Page 10 of Alliance Bride
Alone with God, Eadlyn closed her eyes and pressed her hand to her fitful stomach. Now that she was by herself, it churned with renewed vigor. She took a deep breath to calm it, but lightheadedness threatened instead, her heartbeat too loud in the quiet tent. Knowing she had to get a handle on her fears and emotions before the time came to face her fate, she stepped to her bed and sank to her knees on the sheepskin rug beside it.
Clasping her hands, she reached out to God. Any sort of elegant prayer jumbled in her head. Only a soul-deep desperation rose from her heart for God’s strength and wisdom. For His deliverance. She did not want to do this, yet she must. She had prayed and prayed for a different way, but this was where she found herself. Yet even here, she prayed again. All she wanted was to go home, where she had finally found peace.
A tear escaped, sliding hot and unwanted down her cheek. She blinked hard, but the rest followed. A quiet sob soon slipped out, and she pressed a fist to her mouth to smother the sound. Galen’s voice murmured outside, but she couldn’t respond. Canvas rustled as he entered the tent. Only then did the crushing black tide that had risen around her recede. She drew in a long, shaky breath, and pushed herself to her feet, wiping her cheeks.
For once, Galen’s impassive face softened.
Sniffing, Eadlyn made a poor attempt at lifting her voice. “I don’t suppose anyone would believe me if I said they were happy tears.”
“I don’t think anyone would expect them to be.”
She let a long breath seep out, her shoulders sagging with it. “I just want to be strong and dignified. I don’t want them to see me weak.”
Galen’s brow furrowed. “My lady, you are stronger and more dignified than any man I’ve ever served with or fought against. Certainly more so than your brother.”
His mention of Edward was exactly what Eadlyn needed to summon the strength and purpose her fear had swallowed. He was the reason she was doing this. Both for him and for Essix. “He desperately needs someone to teach him how to be a man. You’re the only one I trust to do that.”
“I will do my best.” Galen’s expression sobered again. “It would be better if you were here too. I’d stop this wedding here and now if I could.”
“I know, but if Essix is ever to thrive again, I need to do this.”
“Essix doesn’t deserve you.”
She always appreciated his candor. “Other women have been given in marriage alliances. I won’t be the first or the last. At least I am the one making the choice.”
Galen let out a weighty breath. Those facts didn’t seem to help him as much as they helped her. He looked like he’d rather be out fighting the Nords than standing here as helpless as she was. His eyes blazed as he took a step closer and said in a low voice, “If he hurts you—ifanyof them hurt you—get word to me and I will get you out of there, alliance be hanged.”
A smile rose to Eadlyn’s lips.
“I mean it.”
“I know, and that heartens me.” Just knowing the option existed gave her a spark of hope. An ember to carry northward.
Galen shook his head, his expression burdened. “I did everything I could to protect you from your father and often failed, but I’ll not stand by and let you suffer for the rest of your life.”
Chapter Four
Aevartuggedthelacesof one of his arm bracers taut, the leather creaking beneath his fingers. He needed something to keep his hands busy while he waited for Kian. His father and brothers were already occupied with their own tasks, and the silence in the lean-to made the waiting worse.
A chill breeze swept in beneath the canvas. Not as biting as the river he’d bathed in at dawn, but sharp enough to draw a shiver. The icy plunge had shocked his thoughts clean for a time. But now the weight of what lay ahead settled in the forefront of his mind, heavy with the kind of uncertainty that made a man itch for battle. Better to face it head-on than circle it with dread.
Footsteps squelched toward the shelter, and Kian appeared, boots muddy.
Aevar straightened. “Did any of them fit her?”
Kian held up one ring while laying the rest on a pile of furs for the men to reclaim. They were generous to have offered them.
“Good, here’s mine.” Aevar handed the silver band to Kian. “Keep it safe, or Erik will have your hide.”
“Will do.” Kian tucked both rings deep into one of his pockets.
Aevar was honored Erik loaned him his own wedding ring. Though a hair too big, it meant far more borrowing it from him than from any of the other men. Maybe it would bring some of the good fortune Erik had in his marriage.
Kian took over on Aevar’s half-laced bracer. “She asked about you, what sort of man you were.”
“What did you tell her?”
“I told her you were a real bear. Grouchy all the time…”
