Without being told, Casilo and the guard that accompanied them lead the horses away, moving deeper into the estate in the direction Circe guessed led to the stables.
A woman stood by the Manor's main entrance. Her posture seemed almost regal as she watched them from a distance. With her hands clasped behind her, the woman descended the front steps to greet them.
Circe found it difficult to read the woman's facial expressions even while she stood only a few paces away.
" Your highness." The woman curtseyed before Ragnar. " The staff are pleased with your return. I hope the journey over wasn't too tedious."
" It was just fine." Ragnar responded. He gestured to Circe. " This is my wife and her brother, Rowen. I trust you to do everything in your power to ensure they feel welcome and comfortable."
The woman's eyes fell on where Circe stood with Rowen. She curtseyed to them as well. " Your highness."
She dressed in a simple green gown, her auburn styled and tucked away in a neat bun.
The woman was human, it was one of the first things Circe noticed about her.
There was always a strange spine tingling awareness Circe felt when she was around the people of Lamara, when she was in the presence of a vampire. It was her body's way of reminding her that she stood before creatures that posed a threat. She felt none of those things now when she stared at the woman.
Lost in her thoughts, Circe almost missed Ragnar's next words.
" Nieah will show you both to your rooms."
Nieah moved to do as she was told. The hem of her dress swished around her legs as she turned and headed back towards the house.
Left without any other option, Circe followed her lead with Rowen closely trailing behind. Ragnar stayed behind and it suited Circe just fine. She counted even second she didn't have to spend next to him as a blessing.
Nieah led them past the heavy double doors, through the grand foyer, moving deeper into the manor's interior. The inside was just as breathtaking. High, vaulted ceilings were adorned with dark wooden beams and Rich tapestries and oil paintings lined the stone walls.
A sweeping, curved staircase with ornate wrought-iron railings dominated the space, rising beneath dark, rich ceilings adorned with carved wood and warm, ambient lighting. A grand chandelier of iron and crystal hangs from above, casting a golden glow across the stone walls and arched doorways. As they moved towards the sitting area, Circe saw it was furnished with plush, upholstered sofas, dark wood tables, and a richly patterned rug, illuminated by lit intricate wall sconces.
Nieah guarded them up the stairs, through winding halls and corridors, stopping only when they stood in front of thick wooden doors.
While they walked, Nieah made small conversation but it was mostly one-sided due to Circe's lack of response. Regardless, Circe was still able to glean some information like the fact that Nieah was the housekeeper and had been in Ragnar's employment for six years.
Circe was still yet to exchange a single word with the woman, choosing to respond to her questions in nods and slight shaking of her head. Human or not, a part of Circe still felt unease around Nieah. She didn't trust vampires and that distrust extended to those who willingly chose to work for them.
The hinges creaked and groaned as the door swung open to reveal a neatly furnished bedroom. It was bathed in dark wood tones and ornate carvings. Circe's focus was momentarily drawn to the grand four-poster bed with its plush bedding. The walls are adorned with intricate tapestries and heraldic artwork that left her in awe.
Tall, arched windows framed with heavy, gold-trimmed curtains allowed soft daylight to filter in, casting a glow over the antique furnishings, including an upholstered bench, carved side tables, and an elegant chandelier hanging from the ceiling.
Nieah crossed the threshold and Circe did so as well, taking in every aspect of the space with her gaze.
She knew whom this room belonged to without being told. She hadn't known him long but standing there now, she could almost sense bits and pieces of him on every surface.
Soon her awe morphed to dread and she felt it pooling at the pit of her stomach. There was only one reason Nieah had brought her here specifically.
" This is the Master's suite, your highness." Nieah turned to face her. " I was told to reserve it for your arrival."
" No." Circe wasn't sure if she truly said it out loud or if it still remained tucked in the confines of her thoughts, so she said the words again to be sure. " No."
Nieah furrowed her brows, confusion on her face.
" I don't understand."
" I refuse. Show us to a different room because neither of us will be sleeping in this one." Circe did her best to keep her tone leveled but it was difficult. It didn't matter how magnificent the room appeared, Circe would rather sleep outside in the cold than in this bedroom with the rogue she called a husband. She had shared a room with him the night of their wedding and that one time was enough to last her a lifetime.
Nieah opened her mouth to speak but was cut off by the same deep masculine voice that has since plagued Circe's existence from the first time she heard it.
" Why not?" Ragnar asked.
Circe turned slowly to find him standing by the doorway. Thinly veiled contempt shone in her grey eyes as stared at him, her lips curling in distaste.
" Because Rowen and I require a room of our own."
Running herself through with a sword would be preferable to her than spending night after night in this bedroom with him. Those were the words she wanted to say but she chose to hold her tongue instead.
Ragnar's expression was impenetrable when he spoke next.
" Nieah, take the boy and put him in the room next to Casilo's." Although his words were intended for Nieah, his eyes never moved from Circe and her hate filled gaze.
Nieah bowed, tugging Rowen out of the room with her as they left. Circe knew her brother wasn't in any immediate danger so she didn't resist as he was pulled away from her.
" I have many duties that acquire my attention so I'm going to be very direct. It doesn't matter how things lead to this point, you are still my wife and my wife will not be sleeping in any bedroom that isn't mine."
Circe blanched. She took a step away from him, as though putting more physical distance between them would be enough to ward him off.
" We are no longer in the palace." She argued. The queen had been the reason they slept in the same room that first night but the queen wasn't here now.
His keen gaze never left her.
His eyes on her sometimes felt like a sharp blade slicing open her. He canted his head to the side. Circe would never admit it but Ragnar's gaze terrified her and it wasn't just because he was a vampire and had conquered her country. It was something else. Something that she couldn't put into words, something that made him seem different from the other vampires she had encountered. It also raised her hackles when she was around him.
" You're right. This isn't the palace but it hasn't changed the fact that I can't trust you with a stick without you trying to bludgeon me to death with it." He said and Circe's lips thinned. " I would rather have you here where I can keep a close eye on you."
This wouldn't work. She couldn't accomplish any of her plans if she was constantly under surveillance.
"Am I your wife or prisoner?"
" I first have to find out who sent the assassin from last night," Ragnar left the doorway where he stood, slowly stepping in her direction. He was always moving closer to her even while Circe struggled to put more distance between them. His voice pitched an octave lower. " Until then, consider yourself both."