one I cannot accept.
So I have a plan.
The soldiers are looking for Vikings, so I intend not to look like one and blend in as best I can.
“If you insist on going, may I offer a disguise?”
My interest is piqued.
“Aethelbald won’t want any commotion, and to question a brother would be frowned upon, especially considering today’s events. So you will wear our robes and pay your respects to our queen.” He offers me the brown robe he holds.
I look at the abbot, brow arched because he cannot seriously believe that, given this opportunity, I won’t storm the castle and deliver the king the fate he deserves.
But as Abbot Maxwell smiles, I realize that is exactly what he knows I will do.
“You won’t have an army.”
“I don’t need one,” I counter because I don’t.
All I need is to be in the same room as Aethelbald, and I’ll take care of the rest.
With no time to waste, I accept the robe with gratitude.
The abbot is hiding something. I don’t know what it is, but he is privy to something I am not. I can ask questions later, however.
I summon Loki and Sune, who come when called. I stroke the hair from their brows, cherishing their faces because Emeline forever lives on in our sons.
“I must go do something, but I promise, I’ll be back.”
Sune frowns, but Loki retrieves a note from his pocket and places it in mine. “Do not read it until it is time.”
