Page 65 of Alliance Bride
They circled again. Aevar lunged and shifted at the last moment to strike Galen’s side. Galen turned with him and met the blow head-on, driving it away with a grunt of effort. He pressed forward. Aevar parried and stepped back under the force of Galen’s attacks. They were both sweating now, breathing hard, faces flushed with exertion and focus. Around them, the crowd shouted and cheered, urging them on.
Galen slammed his shield forward, harder than before. Aevar slipped in the loose dirt. Galen didn’t hesitate. He swept Aevar’s legs from beneath him and drove him to the ground with a thud. Even as Aevar tried to scramble up, Galen followed through, planting his shield against Aevar’s chest. His knee dropped onto Aevar’s arm to pin his sword hand, and he pressed his blade to Aevar’s throat.
Silence fell.
Eadlyn raised a hand to her throat. She had never seen Aevar bested in single combat before. Would he be angry? Humiliated? She struggled to read his face at first. He lay still for a moment, chest rising and falling with harsh breaths. Then he let his head fall back against the earth with a breathless laugh.
“You’re faster than you look.”
She exhaled in relief.
Galen gave a crooked smile, tucking his sword beneath his arm and offering a hand. Aevar took it without hesitation, and Galen hauled him up in one smooth pull. They stood shoulder to shoulder, sweat-streaked and breathing hard.
Aevar dusted off his tunic and rolled his shoulder. “I guess Essix does have warriors after all.”
“It does indeed. I make sure of it.”
Aevar sent a glance toward Eadlyn. “So, am I worthy of your princess?”
Galen looked at her too, and she dipped her chin.
“I suppose. For now. Just keep it that way or next time I’ll bring a real sword.”
“Fair enough.”
Down the line, Braan smacked his hand against Erik’s chest with a smug grin. “Pay up.”
Erik rolled his eyes but slapped a handful of coins into his palm.
Braan turned to Kian next. “You too. And you’ve got a belt to eat.”
Kian grumbled something about not eating his favorite belt, but Eadlyn barely heard. Aevar approached her, still catching his breath, his expression sheepish.
“I hope you still consider me worthy even in defeat.”
A fierce warmth swelled in her chest. “It was how you handled defeat that proved you’re worthy. Like I said back in Essix, battle prowess does not determine the strength of a man’s character.”
He leaned in close, tracing his eyes over her face as he spoke in a low voice. “You showed your own strength that day. I’ve never forgotten it.” His gaze dropped to her lips…
“All right,” Galen’s voice rang out. “Who’s next?”
Eadlyn jumped, peering past Aevar. Galen still stood in the ring as if he hadn’t just fought a hard bout. Then she looked back at Aevar, and his attention lingered on her a moment more before he turned to see who would take up the challenge.
Braan slapped Erik on the back. “Get in there, big brother, and show us how it’s done.”
Erik’s eyes narrowed. “Planning to bet against me too?”
“Nah. I made my money. Besides, I like your odds.”
Erik shook his head at him but stepped into the ring with eagerness in his movements. Aevar handed him the sword and shield.
This match was fast and hard-hitting like before, but this time, Erik claimed victory, and the huskarls roared their approval. After that, the Essian guards took turns against Runar’s warriors. Most of them lost, but they took it well enough. Despite the struggle with communication, they exchanged plenty of jokes and laughter, as well as enough bruises to last a week.
Eadlyn stood on the edge of the crowd, watching the result of the alliance she had helped forge with a quiet joy.
Chapter Twenty-four
Oncethemenhadgrown tired of beating on each other and worked up a healthy sweat in the sun, both Nords and Essians headed down to the fjord in a noisy pack, eager to cool off and clean up. Laughter trailed behind them like banners in the breeze.
