“And you are far from yours,” I counter just as quick. “Why are you here?”
“Apart from saving you from your humble men?” he quips, which infuriates me.
I soon forget nostalgia and stand. “I do not need saving.”
“I beg to differ.” In response, he tosses the head he holds at me.
I dodge it, not impressed by his antics. “I had it under control.”
Aedan rolls his eyes. “Not even five minutes and yer bickering like an old married couple. Nice to see ye again, milady.”
He wraps me in a warm embrace, which feels like home.
“It is wonderful to see you too, Aedan. How I have missed thee.”
“Aye, I as well.”
I wish we could stay embraced forever, but I need answers because it’s not safe here. “Why have you come?”
“A thank you never hurt,” Ulf says with a smirk.
“Your face will when I slap that grin from it.”
A deep rumble erupts from Ulf as he crosses his bloody arms over his broad chest. “Is that any way for a Queen to speak?”
“Senkin paskiainen.” It’s out before I can stop myself, but sometimes, calling one a shithead cannot be controlled.
The air is silent until Ulf bursts into husky laughter. “I am pleased to know your tongue has not forgotten. What else does it remember?”
In response, I pick up the decapitated head and toss it back at Ulf, which hits him in the chest with a squelch.
“If you refuse to answer, then you are of no value to me, and I shall seek the truth on my own.”
I attempt to leave, but Aedan gently grips my upper arm. He is one of the only men whom I allow to touch me without losing a finger.
“We are here because rumor has it Daneland will be attacked.”
“By whom?” I ask, horrified because this is news to me.
“By other Danes from Scandinavia. The land there does not flourish. The Danes starve. There is great famine.”
“So they incite war in my homeland?”
Ulf shrugs, unmoved.
“This is so typical of your people. How dare they come here when I have provided nothing but sanctuary!”
“And your people believe in nothing but peace and harmony?” he sarcastically questions. “It wasn’t one of your men about to use you as nothing but a warm burrow for a few seconds to satisfy his lust?”
I inhale slowly because he’s right. “It was, but he’s no longer in my service. He’s gone rogue, as have many others.”
Aedan crosses himself, clearly needing the Lord. “How many and what are their plans?”
“The man who had a misfortunate encounter with my sword shared that there are hundreds. And their leader is…Aethelbald.”
My revelation stuns both Aedan and Ulf.
“Forgive me, milady, but Aethelbald is the eldest son of Aethelwulf, is he not?”
