Chapter 11
Njall
Ashriek drew me from my frustration, and a group of women came stumbling out of a tavern. I sheathed my sword when I recognized a few of them as regulars in Baldr’s endless list of conquests. Hopefully, he’s in his room so I can drag him home to our father and go back to bed.
The door slammed behind me as I entered the tavern.
It was even more crowded than my place was, but with the advantage that nobody would rob my brother here.
He overpaid for his room, and having him around meant the knights not only let the brothel run upstairs without issue, but they also used the ladies’ services themselves.
Looking around at the very drunk patrons, I almost turned around and left.
I didn’t want to deal with their fake congratulations anymore.
No one cared that my sister was getting married.
All they cared about was that the wedding meant three days of food, entertainment, and gold flowing from the castle into the town.
That the groom was the general was good for the people.
If Magni was in a good mood, so were his knights, and that meant peace in the town and fewer brawls and demands for bribes.
A path opened in the crowd, and I dove in and made a beeline for the bar. Ragnar took one look at me and hurried to the back. The old man always hated me, but Gertrud saw and moved to the end where I was headed.
“He’s not here,” she said.
“This is his favorite time of day,” I replied, confused. “Where is he?”
“Left an hour ago with some pretty young thing.”
I groaned and rubbed my forehead. Of all the nights for my brother to leave with his latest whore, it had to be tonight. “You don’t know where they were headed, do you?”
“Sorry, love,” Gertrud said, giving me a sympathetic smile. “I overheard him joking about a tour, but I can’t say I’m surprised. There was something different about this one.”
I leaned in closer to the bar. “Different how?”
“She’s got sass to her, and a way about her. She could handle anyone.”
I swallowed hard. “What did she look like?”
“Well, her eyes were different colors.”
Ferflucs.
I debated coercing some knights to help me find my brother, but it wasn’t worth the hassle.
I was a prince of Tyndorf, but I wasn’t the crown prince like Ingvar was, and Baldr was known for his wild nights of drinking, gambling, and womanizing.
No one would believe that a woman could be a danger to him.
But I knew it had to be Pearl. I could understand her happening upon one of us, but two princes in one night?
Here was my proof that she was up to no good.
I needed to find my brother and make sure she wasn’t doing anything to him.
She may have hidden her siren locks, but I knew what she was, and I'd make sure everyone else did too.
Turning to shove my way past the drunkards, I managed to get out of the bar and into the cool evening air, grateful to be away from the stench of ale and body odor.
I took a shortcut down an alley behind a brothel to get to Baldr’s favorite tavern when I heard a high-pitched shriek of laughter.
Hulda. I stopped walking and listened for which direction it was coming from, then turned around.
I looked around at the houses and realized what part of town I was in.
My brother liked the wealthy part, I liked the seedy part, and my sister liked the part where the entire kingdom came to act on their carnal urges.
I'm too old to be collecting my stupid siblings.
Speeding up, I walked past two brothels, one pleasure dungeon, and three smoking parlors until I reached the most expensive establishment in town.
A pair of former knights stood guard at the door.
I recognized them both as men Magni had to remove from the ranks because they were too aggressive.
They looked me up and down and then opened the gold-covered doors of the Dragon’s Keep without a sound.
As I stepped inside, it was like I'd been transported to another world—a dragon's lair, to be exact. The walls looked like the jagged stones of a cave, with gold and silver gems of all types and sizes protruding from them. Even the floor was laid with gold coins, as though you were walking on the dragon’s treasure.
Inside, the madam stood dressed all in gold, with a tiara that would rival any in our treasure hold perched atop her silver hair.
“Evening, Your Highness,” she said with a slight bow, her movements as graceful as a deer but as dangerous as a dire wolf.
“Are you here for pleasure, pain, or to forget the world outside?” She extended her bejeweled hand, and I kissed it, my eyes lingering on the rings adorning each finger.
One of them, I was certain, had been in our treasure room a few months before.
It seemed my sister wasn’t the only one visiting this establishment.
“Neither, Madam. I have come at the request of my father to retrieve my sister. We need her for fittings and whatnot.”
She nodded, as though this were the most ordinary request. “Of course. We mustn’t keep the king waiting. I’ll take you to her.”
I followed her deeper into the cave. The doors we passed through became more extravagant until we reached one made from gold and decorated with gems that spelled out the words, ‘Royalty only’.
“Your Highness and her guests can meet in here,” she said, bowing before leaving me alone outside the door. It no longer surprised me that people showed my sister so much more respect than they did me. She was the second-ranked sibling, after all. I decided against knocking and stepped inside.
I should have knocked.
The room reeked of dragon’s thistle, my sister’s favorite hallucinogenic herb.
Its effects were more potent on sorcerers than mortals, so she could indulge while ensuring that her lovers remained attentive to her.
The space was as elaborate as I’d expect from Hulda.
Gems, carved statues, and exotic flowers decorated the place, and there was a nature motif that reflected her lineage.
