Sifrid shakes her head and releases a haughty laugh.
“You are owned by Sigurd, I am owned by Sigurd, Ausveig is owned by Sigurd. That doesn’t mean everyone is.”
“What do you mean? Who owns Eidunn then?”
The younger girl raises a confused eyebrow, like she can’t believe how stupid and ignorant I am. She glances quickly at Ausveig, whose face looks grim, almost gray. I lean closer to Sifrid.
“Who owns Eidunn then?”
“Fuck, Kilda, you don’t even know?”
“Tell me, by Odin!”
I know who it is. I know the answer. I don’t even need Sifrid to tell me. It all makes sense now. Everything is clear. Still, I need to hear Sifrid say it.
“Vidar, of course.”
My breath catches in my throat. The world around me shatters. The walls fall away. I don’t hear the words uttered around me. I have been a fool. An ignorant fool. I haven’t even asked. I haven’t even guessed. Even if I knew, deep down.
I have been blind. A fool playing a game without knowing the rules.
I stand suddenly, tears pressing behind my eyes.
“B… Bye,” I mutter under my breath as I storm out.
Chairs scrape the floor. I hear my name, but it sounds far off, like shouting through the rain.
I ignore the men, pushing the door open without closing it behind me.
The cold wind slaps me across the face.
Wake up! It shouts in my ears.
I’ve been a foolish girl. I’ve been a child. I trusted him. His words.
Ari paid the price. Njord paid the price.
More than anyone, Eidunn has paid the price.
He tried to charm me. I considered giving in. I could have ended up his victim too.
My impulse is to storm to his house. Hammer at the door. Pull Eidunn out of his predatory grip. I could shout so the whole valley hears of his beastly ways. They probably know already.
I would be killed. A rebel slave—attacking the jarl’s son.
The scream of Njord’s bride-to-be rings through my mind. I stop, crying into my hands. My knees feel like they might buckle, like I may crash to the ground. How I have changed her life. Ruined her future. What a fool I am!
I inhale sharply. Fuck giving in. I sprint to my house. No visiting Ari.
Vidar, lying schemer. Rapist.
Vidar the fucking animal.
No more illusions. My eyes are open now.
Tomorrow. I will know. Tomorrow, I will…
CHAPTER 72
