Chapter Nine
‘What are you doing here, Svanna?’ Astrid asked when Svanna entered the room that they had previously shared. Svanna narrowed her gaze and concentrated on Astrid, pushing aside all thoughts of her uncomfortable conversation with Rand.
She should have told him before they’d shared that second kiss. Was it any wonder that he’d looked at her in such an appalled fashion? She curled her fists and tried to concentrate on what was important, namely, Astrid’s health.
Astrid appeared to have passed a comfortable night, and her face was less pinched. She had to take that as a good sign.
‘I wanted to ensure you were resting properly.’ Svanna bobbed a curtsey. ‘What other purpose can I have?’
‘The Norns have yet to cut my life-thread. Far stronger than many think. But it must hang by the tiniest thread,’ Astrid said, mentioning the three arbiters of fate which the people of the North believed controlled a person’s life and indeed when that life would be cut short.
Astrid turned her head. ‘Why are you alone?’
‘Last night tired Rand.’ Svanna silently prayed some small part of that was true. Confessing to Astrid what had passed between them would make her toes curl. ‘What sort of foster-daughter would I be if I failed to come and see you?’
Astrid’s eyes crinkled at the corners. ‘Be with your husband and ensure our interests are well looked after. Your instincts were correct on this marriage.’
Svanna shifted uncomfortably. But going back meant facing Rand after confessing her small part in his scarring. He needed time to properly digest what she’d said.
She busied herself plumping the pillows and straightening the furs. ‘Much needs to be done here. You remain injured. I wasn’t thinking straight. Now I am.’
‘Fear talking, Svanna. Something I never expected to hear from you of all people.’
Svanna bent and retrieved a fur from the floor and held it in front of her like a shield. ‘I was headstrong and over-confident.’
Astrid shook her head. ‘A limited time remains to make a difference, my dear. Everyone witnessed the way he devoured you at the wedding. You must use his desire while it lasts to advance our cause. Bind him to you. Or Agthir will suffer.’
Svanna forced her lashes to flutter and her voice to be sweet. ‘You were the one who cautioned delay. Make desire grow through absence.’
Astrid stared up at the rafters for a long time without replying. ‘Last night, it came to me. There was more to this attack than meets the eye. I should have seen that earlier. I was wrong to laugh at that assistant swineherd.’
‘What do you mean? We know the Sons of Drengr wish to counteract any threat from Islay. They thought Lord Sigmund was in the hall.’
Astrid’s hand plucked restlessly at the furs. ‘They could have attacked earlier at any time before the service. Drengr would have done, knowing that the coalition was unstable. Turgeis is no fool, even if I have my doubts about the other two.’
‘You are speaking in riddles.’
‘There must be more to the timing. Something to do with Rand’s arrival. Turgeis wanted to send a message to Eire as well as Islay.’
‘No one expected Rand and his men.’
‘Turgeis did. Why else did he wait? Why did he risk discovery, anchored in that bay? Your new husband is the key to solving this mystery. Stick close to him, Svanna. Find the answer, prevent Turgeis from gaining power in Eire and Agthir will be that much safer.’
‘Drengr beat Rand until he could barely see. Somehow, his cousin managed to get them to stop, and they took the first ship away from Agthir.’
Astrid gave her a level look. ‘Drengr rarely did anything without a reason.’
‘Someone told him that Rand and I were having a flirtation—or perhaps more than a flirtation.’ Svanna tensed.
‘Rand only remembers a few details, but he remembered the reason given. It was why he kissed me before he went in to save you. He vowed that one day he’d kiss your daughter in truth.
Rumours apparently swirled about me being easy meat for men. ’
‘How did Drengr obtain that idea? Your nurse and I watched you very closely. The rumours were young men’s fantasies.
How did Helga put it—“Young warriors speak with something other than their mouths and should not be listened to”.
I then told her “but young women should be protected from them”.
She agreed to keep her eyes on you. I know you found it hard to be watched closely, but I didn’t want you put in an impossible situation with one of those warriors. ’
‘I’ve no idea.’ Svanna looked at her hands. Helga had kept a close watch out afterwards, but she never explained why. Perhaps if she had confessed what had happened to her all those years ago, things would have been different. But it was too late for regrets.
Astrid’s face showed sudden concern. ‘Did you know about the beating Rand received from Drengr before you married?’
‘I learned about it when he arrived here.’ She took a deep breath and knew for the second time that day she’d have to confess.
