Chapter 9
CHAPTER NINE
BASTIAN
Irubbed the dirt from the training grounds across my palms, instantly transporting my mind to a thousand other days when I’d stood in this ring, ready to be humbled.
In all those days, I’d never been as distracted as I was with Sigrid watching.
She wore the same pristine blue gown she’d put on before the banquet, but it wasn’t doing anything to make her look less intimidating.
She was relaxed, but she’d shifted her weight into a fighting stance, and she was noticeably watching everyone in her vicinity.
I’d asked her to stay outside the railing for now, and for once she’d complied…but only after I’d told her my plan. Elric had shown his hand earlier, and I was counting on him to be just as spiteful now.
Maybe seeing her train would show everyone that she wasn’t an invincible, bloodthirsty monster.
She was an incredible warrior, but without her berserker, there was nothing but formidable skill to her form.
At the very least, having her down here meant I could keep an eye on things.
Since she’d provoked even Eleanor to violence, leaving Sigrid alone in the castle wasn’t a good idea for about a dozen reasons.
“Remembering the time Edmund knocked you into that post?” asked an old friend named Godwin as he clapped me on the shoulder. He nodded to the dented post in the rail, where I’d once nearly knocked out my front teeth on impact.
I laughed and gripped his hand in greeting, pathetically grateful for his kindness. He was a giant of a man but nonetheless a gentle soul. “I was remembering the time you landed on your arse in a puddle over there and had to spend the rest of the day looking like you’d shit yourself.”
His booming laugh made lots of other heads turn, since the yard was now almost full of soldiers. There wasn’t a friendly face amongst them after Sigrid’s outburst with Elric. Even Arnulf had only given me a cursory nod now that we were with the others.
“They’ll come around,” Godwin said, giving my shoulder a squeeze this time.
I nodded, though I wasn’t as convinced it was true.
Would I forgive my future king for siding with an enemy? Beyond that, would I forgive my brother in arms for running from a fight?
Anyone else might’ve been hunted as a deserter, but I’d been welcomed back and maintained my position as heir.
I adjusted my feet on the sand, knowing if those bonds could be reforged, this was where it would happen. The practice ring was where grievances were settled and egos adjusted.
The men shifted into lines, so I knew Elric had been spotted on his way down from the castle. I gave Sigrid a subtle nod, so she meandered towards the weapon racks and began testing out various practice swords.
I rushed over to her. “Sigrid, you promised if you came down here, you’d just watch.”
She flashed me a glare. “I changed my mind.”
I got closer but didn’t lower my voice. “We don’t know yet how much it’s weakened you to leash your berserker. You’re fighting with mortal strength, and I won’t have you getting hurt because you overestimate your skills.”
“Say that to me with a sword in your hand, you Saxon fuck.” She spat it with such loathing that even I almost believed it.
Behind me, Elric entered the ring and paced closer as he surveyed the scene. In the tense silence, everyone watched and waited.
“What’s the Viking doing here?” Elric barked at me, not deigning to acknowledge her as a person.
I jerked and turned to face him like I hadn’t known he was standing here. “She’s only here to observe. It’s not unheard of for a royal to survey the performance of her royal guard.” I made sure to emphasize the word that had always rankled him.
He trudged closer until he was chest to chest with me. “I won’t have an enemy just standing there, watching for weaknesses. If she’s down here, she trains like everybody else.”
I didn’t budge. “Her berserker has never been leashed before. We don’t know how much it’s weakened her,” I repeated.
His face twisted into a predictably vicious smile. “She seemed strong enough earlier. Why not put her to the test?” He gestured broadly with a sweep of his arm. “Come, Princess. We’d be honored to have such a legendary warrior train with us.”
I tilted my head and clenched my jaw angrily, letting him believe I didn’t want this.
Sigrid ducked gracefully under the railing and walked towards us like she was unbothered one way or the other.
“Form up!” Elric shouted, and all the men straightened their lines for strength drills.
Sigrid sauntered over to me with a face like thunder and leaned in like she was going to have the last word. “Well played,” she whispered.
She was close enough that a strand of her dark hair brushed my cheek, and I wanted to snatch it and feel its silky length. I could smell the light floral soap she’d used in the bath, which only took me straight back to memories of what else we’d done while bathing.
I adjusted my breeches subtly as she took her place directly in front of me, but the delicate silk of her dress did nothing to hide the strong lines and supple curves of her body as she bent over to stretch along with everyone else.
“Are you trying to kill me, woman?” I groaned softly.
Her laugh was barely an exhale. “Not yet, Prince.”