Well, by God, he would not make that mistake again. The king would be here in a fortnight as would Gunnar and he intended to ensure every detail of their visit would be perfect, all security would go through him, and his wife would never feel uncertain of her safety again.
Giric made his way back to the hall to seek out Osgar so they could begin their planning. He suggested that Vigdis see to her sister and he sat with his friend.
“Have we made a mistake?” he asked Osgar.
“Nay, I do not believe so. But you have been driving this forward too quickly, my friend.”
“Aye, I see that now.”
“You would not take no for an answer. Your wife is a strong woman; to see her spirit broken is difficult to watch.”
Giric’s heart squeezed tight. Osgar was right. He’d been so intent on doing the right thing, he’d allowed the people he loved to get in harm’s way to achieve it.
“You are right. Now how do we fix this?”
“You will listen to me?”
“Aye, I will listen.”
Osgar grinned at him.
“Well?” Giric asked. “What are your suggestions?”
“I am enjoying the moment first.”
“What moment?”
“The one where you admit you’ve been an ass.”
“Are you done yet?”
“Almost.”
Giric shook his head and poured some ale into a goblet then drank deeply. He would let his friend have his moment—he’d earned it.
Chapter Twenty-Two
The days passed by in a blur as the castle prepared for the king’s arrival. Saga’s strength returned slower than she would have liked, but it was her time with Giric that brought her spirits and determination closer to where she wanted to be. She turned in his arms and watched him sleep, memorizing the lines of his face and smiling while he quietly snored.
If only they could stay that way forever. But her brother Gunnar was supposed to arrive this day, and the king two days after that. She’d been aiding where she could in the preparations and truth be told, she was somewhat apprehensive of meeting the latter. Giric had been adamant that the king was in support of their marriage, but she would believe it when she saw it.
“You look concerned,” Giric whispered.
Saga looked up into his eyes and tried to smile. “I am thinking about what the coming days will bring. We both want this alliance to succeed, however, so much can go wrong. I could never live with myself if anything were to happen to you.”
He stroked her face with the back of his fingers and lightly kissed her lips. “Nothing will happen to me. The king comes to strengthen our alliance and forge a new one with Gunnar. Wars are avoided by the peaceful negotiations you will witness.”
“Wars begin over less.”
“Do not worry, Saga. I will be mindful of how much drink flows before any serious talk ensues.”
“And what is that supposed to mean?”
“It means that men in their cups or horns do not make the best decisions.”
“Are you saying my kin have a problem with drinking?”
“What? No, I’m saying any man who drinks too much should not be trusted with negotiating peaceful treaties.”
