“Good.” he said. “I do not wish to strip you of your honorable position in my household or your dignity. Let us part peaceably.”
Everything in his life had changed without warning. What else could he have done, made love to Frida once more and risked deepening her attachment to him? No. He’d made the right decision. Bedding two women at the same timedangerously complicated things. He refused to breed rivalry and hatred between females and have it overflow onto him.
Frida left the room.
On the followingeventide, rage and passion collided inside Tyr’s chest after Rachelle entered the great hall draped in rose-colored silk. If he stared too long, she’d suck the life force out of him. Drifting casually around the room, while holding onto Onetooth’s arm, she ignored Tyr, reserving her brilliant smile for Prince Edwin. The Odin-forsaken maggot had the gall to invite her to the meal without Tyr’s permission. His eyes narrowed to slits as she approached the high table. She curtsied and finally looked at him. Curbing his temper, he folded his hands on the tabletop. That defiant glint in her eyes… This girl would be a thorn in his side for the rest of his bloody life.
“You may sit.” Tyr directed her to the chair at Edwin’s right hand.
Aaron was seated on Tyr’s left. “Look at her,” he droned near Tyr’s ear before Rachelle was settled. “Her shoulders are uncovered and her breasts—”
“Shut up.”
His cousin swallowed whatever remained of his crude observation.
“She’s dressed appropriately for an eventide feast. Have you scrutinized the other women sitting at the tables? Look.” Tyr pointed at a woman sitting nearby. “Do you whir tiresomely in another’s lord’s ear concerning the attire of his wife and daughters? From the moment you first encountered Rachelle, your aversion for her has been exaggerated. Why?”
Aaron shifted on his chair, took a swallow of ale, and spit on the ground.
Had Tyr uncovered the truth? He admired Rachelle’s delicate features, which were more prominent tonight because she hadarranged her hair to reveal her forehead, instead of wearing it framing her face. He understood why any man would struggle endlessly to resist her charms. Parted in the middle and braided into three sections on both sides, the smaller strands were intricately woven into two larger braids and knotted high on the back of her head, exposing her elegant neck. Tiny, well-shaped ears begged to be nibbled and kissed. No queen looked half as noble. A tear-shaped ruby, hanging from a silver chain, adorned her forehead—a jewel he had provided for her.Beautiful.
He pressed Aaron. “Well?”
Silence.
He knew. Lust showed in his cousin’s eyes and he suspected Aaron wanted her for himself.
Every time Rachelle’seyes wandered in Tyr’s direction, her heart beat erratically. Suffering from terrible nightmares last night, the same brooding face she stared at now had filled her dreams. Hopefully, Prince Edwin couldn’t detect the tension between them. She foresaw the difficulties of the evening unless she could focus exclusively on Edwin and ignore everything else.
“Good evening, Prince Edwin.” She curtsied.
“I’m pleased to see you again.” He smiled.
She scanned the table nervously, admiring the wonderful foods; roast duck, venison, cabbage and onions, peas and carrots, and fresh bread. A platter of cheese and berries was closest. The succulent food couldn’t distract her for more than a few moments.
“Didn’t you sleep well last night? You look as pale as a snowflake,” the prince observed.
“As well as can be expected, milord.”
Those ravenous kisses she had shared with Tyr challenged her principles. And his naked body… what an irascible fool. Everything about their encounter frightened and surprised her.As she stared at his hands now, she shuddered to think how those fingers had blazed a trail across her flesh last night. Fear pummeled her heart like a pair of angry fists.
Looking back at Edwin, she realized his attractive features couldn’t obscure Tyr’s superior looks. By God, she needed to change the direction of her thoughts before something regrettable happened. No matter what she did, she couldn’t stop the persistent moisture between her legs. It had started after Tyr stretched her across the bed last night. Something had opened inside her.
Meaningful conversation might help. She eyed the prince. “Tell me again how you would change the political tides in the Trondelag if you were granted governance here.”
He smiled, obviously pleased by her interest. “I’d unite these lands under a banner of peace. Welcome Christians and pagans and even Jews if they sought refuge here.”
“Jews?” Rachelle sputtered.
“Yes.” His eyes sparkled. “I would rescind any edicts my father made against the establishment of a Jewish community. Enmity serves no purpose. If I allow the population to expand, moderate taxes will raise the revenue I need to maintain an army and build a capital city.”
“Incredible.”
“Oppvåkning, milady, consider it an awakening of sorts. The success of any kingdom depends on prosperity.” He filled her wine glass. “The Semites are only the first outcasts I’ll reach out to.”
This man amazed her. “If your ideas are tested, you’ll surely change the future of this nation.” She admired his courage and tenacity. “Edicts of expulsion against the Semites have been issued across Europe. Welcoming them to Norway might be an ingenious move.”
“I’m willing to try anything once,” Edwin said.
