Page 27 of Viking Beast
“If anything is to be tamed, I wish it were your tongue,” retorted Eldberg. “Beware, mistress, lest you stretch your neck too far toward my blade.”
“Ha!” Sigrid took a swig from her cup. “That is more like the jarl we serve! A man ready to act when one beneath him oversteps the mark.” She placed her hand upon his arm. “Beware yourself, nephew, or you’ll have Skálavík laughing at your folly—a jarl who forsakes his duties in pursuit of a hussy!”
Eldberg removed Sigrid’s hand and fixed her with a steely gaze. “If I require your advice, you shall know of it. Until then, better we sit in silence.”
Sigrid tossed her head, ignoring the warning, though she lowered her voice. “You’ll see the truth when it stares you in the face. Until then, make your mistakes.”
Gritting his teeth, Eldberg motioned over one of the other thralls, stabbing a piece of mutton from the platter.
“And what is it, good aunt, that’s clear to everyone else except me!”
Sigrid leaned in closer. “She’s a wanton. Good for nothing but opening her legs.”“Is that all the complaint you have of her?” Eldberg barked with laughter. “A man must spill his seed—what care you whose throat or cunt I use for that purpose? She’s my bed thrall—nothing more.”
Sigrid shifted in her seat. “You agreed she’d help as the others do.”
“That she may, when I’ve no immediate use for her beneath me. If she’s lacking, then teach her, but don’t grumble to me, Sigrid.”
Picking an apple from the bowl, she quartered it with her knife. “As long as she pleases you, ’tis good enough reason for her to stay. I shall say no more about it.”
“Odin be praised!” Eldberg went to drain his cup but found it dry. Where was Elswyth? He’d a mind to take a jug of mead, and her, to his chamber.
“Only this…”
Eldberg glared, then sighed. “Very well, Sigrid, speak and be done—but then no more.”
“Watch her well, my jarl, for I fear she’s one to use her wiles to trap a man. There’s something of the witch in her. You must have noticed she looks like—” Her hand came again to his arm. “Perhaps ’tis I who am foolish, but it would be the way of a sorceress to make her appearance familiar to you and worm her way beneath your skin.” Sigrid’s voice quavered. “I wish not to quarrel—only to show my concern.”
“Your words are riddles to me, Sigrid.” Eldberg rubbed his forehead. “But we’ll have no more dispute. Let this be an end to it.” Eldberg looked over at her—his little enchantress—standing at the far end of the hall, beside Sigrid’s chamber.
She held her hand to her brow, looking weary. There was a resigned despondency to her.
Perhaps he’d worked her too hard in his bed.
I can do with her just as I like. She’s my captive. My thrall. My revenge.
But she was something else, too. There was an element of truth in Sigrid’s warning, for wasn’t this a spell of sorts—when a man couldn’t take his eyes from a woman?
She was bending to fill Sweyn’s cup, her long hair loose-plaited and golden, falling over her shoulder.
Eldberg’s attention flickered to the commander of his battle-guard. He’d grasped the end of Elswyth’s plait and was drawing her downward, whispering in her ear. Some lewd comment, most likely, for she reddened and pulled away.
The thralls of Eldberg’s household were there for the taking, if his sworn-men had lust to abate. He’d never denied them that privilege, though most had their own slaves, and a wife besides.
But Elswyth was not like the others.
She is mine.
Others could look upon her, but she was for his bed alone.
He’d have words with Sweyn. No one was to touch her. He would show his blade to any cur that disobeyed him. Eldberg strode forward. He’d make himself clear and wipe away that covetous leer.
He’d taken but five steps when he heard Thoryn’s shout from the other side of the hall. “Thirka!”
There was a scream and commotion as the thrall’s platter hit the table, showering food. Her skirts were alight. She screamed again, running back and forth, beating the flames with her hands.
Eldberg leapt forward, sending her to the ground, rolling her back and forth. Yet the fire licked, and the woman shrieked.
“Use this! Cover her!” Elswyth tossed a bundle of cloth at his feet.
