Page 34 of Alliance Bride
“There is wisdom in that.” Aevar paused for a moment, then asked, “What else does it say?”
“More than I could tell you in an evening.” She smoothed her fingers over the delicate pages before her. “There are thousands of years of history within Scripture, and this is only a portion of it.”
“Will you read it to me?”
She snapped her attention back to him. “You want me to read the Scriptures to you?”
He shrugged. “Perhaps I am curious why so many follow your God.”
“You’re not returning to the feast?”
“The guests think I have left to be with my wife. If I return, they will wonder why.”
She studied him. Was it the alcohol making him more open to her, or was he truly curious? He didn’t seem intoxicated, at least not to any discernible degree. Regardless, if he wanted to hear God’s Word, she wouldn’t deny him.
“All right.”
She shifted back to the parchments and turned to the front. She would start at the beginning with the story of Creation, and if he still wanted to hear more, they could go on to John and Romans.
Across the room, Aevar settled into his furs, getting comfortable as if he really meant to listen. She had not expected such a response, and she prayed this moment—this small opening—might be the beginningof something more.
Aevar finished buckling his belt, adjusting the sword and knife at his waist. There would be no violence today outside the competitions, but he would not go unarmed. Not with Staegar’s bitterness still hanging heavy in the air and Sig’s predatory glances trailing Eadlyn like a wolf sizing up prey. Better safe than sorry.
Behind him, Eadlyn gathered her clothing. He looked over his shoulder at her. His mind drifted back to last night. The soft cadence of her voice as she read, the way her words wove a thread of calm even through the chaos beyond the walls. He hadn’t expected to be so intrigued, and yet…
He didn’t know what to make of her God, but curiosity tugged at him nonetheless. Maybe they would read again tonight. If she was willing.
Still, her devotion to her faith posed a complication. He turned toward her. “After breakfast, everyone will gather to offer sacrifices to the gods.”
She stilled mid-motion. Her gaze lifted to meet his, and hesitation tinged her voice. “Sacrifices?”
Aevar nodded, watching her closely. Unease crept into her features, but this was part of his world. He didn’t know how to navigate it any other way. “Animal sacrifices. Not human ones. Kalgora is the last to practice those.”
Some of the tightness eased from her posture, but uncertainty lingered thick between them. Her fingers curled around the fabric she held. “May I stay here?”
The question caught him off guard. He had expected her to protest, but this was different. She wasn’t asking to avoid the sacrifices out of rebellion or disdain for his people’s ways. Her request came from conviction, from a discomfort rooted in her faith. For some reason, he couldn’t ignore that.
Still, he hesitated. He didn’t trust Staegar’s dark mood or Sig’s wandering eyes. Luckily, he had a solution.
“Yes, you may stay.”
Genuine relief flashed across her face, softening her features into something more open and grateful. “Thank you.”
Aevar inclined his head and left to give her privacy to finish dressing.
As he stepped into the main hall, the sounds of the morning drifted through the air. The revelry from the night before had quieted, but the warmth of mead and food still lingered. His father and Halbjorn were already awake, Halbjorn’s voice filling the hall even without him having to raise it. His brothers sat nearby, occasionally joining the conversation, while Ulf and Skolli lay sprawled near the door, snoring loud enough to wake the gods themselves.
Kian met him halfway across the room. At least he appeared none the worse for wear.
“I see you didn’t join the drinking games.” Aevar waved his hand toward the men on the floor.
Kian snorted. “Against Ulf? Not a chance. I prefer to keep my wits about me.”
Aevar chuckled. “Wise choice, since you’ll need them this morning. I’d like you to stay here and keep an eye on Eadlyn. She won’t be attending the sacrifices.” While Kian usually tagged along, he’d never taken part, so he wouldn’t mind missing it.
Kian’s expression shifted into something more serious. “Of course. I’ll keep her safe.”
Aevar dropped his voice lower. “Keep a close eye out for anyone who might linger behind.”
