Chapter 22 #2
He wanted to say more, to comfort her, to argue with her, to remind her she could leave Rankil if she wanted to, but the look in her eyes stopped him.
She swept a deep curtsy that made Erann realise the man he hated had arrived.
Behind him, Rankil stepped into the room.
Erann affixed a smile to his face. The man was unpleasant – though, admittedly, handsome enough and well-built.
Rumour had it he could have any woman he wanted in his bed with his dark looks.
Erann didn’t see it himself. And as he glanced uncertainly between his sister and her husband, he realised Aras didn’t either.
All her talk of being so in love with Rankil when they’d argued about the marriage had been an act.
The thought made his chest ache for her.
Rankil strode forward in his knee-high fur boots, their intricate lacings catching the light, and placed his arm possessively around Aras’s thin shoulders, revealing he wore some sort of chain around his neck.
Erann suppressed a grimace. She didn’t need protecting from him – if anything, she needed saving from the one who was holding her.
Aras gave the slightest shake of her head – so subtle Rankil didn’t notice. But Erann understood her immediately. Say nothing. Act normally. Let me handle this.
When Aras spoke, her voice was cold, almost empty. ‘So, brother, what brings you to my married home? I believe you vowed to never step foot through these doors once I wed.’
It was a low blow, but Erann let it pass. She was playing her part, just as Rankil would be expecting. All the same, the memory of the last time they’d argued stung.
Careful to keep any emotion from his voice, he replied, ‘Mother’s extremely ill. I hoped my jarl would lend me the aid of the herb woman.’ The word jarl tasted bitter on his tongue, but he forced it out. It was the only way.
‘Surely you wouldn’t expect me to do without the aid of my herb woman, so she might assist my mother.
’ Aras lifted her chin, her tone haughty.
‘You must know me better than that, brother. I’m here so I do not have to go without the necessities of life – something you and Mother can no longer provide.
Why should I put myself, and my woman, at your pleasure? ’
Erann sucked in a shocked breath, even though he knew the words were purely for Rankil’s benefit. Rankil laughed to himself, clearly enjoying it. For a moment, it took all of Erann’s willpower not to lunge forward and throttle him.
‘Indeed, my dear,’ Rankil said. The words were thick with venom. ‘We shouldn’t be without our herb woman, especially when it’s so likely you’re with child. Or soon will be.’
His grey eyes locked onto Erann’s.
‘Quite right, my love,’ came Aras’s immediate reply, her tone placatory.
‘However, I wouldn’t want it said I abandoned my sick mother and refused her my aid.
You know how gossip spreads. Surely, we could manage without Anya for a short time?
I am not yet with child, and it’s only a short journey.
Perhaps if we can’t spare her, then Mother could come here. ’
Her tone stayed calm, but Erann’s head snapped up to meet his sister’s eyes. He could see the strain it was taking for her to stay in control. They both knew the last thing their mother would ever want was to visit this steading – she despised Rankil.
‘Sadly, Mother’s too ill to travel,’ Erann said quickly, rushing his words before anything else could be suggested. ‘The conditions remain treacherous, and the nights are exceptionally bitter. Mother’s currently staying with Uncle Thorkell, so the journey’s a little further.’
‘Perhaps, if she’s this ill, I should journey to visit her and take Anya with me?’ Aras pressed on. ‘That way, if I have need of Anya, she’ll be with me as well as my mother.’
Erann saw Rankil’s hold on his sister’s shoulders tighten. He held his breath, afraid she’d given the game away. But when he turned back, Rankil was smiling broadly. He looked pleased with himself.
‘Yes, my dear,’ he said. ‘That would be acceptable, provided you don’t stay away too long.
We’ve the Full Council meeting to attend at the height of the Long Day.
I wouldn’t want you to miss the glory of witnessing my formal ceremony for the jarldom.
In fact,’ Rankil looked at them both wolfishly, ‘perhaps your mother will be well enough by then to attend?’
Erann watched Aras closely, curious to see how she’d contend with this suggestion.
Their mother wouldn’t want to go to the Full Council meeting to witness this – yet, this sounded like it was a condition of Aras being able to go to their uncle’s steading.
If their mother didn’t go, it could only be because she was too ill to attend.
Or worse. Rankil would take any other refusal as a major insult.
Aras nodded, a small smile curving her lips.
‘Of course, my Jarl. It would be excellent for my mother to see me officially recognised as the wife of the Jarl of the Eastern Quarter. I don’t know why I didn’t think of it myself.
Perhaps we could ensure she publicly steps down from her position at the same time. ’
Rankil liked that idea, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction.
Erann didn’t like the idea. Not at all. He only hoped Aras would be able to find a way to keep their mother from having to attend the Full Council meeting when the time came.
Rankil, deciding the conversation was at an end, turned on his heel and pushed his way back through the heavy curtain, still chuckling.
Erann exchanged a quick, relieved glance with Aras, but said nothing. Not yet.
Rankil’s men had heard everything. They watched them openly, sneers on their faces. Erann was unsure how to behave. He wanted to speak to his sister, but not here with so many eyes on them.
Thankfully, Anya chose that moment to rejoin them.
With her at his side, Erann was escorted into a smaller room – spotlessly clean, warm and filled with the soft scent of fragrant candles that reminded him of home.
A small fire burned in the hearth. Erann immediately understood this was Aras’s refuge.
It was the only place in the steading that felt cared for – and she surely spent most of her time here.
He sank onto a small wooden stool, before finally shedding his many layers of fur. Anya placed his cloak near the fire to dry and handed him a cup of hot tea. Aras squeezed his arm affectionately, as she bent and whispered, ‘I’ll be back later, for now I must pack, and stay apart from you.’