Page 86 of Paying the Viking's Price

Brand lifted the body off Edith’s lap and laid him out with arms folded. The warrior looked oddly at peace. Brand knew that in another time and place they could have been friends.

‘Shall we return to Breckon, Edith?’ he asked softly. ‘Forget this ever happened? We can take him back ourselves.’

She stood up and walked away from him with hunched shoulders. He knew it had to be her choice, but silently he willed her to understand what he was offering.

‘No,’ she said, turning. With her shoulders back and her head erect, she looked beautiful despite the dirt smudges. ‘I can never forget this day. We must go to Jorvik. The king must know what happened, but Athelstan should be buried in the churchyard where his son can visit. Can this be done?’

Brand’s heart sank. She had chosen a warrior’s path, the same one he would have done, but it did not mean it would be easy.

‘Very well. Enough of my men remain standing. I will send a detail with Athelstan’s body back to Breckon. The outlaws will not have a stomach for a fight now that their leader is dead. Are you sure you want to do this? You could return.’

She shook her head. ‘Halfdan needs to hear the full story and see the proof with his eyes. I want to make sure the truth is known.’

He gathered her in his arms. ‘I will tell Halfdan the truth.’

‘Will you tell him about me and my part?’ she asked, giving him a strange look.

‘I could hardly lie about it.’ Silently he vowed to keep her out of things.

She gazed up at him. Her eyes shimmered. ‘He needs to know, Brand. I can’t have you lie on my part.’

‘Halfdan is not without feeling,’ Brand sought to explain. The order about wanting to punish all the rebels might have come from Hrearek, but Brand knew Halfdan had expressed such wishes in the past. ‘I have never heard it said that he harms women. His heart may yet soften.’

‘And that is supposed to comfort me? I made my choice long ago.’

He willed her to relax, but she stood stiffly away from him. It was as if he were hugging a statue. He took his arm away. He’d been wrong to hope that her feelings went deeper than saving Athelstan. He knew now that he loved her and had wronged her. He had to hope that she would find it in her heart to love him, properly and without reservation. He knew he had to give her a reason to love him. But just as she had tried to tell him that she had feelings for him and he could not believe, he knew she would not believe him. He had to show her. Maybe over time, she would see that he needed her.

‘I promise not to allow anything to happen to you. I owe you a life-debt. Is that better?’

‘It will have to be.’ She moved away from him, her arms hugging her waist. ‘I would like to return to my cart. I want time alone to grieve. I want to learn my fate as soon as possible. If it is to be death, I want it done quickly. Know, Brand, I could not do anything differently.’

‘I will do all in my power to protect you. You must know that. Search your heart.’

Edith shook her head. ‘You would never go against your king. You were right in what you said before, Brand. There is nothing between us but desire and even that is gone now. Please leave me alone to grieve.’

Brand forced his hands to stay at his side. He had deeply wronged her and now he had to pay the price. He and he alone had destroyed the fragile flowering of their relationship. Silently he thanked his lucky stars that Edith had agreed to remain his concubine for a year. He had time to mend the relationship. He would bind her irrevocably to him.

‘We have not finished, Edith,’ he muttered. ‘I will find a way to show you that I am worthy of you.’

Chapter Fifteen

Jorvik teemed with life. Edith peered out of the narrow slit in the jolting cart. The next time she went to Jorvik, she would ride. Next time? She gave a wry smile. She doubted that she would get out of Jorvik alive.

The best she could hope for was that Halfdan would allow her to retire to some windswept convent. Her entire body seemed to be numb, encased in ice ever since Athelstan’s death. She was grateful that Brand had not tried to touch or hold her, but had left her strictly alone. The last thing she wanted was to feel alive.

The wooden buildings were larger and more numerous than she had remembered. There were far more people than she thought possible, thronging the streets and going about their business. Everywhere there was an air of peaceful prosperity. Edith shivered slightly, remembering the last time she’d seen this city with its burnt-out buildings. She’d never have considered in a few short years all that misery would be swept away. The market appeared to hold all manner of objects. Edith wished she had time to properly explore and find red ribbons for Hilda. She needed to remember to ask Brand to look after Hilda.

---