Like an immovable boulder, Randvior stood in the middle of the kitchen. His mind raced uncontrollably. Women, children, and old men were not held to the same standards as warriors. But Lauga had made it clear she would stop at nothing to see his betrothed harmed.
Not while he walked Odin’s green earth. Sharing her bed again had reminded him of everything he cherished about her.
He must work quickly to solidify her position as mistress in his household, before Lauga called on her minions to do her bidding. He returned to the hall with renewed determination. Enough pain had been inflicted on his fiancée. Randvior deeply regretted ever leaving the women to settle this matter alone.
Brandon met him. “I’m sorry I missed the chance to see ye march your mother across the hall as a wee bairn on her way to getting whipped.”
Randvior grumbled. Rumors spread like wildfire in the Trondelag. His friend’s wagging tongue irritated him.
“And judging by the way Aud raced away with the lady planted firmly on the saddle in front of him, I suspect the two of you have reached a low point in your relationship.”
“My mother will stop at nothing to get her way. Even if it means killing Noelle.”
“And this surprises you? I’ve known your family since boyhood, and your mother has always been a provocateur.”
Randvior cursed himself for not being able to see things as clearly as Brandon did.
“I’m sending Noelle away for two weeks, until our wedding preparations are finished. I can’t concentrate on anything when she’s around. She’ll be safe with Aud’s family.”
“Very sensible, Rand… The kindest gesture you’ve made in a long time.”
“But not without selfish motivation,” he assured. The pleasant scent of Noelle’s sex still lingered on his body.
Brandon chuckled. “So an English lassie has tamed the Viking’s philandering heart.”
“Philandering heart? He placed his hand over his chest. “That cuts deeply, my friend.”
“Whocorrupted an entire den of virgins in Constantinople?”
“Andyou? I seem to recall a most scrumptious girl who unlocked the gates to the palace because she had her eyes on you.”
“And a blessed virgin shewas.” Brandon licked his lips and crossed himself.
“Was?”
“Aye.”
Randvior laughed, but the current situation weighed heavy on his conscience. “If only things might be as simple as they were in the old days.”
“Nothing worth having is free.”
He nodded. Brandon always offered tidbits of wisdom as easily as a scholar. Him being one of the only men Randvior trusted with his life. “Stand as witness at my wedding.”
“It will cost you—a kiss from your beautiful bride.”
Scottish bastard always tries to twist the knife a little deeper.“On my honor…”
“What honor?” Brandon asked. “You’re a bloody Viking.”
Randvior couldn’t keep from smiling. “I don’t like you’re Christian traditions.”
“’Tis only a harmless way to get my lips wet without committing to marriage.”
“One I can live without.”
“It’s a bloody kiss, Randvior. You’ll get over it.”
Aud Magnusson’s traditional long house was fortified by an eight-foot wall. Two guards were posted at the metal gates and greeted the party of riders as they approached.