‘He remembers very little of what happened immediately prior to the beating, but he accepts that I played no part. But I’d spoken with him.
Alone, without you or my nurse present. I don’t how Drengr and his sons learned of it. ’
Astrid made a temple of her fingers. ‘Have you told him about your unwitting part?’
‘This morning.’
‘Did you tell him voluntarily?’
‘It slipped out. After…well, I knew I had to say the words.’
Astrid sighed. ‘Sometimes, Svanna, I’m amazed at your honesty, but at least that shadow is no longer between you.’
She closed her eyes and Rand’s appalled expression rose before her. ‘I fear the marriage might be over before it has properly begun. I doubt I will ever gain his trust. And without that, how can I be an effective voice for Agthir in Eire?’
‘It alters things in some ways and yet not in others.’ Astrid held out her hand. Svanna grasped it. ‘I shan’t blame you for that, but your marriage isn’t over. Solid reasons for its existence remain. Face the future and not the past.’
‘I thought that I could remain here, looking after you. Not for ever, but until you are better. Then I can travel to Eire. Or even back to Agthir.’
Astrid’s grip tightened. ‘Your mother wasn’t a coward. I didn’t raise you to be one either. Why are you giving in to your fear instead of fighting for your marriage—a marriage you made because you swore it was vital for your country?’
Svanna widened her eyes. Cowardice? She had done the prudent thing, escaping before Rand turned from her in disgust. Why had she allowed the ice shield to fall even the slightest fraction? ‘Someone needs to look after you.’
‘That someone is not you. Your place is with your husband, whom you insisted on marrying. I refuse to be used as a shield.’
Svanna pressed her hands against her eyes. ‘Why? What do you know that I have overlooked?’
‘He needs this marriage as much as you do. Maybe more so. But everyone witnessed that kiss you shared during the marriage ceremony. And you’ve little idea if you have lost his regard.’
Svanna hated that a small tendril of hope sprang in her breast. Inwardly, she resolved to think logically instead of sighing after him. Perhaps becoming friends with his daughter would be a way to earn his regard. She knew she wanted to be a good mother to the little girl.
‘I’m unafraid of hard work. I will go.’
‘Keep to the path you have chosen. You may yet avert disaster.’
* * *
‘Do you want the ship ready to go on the next tide?’ his helmsman asked.
Rand frowned. He wasn’t certain of anything right now, but he knew he needed to be doing something.
He also knew staying here was not going to solve any problem.
Too many people like the dowager Queen about.
Giving Svanna a choice was necessary. Time apart might allow them both to decide what they wanted next, even if he hoped she’d choose to travel with them. ‘What I asked for last night.’
The helmsman shrugged. ‘Men ask for a lot of things before their wedding night. You’d be surprised.’
‘The sooner we return to Eire, the sooner we get to the bottom of the mystery.’
‘Will our new lady be joining us?’ The helmsman scratched his head. ‘I mean, her mother was quite injured.’
‘Up to Svanna. I would hardly like to prejudge,’ he said around the ash-taste in his mouth. ‘We have the alliance now.’
‘What will be up to me?’ Svanna asked, slipping her arm through his and smiling up at him while his helmsman suddenly discovered he was required elsewhere. ‘Surely you can’t be thinking of leaving the peace-weaver behind.’
He inwardly thanked the saints and angels. For some reason, she’d returned to his side. He suspected Astrid had sent her, but right now, he didn’t care. The tight place in his chest had eased.
‘My men and I need to return to Tara and explain about the unprovoked attack, but your foster-mother remains unwell. I’ve no wish to cause you distress.’
She gave him a hooded look. ‘How would it look to the high king if you claim a marriage to a princess of Agthir but fail to produce the bride? Particularly as you were supposed to be ensuring a different marriage altogether.’
‘Máel Sechnaill would understand…if it was explained properly. In the end, he cares for the result, not the means for that result. Pragmatic to his toes.’ Rand winced at his words.
He had no idea what Máel Sechnaill would do or what game he was playing, but he had to give Svanna the option.
She had to make her choice freely. He silently prayed she would choose him.
‘He would understand your devotion to your foster-mother.’
‘He might say that he does, but I wish to discuss aspects of the raid with him.’ Svanna peeked up at him from under her lashes.
‘I must assume Turgeis knew Astrid was involved in the preparations. We extended our stay. He sought to strike at Agthir. Agthir needs this alliance, Rand, as much as Tara does.’