Chapter 14
Freydis
That afternoon, Brok and I were seated in one of the empty halls eating lunch. My mind drifted back to Ragnar and the conversation we had earlier.
Tove was seated with us, and even though the courting was supposed to be between me and her brother, she and Brok were the ones holding a conversation. Something in the back of my mind kept whispering that these two were not siblings. What if Tove was his lover? What if he brought her here in disguise as his sister?
A small frown formed on my lips, and I turned away from them, taking a bite of the flatbread topped with cheese.
"Forgive me, my Lord," I said, unable to hold myself together. "The courting is between you and me. Why is Tove here?"
Tove's smile was stiff. She lowered her head to the plate of food, breaking the bread and chewing silently.
Brok stared at me. "She is my sister. And she's here to make sure you're a suitable partner for me."
"Suitable?" I questioned. "I thought you already chose me when you met with my father."
"I did, but my sister is a woman, and she knows what's best for me. She can sense what I might miss."
"I do not need her inspection."
"You've got a tongue, girl," Tove sneered.
I stared at both of them. While Tove had green eyes, Brok's were blue. And they looked nothing alike. She could not be his sister. I refused to believe it. And though I'd told Harald about this, he dismissed it.
I frowned.
Brok reached into his tunic and pulled out something, a ring. A thick iron band carved with runes. The carvings were so careless they looked like they'd been scratched on.
"I had it forged specially for you," he said, rising to his feet. He walked toward me. "Stand up. Let me claim you as my wife."
"I do not belong to you," I hissed, but the words came as a whisper only I could hear.
I slowly found myself standing, and Tove smiled.
"I like her," she stated.
He held out my hand and forced the ring onto my finger. It scraped my skin as it slipped on. It felt too tight and heavy.
"There," he smiled. "Now everyone will know you're mine."
My breath caught in my throat. We didn't even get to know each other properly before he shoved the ring onto my finger.
"You'll not regret this marriage. I'll be a good husband to you, and you'll provide me with many sons."
I swallowed hard. I wanted to pull my hand away, but his grip was firm.
Tove clapped her hands.
"The celebration shall be in a week's time, and then you'll come with me to my home," he said.
"And what do you say, girl?"
"Thank you, my Lord," I forced the words out.
He raised a brow. "Just that?"
"You... You are very kind to my people for agreeing to end the war. And you promised to build me a hall, i appreciate it, my Lord."
He smiled and let go of my hand.
"You should smile, girl. Lucky you for having my brother."
I forced a smile onto my face and sat down as Brok returned to his chair.
"We should celebrate this!" he shouted with excitement. "Thralls!"
The door opened and Siggy walked inside. She'd been waiting for us outside. She bowed her head.
"Get us more mead," he ordered.
As the door closed, he turned to Tove, and the two of them continued their conversation. They spoke in their old tongue, making sure I couldn't understand a word.
I sat there like a fool. I couldn't leave because the courting was supposed to last the whole day.
Soon, Siggy returned and poured into Brok's cup. He raised it, took a sip, and spat the liquid onto the food.
He slammed the horn down, mead slipping from his beards.
"I asked for fruit drink!" he yelled. "What did you serve me, thrall? I didn't ask for mead."
"She is not a thrall. She is a free woman; a maid working here."
"She is a thrall," he snapped. "And she must be punished. A mistake like this cannot go unpunished."
"I will not allow it." I quickly stood up.
Brok's nostrils flared and he glared at me as if he was about to hit me. But before anything could happen, the door opened.
The King and Queen, along with some warriors, walked in.
"What's the ruckus here?" Harald asked.
"Your thrall disobeyed me," Brok said. "I asked for fruit drink, and she gave me strong mead. I acted like a fool in front of my sister and future wife because of your thrall."
"That's not true," I said loudly. "He asked for mead."
"Aye, it is!"
"You are a liar."
"How dare you call my brother a liar?"
"Enough," Harald said in a firm voice, and the hall fell into silence. He turned to Tove, and she told him that Brok had asked for fruit drink.
I frowned.
"You rotten—!" I started toward Tove. "Are you doing this just to punish my maid?"
"Freydis, stop!" Lagertha pushed me back.
"The girl is wild."
"Siggy did nothing wrong."
Harald turned to Siggy, who was trembling. Her head was lowered to the floor. She couldn't even defend herself; they wouldn't let her. Her face had turned red.
"She could have clarified," Lagertha said. "Brok is right. She needs to be punished."
"Mother—"
"And you will apologize to your husband for disrespecting him."
I frowned, my hands clenching. I refused to apologize to him. And I refused to allow them to hurt Siggy.
The warriors took Siggy away. I stood there, fists clenched, anger spiraling. My blood ran hot, my heart pounding hard against my chest.
I felt a burn on my lower back. My brows furrowed as I realized my mark was starting to trigger. It was making me more angry; and if I didn't leave, I would do something to Brok and Tove.
I left the hall, staggering down the corridor. There, I spotted Ragnar. I opened my mouth to speak, but I was falling, and he quickly caught me. My tongue and body were on fire. The anger had consumed every part of me.
"By the gods. Ye are hot," Ragnar said. I tried to say something, but when I opened my mouth again, I blacked out.