“You can conceal her all you want, but Lavinia has little birds all over the country.” Isabel cackles.
Thora seizes a clump of her hair and shoves her head along the filth of the decking. “Smell that? It stinks like shit and fish, right? Better get used to it, Miss Manchineel. If Uncle Sig doesn’t rip your heart from your chest, you will be jailed with the other scum even after you birth your brat.”
They take on their faux roles as theWicked Wyvernsails into the harbor. He guides them toward the distant western dock. This way, it will be easier for them to smuggle Isabel into the jail.
The townsfolk instantly recognize his wyvern figurehead. Shouts of joy and frustration hail them from the pier.
They can continue their journey once his and Edmund’s plan comes together. Gods-know, how long that will take.
Aura hangs over the ship, mouth agape as she absorbs the dramatic snowy mountain ranges and vast evergreen forests.
“Edmund,” he summons the Gothi while the others huddle at the bow, “assist Thora with our prisoner. Secure her in jail. I want the only key to her cell.”
The Gothi nods once before joining Thora.
“Princess.” He waves her to his side. Her bright, curious eyes search his.
The cold blade in his gut sinks further.I fucking hate that I have to do this.
“You are going to pose as my slave.”
“I thought slavery was illegal in the Endless Shore?”
He risks one final touch to her lovely cheek, trailing his fingers along her cheekbones to rest under her jaw. “No, pretty girl. You will find my mother has very much kept that practice alive. Much to my ire.”
She nods with far more confidence than he expected.
“We must keep your identity a secret. The Queen cannot know you are here. Give me your wrists.” Using hisseidr, he fashions a set of ice cuffs over her sleeves, careful not to let the ice freeze her skin. “This must seem believable.”
A flash of uncertainty briefly passes over her features. Otherwise, she seems as hardened as any Drengr on a mission.
As they tie off, a crowd brews along the wharf. Men and women call out, already requesting audiences with their Jarl. After Chillbury, he sought to make amends by further opening his home to the people.
The consequence has nearly driven him to insanity.
He grabs the back of Aura’s neck and roughly drags her onto the pier, followed closely by Edmund, Thora, and Isabel.
The latter is far too content in her current state.
The others are lucky and shove through the crowd toward the jail while the mob fawns over the return of their Jarl.
“Who is this tasty morsel?” The town tanner, a young man with a notoriously wandering gaze, gropes at Aura’s side.
“Get off of me!” She shrieks, her head held high as she recoils.
She is unlikely to have ever seen an interaction with a slave.He sighs, stealing a glance at the horrified expression on her face.This situation is my fault.
“Head down.” Calder tugs her closer to his side while keeping his tight grip on the back of her neck. “Remain silent.”
“They are despicable.” She does not attempt to conceal her irritationand shoves away as one of the town drunkards grabs at her behind.
“This slave needs breaking, Jarl!” The drunkard smiles at her with his intermittent teeth.
“Is she to serve the town? Or will she become a pleasure slave?” One of the lesser Hold lords leans against a piling. “How did you leave with a slave without being mauled in Treland?”
“I’m more clever than you, Lord Harvart,” Calder notes every single one of them, recalling anyone who would dare to lay a hand on her. Although he cannot act now, he will make sure they never have another opportunity.
“Let him pass!” A familiar voice scatters the townsfolk. “There is my brother from another father. Understand? Because your mother is a whore?” Gunni slams him into a hug.
