Rowena's Song by Ivy Charlotte Dally

Author:Ivy Charlotte Dally [Dally, Ivy Charlotte]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-08-17T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty

Blades scraped against sheaths. Men rushed to axes and bows. The crew surrounded Brennan, but he held his ground like a true dreng. Time stopped amid the standoff. Even the waves felt less turbulent as everyone held their breath. The Briton’s sword remained poised and ready to strike, indifferent to the danger looming on all sides.

The shame of seeing Wulfstan bested in front of his crew ignited a spark of hope in my chest. Brennan didn’t need a fine red cloak or shining mail. He was everything a man ought be—brave, strong, dutiful to the end. It didn’t matter that he was a foreigner. I couldn’t help but appreciate the contrast of the white fabric clinging to his dark skin, the lines of his unwavering muscles outlined as if an artisan had sculpted him.

Wulfstan glared at Brennan, red eye teeth exposed. I hoped Brennan meant to rescue me, and this was the start of the fate the dragon hinted at. Together, we can take the Wanderer back! He understood enough of ropes and sails to turn us round and sail back to the wreckage. We could save the survivors. And I could call the wind!

But the standoff dragged on, poisoning the wellspring of hope. Brennan did not strike. His breath-taking blue eyes narrowed as he took in the sight of the armed men facing him down, assessing the odds. He stood ever taller as he realized they were not in his favor.

“Ya so much as scratch Wulf and yer dead,” growled rune-face.

“You’re surrounded, Brennan. Don’t move,” I called out in Latin.

Rune-face raised a brow. “He don’t speak our tongue?”

“He’s one of those Britons I told you about, Soren, the ones begging Hengest to save their kingdom.” Wulfstan stood and faced Brennan with hollow defiance. It’s easy to be brave when it’s an entire crew against one.

“He’s smart as a whip. Be wary ‘round that one,” added Oslaf.

“Ya want me ta kill the dark-skinned lout?” asked Soren.

The smile died from my lips as several bow strings groaned. A quick glance confirmed archers had arrows knocked and trained on both of us. “No!” I cried. My mind whirled, ready to offer anything to save him. Not that I had much.

“Let’s not kill him so quick.” Wulfstan brushed a bit of algae off his wet clothes, acting as if nothing mattered to him. But when he looked back at Brennan, his hatred blazed bright. “Here to protect the maid? Aren’t you the hero!” He looked between Brennan and me, scoffing, even as he had to readjust his stance. The waves grew choppier, forcing me to lean back into the hull. I couldn’t disguise the worry clouding my features, and Wulfstan smirked. “Too bad you’re in chains. I’d enjoy seeing you throw yourself at him a second time. Really Rowena. Hengest should’ve married you off already. Your body is screaming out for a good, hard—”

“Only a pig would speak to a maiden in such vile terms,” snarled Brennan before Wulfstan could complete the insult.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.