Page 25 of Alliance Bride
“Put these on instead.”
Without hesitation, Eadlyn shed her gown and pulled on the brown dress Ranvi handed her—simple, practical, and lightweight. A second dress followed, heavier and made of deep red wool. Then came a dark blue apron dress, fastened in place with two round, brass brooches. She let out a soft breath, the heat returning to her limbs.
“These will help if you need them.” Ranvi draped a thick coat and a woven shawl across the chest. “We’ll make you new dresses soon. Until then, we’ll share.”
“Thank you. I truly appreciate it.” Eadlyn smoothed her hands down the sturdy fabric. “Had I known I wouldn’t return to Kenwich, I would have packed more appropriately.”
Ranvi gave her a sympathetic smile and opened a small wooden box on a shelf. From it, she withdrew a strand of silver and red jasper beads, which she fastened between the brooches perched near Eadlyn’s shoulders.
“There. Now that is more befitting a princess.”
Eadlyn brushed her fingers over the smooth stones. “They’re beautiful.”
She glanced at the twin strands Ranvi wore, and at the intricate braids adorning her head. Without quite meaning to, she asked, “Maybe you could show me how to do my hair? Though I don’t think I’ll ever manage anything as lovely as yours.”
Ranvi’s answering laugh was light. “Of course. Come, sit.”
She guided her to a chair and loosed Eadlyn’s simple braid, brushing out her hair with a bone comb. Her fingers worked swiftly, weaving and twisting strands, explaining each step withpatient clarity. Eadlyn tried to memorize the pattern, though she anticipated many mornings of tangled fingers before she could recreate it on her own.
As Ranvi worked, curiosity welled up inside Eadlyn. “When did you learn Aerlish?”
“Shortly after I married Erik. As the wife of a future jarl and king, if the gods will it, I should know, especially since the Talts primarily use it now. Most of the jarls learn it.”
To learn another language, and so well, took far more discipline than southerners gave these people credit for. How little they knew.
“I know that if I want to communicate well, I must learn your language,” Eadlyn said. “I admit, though, I don’t even know where to start.”
“Don’t worry. We will help you.”
Aevar shook the rainwater from his cloak as he entered the longhouse for a brief respite from the downpour. Behind him, Kian hurried in, his own cloak waterlogged and leaving a trail.
“Every year,” his friend muttered, shoving his hood back, “it dumps rain right as we prepare for the Gathering.”
Aevar gave a low grunt of agreement. “Could be worse. At least it’s not snow like last year.”
The blizzard had delayed the Gathering by nearly a full week.
“I’ll give you that.”
They stepped farther inside, and Aevar was about to say more when movement near the hearth caught his eye. He blinked. Was that…?
He had to look again to be sure.
It was Eadlyn.
She stood by the fire in conversation with Móthir. At first, he didn’t recognize her. Gone was the elegant southern gown, so at odds with the chill and wilderness here. Instead, she wore a simple layered dress in rich tones and an apron pinned with brass brooches. Her hair, too, had been transformed, woven into fine, intricate braids.
She looked…right. As if she belonged in this hall. As if she belonged to them.
Something shifted uncomfortably inside his chest. She caught sight of him, and their gazes met. Her smile was tentative, as if unsure whether he would welcome it. Aevar forced himself to nod, brisk and impersonal. He didn’t even realize he’d stopped walking until Kian had already reached her.
“Look at you!” His friend grinned. “Only three days here, and you already look more Nord than I do.”
Eadlyn laughed, tipping her head. She’d never smiled like that at Aevar. He told himself to turn away, to go back to work. But he didn’t. He stood and watched her—the ease with which she spoke to Kian, the way the firelight caught in the braid over her shoulder. For one selfish moment, he wished she’d interact with him in such a manner, but he shook it off. He could admire her resilience and her willingness to adapt, but letting his guard fall was not an option.
“She’s made quite a transformation, hasn’t she?”
The voice beside him made him flinch. Ranvi had joined him, her eyes sparkling as if she knew his thoughts.
