Page 92 of Alliance Bride
“Are you saying I should be lazy?”
“I’m saying you’ve earned a slow morning.”
She leaned over and gave him one more quick kiss. “We’ve already had one.”
Grumbling good-naturedly, Aevar sat up and swung his legs over the side of the bed. She followed, and they both dressed for the day.
After brushing out her hair, she settled at the table in the corner and tried to twist it up the way Ranvi had shown her. But the braid slipped through her fingers again, unraveling for the third time.
With a frustrated huff, she muttered, “I do not know how your mother and Ranvi manage this. I’m not sure I’ll ever learn.”
Aevar came up behind her. “Let me.”
She froze as his hands combed through her hair and gathered the strands with unexpected ease.
“How did you learn to do this?”
“Thora wasn’t good at it either. Móthir and Ranvi used to do it for her, and I watched.”
Eadlyn blinked, struck by the simple honesty of it. He hadn’t needed to explain, but he had. And that, more than anything, told her what she needed to know. He wasn’t erasing the past or avoiding it. He was offering her a place within it.
Curiosity sparked within her. “What was she like?”
A beat of silence passed before he answered softly. “She was fierce. She could give Heida a challenge and even bested my brothers in a bout or two. But she was also kind and loved deeply.” He finished the braid and tied it off before resting a hand on her shoulder. “All qualities you share.”
Eadlyn smiled, though something uncertain tugged at her heart. “I’m not a warrior.”
He moved to her side to see her face. “You don’t need to be. There are many other ways to fight that do not involve a weapon. You fought for your people by coming here when you did not know what awaited you. That took a warrior’s courage.”
The tiny bit of insecurity faded. “Tahk fyr.”
They left their room, and the hall was already full and lively, as expected. Runar had Trygg slung over his shoulder, threatening to feed him to the frost giants. The little boy squealed in mock terror, kicking his feet while Katla shrieked with laughter at their grandfather’s side. Everyone else, save for Inga and Ranvi, was already seated at the table.
As Aevar and Eadlyn approached, he rested a hand at the small of her back, guiding her with comfortable familiarity. Beforethey sat down, he leaned in and pressed a light kiss to the base of her neck, but the moment was short-lived. From across the table came a voice that was far too casual.
“Sleep well last night?”
Eadlyn found Braan watching them. His expression was all innocent curiosity, but the twinkle in his eyes gave him away. A beat passed, and realization dawned. This was the first morning she and Aevar had left their room together. And her hair braided in a way she hadn’t mastered on her own. A style Thora had worn.
Oh no.
Flames lit her cheeks. She ducked her head, trying not to meet anyone’s eyes. Across the table, Heida smacked Braan’s shoulder and leveled him with a glare that promised violence. Next to her, Kian appeared to be trying mightily to hold back a grin as if he’d incur her wrath as well.
Aevar didn’t miss a beat. “We slept very well, thank you.”
The smug humor in his voice made Eadlyn want to sink under the table. She wasn’t sure whether she wanted to kick him or kiss him.
Ranvi appeared and set a bowl of fresh berries down. “What did I miss?”
Eadlyn peeked up as she glanced between them. Ranvi took in every detail before her expression turned to one of accusation she pinned on Erik.
“Ignore them, Eadlyn. They are children.”
Erik raised his hands. “What? I’ve said nothing.”
A low chuckle rumbled from Aevar, and it was impossible not to smile. Even with the embarrassment, something warm and wonderful permeated this moment. These people—this family—were hers now. She’d never belonged more than she did right here,heat still rising in her cheeks, laughter on her lips, and Aevar grinning beside her.
The forest was quiet. Peaceful.
