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Chapter Fifty-Three
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The Bartered Princess Chapter Fifty-Four
Miriam was vexed at the mention of the bride price. For once, Ketil didn’t make any untoward comment and she realised how solemn, as well as joyous, this occasion was. There was no exchanging of swords, since she didn’t own one, though he shocked her by producing a silver ring which had belonged to his late mother, Ylfa. Unable to indulge in mead, she happily watched the others, only wishing Astrid had been able to stay for the ceremony. King Harald’s ships had been caught in a storm and so she had yet to meet the Norse ruler, which was fine by her. Kings were not flavour of the month as far as she was concerned. Feeling nervous as the day wore on, she asked herself why. This was only confirmation of a commitment which had begun in the Great Hall of the Vercian palace less than a year ago. She had doubted sometimes, given what had befallen them, but there was no mistaking the love on both sides. Even Ragnar’s presence could not take away her joy and thankfulness, though he was on hi
The Bartered Princess Chapter Fifty-Five
Twenty Years LaterBeyla had wandered away from the settlement, in defiance of her mother’s instructions, and now she was lost. This was embarrassing, though she only had herself to blame. Easing her fingers underneath the cloth barbette which confined her neck, she lamented the fact that it was her duty to wear something so different to anyone else. So what if her destiny lay elsewhere? Couldn’t she conform then, or maybe institute a new fashion? As Princess Consort of Vercia, surely she would have that right?Princess Amber, wife to Prince Philip, was someone she didn’t want to become. The betrothal had been arranged when they were children. Maybe she could work on her father, because all her lady mother ever talked about was Beyla fulfilling her duty. Her elder brother, Tyr, would stay here in Eggsor and become Jarl when anything happened to their father. His Vercian middle name of Edmund would be forgotten and she would no longer be around to tease him about it.Leaving him behind
The Bartered Princess Chapter Fifty-Six
The Jarl was going to be so mad with her. Not because of the money, but for putting herself in danger like this. And it hadn’t escaped her notice that the ringleader appeared to hail from the Ice Lands, given the particular way he’d acknowledged her relationship to her father.After a few tense beats of her heart the giant surrendered the group’s prize with a little push.Wondering how to ask, she was nonplussed when Njord offered to escort them. They were cousins, though the tie often went unacknowledged because of his “villainous sire”. That was how her mother usually described him, while her father remained tight-lipped on the subject.“Come on, Liv,” he said to the startled woman. He winked at Beyla. “You have some explaining to do.”When they were out of earshot of the others, she remembered her manners and thanked him, stammering a little and blushing.“If you had not been there … ”“Think nothing of it, Bee,” he said. “But I will collect sooner rather than later.”She really ho
The Bartered Princess Chapter Fifty-Seven
Beyla learned the hard way that trying to do good deeds often backfired. Not only would Helga need recompense, the small matter of the berserkers had sent her father into a rage the like of which she had never seen. On the positive side, her mother didn’t scold her too much for discarding the barbette, admitting the day was hot. She was obviously softening her up for the next blow, which came in the form of the drab mourning attire she would be expected to don once they reached Vercia. “Forgive me, father,” she said, kneeling before him and grabbing for his hand. “It was foolish of me. But I was only trying to do good.” His face softened, highlighting the old scar, a thin line which ran from hairline to jaw. Ketil Haakonsson was in his early forties now and there was grey in the topknot which signalled him out from others. His stormy eyes were as sharp as ever and now held that indulgent look he reserved solely for her. “Just like your mother,” he murmured. The way he looked at his
The Bartered Princess Chapter Fifty-Eight
Tyr was back. It conflicted her, making Beyla wish they were children again. She really didn’t want to go to Vercia, still less think about him and Liv. His own marriage was more imminent than she had realised. Why was she so often left out of the loop?Would the girl from elsewhere in Svedland tolerate him sleeping with another? she wondered. As far as she knew her father was faithful to her mother. She really couldn’t understand why given how difficult she was.They were leaving on the morrow. Beyla tried not to think about how long it would take for the karve to cross the sea lanes. The barbette felt like her own personal curse, even though she was aware that wasn’t the case. If that wasn’t bad enough there was rouge and white face powder to contend with once they arrived. Her sunburned face was unfashionable and it had been drilled into her she must make a good first impression at all costs.Why couldn’t she just be herself?There was a celebration planned for later. She supposed
The Bartered Princess Chapter Fifty-Nine
Beyla watched her father kissing her mother in what seemed to her a very long and drawn out farewell. It was as if he would never let her go. She averted her face, refusing to look for Njord. What would be the point?He’d followed her back to the feasting and it seemed as if he wanted to ask her something. She did her best to avoid him until the very end, knowing it could come to nothing.That was when she had learned the shocking truth. Njord was the only one, ever, to be truly honest with her. Her close family often left many things unsaid.“If you didn’t have to follow the King’s orders, would you consider me a suitable husband?” he asked.Her mouth fell open in shock.“King Harald wishes this? Oh, why does nobody ever tell me anything?” she cried, pulling at the roots of her hair.“I thought you knew.”“Thank you for being the one to open my eyes. That explains why my mother and father blow hot and cold about the arrangement.”“Answer me, Beyla,” he urged, crowding her now.At lea
The Bartered Princess Chapter Sixty
The diadem on top of the coffin was there for show. Beyla supposed it belonged to her mother now and yet she just knew it would end up on her head. At least she could be proud to wear it having gleaned that her other aunt was not as black as she was sometimes painted.Miriam had broken down, devastated, as if she were only now realising it was true. Had she suspected otherwise?“I don’t want to lose you too, Beyla,” she sobbed.That was when she realised how well her father knew his wife.She sighed. It was probably not going to be like that between her and Philip. Having met him now she simply found him weird, even though he wasn’t all that much older than herself. He had a beard of sorts, straggly and sparse, and she suspected a dye was involved. Surely hair that golden in hue wasn’t naturally occurring in any part of the known world? His eyes were a mixture of brown and green and always speculative when they looked at her.Did he find her wanting or something?Sigurd, her father’s
The Bartered Princess Chapter Sixty-One
Njord was in a really bad mood. It had nothing to do with the choppy sea lanes and everything to do with a certain fair-haired nymph. His impulse to follow her was making him a laughingstock yet he cared nothing for that. Until he was absolutely certain this was the right thing for her he was going nowhere. It had nothing to do with her father, the Jarl, a man he respected. Feelings as strong as this could not be set aside lightly.If she told him to his face she wanted this that would be a different thing. All his instincts said she was a pawn to be tossed like a bone to a hound. Unfortunately, the man pulling the strings had all the power. Uncle Ketil didn’t care for their ruler, he knew that much. Telling himself he was on a family mission did nothing to alleviate his concern.Har was trying to catch his eye. More ribbing awaited. Usually, he could take it and give as good as he got. Not today. It wasn’t as if he could pretend to be seasick as everyone knew how good a sailor he was
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