The sorceress side of her was from the Tiere line, the sorcerers who could control animals and had a strong connection with nature.
In the middle of the room was a bed so large that they must have built the room around it, because it wouldn't have fit through the door.
On the bed lay a high-ranking nobleman’s son, naked, with my sister straddling him. Beside them stood his friend, one hand gripping her hair, and the other guiding his cock down her throat.
I stood at the door with my palms pressed against my eyes, and my face turned toward the ceiling, waiting for Hulda to finally notice me. Likely, she had and couldn’t be bothered to acknowledge me. Their moans grated on my patience until I finally snapped, “Hulda, you’ve been summoned.”
I heard a loud pop, likely her pulling her mouth off the noble’s cock, and a rustle of fabric. Risking a glance, I found her standing in a silk robe with her usual wicked smile. “Hello, brother. I didn’t see you there.”
“How could you, with a lowly noble’s cock down your throat? Is this how you spend the night before your wedding?”
“Of course not, silly. This is how I spend my weekends.”
“And how does your betrothed feel about this?”
“I’m sure he’s busy sowing his wild oats.
Now, what do you want? As you can see, I have my hands full at the moment.
” She smacked the ass of the noble who was just in her mouth and playfully pushed him onto the bed.
Both men watched her every move like puppies awaiting their next command. They were high.
Tying her robe, Hulda tousled her hair.
“Maybe if you stopped telling everyone how full your hands are.” I said, “You wouldn’t be forced to marry.
” My sister had never been ashamed of her sexuality, but in recent years, she’d been taking it to extremes and flaunting her exploits even more than our brothers.
Father disapproved of it in his most prized heir.
Her taunting smile dropped, and she narrowed her eyes. “You of all people shouldn’t be judging me for who I bed.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“I’m not stupid like the men in our family.
You didn’t magically find a siren. You bedded her and made up a lie about finding her to cover your tracks.
We haven’t seen one in over a decade, but you somehow run into her even though she’s in disguise?
Please, you had sex with her.” She pushed my shoulder with an accusing finger.
“How do I know you aren’t under her control now? ”
“Because I’m not. You know Ingvar and I are not easily influenced.”
She sighed and looked me up and down. “Fine. You’re not under a spell.
Then what do you want? If you’re looking for a recommendation, Heidi in the silver cavern is a delight.
She looks sweet and innocent, but screams like a banshee when she comes.
And she’ll let you take her anyway you want.
” Before I could tell her to stop talking, she finished.
“She’s a favorite of Magni and me. Unlike you, my betrothed understands that sorceresses have desires far stronger than any maiden.
He’s happy to share me with anyone I want, male or female, since I let him play too. ”
“Hulda, enough,” I growled, but she just cackled.
“I knew that would make you angry. It’s all true, though. If you didn’t want to learn about my sex habits, you shouldn’t have interrupted me.”
“Well, that conversation with Magni is why I’m here. Father wants us in the castle until after the wedding. He’s worried Anginfill may have convinced the sirens to join their cause and attack.”
She glanced back at the naked nobles. “Fine. Let me finish and go back with you.”
“You have five minutes.”
Thirty minutes later, my sister stepped out of her room. She was dressed, but her favorite violet gown barely covered her. She was fluffing her brown curls and stuck out her tongue at me.
I stood and marched over to her. “So, you can no longer tell time?”
“I would not rush my pleasure for you or our father.”
“We have to find Baldr, too. I checked his place, but he wasn’t there.”
“Of course not,” Hulda replied. “He’ll be out chasing one of the women he met today at the tournament registration. He spent most of the day there, and it certainly wasn't helpful.”
“Figures.”
“He usually comes home after he’s done with them.
It’s the only place with a tub large enough for him.
We should check the castle.” Hulda went to the door and whispered to the madam before she headed onto the street.
I rushed to follow her, but the madam stepped before me and held out her hand.
Sighing, I dropped my satchel of gold into her hand and wrenched the door open to follow my sister.
I spun in a quick circle, looking for Hulda. Every shadow looked like a crouching figure now. Were there other sirens? I spotted my sister at the end of the road. She was waving at someone, and to my astonishment, Baldr rounded the corner.
“I found him,” Hulda smiled smugly as I hurried to catch up.
She had always been ridiculously lucky, even as a child.
At first, I thought she cheated at all our games, but as I got older, I figured her luck must be tied to her sorceress half.
As I came up to them, Hulda was complaining to Baldr about how I’d interrupted her fun.
“You know better than to not knock, Njall,” Baldr snickered. “You complain that I’m too open with my body and sexuality, but our dear sister is far more so than I.”
“I’m very aware of that, thank you.” I had no time for their jibes—my mind was elsewhere.
If Anginfill had sirens on their side, they were planning something, and it would be soon.
The wedding would be the next day, but I couldn't help feeling that the town was on the edge of a storm, and I had no idea when it would break.