Lord of Fire and Ice by Connie Mason & Mia Marlowe

Author:Connie Mason & Mia Marlowe
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781402261862
Publisher: Sourcebooks, Inc.

Chapter 20

Katla led the way out of the longhouse. Finn was waiting to escort her to her wedding. He cast her a lopsided grin that seemed vaguely apologetic.

“I see you’re wearing your best tunic and newest trousers,” she said as she took his arm. “Have a care, or people will think you’re turning into a terrible peacock.”

Finn wasn’t usually vain, but he’d taken special pains with his appearance this day, combing and braiding his hair in ornate plaits. He smelled of Katla’s lavender-scented soap, and his cheeks above his beard had been scrubbed so hard they were still ruddy. But Finn didn’t appreciate Katla’s drawing attention to his clean habits, lest others considered him effeminate. Norse men feared very little, but being thought less a man was at the very top of that short list.

“It’s tradition. I must be seen to do you honor, sister,” Finn said gruffly. Then he covered her hand with his and squeezed as they walked toward the circle of smooth stones. He leaned toward her and softened his tone. “I know you don’t think so, but I truly do want to see you happy.”

“Ha,” she said softly, conscious the eyes of all were upon them. “You’re more concerned about the bridal price than anything, and we both know it.”

“Ja, when I started this, that was true. Einar and Haukon have made some bad choices. All right, me too, come to that,” Finn admitted. “I needed to figure a way for us to get a fresh start. When Gormson first approached me, I thought I’d found it, but I didn’t know how I’d be able to convince you to take his offer. You never seem to need anybody.”

Katla blinked hard at that. If he only knew the times she felt lost and alone. So many people depended upon her that she didn’t have the luxury of wallowing in her own needs.

A large contingent followed Katla up the gentle slope, but most of the guests, her neighbors as well as members of the household, had gathered around the circle of stones, jostling for the best view. After all, it wasn’t every day a well-born lady wed a thrall. This was a wonderment worth an elbow or two to the ribs to secure the best vantage point.

The crowd parted before them, revealing the sacred space and Brandr Ulfson waiting for her in the center of it.

“I think you’ll find, if you give this a chance, that you’ve made a good bargain, sister,” Finn said.

Katla barely heard him. She caught sight of Brandr, flanked by Einar and Haukon with his arm still in a sling.

Probably making sure he doesn’t bolt until the deed is done.

No man had ever looked less like a slave. There was nothing subservient in his squared shoulders. His hands were fisted on his hips. He might have been a Norse nobleman from a previous generation when Viking was an honored occupation that brought wealth back to the fjords. She imagined him standing defiantly by the dragon head of his ship, sailing into the unknown with an uncowed spirit.

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