He smiled. “Astrid. Is your father home?”
I nodded and then noticed his son Bjarke and daughter Frida with him. “Father, Jarl Rune is here.”
I backed away from the door to allow them in and glanced at my brother. “Leif, Frida is here.”
In a flash, he was on his feet and dusting off his clothes. He’s not eager to see her at all.
Our guests entered the house, and Frida rushed over to Leif. He pulled her into a loving embrace. That feeling from before returned, and I shoved it away again. I knew what it was, but it didn’t matter. Father had rejected three more proposals recently. I didn’t understand.
Yes, I didn’t have much interest in any of the men who were willing to brave my curse, but at this rate, I’d have taken them if they treated me well enough. After having no prospects since I made it to my fifteenth winter, I would have thought my father would want to make sure I was married before my nineteenth winter.
Of course, after spending time with Týr, I doubted any man could quite compare. I shook the thoughts from my mind. A god such as him will never be interested in me. He could have anyone, and I wasn’t the most beautiful woman in Runavík, let alone in the region.
And it was clear he was only trying to be kind whenever he promised to return. It was nice seeing him last night, and fun pretending I mattered to him during the celebration, but I knew I wouldn’t see him for some time, if ever again. He has better things to do than waste his time with a mortal woman who will quickly turn into a passing memory.
“Astrid,” my mother said. “Why don’t you head out and get done what we planned. We’ll be entertaining our guests for a while.”
I nodded, though I wasn’t sure why she was sending me away. I would have thought she’d want me to help. However, when I reached for my bound baskets and fishing spear, I felt Jarl Rune’s intense gaze on me. He’d been watching me more since my magic manifested, and I realized he and Bjarke had come around a lot more since. Are they the reason why Mother wants me to leave?
“Where are you going?” the jarl inquired.
I smiled pleasantly. “To the stream. There are some herbs that grow there and I’ll catch some fish while I’m out.”
His brow furrowed. “Alone?”
My gaze flicked to my mother since she was supposed to go with me. She nodded her consent to handle this. “Mother was, but I’m capable of handling it alone.”
“It could be dangerous.” Jarl Rune looked to Bjarke. “Go with her.”
My mother’s eyes narrowed, and I knew something wasn’t right. “I’ll be fine on my own. I have magic.” I reached for an axe. “And I know how to wield this.”
The jarl’s eyes leveled on me. There was always strength in his stare, but this felt stronger than usual, as if he were trying to intimidate me into complying. Thing was, I wasn’t easily intimidated.
“Astrid,” my father said in a calm tone. “Head into town with Bjarke.”
I resisted the urge to argue and nodded. I wouldn’t disrespect him in front of the jarl. I still attached the axe to my hip in open defiance.
Bjarke took my baskets from me and we left. He let out a deep sigh when the door clacked shut. “Sorry.”
My brow rose. “For?”
“My father isn’t taking no for an answer. I think he believes you’ll plead with your father to change his mind if we spend time together.”
My eyes bugged out, and my mouth hung open. “He wants to marry us?”
Bjarke laughed. “Your father never mentioned it?”
I shook my head. “I know there have been several proposals, but he never told me who.” My brows pinched together. “What happened with Ingrid? I thought you were going to approach her father.”
Bjarke was a fine man. Well-muscled, well-kept, and a fun personality, along with being the jarl’s son and most likely to take over Runavík when his father died, I’d likely be happy with him. But he loved someone else. She was beautiful and talented, and would make for a good alliance between their families.
Bjarke made a displeased face. “I was… until my father told me no after your magic manifested.”
I frowned, and my shoulders drooped. “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to cause you trouble.”
He waved me off. “As long as your father continues to refuse and you don’t insist he change his mind, I’ll be able to speak to Ingrid’s father soon enough.”
“No offense to you, but I don’t plan to change my father’s mind.” Maybe I was crazy. Being married to the jarl’s son was an alliance any woman would desire. But I couldn’t take away his chance to be happy. Most didn’t get what my parents had—a choice.
