Enriched by Hedlund Jody

Author:Hedlund, Jody
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Young Adult
Publisher: Northern Lights Press
Published: 2022-07-11T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter

16

Torvald

“Your Majesties.” I bowed before King Ansgar and Queen Lis. “I present to you my wife, Lady Karina.”

Karina curtsied.

I couldn’t take my eyes from her, hadn’t been able to since seeing her upon her horse. Though dusty from her travels, she radiated the freshness of a spring bloom, even though she was clearly tired.

Now, as she straightened, I was tempted to sweep her off her feet, carry her to my chamber, and deposit her in my bed so that she could sleep. But first, I wanted the king and all my fellow knights to see my bride. She was not only the most beautiful maiden present, but she was the sweetest and kindest as well.

Karina’s hand trembled in the crook of my arm. I squeezed her fingers to reassure her that she was perfect. She slid me a look, one filled with gratefulness.

I didn’t deserve this woman. She was too good for me. But my heart overflowed with affection for her anyway, an affection that kept growing, so that now, at this moment, I could think of naught but her.

From the corner of my eye, I could see Espen grinning smugly as though he was the one who’d matched me with Karina. Lord Royse stood on the other side of Karina and was, for once, speechless. The wide-eyed awe upon his countenance in the presence of the king and queen almost made me smile. Hopefully, he would get what he sought—the respect and recognition of those among the nobility.

“We are glad you made it safely away from Wahlburg,” the queen said to Karina.

Karina curtsied again. “Thank you, Your Majesty. While I am verily glad to be reunited with my husband, I will continue to pray for all those we had to leave behind, including Lord Wahlburg, who was too weak to travel with us.”

At the mention of my father, I stiffened. In all my worrying, I had not considered his well-being. Even now, I couldn’t summon any pity for him, not when he’d brought his own demise upon himself.

The king was glancing between Karina and myself, his eyes taking on a sparkle, one I hadn’t seen there in weeks, maybe months, since before Lis grew sick. “Lady Karina, I can see that you are exactly the kind of woman Torvald needs.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.” Her cheeks flushed, making her adorable freckles stand out all the more.

“It was clear from the moment he stormed out of here earlier that he is quite taken with you.”

Karina quirked one of her delicate brows at me.

I kept my expression stoic. I had no intention of explaining anything. She didn’t need to know how frantic I’d felt when I’d learned she was in danger.

King Ansgar’s lips twitched up into a grin. “I never thought I’d behold the day when any woman could capture Torvald’s heart. But ’twould appear you have accomplished it.”

Capture my heart? The words rumbled through me, sending a wave of anxiety in their wake. I’d vowed I wouldn’t give away my heart. And now, somehow, I’d not only given it to her but allowed her to take it captive.

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